For those of you who didn’t know, yesterday was a Father’s Day in many countries around the world. And to commemorate it, we bring you some of the most powerful shots by pro photographers taken at the very first moments when dads become dads.
These photos taken in the delivery rooms will make you laugh, cry, but most importantly they’ll remind you, if you ever needed reminding, what a special feeling it is to witness or to even take part in bringing life to the world. Darn it, I think I got something in my eye…
And let’s not forget the brave moms who even got a Birth Photos Competition dedicated to them.
(h/t: bored panda)
#1
“This baby’s mom had just handed her to her father for some skin-to-skin … and this sweet girl was clearly absolutely smitten! At less than two hours old, she was raising her head to look straight into his eyes.”
Image source: Capturing Joy Birth Services
#2
“Just before a gestational surrogate gave birth to their son in Kingston, Ontario, a midwife screamed “shirts off” so new dads Frank Nelson and BJ Barone would be ready to hold their baby against their bare chests for skin-to-skin bonding.”
Image source: Lindsay Foster
#3
“This couple had really, really wanted a baby for several years. While I was waiting for the baby’s father to come out from the OR, his sister said, ‘I can hear him crying from here!’ One minute later, we saw him — covered in happy tears and holding his baby girl.”
Image source: Public Kiss Photography
#4
Image source: dontforgetdads
#5
Image source: Thistle + Lace Photography
#6
“I adore this image of my sweet husband. In the midst of pushing I told him (strongly) “Do not move!” His head was the perfect resting spot for my foot. Throughout my entire pregnancy and birth he told me: I know you can do this. You’re going to be absolutely amazing. He’s been my rock again and again.”
Image source: Monet Nicole
#7
“As the pushing phase progressed, this first-time dad grew more and more excited to meet his daughter. As her head started to emerge, he repeatedly covered his face in wonderment and awe. Her first breath certainly took his breath away!”
Image source: Snap Life Photography
#8
“This dad was injured severely in an accident in Afghanistan just three months before the birth of their second baby. He wasn’t able to support his wife physically, but he found other ways to help and hold space.”
Image source: Vuefinder Photography
#9
That tattoo on his chest was done after their first miscarriage, and now his daughter lies her sweet head against it. Both of them a reminder of triumph.
Image source: dontforgetdads
#10
Image source: Emily Robinson Photography
#11
Image source: Amelia Lyon
#12
Image source: Birth Blessings Photography
#13
Image source: Monet Nicole
#14
“These dads waited for so long for their baby — born via surrogate at a birth center — that they were just completely overcome with joy when they finally got to hold him.”
Image source: Brooke Walsh of Peace Love Babies
#15
Image source: Santa Cruz Birth Photography & Doula Services
#16
“When you just realize that after two boys…you finally have a girl.”
Image source: Monet Nicole
#17
Image source: Leilani Rogers
#18
“This dad’s pregnant wife and unborn daughter tragically passed away years ago. He has their names tattooed on his ring finger, which is visible in the photo. Later, he met and fell in love with his wife. This is their first son, Jude. Holding him for the first time skin-to-skin was a very emotional moment.”
Image source: Birth is beautiful-Captured by Ina
#19
Image source: dontforgetdads
#20
Image source: dontforgetdads
#21
“These two dads are just about to meet their son for the first time. They traveled to Canada from Barcelona, Spain, (where surrogacy is illegal) to be there and support the surrogate mama in labor and delivery.”
Image source: Coastal Lifestyles Photography
#22
“This dad wanted to make sure no one touched his baby’s umbilical cord until it had fully finished its job, so this was one way to guard it against being cut too early! This family knows how to have a good time any place, any time — this wasn’t staged at all! (They did use scissors to cut the umbilical cord.)”
Image source: Apple Blossom Families
#23
“This mother had been laboring for about 12 hours at this point and was absolutely exhausted. She was entering into transition, so each contraction was getting even more intense. Mic, the father, leaned in to pull her in close as she came down from the last contraction, wiping her tears from her cheeks. It was truly one of the sweetest moments I’ve ever captured between a mom and dad.”
