Among the rites of passage on becoming a new dad, being caught off guard when your offspring unexpectedly empties his bowels can be a notable low point, but at least it usually happens in the privacy of your own home, with few bystanders on hand to witness the carnage.

Not so in the case of Al Ferguson, 26, from Kent, whose was in the middle of a heartwarming photo shoot when four-day-old son Ted decided to give his father a picture to remember.

Al Ferguson with four-day-old Ted (Photo: Kirsty Grant/Rex)
"It happened within a second," said Mr Ferguson, who posted the images, taken by professional photographer Kirsty Grant, on his blog, The Dad Network. "I felt Ted's stomach tense, then before you know it, he’s doing it."

The image, in which Ted wears what appears to be a very satisfied smile, has now gone viral online.
The lesson to other dads considering posing with their offspring for an Athena-style portrait? Make sure the little fella is wearing a nappy.