Without question, this was another tough contest. Before I announce the Five Finalists to you, I want to thank the people who sent hundreds of Fatherhood images to us. I read every email and looked at every photo at least twice. During the process, I found myself crying, laughing, and standing in awe of what you have captured. Having come from a painful relationship with my own dad, I thank all of you who entered images. Every image was healing and full of passion. The finalists below are only a sampling of what was entered, but what a sampling they are!
Five roles of fatherhood came up again and again in the hundreds of entries. Not only are these finalist images artistic, but they are also a much larger representation of the different roles.
The first role of fatherhood is being a Playmate.
Finalist #1, Happy Food Spot, by Sarah (mama and wife to these two)
Doesn’t this image bring a complete smile to your face? When I opened it up, I almost fell out of my chair. It’s wonderful! The composition is fantastic! We see just enough of the lettering above and just enough of the sidewalk below. Study that for just a moment. The top third and bottom third are both minimal–adding a beautiful simplicity to the overall image. I even like how the two aren’t totally centered, off centered by just a smidgen. This adds forward motion to the two of them. The image also reveals a wonderful connection between the dad and his daughter. Dad is totally her playmate. And the combined green background and fun lettering take it to a whole new level!
The mama behind this wonderful photo is Sarah. She is out of Chicago. Her email signature revealed that she also contributes to Shutter Sisters. Tracey Clark and a bunch of other beautiful women host the awesome website, Shutter Sisters. If you haven’t, make sure you check out their site and Sarah’s too! You will eat it all up! (back to the photo) Sarah said her husband and daughter are two peas in a pod. Doesn’t that phrase have a whole new meaning with this photo! Thank you Sarah for sharing Happy Food Spot!
The next role of Fatherhood is Protector.
Finalist #2, Water Balloon, by Sara (Sara with no h 
)
The timing of this shot is unbelievable! Not only did Sara catch the exact moment of the dad catching the water balloon. But she also caught the little girl’s hands. Her hands reveal the intensity of the energy in this moment. This is also a beautiful example of Less is More. We don’t need to see the faces to know this little girl is both scared and relieved at the same time. Dad is there to protect her. In Sara’s words;
When I look at this photo, I can just feel my father’s arms around me. I can feel him protecting me. I can feel the security in his voice and in his laugh. Even though this child is only being protected from a water balloon, I can just imagine the feelings she had as she slowly opened her eyes to realize that yes, her daddy kept her safe once again!
When looking at the photo submissions, I have a system that helps me ignore the names of the sender. You can imagine how excited I was to find that this was Sara Montgomery! She attended two of our workshops and is now doing family photo shoots and has a wonderful blog. Enjoy! This woman is an inspiration! Sara, thanks for sharing your gift with us!
The third role is Provider.
Finalist #3, Falling Asleep Under the Truck, by his wife Lauren.
This image brought me to tears. Lauren shared how her husband repairs aircrafts for his day job. And then Lauren lost her job and Brian decided to start repairing cars at night for extra cash. After a 10 hr. work day of working on planes, he has fallen asleep under the purple truck. There is so much more to this man that Lauren has shared. But I want to continue the focus on not only his commitment to Provide, but also how Lauren caught the spirit of a Provider.
His dirty, oily hand in the foreground of the shot says so much about this dad. And the fact that he’s asleep on the garage floor, need I say more? Again, Less is More. We don’t need to see his sleepy eyes to know he’s exhausted. It also looks like Lauren added a vignette to this which is a soft blackening around the outer edge of the image. You can do this in Adobe Lightroom under the vignette tab. Sometimes people over use vignettes, but I think the vignette in this image adds a certain “hush” to the image. Lauren, thank you for not only sharing this amazing image of Brian, but for also sharing your story. You are both incredible. What a honor to feature your image here.
The fourth role is Timelessness.
Finalist #4, Skateboarding with Dad, by Renee (mama and wife)
Why timelessness? I look at this picture and I see myself walking into a stationary store someday and buying a Father’s Day card with this image on it. It is the classic vintage shot of dad doing something crazy with the kids. Timeless…that’s what it is. I also love the composition too. Of course we fall in love with the little girl smiling at us and dad behind her, but I’m really loving the other one behind them. She’s the sweetie with the purse trying to catch up.
This little girl’s presence in the image adds motion and speed to the dad and daughter on the skateboard. Try to picture this image without the little girl running behind them. It could almost look like they were just standing on a skateboard. But because the little is running we feel the forward motion in the skateboarding. Wonderful Renee! Well done!! I also love how Renee turned this image to black and white. I like to use black and white toning when I want to accentuate emotion or a sense of timelessness. This image is the perfect fit!
The last role a father plays is Enduring Love.
