When a photo started generating negative comments about this dad’s parenting style, he decided to fight back. This was his response.
Brian Reda is a photographer and stay-at-home dad.
He’s been documenting life with his first son, Livingston, with photos like this one.
Yesterday he posted this photo on Reddit, and his hardcore hand gesture was met with some backlash.
In response, he uploaded even more photos.
“Some people put up quite the stink about the “metal hand” in the picture of my son at the zoo,” he wrote.
“I’m a stay-at-home dad and [this is] the way I’ve chosen to document our life together.”
But there’s more to the story than just a really metal dad.
As a photographer, Reda says he’s always looking for unique ways to visually communicate. “The photos prior to my first “Dad Life” image were cute and served the purpose of capturing him in all his infant glory,” he told.
Instead of taking photos of just his son, Reda says the hand gesture makes him part of the story, too.
“I know that sounds selfish, especially in our selfie-crazed culture, but the series is about our relationship. It’s about us. It’s about being father and son.”
“We’re a little team,” he said.
“When he glances at the camera he’s connecting with Dad and the audience vicariously experiences our relationship. “
Reda’s captured all the important moments of parenthood, from the easy ones…
…to the hard ones.
When one hand is rocking out it’s hard to hold groceries AND a baby.
From the fun stuff…
(Half a candle for a half birthday.)
…to the not-so-fun.
And while Reda agrees dad life is pretty much the most metal thing there is…
…he says the most metal award goes to his wife, Angela.
“Who carried him, birthed him, nurses him, and now supports us,” Reda says.
Rock on, Metal Dad.
Check out more photos of Metal Dad Life
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