Not many men enjoy getting dressed up and posing for the camera. But most of us don’t actually have shots with our parents, much less professionally done portraits.

So how about this Fathers Day you shake things up! Hire a professional photographer to take intimate portraits of you with your dad. And no, I don’t mean for you to set up a typical studio session where you’re against a cheesy background with plastic smiles painted on your faces.

Why? Because you want to be able to put your father at ease during the shoot and allow him to have fun. You also want him to actually look forward to seeing and framing the shots when they finally arrive.

Decide on the activity

So here’s what you should do: have the photographer come and take candid shots of the two of you doing something you both enjoy. From playing chess to fishing together, I’m sure there are several things you can think to do that your father will enjoy.

Just ensure that whatever activity you decide to do, it will be one that he enjoys primarily, rather than dragging him along to something that only you want to do.

This part of the planning is essential because if dad simply doesn’t want to go paintballing in the hay, he won’t enjoy the shoot. Again, be sure to choose something both of you will enjoy.

Research your shots

It would be helpful if you can do some research to see the types of shots you’d like done. Would you prefer serious portraits or some quirkier ones? Dynamic or intimate perspectives? Would you like some photos in black and white, or maybe some silhouettes of the two of you fishing?

Browse the web, check photo sharing sites like Flickr.com and see the types and styles of photos you like. An activity like fishing would mean that you’ll want to catch the sunset for beautiful warm light.

Make a list of the types of shots you’d like, and even show your photographer what you hope to achieve. It would help guide him or her when the shoot comes, and prepare them to plan what equipment they should pack.

Choose your photographer

Check online and in the newspapers for photographers in your area. Be sure to view their portfolio to see the types of shots they are capable of doing. Photographers tend to have a certain style of shooting, so viewing their body of work is essential.

Based on your list of shots and research you should have an idea by now whether or not their portfolio reflects the type of shots you want.

A great way to hire an affordable photographer is to get acquainted with serious amateurs. You’d be surprised how many there are, eager to utilize their skills and build their portfolio, and would be happy to do so at a good price for you.

Some photographers will charge by the hour, some per session. The activity you choose to do, along with their rates, will help you decide which is best for you.

Taking the time to plan this for a successful shoot will make it a rewarding gift for your father this Fathers Day. Be patient, ask around for help and do some research, and more likely than not you’ll have captured some great memories to last a lifetime.