Dad Captures Parents’ Dedication In One Winning Photo

Last March 2024, we asked readers to submit photos capturing the raw and unfiltered moments of parenthood. Out of thousands of entries, 50 best motherhood moments were selected and announced on Mother’s Day. This article is part of a series that delves into the stories behind the 10 winning photos of Smart Parenting’s Parenthood 100 photo contest.

Parenthood is not for the faint-hearted. It can test a person’s emotional mettle and physical capacity–all to meet our child’s needs.

Ian Kristoffer Panara’s entry to Smart Parenting’s Parenthood 100 photo contest perfectly captures one of those tender moments in parenting–that one minute where we, as parents, take a breather to rest in the midst of all our responsibilities, and yet here comes our child, looking for his mama or papa, wanting to be with us, always.

In the entry he sent, Ian described the photo: “For most working parents, the struggle to juggle many hats often leaves us physically and mentally drained. Despite the state we find ourselves in, we somehow manage to find the strength to show up for our children. For when duty calls, we simply cling to the wisdom that this too shall pass and in turn we will soon find ourselves grateful for the time we get to spend with them.”

Smart Parenting Parenthood 100: The story behind the photo, ‘Duty Calls’

Ian’s photo depicts a quiet morning between his wife and son, a common scenario in many households. “My son had woken up two hours earlier than usual that day,” Ian recounts. “He wanted to go outside the bedroom, so he did, with his still half asleep mother in tow.” Ian’s wife, Alexandria, who is also a breastfeeding advocate in Cebu, and their young son can be seen in a tender yet comically relatable interaction on their couch.

“We had things to do but not until later, so after my wife and I exchanged silly smiles, they went to the couch. She tried to get some more sleep but our son obviously didn’t want her to…” Ian added. “He proceeded to read to her, show her the illustrations from the book and scooched in to breastfeed, among other things.”

“After a few failed attempts in trying to quietly get him away, I noticed that the light was good and I went to grab my camera and waited. I was fortunate to have captured the moment where my son was trying to open my wife’s eyes. I then put away my camera and persuaded my son to let his mother sleep.”

Ian’s image is a testament to the everyday juggle of duties that parents know too well. His wife, like countless other mothers, despite being half-asleep and tired, responds to their children’s needs with patience and love–because ‘Duty Calls’ and we must answer.

Joy in candid moments

Ian told Smart Parenting that he tries to get as many candid photos of his wife and kids as possible, saying, “Whenever I can, I try to capture interactions between my wife and kids, the kids playing together or by themselves. I try to seek out candid moments and capture them as truthfully and creatively as I can because it brings me joy.”

Ian also shared that he used his old second hand Fujifilm X-E2 to capture the photo, saying, “Other than cropping the photo to fit the contest requirements ratio, [I] did not manipulate the photo in any way.”

Take five

Aside from exemplifying parents’ dedication to their kids, Ian also hopes that another message comes across: “Take five every time you feel like you need it. The people you love will thank you for it, and so will you.” This message is a reminder for parents to take care of themselves even in the busiest of times. It’s about giving yourself permission to pause, ensuring that you can show up fully for the moments that truly matter.

Ultimately, Duty Calls is more than just a photo; it’s a narrative that many parents are familiar with. It’s a reminder that in the chaos of life, the moments of stillness, however brief, are all precious. The photo invites us to cherish these snippets of life, as they are fleeting yet fundamental in shaping the warmth and love that define a family. Moreover, it celebrates the resilience and dedication of parents everywhere, who manage to find the strength to show up for their children, no matter how weary they may be. In the photo, we see not just a mother and her child, but a story of love, dedication, and the everyday heroism of parenting.