Whether a woman gives birth via vaginal delivery or C-section or becomes a mom via surrogacy, welcoming a new life and accepting the role of raising and nurturing a human being calls for a grand celebration.
That's what the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP) has been doing for its Birth Photography Image of the Year Competition, which the group has held annually since 2011. It shows the beauty of childbirth, and the skill of birth photographers around the globe."Birth photography involves the birth process, environment, the parents and those in attendance. It encompasses the tears of joy, the wonder of bringing a new life into the world, and celebrates family," according to IAPBP.
We did not envy the panel of judges, which included Emmy Award-winning actress, Ricki Lake, and Abby Epstein, producer and director of the documentary The Business of Being Born. They had to sift through one stunning photo after another, each one telling a story about the miracle that is childbirth. They did a good job, though. The chosen winners and honorable mentions (announced last January 19) certainly took our breath away.
A child's birth is an experience not everybody gets the privilege to witness. Thanks to these photographers, we now have that opportunity to see a woman's beauty, courage, and strength, up close and personal.What other parents are reading
IAPBP 2017's Birth Photography Image Competition winners are:
Image of the Year went to Canada's Jayden Freund of Cradled Creations. Her photo, "Road to Deliverance," tells the story of a mom who was already eight centimeters dilated when she decided she wanted to give birth in a hospital, instead of at home, as originally planned. “So many women experience this difficult ride to the hospital, where every bump is elevated and every turn feels like the worst turn. But they don’t have photos of this moment because you don’t often have a photographer with you when you’re driving to the hospital!” Freund told People. “I think this is a special photo because it captures a moment so many women know, and [when they see it they] can go back and feel the intense emotion of labor in the car.”
Best in Labor goes to Katie Mathis Photography for her photo entitled, "Determination," which is exactly what this mom embodied during her home water birth.
Elizabeth Farnsworth Photography won Best in Delivery for "With A Splash." The sound of the mom's water bag breaking was the only sound heard during this water birth.
What other parents are reading
For Best in Postpartum, Natasha Hance of Birth Unscripted won with "Straight from Heaven," which captured the serenity of a newborn after the mom gave birth on her home's front porch.
The Best in Birth Details went to "Pieces of Me" by Kourtnie Scholz - KEDocumentary. This mom labored for nearly two days.
Click on the gallery below to see all winning photos and the honorablem mentions.
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Photo 1 of 26First Place Winner: Road to Deliverance by Jaydene Freund – Cradled CreationsPHOTO BY Jaydene Freund – Cradled Creations -
Photo 2 of 26Best in Categeory: Labor: Determination by Katie Mathis PhotographyPHOTO BY Katie Mathis Photography -
Photo 3 of 26Best in Categeory: Delivery: With A Splash by Elizabeth Farnsworth PhotographyPHOTO BY Elizabeth Farnsworth Photography -
Photo 4 of 26Best in Categeory: Postpartum: Straight from Heaven by Natasha Hance – Birth UnscriptedPHOTO BY Natasha Hance – Birth Unscripted -
Photo 5 of 26Best in Categeory: Birth Details: Pieces of Me by Kourtnie Scholz – KEDocumentaryPHOTO BY Kourtnie Scholz – KEDocumentary -
Photo 6 of 26Honorable Mention: You Are SO Loved! by Rebecca Coursey Photographer + DoulaPHOTO BY Rebecca Coursey Photographer + Doula -
Photo 7 of 26Honorable Mention: Joyful Finale by Elise Hurst PhotographyPHOTO BY Elise Hurst Photography -
Photo 8 of 26Honorable Mention: Hello Before Goodbye by Sarah Boccolucci Photography + Birth ServicesPHOTO BY Sarah Boccolucci Photography + Birth Services -
Photo 9 of 26Honorable Mention: Three’s Not A Crowd by Snap Life PhotographyPHOTO BY Snap Life Photography -
Photo 10 of 26Honorable Mention: Gentle Caesarean Birth by Belle Verdiglione PhotographyPHOTO BY Belle Verdiglione Photography -
Photo 11 of 26Honorable Mention: Honoring the Temple by Elliana Gilbert PhotographyPHOTO BY Elliana Gilbert Photography -
Photo 13 of 26Honorable Mention: As She Rose from The Depths into The Hands of Love by Tree of Life Doula PhotographyPHOTO BY Tree of Life Doula Photography -
Photo 14 of 26Honorable Mention: Full Circle by Kristie Robin Photographer & DoulaPHOTO BY Kristie Robin Photographer & Doula -
Photo 15 of 26Honorable Mention: 17 Years of Waiting: A Non-Fertility Miracle by Ker-Fox PhotographyPHOTO BY Ker-Fox Photography -
Photo 16 of 26Honorable Mention: Catching Her Baby, Born Via Surrogacy by Leilani Rogers, PhotographerPHOTO BY Leilani Rogers, Photographer -
Photo 17 of 26Honorable Mention:Entangled in The Cord That Ties Us by Cat Fancote – Capturing BirthPHOTO BY Cat Fancote – Capturing Birth -
Photo 18 of 26Honorable Mention:She Believed She Could by Little Plum Photographyby Stephanie EntinPHOTO BY Little Plum Photography by Stephanie Entin -
Photo 19 of 26Honorable Mention:En Caul, Posterior, Nuchal Hand Surprise Babe by KimBerly E. PhotographyPHOTO BY KimBerly E. Photography -
Photo 20 of 26Honorable Mention:Droplets of Mercy by Elliana Gilbert PhotographyPHOTO BY Elliana Gilbert Photography -
Photo 21 of 26Honorable Mention:Rapture by Katie Mathis PhotographyPHOTO BY Katie Mathis Photography -
Photo 22 of 26Honorable Mention:Alondra´s Birth – Future Big Sister by Public Kiss PhotographyPHOTO BY Public Kiss Photography -
Photo 24 of 26Honorable Mention:A Sister Is Born by Rebecca Coursey Photographer + DoulaPHOTO BY Rebecca Coursey Photographer + Doula -
Photo 25 of 26Honorable Mention:She Holds Her Daughter’s Fingers in Awe and Wonder by The He{ART} of MotherhoodPHOTO BY The He{ART} of Motherhood
All photos were used with permission from the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP).
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