Some have sheer joy written all over their faces and others just look overwhelmed with relief, while some can’t contain their tears.
Photographer Marry Fermont, 35, from the Dutch province of Zeeland, in the Netherlands, has captured the intensity of the occasion when parents meet their babies for the first time in her ‘First Moments’ photo series.
Marry told FEMAIL: ‘When a baby is born, it’s like everything happens really fast, but also in slow motion like time is standing still. But at the same time so much is happening.
Photographer Marry Fermont , 35, from Zeeland, in the Netherlands has captured the intensity of the occasion when parents meet their babies for the first time in her ‘First Moments’ photo series
Marry says that when a baby is born everything happens very quickly, but it also feels as if things are in slow motion and time is standing still. Here she’s captured the moment a midwife hands a newborn to its mother for the first time
Still exhausted from giving birth, a new mother has skin to skin time with her cryiny newborn as her partner supportively strokes her hair. Marry says that it’s a particularly special moment for the partner who has only ever felt the baby kicking
‘To be present at such an intimate moment feels like a privilege and you forget everything that happens around you, except for taking photos of course.’
‘Sometimes I shed a tear myself, because you are so into the moment,’ she revealed. ‘This moment is extra special, because the emotions are so real.
‘You can never predict what will happen in this moment and you cannot censure it. It’s the one of the most pure moments in life.’
Smiles of relief: A woman cuddles her newborn as her partner plants a kiss on her forehead. According to Marry, new mums most commonly express emotions of joy and relief
Both mum and baby shed a few tears as they meet for the first time. Marry, who has photographed 105 births, says that every single one is magical
A newborn is placed on its mother’s tummy before being taken away to be cleaned up by hospital staff
New parents share an emotional moment shortly after the arrival of their baby. Marry says that although the fathers often cry, it usually takes a while for it to sink in that they are now a dad
Marry revealed that mothers and fathers always react totally differently when they first set eyes on their child.
‘For the mum it’s usually relief and joy, often with tears,’ she explained. ‘For the dad it’s shock and amazement. Dads often cry too, but much later than the moms. It’s like it takes a while for them to really let it sink in: “I am a dad”.’
But she points out that it’s a particularly special moment for the fathers even if it does take time for it to all sink in.
‘You as a partner after all these months in which you just felt the kicking come face with your baby,’ she said.
‘There are so many emotions in this moment: joy, relief, amazement, pride, love, euphoria, contentment and so many different reactions – smiles and tears. Moments of silence and moments of extreme joy. It is always magical.’
An emotional new mother holds her baby close to her and covers up with a blanket to keep warm. Marry witnesses a huge range of emotions in her job: joy, relief, amazement, pride, love, euphoria, contentment and so many different reactions – smiles and tears
A mother looks amazed as she meets her baby for the very first time. Marry often photographs women giving birth but says the shoot would not be complete without capturing birth session the first emotion when the baby is born
Marry has photographed home births, hospital births, water births and hypnobirths in the Netherlands and Belgium and is on call 24 hours a day. She snapped this baby right at the moment it emerged into the birthing pool
The parents featured in the series hired Marry to be their birth photographer – a job she’s been doing since 2011.
‘I was the first professional birth photographer in the Netherlands,’ she said. ‘I always loved taking photos. I worked as a tour guide in foreign countries for a long time and I was always documenting the trips and my groups. Many people told me to do something with my photos but I didn’t know what.
‘There were already so many family photographers out there. When I came back to the Netherlands I decided to study midwifery and it was during that time that I got the idea of birth photography. It was the two things I love the most combined.’
Marry who has just documented her 105th birth, added: ‘When people contact me, they often say that they love the emotion in my photos and they would love a photo like this.
Welcome to the world: As new parents gaze adoringly at their newborn they appear to get a cheerful wave
People hire Marry to photograph them giving birth because they love the emotional nature of her photography
The baby may be crying, but the new parents can’t contain their joy that the new arrival has been born safe and well
No birth is out of bounds and Marry captured the moment this child was lifted from its mother’s womb following a Caesarean
‘And of course a birth session is not complete without the first emotion when your baby is born. It is of course always great to see how your baby is actually born, but there is so much more if the photo has an emotion.’
According to Marry, the most rewarding part of her job is being ‘allowed to be part of one of the most beautiful moments in life’.
‘When parents receive the photos they are so grateful. I have the most rewarding job ever,’ she said.
Marry also photographs women during their pregnancies as well as shooting portraits of new babies.
She has photographed home births, hospital births, Caesarean’s, water births and hypnobirths in the Netherlands and Belgium and is on call 24 hours a day.
Marry is on call 24 hours a day as there is no predicting when a baby will choose to make its appearance. But she says being part of such a special moment makes it all worthwhile
The relief on the new mum’s face is palpable as she cradles her newborn on top of her hospital gown, while her partner kisses her head
Since becoming a mum herself when her daughter Liv was born in 2014, Marry now has firsthand experience to bring to the table
Mum and dad’s sheer joy upon meeting their newborn for the first time is palpable. Having experienced motherhood herself, Marry can now deeply empathize with the challenges parents face, especially the rigors of labor.
“The most demanding aspect is being constantly on call. It has a significant impact on your entire life and lifestyle. Your freedom to roam far from home or indulge in alcohol is restricted, always keeping in mind the possibility of documenting a birth. But, having said that, the rewards are immeasurable,” she reflects.
Since becoming a mother in 2014 with the arrival of her daughter, Liv, Marry has gained firsthand insight that enriches her work. “It adds a new dimension to my photography,” she explains. “Now that I’ve experienced childbirth myself, I comprehend the depth of what women go through, and I recognize the profound significance of these photographs. This newfound perspective fuels my passion for my job even more.”
A mum clings on to her new baby who has just been delivred and placed in her arms. ‘When a baby is born, it’s like everything happens really fast, but also in slow motion like time is standing still. But at the same time so much is happening,’ Marry said
Marry , who also trained as a midwife, has been a birth photographer since 2011, after spotting a gap in the market
Trained midwife Marry says that photographing birth combines the two things she loves the most
Still in the feotal position, this newborn still has its cord attached and is captured during the very first moments of life