The motivation behind this project, Modern Day Dads, is two-fold.
On the one hand it is a cathartic experience and a means for introspection – a path of discovery in many ways. Being a “stay-at-home” dad myself I have encountered numerous challenges, predominantly mental and emotional ones. Given that we are the minority, we often find ourselves alone and without peers. By the simple process of searching, finding and collating the stories of others in the same boat, I hope to better come to terms with the experiences and issues I am going through.
And on the other hand I hope it can help others. By sharing the stories of other stay-at-home dads and providing them a platform where they can be heard and/or seen, I hope it will prove to others that they are not alone.
In addition to engaging others, be they stay-at-home dads or not, I honestly hope this project can help raise the awareness of the growing number of dads who are the primary carers. Long-standing perceptions of ‘gender roles’ can be looked on anew and inspire change not only from the broader community but also provide encouragement for other modern-day dads a.k.a. stay-at-home dads.
Background on the Author and Photographer
Currently this project is a bit of a one-man-band. My name is Jules Trudeau and as you might guess I’m a stay-at-home dad – amongst other things. My inspiration for this project is my children of course – two of them to be precise (no, there are no others tucked away). They are without doubt the most wondrous and challenging things that have happened to me.
In the past I have worked as a camera-man for tv productions/documentaries as well as some small-budget films. Professionally trained as a graphic and web designer, I left this after a ten year stint, only just recently, to pursue my photography. And in that time I’ve fallen in love with documentary photography. Finding and sharing other people’s stories through photographs is an amazing process.
In 2010 I completed my first photographic documentary that focused on four cage fighters and their trainers as they prepared for their first amateur cage fight. You can view some of the photographs on my professional web site here.