Image source: Maggie Trice
#24
Trusting my body and my baby, I recognized when a fearful thought would arise and chose to change it. Absolutely it was incredibly hard, but I was strong – stronger than maybe some skeptics had believed when they found out I was doing a home birth. And sincerely, people’s doubts never offended me. I just felt sad that they didn’t realize the full feminine strength that all women possess. I got to experience it in all its fullness yesterday, and my reward was birthing, not only a baby, but also a mom. _ Bonnie started letting me know she wanted to come meet the world at 5:00 am on Monday, January 2, and my astounding husband and mother helped me labor until about 12:45 pm when I got in our bathtub to push. My little sweet sister joined us then to squeeze my hand and help document the journey. Our midwife, Emily, from Lovers Lane Birth Center, was calming and made me feel strong and safe. The last push was something I’ll never forget – a defining moment in my life. She came out into the water at 1:59 pm and she was perfect. _ Ben and I got a moment alone with this new little angel and I fell even more in love with my sweet husband. I’m reliving yesterday in my head over and over again. It was amazing, and if you are at all interested in a home or natural birth, I’m thrilled to help provide any insight or resources. _ Our little Birdie is 7.5lbs and 20in long with hair already long enough for pigtails. She pooped on me three times in the first two hours of her life, so we know she’s for sure Ben’s daughter…
Image source: dontforgetdads
#25
Image source: Monet Nicole
#26
“And she opened her eyes and found him. She arched back her neck so that she could see or sense him better. Her father. The beginning of lifelong love.”
Image source: Monet Nicole
#27
Image source: Leilani Rogers
#28
“There are those moments in life that you know will change you forever. And sometimes in those moments, you just can’t keep it together!”
Image source: Lane B Photography
#29
Image source: dontforgetdads
#30
Image source: cradledcreations
#31
Image source: Paulina Splechta Photography
#32
A normal part of life and an honor to catch your own baby.
Image source: dontforgetdads
#33
Image source: dontforgetdads
#34
“This couple had decided right after getting married that they would have kids via adoption, not because of any physical constraints, but because that was what was in their hearts. Their first daughter is 2 years old and they adopted her the day she was born. So it came as a huge surprise when they moved to Hawaii and, at the same time, found out they were pregnant! This father was his partner’s rock throughout the whole labor, both physically and mentally. When she pulled her baby to her chest, their reactions were so different — but so awesome!”
Image source: The Sophia Co
#35
Image source: dontforgetdads
#36
“At 12:21 am an AMAZING mother and INCREDIBLE father delivered their precious baby in the front seat of their car! I am still in awe of their strength, their sweet baby could not wait another minute to come into this world and his father delivered him within minutes of putting his car in park. No words can describe how amazing it was to watch this miracle, more to come as I was able to capture it all! Birth photographers dream, what a wild night it was. So in love with this family! Welcome to the world sweet babe.”
Image source: Jaiden Photography
#37
“This is the couple’s first live birth, they had a still birth just over a year and a half ago. This mommy went through 24 hours of labor, and then everything stopped for just over a week. Her water then broke and she was in labor for 30 hours before their son was born. When the baby arrived, they both broke down crying when he took his first breath.”
Image source: Fresh Love Photography & Birth Services
#38
“It was a long birth for these first-time parents, but the father not only encouraged his partner, he also talked to his baby throughout labor. It was beautiful to witness.”
Image source: Isabell Steinert Photography
#39
“And he reached down and delivered his own baby. Look at the tenderness in his hands, his face. This is family. This is love.”
Image source: Monet Nicole
#40
Image source: Belle Verdiglione – Perth Birth Photographer
#41
“Complete happiness! This was the couple’s second daughter, born at home.”
Image source: Fabiano Knopp
#42
Image source: Monet Nicole
#43
Catching his baby at home. I’m remembering him saying something along the lines of, “This is so cool!”
Image source: One Tree Photography
#44
Image source: unknown.
#45
“This dad had been emotional from the moment the midwife told his partner it was time to push. He supported her through every second of her painful labor — and two epidurals. There was so much anticipation and lead-up to this moment that when the time came, his emotions utterly overwhelmed him in the most precious and authentic way. I can’t imagine how much his daughter will love seeing this moment when she’s older, knowing just how much her father loves her.”
Image source: Ker-Fox Photography
#46
Image source: Monet Nicole
#47
“This was this couple’s first girl and their last baby. It was also their first home birth and it just all came together for them. There was so much love in the room. This baby is daddy’s little girl for sure.”
Image source: KE Documentary
#48
“This moment! If any couple has really labored together, it was them. Watching them bring their son into the world and meet him for the first time was so moving.”
Image source: KE Documentary
#49
“This dad is holding his son for the first time, after waiting for his girlfriend to nurse and to have her time with the baby, skin-to-skin. Even though he was so patient, you could also see he was excited to finally get to hold his baby.”
Image source: Jennifer Mason Photography
#50
Image source: Stephanie Shirley Photography
Image source: Monet Nicole
H/T: Source link
