Let’s be real — when it comes to family photo sessions, dads don’t always arrive with the same enthusiasm as moms, ESPECIALLY during football season! Most of the time, it’s mom who booked the session, coordinated the outfits, and dreamed about the perfect family photos. Meanwhile, dad shows up gritting his teeth, wondering how long this whole thing is going to take. Sound familiar?
As a North Atlanta family photographer, I’ve seen it all — dads who are totally over it before we even take the first photo, dads who don’t know what to do with their hands, and dads who think the whole thing is just one big chore. But here’s the thing: I’ve made it my personal mission to win over the grumpy dads and capture genuine, joyful moments — and I’m pretty dang good at it.
So, how do I do it? Here’s my secret sauce for turning reluctant dads into the MVP of family photos.
1. I Give Dads Something to DO
The fastest way to make a dad feel awkward is to tell him to “just stand there and smile.” Nope — not on my watch. Instead, I’ll get him moving and interacting with his kids. Whether it’s:
Tossing their toddler in the air
Giving piggyback rides
Playing tag in an open field
Hugging mom from behind while their little ones run around
Giving dads a job during the session makes them forget there’s a camera pointed at them — and that’s when I capture the good stuff. The belly laughs, the goofy dad faces, the genuine smiles.
And guess what? When dads see those photos later, they always say, “Okay… that was actually kinda fun.”
2. I Catch the Sweet, Unscripted Moments
Another trick? I watch like a hawk for those unposed, tender moments between dads and their kids. You know the ones — like when a dad scoops his daughter up after she trips, or when he instinctively pulls his son close when the wind blows.
These moments aren’t staged. They’re not forced. And they’re gold for family photos. Moms melt when they see these photos!
3. I Keep It Quick and Painless (For Him)
Here’s the deal: I know dads have a mental time clock. So I keep the session moving. No hour-long posing marathons, no awkward family portraits, quick and painless - once I get the shot, we move on!
I structure the session like a fun, playful hangout. We laugh. We play. I give light, natural direction that feels easy — and then BOOM, we’re done before dad even realizes it.
By the end, he’s usually like, “That wasn’t bad at all.” And mom? She’s thrilled because we got those dreamy, candid family moments she was hoping for.
4. I Make Sure Dad Feels Like a Hero
One of my favorite parts of family sessions is hyping up the dads. I’ll casually say things like:
“Oh my gosh — your kids adore you. Look at that smile when they’re with you!”
“You’re the fun one, I can tell!”
“Wow — they just want to hang on you the whole time. That’s so sweet.”
The result? Dad starts feeling less like a prop and more like the rockstar parent he is. And that confidence? It always shows up in the photos.
Final Thoughts
Listen, I get it — dads don’t always show up thrilled for family photos. But my goal as a photographer is to flip the script. I want dads to walk away thinking, “Okay… that was actually pretty fun.” And when they see the photos later, they’re always so glad they did it.
So if you’re worried your husband won’t be into family photos — don’t stress. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve, and I promise you: I’ll get those genuine, heart-melting moments that you’ll treasure forever.
And who knows? He might even crack a smile. 😉 On location shoots are typically in great areas to go to a fun lunch or dinner after, so take him for a beverage, because he’ll deserve it :).
