Getting Dad into the frame with PhotoBox #FocusOnDad

We take a lot of photos for the blog and also to keep them as keepsakes. There are loads of the children. And there are some with me too but I was surprised to find that there were not so many of Hubs. I don’t think I’m alone in this as PhotoBox conducted research to find out the same thing. In fact, to settle this they decided run a competition where kids can take over a photo studio to encourage more photos of Dad.

Personalised photo gifting service PhotoBox reveals UK Dads are missing from family photos across the country because they’re so often the ones taking the pictures.  With reasons ranging from their love of gadgets to their embarrassment in front of the camera, Mum features in twice the amount of photos compared to Dad**.  In a bid to put Dad back in the frame this Father’s Day, PhotoBox is opening a photo studio run entirely by kids for one day only; and everyone has the chance to take part. For a chance to win a free session at the PhotoBox Kids’ Photo Studio on Saturday 25th June, enter the #FocusOnDad competition at www.photobox.co.uk/focusondad 

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Jadyn loves to take photos and she has thankfully taken some lovely ones of Dad. She is  great with selfies so we’ve got some of those with Dad too.  I’ve also started making sure that I get Dad into the frame more often.

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58% of the nation’s families admit that Dad’s love of photography and passion for gadgets makes him the go-to member of the clan to pick up the camera.  Two-thirds (68%) of the UK parents surveyed admitted Dad takes the majority of family photos because Mum prefers it.  His efforts don’t go unnoticed, as more than half (56%) of those surveyed think his photos are much better than Mum’s.  

When it comes to family photos, as expected kids are always stealing the show from Dad:

 ·         Over half (51%) of parents agree one of the top reasons Dad is always behind the camera is so he can capture all the children’s best moments

·         Half (47%) of photos on display in the home feature the kids and neither parent

 To celebrate Father’s Day and put Dad back in the frame, for one day only photo gifting company PhotoBox will open a photo studio run entirely by kids, with Dad as the star.  Robert May, Global Marketing Director at PhotoBox, comments:  “Families are forever growing, changing, and experiencing new things together. Through photography, we can capture those special and everyday family moments so that we can celebrate them again and again. When we discovered that Dads were missing from many of the family pics, we were astounded! And knew something had to be done to rectify this. Our Kids’ studio will help put Dad back in the frame and celebrate his great moments with the family too.”

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How many photos do you have of Dad? Do you like photography? Here are some top tips from Professional photographer and father-of-three Darren Coleshill of Photalife :

1. Pick the right camera From experience, picking the right camera is key – there’s really no point in getting them an expensive all singing all dancing camera, but equally a disposable camera isn’t right for them either.

A simple basic camera with a zoom and importantly a screen is perfect. Even a phone with a camera is fine. Children need to see what they have taken a photo of and this needs to be instant, not a few days later!

2. Holding the camera Before you get them to snap away show them how to hold the camera. If they are using a phone then showing them a grip where they hold it in each corner is normally good. Show them what happens if fingers are in front of the lens. No one enjoys looking through photos where little fingers are in the way. Show them beforehand so they won’t get disappointed when you look back at the photos later.

3. Setting up the photo When getting children interested in taking photos don’t bombard them with too much information. The best way to start is to tell them to start by getting everything in the canter then they won’t go too far wrong. This is where having a screen is ideal as they can see exactly what they’re taking a photo of.

4. Experiment  The beauty of digital photos and smartphones is that you can take endless amounts of photos and it doesn’t matter. If they get a disposable camera then it’s limited to 24 or 36, which is no good. My tip would be to give them a camera on a day out and just let them snap away. You can then look back over them together and pick out their favourites, or work on different ways they can improve.

5. Get Up Close On most cameras there will be some form of zoom, but also explain to them that if something looks too far away then move up to the subject so more of the point of interest is in the photo. This may be easier said then done, but let them find out what they like and what works best for them.

6. Focus on Interesting Things Why are they taking that photo? Once they’ve got the basics of actually taking a photo get them to take photos of interest. What catches their eye? If it was an animal or person get them to focus on that and fill the photo with the thing they found interesting.

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Do share some pictures of your kids and Dad if you have some and watch this space for an exciting competition in collaboration with PhotoBox.

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