Giving birth is miraculous and messy; agony and ecstasy. In these powerful birth photos, photographers from around the world captured some of the most intimate and raw moments of birth. Striking birth photos capture the agony and ecstasy of labor and delivery, from heartbreaking photographs of infant loss to tender photographs of moms’ first cuddles with their babies.
Photographers from around the world are being honored for their breathtaking images capturing the wonder and raw emotion of childbirth, as well as heart-wrenching moments of loss.
The winners of the 11th annual Birth Photography Image Competition, which honors the finest labor and delivery images of 2021, have been revealed by the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IABP).
‘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,’ IAPBP director Liz Cook said in a press release.
Winners were selected across five main categories: birth details, labor, delivery, postpartum, and hardship and loss — a new category that was introduced this year.
‘We are proud to present to you a breathtaking body of work that shares life’s most powerful moments from 2021’, Cook explained.
First place: Brazilian photographer Bárbara Aviz of Bárbara Aviz Fotografia won the competition with her heartwarming image titled ‘A Touch of Love
Best in Labor: Sara Hunter, from the United States, was honored for her black and white photograph titled ‘Ovarian Cancer Survivor – Hospital Transfer’
Best In Delivery: Ebony Allen-Ankins, an Australian photographer, received first place with her moving entry. ‘The First Look’
Members’ Choice: U.S. photographer Sara Hunter documented a touching moment between a father and his newborn baby in her image ‘Crying Dad’
Honorable Mention: Dora Barens, from the Netherlands, was honored for her photograph titled ‘Touch of Love’
Honorable Mention: ‘Exhale’ by U.S. photographer Natalie Broders captured a sweet postpartum moment
Honorable Mention: U.S. photographer Jacinta Lagos captured a blissful postpartum moment in her image ‘Ecstacy’
Honorable Mention: Ebony Allen-Ankins, from Australia, was honored for her magical photo ‘Into The Night’
Best In Birth Details: U.S. photographer Brittney Hogue was celebrated for her post-birth image titled ‘Nuchal’
Honorable Mention: U.S. photographer Natalie Weber was honored for her heart-rending image titled ‘The Reach’
