In 2013 and again in 2017, I had the honor of photographing Anders and his wife during the births of their two sons. When their babies entered the world, Anders was overcome with emotion, he cried so deeply and openly that his tears touched hearts across the globe.
The photos quickly went viral, and in 2018, Anders was featured by ABC News and Good Morning America, where he became known as “The Crying Dad.” Articles about him were shared worldwide, and he became a symbol of genuine, unfiltered emotion.
For many years, Anders didn’t cry. Like so many boys and men, he grew up with the message that crying was a sign of weakness—something to be ashamed of. But on July 22, 2011, while working as a security guard, Anders experienced the terror that struck our nation. A bomb exploded in Oslo, followed by a massacre that claimed 77 lives—most of them children. In the aftermath, Anders was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
He later entered treatment at a rehabilitation center, where he began to understand the healing power of tears. So when his son were born, he let his emotions pour out. He cried, I cried, everyone in the room cried. We all knew how deeply this child was longed for—and now he was finally here.
The photo of Anders holding his newborn was later chosen as the cover image for my book Fødsel (Birth). It was also printed on a motorhome that we drove across the country to donate birth photography to 100 hospitals and health clinics. Today, Anders’ face not only graces the cover of a book and international media outlets—it also hangs in hospitals all over Norway, reminding people of the beauty and strength found in vulnerability.
