Photographer Lindsay Foster has made a name for herself by capturing the beauty of childbirth and the precious moments shared between parents and their newborns. Her talent recently gained widespread recognition when she unveiled a series of photographs on July 28th, showcasing the birth of Milo, the son of BJ Barone, 34, and Frankie Nelson, 44, both dedicated educators from Toronto, Canada.
These captivating images document the raw emotions that overwhelmed the parents as they welcomed their child into the world on July 27th. The photos quickly became a sensation on social media platforms, with their most shared image depicting the new fathers cradling their son shortly after birth, with bare chests pressed against the baby’s fragile body – a technique known as the “kangaroo method,” which provides comfort and warmth to the newborn.
The heartwarming story behind these photos began when a gestational surrogate was about to give birth to their son in Kingston, Ontario. A midwife urgently called out, “shirts off,” ensuring that BJ Barone and Frank Nelson were ready to embrace their baby skin-to-skin, even before the umbilical cord was severed. Lindsay Foster, a close friend of the couple and a talented photographer, was on hand to capture this incredibly intimate and emotional moment.
In the photographs, a shirtless Nelson, 44, tenderly holds Milo to his chest while Barone, 34, wraps his arms around them both. Tears of joy streamed down their faces, and the genuine emotions Foster captured in her lens perfectly represented the unconditional love and pure happiness of that unforgettable moment.
The photos quickly gained widespread attention, amassing over nine thousand shares and fifty thousand likes. The comments flooded in, filled with well-wishes for the new family. One commenter noted, “Words cannot tell you how wonderful it was to witness this incredible moment. But I am very hopeful that these images can make you feel the deep love and admiration everyone felt for this surrogate and the baby’s new parents. These dads will certainly be two amazing parents,” wrote the photographer on her social media page.
Frankie Nelson also shared the photo on her Facebook page, accompanied by an emotional message: “This is our favorite photo! It includes everyone who made our son’s birth so special. The two midwives are on the right; our surrogate mother and her husband are on the left. The baby had just come out of Kathy, and the umbilical cord was still intact! Truly a day I will never forget!”
On the photographer’s Facebook page, BJ Barone expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support and acknowledged the differing opinions surrounding their unique family. He emphasized their commitment to respecting everyone’s viewpoints and ensuring that Milo grows up understanding the value of acceptance.
“Thanks to everyone who took the time to like, comment, and share our picture! This truly was an amazing time in our lives that has been captured forever by Lindsay Foster’s lovely photography. We were so lucky to have a beautiful, healthy baby boy! All comments posted are respected, and although we may not agree with the negatives, the positives outweigh the negatives. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. This is a moment of pure love and acceptance. Milo is surrounded by unconditional love, and he will grow up knowing that there are many different types of families and will learn to accept everyone (including intolerant people). Milo was born during World LGBT Pride Week. The image represents everything about pride. Love has no color, no gender, and no sexual preference. Love is unconditional. Thanks again, from the bottom of our hearts!” he wrote.
In the end, these heartwarming photographs serve as a powerful testament to the power of love, acceptance, and the diverse forms that modern families can take. Milo’s birth during Pride Week adds an extra layer of significance to the images, reminding us all that love knows no boundaries or labels.
