Parents pose for hilarious ‘newborn’ photoshoot with their 21-year-old son

'I’m not gonna lie, there were discussions about a giant teddy bear'

The couple wanted to create the newborn photos they’d never had the chance to take with Clayton (

Whether they’re artfully curled up in pea pods Anne Geddes style or nestled in knitted blankets, newborn baby photoshoots send the Internet into cute overload and this couple's snapshots are no exception.

That is, despite the fact that they were taken 21 years after their son, Clayton, was born.

After dating in high school, Rebecca Hayes and David Ward broke up just before their son’s birth and went on to marry and have more children with different partners. But, for the sake of their son the two remained good friends.

The couple wanted to create the newborn photos they’d never had the chance to take with Clayton (Chaotic Perfection Photography)

Sadly though, this meant that the family missed out on the opportunity for a newborn photoshoot with their baby boy.

Years later, Hayes and Ward were brought back together by grief following the untimely death of their respective partners.

Soon enough, the couple’s friendship turned into love and they made the decision to re-create the newborn photos they’d never had the chance to take with Clayton.

The family took up all the poses one would expect from a traditional newborn photoshoot (Chaotic Perfection Photography)

With the help of family friend and photographer Duffi Crowson, what started out as a joke quickly materialised into shoot full of fun and laughs.

“We had discussed ahead of time what we could do to avoid a creepy vibe,” Rebecca told HuffPost.

“Which some people got, but that’s okay.

“I’m not gonna lie, there were discussions about making a huge basket and possibly the mention of a giant teddy bear.

Hayes said the photo shoot was fun and full of laughs (Chaotic Perfection Photography)

“In the end we decided simple would be enough.”

The family took up all the poses one would expect from a traditional newborn photoshoot, caressing, cradling and holding the feet of their 21-year-old son to create a series of hilariously deadpan snapshots.

And, while they were taken in jest, Hayes hopes that they reflect the family’s journey and give others comfort.

The family hopes that their photos will make others laugh (Chaotic Perfection Photography)

“I really just want people to know that life is weird and horrible and wonderful at times. You never know where it will lead, and you have to embrace what comes your way fully,” said Hayes.

“We went through some rough rough times and just learned to grasp onto those things that are truly important.”