On this Father’s Day 2011, I honor my Father. When I sit and think about him I remember a number of things. One of which is how hard he worked to give me, my sister and my mother a nice, safe home. In addition to his 9-5 he would regularly work long hours around the house. He worked and he worked. He would install a new window, build a new car-port and purchase bad wall art from Costco. He would do those things for us. He’s an old school man and I imagine providing is quintessential to his notion of being a father, a parent and a partner. He worked and did all the things he did because he couldn’t help himself … that’s what was needed.
I also vividly recall his various styles of facial hair which seemed to change by the season: bearded, goateed, clean shaven, mustached, scruffed and so on. As a baby faced kid I quietly wondered to myself what it must be like to grow hair out of your face.
Having never been a father I can’t imagine the pressure that comes along with parenting. I also can’t imagine the internal satisfaction or relief which may come along with your children surviving childhood and developing into healthy adults. The number of challenges and small victories are virtually endless as a parent.
My father is now retired and his pace has slowed a bit. With this slowed pace I’ve been able to photograph him in his many iterations. He’s grown older but he continues to do many of the same things: Manage his facial hair, work long hours around the house and remain a father who continues to provide.
Grooming at Econo Lodge. Humboldt, CA. 2010
Working at DeMarietta Apartments. San Jose, CA. 2010
Hydrating on Christmas Eve. Dallas, TX, 2008.
Wandering Bear Island. Redwood City, CA. 2011
Shooting a portrait on the Circle Line Tours. New York, NY. 2007.
