My dad has taught me a lot of things that will stick with me throughout my life, but perhaps the best thing he could have taught me is to see through a lens. As an avid photographer his whole life (like converting a portion of his parents' garage into a darkroom as a teenager), he always encouraged me to pick up a camera and experiment. As you can see, this started at an early age:

Taking "pictures" of my maternal and paternal grandfathers, while my paternal grandmother, aunt and mom look on. This camera probably had no film in it.

As I have grown up, he has always encouraged me to see things a little differently, and was always willing to give up his camera to me if I saw something I just had to capture.

When I could afford my own DSLR, we both gained a camera buddy. It is really great to be in a beautiful place and to be able to create images with my dad. it's amazing how we will be in the same spot, but see things differently.

Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah. August 2011Photo by Joanna Jacob — Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah. August 2011
Photo by Joanna Jacob

My dad is my #1 fan, and is always excited to see what images I have created. He was willing to sit through every single image that I created in the Antarctic in order to help me flag the best ones. And when I have an editing question (Which way do you like this cropped? Like this or like this?) he is always ready and willing with his opinion.

Thanks dad for giving me the gift of seeing the world a little bit differently through a lens, and for willingly giving your camera up to me on our family trips all of those years.

Happy Father's Day! I love you!