(Warning: Some of the photos have graphic content that some readers may find disturbing or shocking.)
There was a time when childbirth was a women's affair only. Now, it has become an experience a mom can choose to share with her husband or partner and even children. We're seeing families who gather together to welcome the new member of the family the moment he comes out of his mother's womb.
And there are no better photos to sum up what childbirth is for the mom, dad, and the family than winning images from the Birth Photography Image of the Year Competition by the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP).
The annual competition, which started in 2011, continues to celebrate the beauty of birth and the skill of birth photographers around the globe in four categories: labor, delivery, postpartum and birth details.
Birth Photography Image of the Year's First Place Winner
"Our rainbow baby is finally here"PHOTO BY by Belle Verdiglione of Belle Verdiglione Photography (Australia)Birth photographer Belle Verdiglione has been submitting photos for the yearly contest since 2014. "[It's] like asking a parent to choose a favourite child!" she described on Instagram. In 2017, one of her photos made it to the Honorable Mention list. This 2019, Belle takes home the distinction of being declared the overall winner by the judges and fellow birth photographers. This photo is also the IAPBP Members' Choice first place winner.
Best in Category: Birth Details
"Enveloped"PHOTO BY Samantha Evans of Sevan Photography (Canada)En caul births only happen in 1 out of 80,000 births, so "this was such a truly incredible event to witness." Birth photographer Samantha Evans writes, "All of the water births that I have photographed have had an overwhelming feeling of serenity, peace and calm — transitioning from the womb, pausing in the water awaiting another wave to push him into his Mother’s awaiting embrace." This photo also received the IAPBP Member's Choice in the Birth Details category.
Best in Category: Delivery
"Many Hands"PHOTO BY Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Photography (Canada)Best in Category: Fresh 48
"This Is Us"PHOTO BY Kimberly Kimble of Rushes & Waves (U.S.)The category of "Fresh 48" refers to the first 48 hours after birth. "I love documenting those intimate moments in the first 48 hours of life!" birth photographer Kimberly Kimble wrote as a caption when she first shared the photo on Instagram. This image is also the IAPBP Member's Choice winner for the same category.
Best in Category: Labor
"Water Birth in Sunset"PHOTO BY Dora Barens of Dora Barens Geboortefotografie (Netherlands)Best in Category: Postpartum
"The Most Glorious Cleansing of All"PHOTO BY Jerusha Sutton of Jerusha Sutton Photography (Australia)What other parents are reading
The following winning photos earned the distinction of being chosen as winners by fellow photographer members of the IAPBP with more than 1,140 members in 51 countries.
Members’ Choice Best in Category: Delivery
"'They said I Couldn't Do It' - VBAC Mama"PHOTO BY Brittany Fisher of Micah Lynn Birth Stories (U.S.)Members’ Choice Best in Category: Labor
"My Love, My Hero"PHOTO BY Cindy Willems of Birth Day Geboortefotografie (Netherlands)Members’ Choice Best in Category: Postpartum
"Peek-A-Boo"PHOTO BY Heather Sears of Heather Sears Photography (U.S.)These photos didn't make the winners' cut but are too beautiful to be excluded from the honorable mentions for 2019's IAPBP photography contest. See these amazing birth photos that are "almost winners," you'd probably have an idea how hard the judges' had to do in deciding the overall winners. (Please click "lauch as list" for better viewing.)
Viewing as List
Launch Gallery-
Photo 1 of 16"Little Koala" by Dania Watson of Lauren + Douglas (Australia)PHOTO BY Dania Watson of Lauren + Douglas (Australia) -
Photo 2 of 16"Nuchal Hand and Cord Baby Born Into Dad's Hands" by Belle Verdiglione of Belle Verdiglione Photography (Australia)PHOTO BY Belle Verdiglione of Belle Verdiglione Photography (Australia) -
Photo 3 of 16"Wake Up" by Sarah Romero of Sarah Elizabeth Photography (U.S.)PHOTO BY Sarah Romero of Sarah Elizabeth Photography (U.S.) -
Photo 4 of 16"Pure Joy" by Marjolein Loppies of Curacao Nasemento (Curacao)PHOTO BY Marjolein Loppies of Curacao Nasemento (Curacao) -
Photo 5 of 16"The Final Separation" by Lawren Snapka of Lawren Rose Photography (US)PHOTO BY Lawren Snapka of Lawren Rose Photography (US) -
Photo 6 of 16"With Woman" by Amanda Ditzel of Raleigh Birth Photography (U.S.)PHOTO BY Amanda Ditzel of Raleigh Birth Photography (U.S.) -
Photo 7 of 16"Sister In Arms" by Deborah Elenter of NEO Photography (Uruguay)PHOTO BY Deborah Elenter of NEO Photography (Uruguay) -
Photo 8 of 16"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Deborah Elenter of NEO Photography (Uruguay)PHOTO BY Deborah Elenter of NEO Photography Uruguay -
Photo 9 of 16"Sweet Brothers Meeting" by Barbara Aviz of Barbara Aviz Photography (Brazil)PHOTO BY Barbara Aviz of Barbara Aviz Photography (Brazil) -
Photo 10 of 16"Induction: 43 Weeks" by Elaine Baca of Lane B Photography (U.S)PHOTO BY Elaine Baca of Lane B Photography (U.S) -
Photo 11 of 16"Birth Leaves It's Mark On Us All" by Sarah Widnyana of Life & Lens Photography (Australia)PHOTO BY Sarah Widnyana of Life & Lens Photography (Australia) -
Photo 12 of 16"A Father Is Born" by Heather Nerheim of Wildheart Photography (U.S.)PHOTO BY Heather Nerheim of Wildheart Photography (U.S.) -
Photo 13 of 16"From All Angles" by Shea Long of Coastal Lifestyles Photography (Canada)PHOTO BY Shea Long of Coastal Lifestyles Photography Canada -
Photo 14 of 16"Needing Space" by Shea Long of Coastal Lifestyles Photography(Canada)PHOTO BY Shea Long of Coastal Lifestyles Photography Canada -
Photo 15 of 16"The Emotions of A Big Brother To Be" by Bree Garcia of J&B Photography LLC (U.S.)PHOTO BY Bree Garcia of J&B Photography LLC (U.S.) -
Photo 16 of 16"Her Rainbow Is Here" by Bree Garcia of J&B Photography LLC (U.S.)PHOTO BY Bree Garcia of J&B Photography LLC (U.S.)
All photos were used with permission from the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP).
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