Brian Reda is a photographer and stay-at-home dad.
Brian Reda / brianreda.com
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.
Brian Reda / brianreda.com
“Some people put up quite the stink about the “metal hand” in the picture of my son at the zoo,” he wrote.
Brian Reda / brianreda.com
“I’m a stay-at-home dad and [this is] the way I’ve chosen to document our life together.”
Brian Reda / brianreda.com
But there’s more to the story than just a really metal dad.
Brian Reda / brianreda.com
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 BuzzFeed.
Instead of taking photos of just his son, Reda says the hand gesture makes him part of the story, too.
Brian Reda / brianreda.com
“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.
Brian Reda / brianreda.com
“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…
Brian Reda / brianreda.com
…to the hard ones.
Brian Reda / brianreda.com
When one hand is rocking out it’s hard to hold groceries AND a baby.
Brian Reda / brianreda.com
Brian Reda / brianreda.com
And while Reda agrees dad life is pretty much the most metal thing there is…
Brian Reda / brianreda.com
…he says the most metal award goes to his wife, Angela.
Brian Reda / brianreda.com
“Who carried him, birthed him, nurses him, and now supports us,” Reda says.