Every year, Smart Parenting looks forward to sharing the winning photos of the Birth Photography Image Competition held by the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers or IAPBP.
The association's annual photo contest recognizes the best of the best birth photos under four main categories: birth details, labor, delivery, and postpartum.
"We are incredibly proud of the entrants of this year's competition because, in spite of all we endured in our community in recent years, this contest represents the resistance birth photographers have to overcome unforeseen challenges," said Liz Cook and Lacey Barratt, directors of IAPBP.
This year, they offered four new subcategories: black & white, documentary, fine art, and hardship & loss.
"We desire to honor the 1 in 4 birthing persons who experience miscarriage," the association said.
This competition is among the many inspirations behind Smart Parenting's Motherhood 100 photo contest, where we recognized 100 photos that capture the raw and unfiltered moments in the life of Filipina mothers under four categories: Devotion, Courage, Kindness, and Self-Love.
2023 IAPBP Birth Photography Contest Winners
Here are the winning photos of the 13th International Association of Professional Birth Photographers annual competition.
Overall Winners
OVERALL FIRST PLACE, Birth Details - Fine Art
"crossing the veil."
By Annemarie Fucke of Annemarie Lea - Geburtsfotografie Frankfurt, Germany
Overall Birth Details, Birth Details - Documentary
"Waking up at sunrise"
By Paula Beltrão of Studio Paula Beltrão, Brazil
About the photo: Arrival in the world protected and supported by love.
Overall Delivery
"Life Beneath the Surface"
By Mary Beliz, United States
About the photo: Home breech water birth.
Overall Labor, Labor - Fine Art
"Safe space"
By Jessica Innemee of VI-Photography, Netherlands
About the photo: A moment of rest, comforting yourself before the next contraction is coming.
Overall Postpartum
"The Lovers After"
By Natalie Broders of Portland Birth Photographer: Natalie Broders, US Minor Outlying Islands
About the photo: Two lovers exhale and close their eyes for a brief moment. Savoring the moment, letting that relief wash over them, having emerged on the other side whole and more in love than ever before.
Overall Hardship & Loss
"Noah's Ark"
By Ebony Allen-Ankins Photography, Australia
About the photo: Noah is delivered into and held by the loving hands of his extended family.
Subcategory winners
Birth Details - B&W
"In The Eye"
By Sara Johnson of Sara Hunter Photo, LLC, USA
About the photo: I have worked with this midwife for many years and we have laughed and cried. This moment was pretty funny when she got nailed right in the face.
Delivery - B&W
"The expected meeting"
By Karoline Saadi of Karoline Saadi Fotografia, Brazil
About the photo: This is the surprise of those who received their daughter in their arms after an expulsive period of 3 minutes! Surprise and happiness to complete the family!
Delivery - Documentary
"Hello, I Have Arrived"
By Jessica Miles of Jessica Miles Photography, United States
About the photo: Physicians holding baby up over the drape to reveal to parents with staff looking on and baby girl with hand held high as if she is waving.
Delivery - Fine Art
"Brace For Birth"
By Laura Brink of Rewild Her, Australia
About the photo: A home birth, turned hospital birth in Queensland, Australia, this baby was ready to make a speedy exit following a fast labour, and emerged in a neat package, 'braced' for birth.
Labor - B&W
"The Loyal Birth Attendant"
By Laura Brink of Rewild Her, Australia
About the photo: Their first baby, their dog Bryce, loyally holds space for his beloved owner as she labours in the waters at home in Queensland, Australia.
Labor - Documentary
"Drowning In Exhaustion"
By Laura Brink of Rewild Her, Australia
About the photo: Exhaustion sets in. Labouring at home in the shower, this mother crawled out from behind the glass door and compiled the strength to continue on through her labour at home in Queensland, Australia. Her third birth, but first home birth.
Postpartum - Postpartum
"peaceful arrival."
By Annemarie Fuckel of Annemarie Lea - Geburtsfotografie Frankfurt, Germany
Postpartum - Postpartum
"Bed 32"
By Dania Lauren of Lauren + Douglas, Australia
Postpartum - Postpartum
"The Sovereign Family Tree"
By Laura Brink of Rewild Her, Australia
About the photo: Following the free birth of her third baby in her home in Queensland, Australia, a woman rests as she sinks into the blood-stained waters of the pool after birthing her placenta. The placenta, cord and baby remain intact, as is practised in a lotus birth.
Want to share your birth story? Email us at smartparentingsubmissions@gmail.com with the subject “Share Ko Lang.”
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