Fatherhood looks different for everyone, but it can be distilled to one word: connection.
Documentary portrait photographerAntoine Didienneexplores how modern-day fatherhood forges these bonds in his ambitious series titledPortraits of My Father.
Didienne photographed 50 dads, along with their children, in endearing candid-style studio portraits.
Though a moment frozen in time, the black-and-white images offer a fascinating insight into each relationship.
I sought to photograph fathers of all kinds, he tells My Modern Met.
Scroll down to read My Modern Mets exclusive interview.
Photographer Antoine Didienne explores modern-day fatherhood in his emotional series titledPortraits of My Father.
What inspired you to beginPortraits Of My Father?
I wanted to understand their work and process better so I took time to conceptualize a long-form project.
I started and abandoned a couple before deciding on fatherhood.
I wanted something intimate and important and I went with what I knew intimately: being a father.
How did you achieve this in the studio?
Its important to me when it comes to creating good art and a good story.
I wanted the images to feel full of life and movement even if I posed my subjects.
I decided to have the sessions feel more like conversations.
I would talk to the dads and kids beforehand.
What is your experience with fatherhood?
I have two kids but before that, I was my fathers son.
I expect my kids to do the same.
I have two gorgeous daughters ages 12 and 6.
I wasand still ama sort of dad-preneur, splitting my time between parenting and running a business.
YourPortraits Of My Fatherproject was ambitiousyou photographed 50 dads!
Can you tell us about one memorable session?
I chose 50 because it was an ambitious number and the most challenging thing was the perseverance.
It took me 2.5 years to complete it.
These 2 were a delight to work with and gave me awesome photos.
I really was able to end the project with a bang.
Being a father yourself, you have very personal knowledge of fatherhood.
What did this project teach you?
I came to seriously question the concept of fatherhood altogether.
Photographing 50 different types of fathers will make you realize that fatherhood has nothing to do with DNA.
What do you hope people take away from your series?
I just wanted to show my love for fathers.
I wanted to show something to aspire to but that is also a reflection of the times.
The concept of fatherhood is rapidly changing and thats a good thing.
I want other fathers to be inspired to be better dads, more present, and more engaged.
Whats on the horizon for you?
Anything exciting you could tell us about?
I have a couple of ideas… ## Related Articles:
