Birth photography is a particularly raw and intimate form of art. To celebrate this work, the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers holds an annual contest with winners selected by a panel of judges, as well as members of the organisation around the world.
The IAPBP recently announced the winners of its ninth annual Birth Photography Image Competition, which honours excellence in categories including
Labour, Delivery, Postpartum, Birth Details and Fresh 48.
“Winners were chosen on a point system and judged on technique, lighting, composition, emotional impact, creativity and storytelling,” says the competition’s website, adding, “While birth is beautiful, it is also messy and real.”
Scroll down to see this year’s judge-selected winners, as well as some members’ choice winners and honourable mentions. You can visit the IAPBP website to see all the entries. (Note: Some of these images may be considered NSFW.)1. First Place Winner And Members’ Choice Best In Category: Postpartum “A Moment of Silence” Jessica Vink of VI-Photography2. Best In Category: Delivery And Members’ Choice Best In Category: Delivery “Unmasking The Many Layers Of Birth” Alexandria Mooney of Alexandria Mooney Photography3. Best In Category: Fresh 48 "Denial" Natalie Weber of Natalie Zepp Photography4. Best In Category: Labor “Morning Light Creeps In” Shea Long of Coastal Lifestyles Photography5. Best In Category: Birth Details "Warrior" Bree Garcia of J&B Photography, LLC6. Best In Category: Postpartum "Vernix Constellation" Kristy Visscher of Kinship by Kristy7. Members’ Choice Best In Category: Labor "I am a Birthing Goddess" Sophia Costa of The Sophia Co8. Members’ Choice Best In Category: Birth Details “Baby Noah Empelicado" Jana Brasil of JanaBrasil Fotografia9. Members’ Choice Best In Category: Fresh 48 “Her Cup Runneth Over...” Martha Lerner of zenmamalove10. Honorable Mention "Reactions" Paulina Splechta of Paulina Splechta Birth Photography and Films11. Honorable Mention "She Watches Them" Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Photography12. Honorable Mention "Unplanned, Furious and Free" Bree Garcia of J&B Photography LLC13. Honorable Mention “Holding Two Sons” Lindsey Ellis of L.E. Ellis Photography14. Honorable Mention "Silence" Evelien Koote of Love & Little Birth Photography15. Honorable Mention "Overflowing Love" Barbara Aviz of BÁRBARA AVIZ16. Honorable Mention "Fresh" Brittney Hogue of Brittney Hogue Birth, Baby, Family17. Honorable Mention "Colostrum Drunk" Shea Long of Coastal Lifestyles Photography18. Honorable Mention "Breech" Cindy Willems of Birth Day geboortefotografie19. Honorable Mention “In It Together” Lori Martinez of Lori Martinez Photography20. Honorable Mention "In Between" Daniela Justus of Daniela Justus Fotografia21. Honorable Mention “On The Day You Were Born” Sarah Maverick of Sarah Maverick Photography