Confession, it had been ages since I took proper photos of the girls with their Daddy. He has never been a big fan of the camera, so most of the time I didn’t push it. But on this particular weekend the girls had accidentally coordinated, the autumn colours were just starting to glow, and I was out scouting for the perfect spot. It felt like the stars aligned and I couldn’t resist asking him to step in.
At the time it felt like one of those little one-off moments, nothing grand or overly staged, just a quick chance to capture them together. But now, looking back, I am so grateful we did it. This was years ago, and I love that we have these photographs to hold onto. The girls look so small. The way they reached for his hand, leaned into his shoulder, and wrapped their arms around him — it all feels both like yesterday and a lifetime ago. Even the way his slightly awkward smile softened once he forgot I was there makes me smile now.
If your husband or partner is the same, reluctant to be in front of the camera, you are not alone. I meet so many families where Dad would happily duck out of every shot if he could. And yet, those are often the photos that mean the most later on. Over the years I’ve learnt how to make it feel easy, unposed, and relaxed, so it never feels forced. Quite often those same reluctant Dads end up saying afterwards that it was nothing like they expected, and sometimes even admit they enjoyed it.
The truth is, these moments don’t hang around for long. Children grow, families shift, and before you know it years have passed. Having photographs to look back on brings you straight to the details you thought you’d never forget but somehow do — the way they looked at you, the way their hands curled into yours, the sound of their laughter. Those are the things that matter.
Seeing these photos again reminded me how quickly the years slip by. If you’ve been putting off capturing your own family, now is as good a time as any. You don’t need a perfect home, a perfect outfit, or even a perfect smile — just your family, as you are.