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Becoming a new father often comes with a generous dose of exhaustion—but one dad transformed that fatigue into a moving, creative ritual.
The 3 a.m. Selfie Sparked a Global Collaboration
Eric Steuer, Creative Director at WIRED, welcomed his son Franklin into the world—and with him, came a chorus of middle-of-the-night wake-ups. In one bleary-eyed moment, he passed a mirror and thought, “Holy shit, I don’t think I’ve ever looked worse.” Instead of shrugging it off, he snapped a selfie—and decided to turn it into something special.WIRED+1
From Tired Portraits to Artistic Commissions
Rather than letting that 3 a.m. vulnerability slip away, Eric sent the selfie to an artist on Fiverr—and for just $5, received a stylized portrait in return. He repeated this process nightly, working with artists from over a dozen countries to produce 30 unique pieces.WIRED+1
Each piece turned tired frustration into something warm and playful—a testament to creativity born in unexpected moments. Eric embraced chance: a different artist each night, simple color portraits, no overthinking.WIRED+1
Building a Digital Gallery of Parenthood in Real Time
Eric shared his project on Instagram and launched a Tumblr called Nocturnal Commissions. The blog quickly amassed over 5,000 followers, drawn to its honest, artful portrayal of fatherhood’s early, blurry hours.WIRED+1
Looking Forward: From Solo to Family Portraits
Though the project began with solo selfies, Eric plans to evolve it to include his son and wife—transforming sleepy snapshots into family portraits that tell a richer, more inclusive story of their shared journey.WIRED+1
Why This Project Resonates
- It humanizes exhaustion. Instead of hiding the weariness of parenthood, Eric made it the subject of art.
- It turns isolation into connection. Working with global artists at odd hours became a way to connect—with both other creatives and his own present self.
- It captures now for tomorrow. These portraits are more than visuals—they’re a time capsule of how raw and tender those early weeks truly are.
Blog Takeaway
Eric’s project reminds us that even the most ordinary, wearied moments can be transformed into something beautiful. It’s a timely lesson for new parents—and anyone stretched thin by change—that creativity isn’t always about big plans or perfect timing. Sometimes, it’s simply about noticing the raw, vulnerable parts of life and daring to share them.
If you’re a parent or creator thinking of documenting life’s quieter chapters, take a page from Eric’s book: pick up your phone, embrace the imperfect, and see what stories unfold.
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