Fatherhood in Focus: What My Kids Learn on Photoshoots

Me and my wild bunch. Lisa with Frozen Weddings in Duncan, Oklahoma does amazing work!

Let’s talk about being a dad. Not just the “show up and grill the meat” kind of dad. I’m talking about involved dad. “Put down the remote, grab the light stand, and let’s make some magic” kind of dad.

See, my oldest — Lincoln — is officially my on-call, union-certified light assistant. Okay, maybe not union. But he is paid. (We believe in fair labor practices around here — even if payment sometimes comes in the form of sweet tea from Sonic or Dave’s Cave and/or Legos.)

When I roll up to a shoot, Lincoln’s grabbing light stands, making adjustments, and — I kid you not — offering up ideas. Good ones. He's starting to get it. He sees the rhythm. The people. The flow. And that, right there, is what matters most to me.

It’s not just about flash placement or camera settings — it’s about presence. I want my boys to see what work looks like. What passion looks like. What showing up for people looks like.

And now Harrison — my 8-year-old — is stepping into the light (literally). He’s the next apprentice in the making. One day soon, these two may run circles around me, and honestly, that’d be the dream.

Here’s the deeper thing: I want them to understand that masculinity isn’t about bravado — it’s about connection. It’s about being dependable, kind, helpful, and yes, occasionally charming as heck when you’re wrangling toddlers for the family photo.

They’re learning how to greet clients, shake hands, say thank you, and adapt when plans change. They’re learning how to work hard, communicate clearly, and treat people with respect — no matter their age. Those lessons? They matter just as much as lighting ratios and shutter speeds.

So yeah, I’m raising boys. But more than that — I’m raising humans who know how to engage the world with humility and confidence — and will one day become men. The type of man they become is shaped by the type of men they observe throughout their life.

Photography is just the lens. The real picture? That’s the one being developed with every shoot we do together.