Father’s Day with Nick Mele

Known for his whimsical take on American luxury, Nick Mele has been called a “modern-day Slim Aarons” for good reason. His photographs— equal parts glamorous and irreverent— capture everything from cocktail parties to quiet family moments, all through a lens of charm and wit.

But beyond the fine art and fashion work, Nick is also a dad— and some of his favorite subjects happen to be his own family. Whether he’s skateboarding with his sons or capturing the chaos of daily life at home, his eye for the beautiful and unscripted is always at work.

We caught up with Nick ahead of Father’s Day to talk traditions, travel dreams, and the everyday moments worth freezing in time. From slow mornings to backyard hangs, discover how he spends the day surrounded by family— and outfitted in Kassatex favorites. Read on for the full Q&A.

Q&A with Nick Mele

Kassatex: How has becoming a father influenced the way you capture family moments in your photography?
Nick Mele: I’ve come to see the beauty in imperfection. Being a parent can be messy. It can be silly, it can be frustrating and it can be unexpected. I want to capture that side of family, even in a posed photograph. A great family photo isn’t about everyone looking at the camera and smiling. It’s about capturing a moment and unique joys of that time in life.

Kassatex: What’s your idea of a picture-perfect Father’s Day from morning to night?
Nick Mele: It doesn’t really matter what we do. In fact, sometimes the less we do, the better. I’m not big on making grand plans. I just want to spend the day just hanging out with my wife and kids. If we didn’t leave the house, that would be ok. We could play in the backyard, cook meals, and watch movies. I love a good lazy Sunday.

Kassatex: What’s the most memorable Father’s Day gift your kids have given you?
Nick Mele: One year my wife turned my son’s artwork into a mousepad for my laptop so I could take it with me on work trips.

Kassatex: Do you have a favorite Father’s Day photo you’ve taken? What makes it special?
Nick Mele: I can’t honestly say I’ve ever taken a memorable father’s day photo. I’ve probably taken more photos of my family than most people, but it can often turn into work. So on Father’s Day I’d rather focus on spending quality time enjoying my children’s company and not worry about manufacturing a moment for the camera. However, my favorite photo I’ve ever taken of our family is a very simple one of us standing in front of our house. We aren’t doing anything crazy, but our personalities are very clearly on display.

Kassatex: Are there any Father’s Day traditions you’ve started with your family?
Nick Mele: My wife is tireless throughout the week taking care of the children while I work, so on Sundays I try and give her a break. Thus, our Father’s Day traditions are really more like our Sunday traditions. I take the kids to their favorite diner for breakfast and then we spend the whole day at the beach.

Kassatex: What’s one specific lesson your father taught you that you find yourself repeating to your own kids?
Nick Mele: Dare to be different. My father always encouraged me to be myself, no matter what other people were doing. It’s better to be weird than boring.

Kassatex: Where would be your dream Father’s Day getaway, and why?
Nick Mele: I think early June is a great time to go to Europe, if you can. I’d like to take my kids to Paris soon. Father’s day sounds like the perfect moment to visit the Louvre and try to shove some culture down my childrens’ throats.

Kassatex: What’s a small, everyday moment as a dad that you wish you could freeze in time?
Nick Mele: My kid’s crawling into our bed in the middle of the night because they are scared. For a solid 6 months I think there were four of us sleeping in one bed and that didn’t include our two large dogs.

Kassatex: If you had to create a Father’s Day photo album, what three moments would be must-includes?
Nick Mele: My oldest son holding his little brother for the first time. The whole family skateboarding down the street with our dogs. Me and the kids exploring our roots in Italy.

Kassatex: What’s your favorite way to end Father’s Day with your family?
Nick Mele: Snuggled up on the sofa watching a movie, preferably something from the ‘80s or ‘90s that my children wouldn’t watch themselves.

Shop Nick Mele’s favorite products for Father’s Day along with his custom photography prints here.