In a world where our every move is captured online, special moments and announcements have become more and more creative in a bid to stand out among the rest.

 

It’s something incredibly natural and beautiful, however, that has the world talking about photographer Emma Jean Nolan's shot of baby Harper.

 

The 30-year-old former midwife took to Facebook to share the stunning results of a recent photo shoot with the newborn, inspired by a sacred Maori practice.

 

Referring to the ‘whenua’ custom - whereby the link between the baby and its placenta is acknowledge when it is buried in the ground - Emma Jean shared a photo of little Harper connected to his placenta via the umbilical cord, which has been twisted to read the word ‘love’.

 

Welcome earthside sweet little HarperAs a Maori baby his placenta will now be returned to the land. The word 'whenua'...

Posted by Emma Jean Photography on Saturday, January 2, 2016

 

“Welcome earthside, sweet little Harper. As a Maori baby, his placenta will now be returned to the land,” she wrote, explaining the whenua tradition.

 

As you can imagine, the image has touched hearts and minds all over the world and has been liked and shared thousands of times.

 

One grateful mum commented on Facebook: “Incredible picture. The hospital took control and checked and discarded both of my babies’ placentas. Care of placenta is never discussed here. It's treated as a by-product. So sad, when my body worked so hard to create it.”

 

What a gorgeous tribute – we love it.

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