In fact, as he states, “we still expect these evolving structures to replicate the old archetype, assume they have nothing better to give than imitation.” Indeed, Dads starts from this preconception and highlights the constant tension between how these families are unique and similar to “straight” families, shedding a light on their daily lives. The concept of “family” has been expanding for many years now, this is a matter of fact: borrowing the words of the American writer Andrew Solomon, “it can include step-parents, gay and lesbian families, open adoptions, single parents (by choice and by happenstance),” but it is still not enough. Leafing through the pages of Dads and reading the stories accompanying the images, a truth makes its way in our mind: a family is simply an act of love.
With his new photobook Dads, published by powerHouse Book, the Belgian photographer Bart Heynen gave us a gift: bringing together more than 40 pictures of gay dads and their children, he created a family portrait that goes beyond our cognitive biases.
