Dads in Half as Many Photos as Mums

This Father's Day, with first ever photo studio run by childrenPhotoBox puts Dad back in the frame

• Dad is always behind the camera and not in front;
  • Mum prefers Dad taking the family photos (68%)*
  • Two-thirds of Dads believe they're better at taking photos than Mum (61%)
  • A third of Dads admit trying to avoid family photos altogether (34%)
• Kids Photo Studio entirely run by children opens on Saturday 25^th June to encourage more photos of Dad

Personalised photo gifting service PhotoBox reveals UK Dads are missing from family photos across the country because they're so often the ones taking the pictures. With reasons ranging from their love of gadgets to their embarrassment in front of the camera, Mum features in twice the amount of photos compared to Dad**. In a bid to put Dad back in the frame this Father's Day, PhotoBox is opening a photo studio run entirely by kids for one day only; and everyone has the chance to take part. For a chance to win a free session at the PhotoBox Kids' Photo Studio on Saturday 25 ^th June, enter the #FocusOnDad competition at www.photobox.co.uk/focusondad

58% of the nation's families admit that Dad's love of photography and passion for gadgets makes him the go-to member of the clan to pick up the camera. Two-thirds (68%) of the UK parents surveyed admitted Dad takes the majority of family photos because Mum prefers it. His efforts don't go unnoticed, as more than half (56%) of those surveyed think his photos are much better than Mum's.

When it comes to family photos, as expected kids are always stealing the show from Dad:

What do your child's photos mean? - Insights from Celebrity Behavioural Psychologist, Jo Hemmings

• Over half (51%) of parents agree one of the top reasons Dad is always behind the camera is so he can capture all the children's best moments
• Half (47%) of photos on display in the home feature the kids and neither parent

Insight 1: Look at the preparation and effort that your kid puts into the photograph

To celebrate Father's Day and put Dad back in the frame, for one day only photo gifting company PhotoBox will open a photo studio run entirely by kids, with Dad as the star. Robert May, Global Marketing Director at PhotoBox, comments: "Families are forever growing, changing, and experiencing new things together. Through photography, we can capture those special and everyday family moments so that we can celebrate them again and again. When we discovered that Dads were missing from many of the family pics, we were astounded! And knew something had to be done to rectify this. Our Kids' studio will help put Dad back in the frame and celebrate his great moments with the family too."

Insight 2: Who takes centre stage in the photograph that your child took?

Celebrity Behavioural Psychologist Jo Hemmings comments on the benefit of parents letting their kids take charge of the camera this Father's Day: "Trusting children to take photos more often can be a very interesting exercise for parents. Kids' photos are a mirror into their world, their personalities and propensities. For instance, focussing on a person's head in a shot often means they have a highly expressive personality, whilst symmetry and neatly framed images can indicate your child is both thoughtful and observant."

Insight 3: Highly expressive children focus on a person's head

An organised shot, with symmetry and a neatly framed image will tend to reveal a logical, thoughtful and observant child, while a more random or abstractly focused image, will often show a more creative personality. It's worth remembering that interpreting photos taken by your children is not the same as analysing their drawings. Drawings often reveal the innermost feelings of a child, while a photograph will tend to highlight their artistic, creative or logical side.

How to win a slot at the PhotoBox Kids' Photo Studio

In photos of family members, look out for one person that is focused on more than the others, who seems to take a prominent position, even if they are not at the centre of the group. This often indicates a person who is most influential or dominant in the life of your child - the results can often be surprising.

A child who focuses on a person or people's heads, rather than their head, bodies and surroundings often has highly expressive personality - they are focusing on the key areas of communication, the eyes and the mouth.

For a chance to win a free session at the PhotoBox Kids' Photo Studio on Saturday 25 ^th June, along with thoughtful PhotoBox photo gifts of Dad, enter the #FocusOnDad competition at www.photobox.co.uk/focusondad

You can also tell PhotoBox why the special Dad in your life deserves a treat by using #FocusOnDad on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.