Winners of 2017 Birth Photography Competition Capture the Emotion of Childbirth

birth photography

“Road to Delivery,” First Place Winner. Image via Jaydene Freund – Cradled Creations.

Childbirth is one of the most poignant experiences we can have as humans. The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers works to capture these magical moments during the birthing process for families.

The association is comprised of more than 1,200 photographers in 42 countries and they recently announced the winners of their annual Birth Photography Competition. Birth photographers competed in four categories—labor, delivery, birth details, and postpartum.

This special group of photographers, selected to shoot these highly intimate moments, focus on capturing the emotion of the birthing process. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and babies are skillfully photographed in a wide range of situations that show the beautiful range of childbirth possibilities.

Aside from the individual category winners, 21 photographers were awarded honorable mentions for their impressive work. “Birth photography is a highly specialized field and the choice to have the experience documented is an intensely personal decision,” IAPBP shares in a statement. “It involves the birth process, environment, the parents and those in attendance. Birth photography encompasses the tears of joy, the wonder of bringing a new life into the world and celebrates family. The photographers who specialize in the field use their art to tell the story of birth.”

The winners of the 2017 Birth Photography Competition highlight the beautiful emotions surrounding childbirth.

newborn photography

“Straight from Heaven,” Best in Category: Postpartum. Image via Natasha Hance – Birth Unscripted.

birth photography

“With A Splash,” Best in Category: Delivery. Image via Elizabeth Farnsworth Photography

birth photography

“Determination,” Best in Category: Labor. Image via Katie Mathis Photography.

mother and child

“She holds her daughter’s fingers in awe and wonder,” Honorable mention. Image via The He{ART} of Motherhood.

birth photography

“Three’s Not A Crowd,” Honorable mention. Image via Snap Life Photography.

birth photography

“Honoring the Temple,” Honorable mention. Image via Elliana Gilbert Photography.

birth photography

“Joyful Finale,” Honorable mention. Image via Elise Hurst Photography.

water birth

“As she rose from the depths into the hands of love,” Honorable mention. Image via Tree of Life Doula Photography.

birth photography

“Hello Before Goodbye,” Honorable mention. Image via Sarah Boccolucci Photography + Birth Services.

birth photography

“A Sister Is Born,” Honorable mention. Image via Rebecca Coursey Photographer + Doula.

IAPBP: Website | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by IAPBP.

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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