Finalist #5, Photo Shoot for Dad and His Sweetie, by Carrie (wife and mama)
I’m struck by how the expression on the dad’s face brings me to a pause. I feel myself exhale as I take in all the enduring love that comes through in that simple furrow of the brow. She is playful and in love with dad; he savors every moment of their connection. The tight frame with a simple, blurred background helps us come close. We can almost her his breath. Imagine this picture if there was distraction in the background behind them. Carrie’s thoughtful composition has made all the difference. Her focus is sharp on dad’s face and because of this we are overwhelmed by the emotion he reveals in a single moment–the strength of his enduring love that will not end no matter how many miles separate them.
It was wonderful to find that Carrie had entered this picture. She lives in Florida and attended our Sonoma Workshop. Carrie wrote that when she got home from the Sonoma workshop her husband told her he wanted to be her first “real” photo shoot. Would she do a photo shoot of him and their daughters? He wanted Carrie to pretend like they were clients and wouldn’t even let her drive with them to the park. Instead he and the girls picked out their clothes and met Carrie at the photo shoot location. First, what an amazing gift to give his wife, to call her out as an artist and assign value to her time and art. There’s a handful of you husbands out there (like our avid male blog commenter, Jeramy. What would we do without you guys?)
He also wanted these photos because he was being deployed again and it will be several months before he holds his girls. Carrie hasn’t been able to look at this series of photos since he left. But for us, she was strong and shared them. What an incredible gift you have given us Carrie. What a gift you are. Thank you.
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These are the Five (AMAZING) Finalists for June’s Fatherhood Photo Contest! I hope they give as much inspiration to you as they have given to us.
Now it’s your turn to vote! Yeah!! Brian and I invite you to post a comment and vote for your favorite finalist (you only get to pick one ). The most important part to voting is sharing a few words about why you picked the image you have. These comments are better than any prize we could offer. Your feedback, no matter how short, helps the finalists
There will be One Final Finalist who wins a $100 Home Depot certificate to share or give her hubby.
We’re also going to give $20 Starbucks cards as two Random Voter Awards. This means if you post a comment and vote, you are automatically entered into a drawing where two people will win the Random Voter Award.
One more way to win! If we hit 400 votes (which hasn’t happened yet), the #400 voter will also win a $20 Starbucks card! But here’s the catch. Voting ends this Wednesday night at midnight PST.
Time to email your friend and get them voting for a finalist and possible week’s worth of coffee!
p.s. I was going to finish up the engagement session for the blog yesterday, but my mom came over and we ended up canning Ginger Peach Jam. Oh, it’s so yummy! But the slide show is coming soon!
Im voting for number one. Cant wait to see who wins!
They’re all so wonderful!! I’m voting for #5.
Definitely #1!
I so look forward to the days when all of these pictures can point to something true in my own life… except that I would die on a skateboard alone… much less with a child…
My vote is #1… a smiling little girl playing with her dad nearly brings me to tears…
WOW! What great pictures, it was a tough choice but my vote is #5 – it also brought a tear to my eye.
My vote is for #1. I love how dad mirrors daughter! What an amazing connection they must have! And it also reminds me of the importance of play for both adult and child in our work-centered stressful culture.
I vote for #5, I just love it. All the other photos are great too.
I vote for number two. That’s how a little girl should feel with her daddy. Safe and protected, even when he’s having fun with her!
I love #5!!! My Vote is for #5…I have had the great opportunity of meeting these wonderful individuals and I know what love and devotion he has towards his family. Such a great shot! Great job Carrie!
I can’t believe all the votes. Will we make it to 400?
On a side note, I think that some of the comments that are being left for these wonderful photographers are a little harsh. We come to Me Ra’s site because we are all supporters of each other, women to women, moms to moms, photographers to photographers. We come for inspiration in our life journeys. I am sure that these photographers are open to constructive criticism or they would not have entered the contest. If you want someone passionately to win, then vote for them, but do it without defaming other entries with personal blows, either to their stories or physical look.
Everyone’s style is different. Appreciate the different eye!!
well said “Z”
thank you!
this was a hard choice… they are all so good. but I am going with #1.
I vote for #1, its a funny and clever inversion that that dad copies the girl, instead of her copying him. It is a happy food spot photo, its got distinct personality.
I absolutely vote for #2 the photo says everything…..not words needed!
#5 is my choice
I vote 5.
There is just such emotion captured in this shot. It makes me feel so much all at once.
I’m voting for number one. Love the simplicity, the colors and the fact that dad is being silly with his daughter. Sometimes those little moments are the ones to last a lifetime,
I vote for #2. I love everything about it. What a lucky little girl to have that picture of her and her daddy!
I vote for Number #1 of course!
I vote for #2. I love it!!
Water balloon….what a great shot!
Yep, water balloon for me too!
I vote for #2. Nice job Sara
I wish I had a picture like the water-balloon (#2) of my Dad and I.
