THE BEAUTIFUL ART OF BEAUTIFUL DADS NOW

In celebration of the beauty of fatherhood, we’re featuring an extraordinary artist and a fabulous photographer, each uniquely showing us the many ways in which fathers can see and be very beautiful indeed.

EMIL NYSTRÖM

Swedish photographer, Emil Nyström, has developed a whimsical twist on the traditional family portrait. While many new parents get carried away with the camera in first few years of parenthood, this dad has taken it to a beautiful new level.

In 2012, after the birth of his 1st daughter, Signhild, Nyström began to create photo compositions with her posed in fantastical scenes: In one photo, she’s holding onto a rope tethered to a flying plane; in another, she’s cannonballing into the bath; in yet another, she’s slicing airborne fruit with a sword.

Once their 2nd child, Hilma, was born, Nyström, began to craft more complex narratives that incorporate both girls. In one, Signhild and Hilma are poised for adventure, hitching a ride with a giant pug.

In some photographs, it’s as if Nyström is peering into his children’s imaginations. In others, he seems to imagining who they might become as adults, as he portrays Signhild “professionally” painting a wall, baking a cake, and fixing a car. 

To make these beautiful images, Nyström’s wife holds the kids, positioning them according to the composition plan. Later in Photoshop, he removes mama from some of the images (leaving her there in others, then adds backgrounds and props.

Though the imagery and stories behind these portraits change, they have a distinctive style that threads them together. Nyström’s portraits have vivid colors that relay the excitement and hope of a father just getting to know his young children, as they begin their life journeys.

SNEZHANA SOOSH

Snezhana Soosh is a Ukrainian artist who paints beautiful, small interactions between a father and daughter. The scenes are simple and tender: the father washes the little girl’s hair, puts on a puppet show, and tucks her into bed, for example. 

Soosh says the inspiration for these sweet renditions mimic moments from her own life with her nine-year-old son, Frol. They are the opposite of her experience as a child growing up with her own father, who was often cold, distant, and lacking love.

“I always wanted to have a tender and loving relationship with my own father,” Soosh told the Huffington Post. “I think I drew what I lacked and very much wanted — to feel loved and protected by my big papa.”

And love is exactly what emerges out of every painting. The father-daughter pair are inseparable. Their world is small but clearly complete and full of joy.

The father Soosh imagines towers over the little girl, who looks tiny and fragile by comparison. The juxtaposition between them makes the big papa’s tenderness all the more heartwarming as he carries her through the world.

The sparse scenes and minimal background only add to the feeling that these two couldn’t care less about the rest of the world. They are together and that is all that matters.

“I hope fathers will see how important they are in their kids’ lives,” says Soosh.

Read more about Beautiful Fathers in 10 Beautiful Gifts For Beautiful Fathers Now, The Incredible Beauty of Seahorse Dads, and The Most Beautiful Bourbons Now.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Emil Nyström. The Friend.
2. Image: by Emil Nyström. I Can Fix It, But it’s Going to Cost You.
3. Image: by Emil Nyström. Canonball.
4. Image: by Emil Nyström. Across the World.
5. Image: by Emil Nyström. Start Early.
6. Image: by Emil Nyström. Come Here Little Doggie.
7. Image: by Emil Nyström.
8. Image: by Snezhana Soosh. Bed. King Size.
9. Image: by Snezhana Soosh.. 221b Baker Street.
10. Image: by Snezhana Soosh. Under the Same Roof.
11. Image: by Snezhana Soosh. Hmmm…
12. Image: by Snezhana Soosh. One, Two, Three...
13. Image: by Snezhana Soosh. Afternoon Nap.
14. Image: by Snezhana Soosh. Daddy’s Girl.
15. Image: by Snezhana Soosh. Stay by Me.
16. Image: by BN App - Download now!
17. Image: by Emil Nyström. The Hitcher.