founder fathers and leaders
Last week I found myself standing barefoot on damp grass, in a circle of men I’d never met before. The air was cold enough to bite, our breaths visible in the morning light. We were about to begin something that, a few years ago, I’d have dismissed as a little too far outside my comfort zone: breath work followed by wild swimming.
There’s a certain awkwardness in those first minutes. You’re looking around, wondering what stories each man carries, what’s brought them here. Some looked like seasoned adventurers, others more like me, still figuring out what on earth “wild swimming” really feels like in early June.
But then something happened. As the breath work began, the silence shifted. Each inhale, each exhale, seemed to strip away a layer of pretence. Nobody was performing. Nobody was scrolling their phone. We were just… present. And by the time we walked down to the water’s edge, it felt like we’d known each other longer than the forty-five minutes that had passed.
Being a founder isn’t just about starting a business anymore. It’s about creating something that lasts, that reflects your values. The start-up grind culture is fading, replaced by something quieter but, I think, deeper: sustainability, clarity, legacy.
Being a father is no longer just about providing, either. It’s about presence, about showing up even when it’s uncomfortable. Kids see through the highlight reels; they need the real you, not the polished version.
And being a leader? That’s shifting too. The old image of the unshakable boss is cracking. People want leaders who admit they don’t have all the answers. Who can stand in cold water with others and say, “this is hard for me too.” Vulnerability, it turns out, inspires more than bravado ever did.
For me, photography has always been a way of exploring those same themes. When I take someone’s portrait, whether they’re an actor, a business owner, or a dad just trying to figure it all out, I’m not chasing perfection. I’m looking for those in-between moments, the honesty beneath the surface. The story that lingers in the lines of someone’s face, or in the way they hold themselves when they forget the camera is there.
That morning by the lake reminded me that brand photography isn’t really about polished images for LinkedIn or Instagram. At its best, it’s about capturing what it feels like to be you in this season of life. A founder who’s building something new. A father learning balance. A leader willing to step into the cold water first.
We spend so much time trying to curate our identities online, but maybe the real work is in stripping things back. Like breath work, like wild swimming, cutting through the noise until what’s left is simple, strong, and true.
As the group warmed up afterwards, wrapped in towels and laughter, I thought about how rare it is to connect like that. No masks, no roles, just men showing up for themselves and each other. It left me with a quiet conviction: whether in water, in business, or behind a camera, the real power lies in presence.
And maybe that’s the point. Founders, fathers, leaders, we don’t need to get it all right. We just need to keep stepping in.
