real dads
Dads are amazing! I’ve gotten to spend time with real dads and they are hard working, loving, fun, hilarious, and awesome. They get frustrated and tired and done with the day like moms do but they get up the next day make life funny and energetic and happy and they keep working through the hard stuff.
the myth about dads
Media and movies and tv shows often portray dads as bumbling idiots, buffoons trying to do good things but always messing things up, deadbeat dads, men who mess up the lives of everyone around them, and a host of other things that may be the truth for some dads but definitely not true of all dads.
Real Dads from davina fear on Vimeo.
how things are changing
Dads are changing the world. A generation ago the definition of a dad was different from what it is today. And with each generation dads become more involved in their children’s lives, their life at home becomes one where all of the household chores are shared with less boundaries drawn between women’s work and men’s work. Moms and dads work in tandem creating homes where children feel safe, listened to, guided through life’s challenges, and supported in their choices and struggles.
dads now
There are still trails to blaze and walls to break through but the dads I see, as I make photo documentaries of families, are ones who are creating their own path of fatherhood that takes the best of what he grew up with and then changes the things he knows will make a better childhood for his own kids.
the truth about dads
Most dads are trying to do their best to be there for their children and their spouse. They are there at bedtime, they make dinner, tie shoes, give us hugs when someone is hurt, get toys from high places, tickle kids that love to be tickled, push the stroller, hold the baby, change the diapers, feed the kids, read stories 1000 times in a row, manage many children at one time, win and lose lots of games, play the piano while their children sing and dance, fix hair, listen to stories, wipe tears and bottoms, teach their kids to lead horses, practice catch with their teen daughter every night for her upcoming game, work on homework, drill poems, laugh, decorate princess castles, help their kids ride bikes, teach children to share, pray with their family, climb trees to rescue stuck kids, crawl into boxes that are imaginary tunnels, give lots of kisses, make us laugh when we are sad, and that’s just the beginning.
the biggest truth about real dads
Most of all, the dads I see are doing their best to be there for the people they love.
What do you think? How are you seeing dads evolve? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Davina Fear , Charlotte family photographer and Familyness Adventurer. She believes in bed time chats, bike rides down mountains, and in families who see that real life doesn’t have to be polished to be beautiful.
She blogs at davinafear.com, and creates photo documentaries for families who have days where everyday is what they are building lives on, dads are awesome, and most days you’d say you’ve got it pretty good. If you’ve got an awesome dad in your house and want photos of how cool or endearingly nerdy he is on the daily, get in touch by writing to davina@davinafear.com CLICK HERE to get your free e-book for familyness photos.
By day, I photograph families. By night, I build forts the size of elephants with my family. I live in a yellow house. I believe real life is the best getaway ever.
2 Comments
You cannot underestimate the importance of a dad in a child’s life. Thanks for sharing these precious photos. Keep up the good work.
Jay, you are so right! Dads play such an impactful role in children’s lives. So many studies have been done that show that children who have a healthy relationship with their dads have advantages socially, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Thank you so much for taking the time to click on this post and then to so thoughtfully share. You are awesome!