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Photographer Captures Men Before And After Becoming A Father, And The Result Says It All
Becoming a parent is a truly life-changing moment and a London-based photographer captured the emotional moments that men go through before and right after becoming fathers.
Tom Oldham spent 72 hours capturing the different emotions that fathers-to-be go through before and after entering the delivery room.
“These portraits capture a really powerful moment in the lives of these men and aim to showcase the enormity of becoming a parent,” said the photographer about his project.
The portraits all show tense ‘befores’ and he happy, relaxed, even surprised ‘afters’ of newly made dads.
The project ‘Becoming a Father’ that was commissioned by PlayStation to mark the launch of their new game ‘God of War’, that follows a warrior and on the relationship between a father and a son.
More info: tomoldham.com (h/t Konbini)
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Hector Adebambo, 32, from Bromley
“For me, becoming a dad just kicked in naturally, it feels right. I’ve been speaking to my son for nine months and he’s finally here.”
Andy West, 36, from Forest Hill
“I’ve instantly realized that having a child is going to have such a profound effect because I’m always going to be responsible for another person.”
Toan Lam, 34, from New Cross
“When my son was born, my outlook on life changed instantly and I knew that I would need to be there every step of the way to see him grow. Becoming responsible for another human being is the most surreal experience; I can’t quite put it into words but I hope the portraits convey the magnitude of this feeling.”
Pedro Diego Fernandez, 34, from Sydenham Hill
“The birth was much more overwhelming than I expected but I felt amazing as soon as I held my healthy son and saw him open his eyes. I just want to be the best man for my partner and baby.”
Federico Grillo, 34, from Greenwich
“After the birth, as the adrenalin was wearing off, I felt like time had slowed down. I was holding my son and it just felt very peaceful. I know that fatherhood will motivate me to get the best for my family.”
Tom Chappell, 35, from Hindley Green
“I think my priorities will change significantly now that I’m a dad. We only had ourselves to think about before but now everything will be considered with my daughter in mind… and rightly so.”
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What do you think ?
Marjorie Wilson 6 years ago
This is beautiful and a bit heartbreaking because my child's father chose to not be in our daughters life. My baby deserves the love we all see in these photos.
mulk 6 years ago
They are all looking happier afterwards, but I presume the before picture was taken in hospital (same background, in blue, like stuff in hospital)... you know: when your wife is in labour and you are full of stress. So I think happiness is mainly due to the end of the big stress you have just before.
Heather Bateman 6 years ago
I know lots of men that are better fathers to their stepkids than the "biological ones" ever could be!!! Much luck to you...
Load More Replies...
Mike P 6 years ago
Shows that after the births the photographer learned to ask people to smile....
GC 6 years ago
You think these guys had to be asked to smile? I mean the idea here is that they were automatically pleased at the birth of their children and therefore naturally smiling; not smiling because they were asked to. The point of these photos is to show the joy in the fathers' faces not the photographers instructions.
Load More Replies...
Magdalina777 6 years ago
The first picture is absolutely gorgeous<3 Not that the rest are bad but first is like national photography competition level or something like that imo.
Ami McGogo 6 years ago
Awe they all look so worried before. The hand wrenching, mouth covering, attempted stoic state. Great idea doing a before and after.
BarryAllenTheFlash 6 years ago
That is gorgeous! My dad isn't in the picture, and it's great knowing that these kids will grow up with (hopefully) happy fathers. Good luck to them!
Heather Bateman 6 years ago
Beautiful! None of them look nearly as tired as I did after I had my babies though! xD
Full Name 6 years ago
This is f*****g ridiculous. So these men had no joy in their lives, then had a kid and now have some? They were in love with the baby mama but weren't happy until the kid showed up? Show people's faces after hearing an amusing anecdote vs getting no sleep because of a child. You can get these photos in either direction for any number of reasons. Really stupid article.
JMQ 6 years ago
That's not the point. The point is that having a child really opens you up and makes you a more loving person. More sleep-deprived, that much is true, but a lot happier and more content with what you have. That kind of love and bond changes one's view of the world.
Load More Replies...
People actually give their full name? 6 years ago
"Photographer Asks Men to Smile in Second Picture"
Gerry Higgins 6 years ago
So they made a baby. I don't know what they're so proud of.... it doesn't take brains.
Marjorie Wilson 6 years ago
This is beautiful and a bit heartbreaking because my child's father chose to not be in our daughters life. My baby deserves the love we all see in these photos.
mulk 6 years ago
They are all looking happier afterwards, but I presume the before picture was taken in hospital (same background, in blue, like stuff in hospital)... you know: when your wife is in labour and you are full of stress. So I think happiness is mainly due to the end of the big stress you have just before.
Heather Bateman 6 years ago
I know lots of men that are better fathers to their stepkids than the "biological ones" ever could be!!! Much luck to you...
Load More Replies... Mike P 6 years ago
Shows that after the births the photographer learned to ask people to smile....
GC 6 years ago
You think these guys had to be asked to smile? I mean the idea here is that they were automatically pleased at the birth of their children and therefore naturally smiling; not smiling because they were asked to. The point of these photos is to show the joy in the fathers' faces not the photographers instructions.
Load More Replies... Magdalina777 6 years ago
The first picture is absolutely gorgeous<3 Not that the rest are bad but first is like national photography competition level or something like that imo.
Ami McGogo 6 years ago
Awe they all look so worried before. The hand wrenching, mouth covering, attempted stoic state. Great idea doing a before and after.
BarryAllenTheFlash 6 years ago
That is gorgeous! My dad isn't in the picture, and it's great knowing that these kids will grow up with (hopefully) happy fathers. Good luck to them!
Heather Bateman 6 years ago
Beautiful! None of them look nearly as tired as I did after I had my babies though! xD
Full Name 6 years ago
This is f*****g ridiculous. So these men had no joy in their lives, then had a kid and now have some? They were in love with the baby mama but weren't happy until the kid showed up? Show people's faces after hearing an amusing anecdote vs getting no sleep because of a child. You can get these photos in either direction for any number of reasons. Really stupid article.
JMQ 6 years ago
That's not the point. The point is that having a child really opens you up and makes you a more loving person. More sleep-deprived, that much is true, but a lot happier and more content with what you have. That kind of love and bond changes one's view of the world.
Load More Replies... People actually give their full name? 6 years ago
"Photographer Asks Men to Smile in Second Picture"
Gerry Higgins 6 years ago
So they made a baby. I don't know what they're so proud of.... it doesn't take brains.
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