On March 30, 2015, a Clemson University sophomore named Mackenzie Pearson declared her love for “dad bod.” “The dad bod is a nice balance between a beer gut and working out,” she wrote. “The dad bod says, ‘I go to the gym occasionally, but I also drink heavily on the weekends and enjoy eating eight slices of pizza at a time.’” Since then, the term has come to encompass any man who dares to forgo a six-pack, and the trend continues: A “realistic” faux-Ken was introduced, sporting a relatable dad bod; a group of Floridians decided to raise money for a friend’s medical bills with a dad bod calendar; and Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke recently declared that she prefers a man with a dad bod.
But dad-bod-as-trend is a one-dimensional descriptor. Real dads don’t all share a single physique, right?
We wanted to find out. So we enlisted photographer Lani Lee to track down some honest-to-god dads with some honest-to-god dad bods and have them pose for her — completely naked. Fuck you, Realistic Ken Doll.
Name:
Peter Pabón, 43
Occupation:
Graphic artist/Photographer
Number of children:
I have three children in total. I have a 16-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son with my ex-wife and just had a 13-month-old son with my current girlfriend.
What’s your favorite part about being a dad?
I’d have to say it’s the moment your child looks up at you for help, love, acknowledgment, etc. You realize that nothing else matters in life but that.
Name:
Sonic Highlark, 34
Occupation:
Photographer/Journalist
Number of children:
One girl, 3 months old.
What’s your favorite part about being a dad?
Seeing my daughter do things she never did before. She’s evolving!
Name:
Michael Casey, 44
Occupation:
Telecommunications Journeyman/Co-owner of Tattooed Geek Inc./ Reverend
Number of children:
Three boys, ages 25, 22 and 18. And two girls that are 21 and 17.
What’s your favorite part about being a dad?
My favorite part of being a dad is watching my kids grow up. Being able to provide for them. Keeping them safe and healthy.
Name:
Red Wilkins, 34
Occupation:
Construction
Number of children:
Two boys. 5 and 1.
What’s your favorite part about being a dad?
Teaching the boys good moral values in the hopes that they grow to be strong, good-hearted men who work to make the world a better place.
Name:
Elvin Ibarrondo
Number of children:
I have one child.
What’s your favorite part about being a dad?
My favorite part about being a father is that I can get to do with my kid all the things that I didn’t do growing up as a child with my father.
Name:
Lean Automatic, 29
Occupation:
Musician/Artist
Number of children:
I have one, a 9-year-old daughter.
What’s your favorite part about being a dad?
The best part about being a dad is knowing no matter how hard life may get, my daughter and I will always have a special bond that cannot be broken.
Name:
John Seymour, 38
Number of children:
5-year-old twins and a 3-year old, all girls.
Name:
Isaiah Washington, 28
Occupation:
Teacher
Number of children?
A newborn girl and 3-year-old boy.
What’s your favorite part about being a dad?
Definitely the hugs!
