Dotun Ajao had been juggling a typical Saturday of errands, chores and caring for his three-year-old son, Ireayo. The tired dad had snuck off for a nap when Ireayo found him, and, instead of asking for a snack or to play as he usually would, the toddler quietly climbed into bed and used his father’s head as a pillow.
“I was overwhelmed by the sweetness of it,” says the Lagos-born photographer, who now lives in Norfolk. “I picked up my phone to check the time but then I thought, what if we captured this?”
Nearly four years on, Ajao describes the image as one of his most cherished. “I believe the role of a father in his son’s life is often underestimated. A father should be a teacher, guide and protector who builds self-confidence and teaches resilience through life’s inevitable tumbles,” he says.
Ajao says the pair remain the best of friends. “With him, I feel like I can let my guard down and embrace that inner child that gets buried beneath the responsibilities of adulthood. We talk as friends and sometimes I’m amazed by his insight; once he said to me, ‘It doesn’t matter if the photo looks good, as long as it reminds us of a beautiful adventure.’ This would be my advice to anyone who thinks they don’t have a fancy camera, only an old phone.”
After taking the photo, Ajao tried to sleep, but only managed a few minutes before he had to get up and continue his day. He manoeuvred himself gently from beneath his son. Ireayo slept on.
