It’s impossible to describe the wave of emotions you feel when you first meet your baby; you feel love, relief, worry, and delight all at once. These images of dads greeting their babies for the first time encapsulate the thrill and intensity of birth, which is almost impossible to describe in words. To truly comprehend the special relationship between a father and child, you must witness it.
These pictures—many of which were entered in the 2019 Birth Becomes Her Photo Contest—showcase the lovely and profound bond between father and child from the time the newborn enters their lives, demonstrating through photographs what words cannot express.
Pure Joy
This photo, captured by Alyssa Kapnik Samuel, shows a new father cradling his 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 and grinning as widely as he can. The new dad’s overwhelming happiness is contagious.
Tearful & Tired
Just seconds after this 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧, the hospital team laid this 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 on his mom’s chest, with his dad looking at his 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 with tears in his eyes as documented by Lisa Lord of Lilo Photography. It’s a euphoric photo of family bonding, and the father’s tenderness emanates.
Papa Bear
In this photo also captured by Lisa Lord, a father watches over his son as he gets an oxygen treatment just after his 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡. Dad wants to be with his little one while doctors treat him, staying by his side as he adjusts to the world.
Love At First Sight
The emotion is palpable in this shot by Ashley of Hello BéBé Full Spectrum Birth Services, where a father looks at his 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 while his partner holds their new 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 just seconds after he or she came into the world. The dad seems close to tears as he angles his body towards his family, and everything about the image conveys how much love this couple has for their little bundle.
First Kiss
This sweet photo, taken by Lisa Lord, highlights a private moment between father and son just minutes after he was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧. Dad gently kisses his 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦’s fingers, treating him with the utmost care while hospital staff cleans him up. Their faces are turned towards one another, love flowing between father and son.
There You Are
Dad and 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 literally reach for each other in this photo captured by Erin Fortney. At this moment, dad only has eyes for his new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧.
Hello Baby!
In this photo taken by Kayla Gonzales of Austin Birth Photos, a father cheers as his partner brings their 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 into the world. He has his mouth open in happiness and amazement, his arms are stretched wide as if he’s trying to make room in the world for his little one, and his eyes are locked on the new 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦.