It says it all beautifully and simply. Sara has incredible vision and impecable timing, with this she captured one of those timeless, loving, nurturing, intimate moments that mean the most between a parent and a child. What a treasure….maybe the most wonderful thing is that in the second that she caught the image, neither the father or the daugther realized how poigniant their moment was. It just passed them by and they tossed the ballon to the other side….Sara captured this beautiful memory for them which would’ve slipped into nothingness had she not been watching so intuitively. BEAUTIFUL!!!!
I vote for Finalist #3, Lauren. I choose this picture as my favorite because it captures a moment I am able to connect with. This reminds me of my own dad who is Mr. Fix-anything-and-everything.
My dad commutes to work every day and works hard all day long. Oftentimes after a day of work we call on him to fix something – whether it be a car, a computer, a cd player, the dish washer, the washing machine – you name it, he’s probably fixed it. I don’t know what I’d do without my wonderful dad who I often declare to others can fix anything, even my heart when it’s sad or discouraged. This picture inspires me to take pictures of my genius dad next time he is in action around the house. Great shot Lauren!
i vote for number 1!!!!!!! It is fitting that it is actually #1 =) I just love the green… the photo just makes me smile.
I vote for number 2. I know it is not easy to catch this type of photo at just the right time.
I vote for #1!
I vote for #2!
My godness they are all so wonderful! I’m going to have to go with #5 i was awestruck by it, the expression is amazing and so natural.
#1 so much fun! I just totally smiled and felt happy from that picture! Sooooo cute!
Number 2 is my favorite.
Voting for #1
#5 Is and breath taking image. I love all these photos #2 was my next favorite such strong images! All are all great you should be very proud of yourselves. Can’t wait for the next contest i just might enter.
Come on let’s get to 400!
#3
I think everyone here would have to admit that this photo brought tears to their eyes.
I think photography is so much more than the most ‘interesting’, ‘eye-catching’ shot.
It is the feeling behind the shot.
It’s true that all the other shots are also wonderful. I can see the feeling behind those dad’s eyes. But in #3, I see the feeling behind this particular photographer’s eyes.
This one shot really gets to me.
Congrats to all these photographers!!
So I can’t stay up any longer waiting for 400, and I think you’ll get there!
My vote goes to #4. For me it really sums up fatherhood cuz I could imagine myself doing that with my kids. The girl running really makes this moment for me as well. And let’s not forget shirtless dad. This photo has it all…way to go Renee!
Such a hard choice i’ve been debating for 3 days now! I’m going to have to go with my heart and say #5 but I have to say all the images and stories were amazing.
Yeah… I’m off to bed.
I already voted for #5, but wanted to say that all the finalists images are awesome. I appreciate each one of you for sharing your photos and stories with us. I know its hard to put yourself out there for the world to comment on. Each one of you shared a special moment in time with us and inspired many people to remember to capture those fleeting moments in time. The fun, joy happiness, hardships and happiness we all find in our own lives.
nite. nite.
Darn your still short of that 400, but you came so close! They’re so many great things to say about all these pictures but it’s late and i’m a man of few words anyhow, so I’ll just got ahead and throw a vote in the hat for #5.
#3
My last minute vote is for #2. Go Sara!!!
I love #5 it is elegant and conveys the beauty and emotion of parenting! Pure love!
WOW. All of these made my heart feel warm. My vote is for #3. What a loving father and husband who will sacrifice for his family!
After a long time pondering between photos, I have finally made a decision!
I vote for #5.
While I was scrolling down through the different photos, I was in amazement at how others have captured their ‘Dads’ being a ‘Dad’, but when I scrolled more and saw this photo. I was struck. I read the story behind it. More struck. And then I remembered seeing this photo before from clickin on blogs to blogs to blogs one day.
I also had the father of my child leave for Iraq…before I was pregnant and any children with him at all. I had been so stressed, worried, sad…a hundred thousand different emotions all at one time. I can only imagine what it would be like if now he was to leave with I and his daughter here.
This photo captures a moment between a father and his child showcasing pure love and adorement they have for one another.
I must say I did have a hard time choosing though, because I kept on going back and thinking with the other ones, these are some awesome photos!
Congratulations to all the Photo takers…you all did a beautiful job!
I loved photo #1, it’s just so cute and playful. But then I saw photo #5 and cried….so, I’d have to say #5 gets my vote. Now I have to go get a Kleenex…
Wow, these are all wonderful, just beautiful. It’s tough to pick just one, especially knowing the stories behind the photos. In the end, #5 gets my vote. But I have to say that #3 also touched my heart. Congratulations to the finalists!
#1 is just too funny and I LOVE the green in the background, really makes the photo POP!!
I vote for #1 because it makes me smile like a crazy lady! I think #5 is beautiful too… I think they are all brilliant!
#5 is absolutely the best! No question about it.
[...] people took time out of their day to share their thoughts and encourage the Five Finalists for the Fatherhood Photo Contest! This number alone is breathtaking! Thank you so much to all 349 voters! You are all wonderful!! [...]