A Photo Shoot with Harry Borden - Single Parent Dad's

I was lucky in the Summer last year to and be photographed by the Photographer, to many Celebrities and famous people, Harry Borden.

Sadly due to James’ constant ill health and Asthma, the run up to Christmas as well as just my busy life I was unable to show you all the wonderful photos that he took.

That was until now.

Who is Harry Borden?

For anyone who doesn’t know who he is then I would definitely tell you to go visit his website. Harry Borden is a portrait photographer who has had his work widely published in addition to winning numerous amounts of awards.

His portfolio of some well-known people in every day positions and then everyday people, such as his NHS pictures of the diverse range of workers, capture a real glimpse of the person in front of the camera.
He currently has several on-going personal projects include a series on lone fathers, Single Parent Dads and Holocaust Survivors.

It was due to his project on Single Parent Dads that he was in contact with me.

What is his project?

Harry is also a single father and through his own personal experience it allowed him to create this project.

He says:

“The year that followed my divorce was the most difficult of my life. Overwhelmed by panic, despair and confusion, the hardest thing for me was the possibility of it having a corrosive effect on my children.

However, through acceptance, forgiveness and love my ex and I found a way to celebrate our time together and truly become friends. Although involved in my children’s lives, I am not the main carer.  This project aims to celebrate the men who are.

The reasons these men became single parent Dads are various, but they are all united in their commitment and love for their kids. My intention is to stage an exhibition and ultimately produce a book.

Every participant will get a print and will, I hope, enjoy the process of being photographed.”

I will be honest and say that I absolutely hate having my photo taken. If you follow me on Instagram then you will know that there are more pictures of the Boys than there are of me. 

This is mostly due to my own view on my disability. I know I stand at a slight angle, the way I sit often looks uncomfortable despite it being comfortable for me, my muscle shape and formation often comes through differently and you often see photo's of me with my walking stick. I, therefore, try to avoid having pictures taken.

With this in mind I have to admit that I was quite nervous and sceptical of having to pose for a photographer that has taken pictures of celebrities. Why me? I have a look for the Radio rather than through screen of print!

Harry was great and as professional, as I expected him to be. We spoke on the phone beforehand and discussed our own stories within Parenthood and Single Parent at that.

On the day he was low key, relaxed and welcoming. There was no forced backgrounds, gimmicks or costumes; although I am sure you would all have liked to have seen me dressed up as a pirate or similar ;)

Instead he had his Camera, film camera by the way, and his artistic eye to gain us in our natural environment.

With Harry there with us and after showing me some of his previous pictures within his project I realised that my fears and worries about my disability is almost something that needs to be captured with the boys. I am a single parent and I do it with a disability; but it was me as parent that mattered.

The three of us together were comfortable and happy and captured as we are every day; one dad, one parent with two children. 

Here are some of the Photographs that he took, as well as a couple of my personal favourites:

As you can see there was no false stage necessary, it was us, as we were, and are.

His other pictures are similar, beautiful and natural which you can see if you visit his site here

He is still looking for Single Dads to be photographed so if you are interested please get in touch with him!

Here are his social media accounts as well as his website again:

Instagram: @harryborden

Facebook: Harry Borden

Twitter: @harrybordenuk

Website: Harryborden.co.uk

It was a pleasure for us all.

What do you think of the project? Do you like the photos he took? Do you have a favourite?