Winning Images From Birth Photography Contest Show the Emotional Realities of Childbirth

Best Birth Photography

Overall Winner: Sadie Wild Photography

The human body is capable of many incredible things–the most amazing being childbirth. When a baby is born, words often fail to describe the emotions that overcome parents. But where people are left speechless, there is the power of the image to convey the gravity of the experience. Birth photographers take on the role of artist and documentarian to craft compelling compositions that capture heartfelt moments from labor, immortalize the awe-inspiring power of moms, and paint portraits of happy (and exhausted) families.

The 2019 Birth Becomes Her Image Contest recognizes the best in birth photography. This year was their biggest yet with over 1,200 submissions from creatives around the world. In the end, the judges chose an overall winner as well as first, second, and third-place category winners. The photographs range from scenes inside hospitals to what life is like once the babies are home. Each winner offers a nuanced view of the birthing process, and together these acknowledged images are a complete look at childbirth through the photographers’ masterful eyes.

London-based Sadie Wild Photography took home the top prize for her image of a woman just after giving birth. The mom looks elated—but exhausted—as nursing staff tends to her and her newborn wrapped in a towel. All at once, this image communicates the love and happiness a new mom feels while offering a powerful reminder of the medical professionals that help make birth safe for so many women.

Scroll down for more winners from 2019 Birth Becomes Her Image Contest and how they have captured fleeting moments that will surely be cherished forever.

Birth Becomes Her recently concluded their 2019 photo contest highlighting the best in birth documentary photography.

Best Birth Photography

3rd Place Overall: Toni Nichole Photos

Brothers and Baby

3rd Place Postpartum: Hanna Hill Photography

Birth Photography Contest

3rd Place Black and White: Salt City Birth & Newborn Photography

Birth Photography Contest

3rd Place Color: Chiara Doveri Photography

Birth Photography Contest

3rd Place Out of Hospital: Cradled Creations

Birth Documentary Photography

3rd Place Hospital: Bree Downes

Birth Documentary Photography

2nd Place Postpartum: Coastal Lifestyles Photography

Birth Documentary Photography

2nd Place Black and White: Sashi Hesson, Photographer

Birth Documentary Photography

2nd Place Out of Hospital: Micah Lynn Birth Stories

Best Birth Photography

1st Place Postpartum: Photo: Art by Jessica

Best Birth Photography

1st Place Black and White: Cat Fancote

Best Birth Photography

1st Place Out of Hospital: Northern Light Photography

Birth Becomes Her: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Birth Becomes Her.

Related Articles:

2019 Birth Photography Contest Winners Capture the Emotion and Beauty of Childbirth

Heartfelt Moments of Mothers Supporting Their Daughters Through Childbirth

Powerfully Revealing Portraits of Mothers’ Bodies After Childbirth

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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