29 Award-Winning Birth Photos That Will Change How You Think About Giving Birth
Spring is nearly here, which means it's the time of year when the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers announces the winners of its yearly competition, and 2022's honorees are as incredible as ever.
Warning: these photos include nudity and, in one instance, child loss.
1.First, this awe-inspiring photo of a baby's feet making their first entry into the world won Best in Category: Birth Details.
"The Tiniest Feet" is by Dania Watson of Australia's Lauren + Douglas Photography and Films.
2.This amazing capture of a father seeing his child for the first time won Best in Category: Delivery.
"The First Look" is by Ebony Allen-Ankins of Australia's Ebony Allen-Ankins Photography.
3.This image of an emotional moment was named Best in Category: Labor.
"Accepting a New Plan" is by Sara Avila of Mexico's Sara Avila Fotografia.
4.This photo of a woman and her placenta post-birth was an honorable mention.
"After Birth" is by Ebony Allen-Ankins of the Australia's Ebony Allen-Ankins Photography.
5.And this photo of twins feeding for the first time won Best in Category: Postpartum.
"Twins First Latch" is by Jessica Miles of the United States' Jessica Miles Photography.
6.This dramatic moment of a laboring mother and her support partner was named an honorable mention.
"Ready For Devotion" is by Sadie Wild of the United Kingdom's Sadie Wild Photography.
7.This photo of a newborn baby still covered in vernix was named the winner of the sub-category Birth Details: Documentary.
"Nuchal" is by Brittney Hogue of the United States' Birth, Baby, Family.
8.This photo of a woman connecting with herself after giving birth won the sub-category of Postpartum: Black and White.
"Reunion" is by Rachel Utain-Evans of the United States' Rachel Utain-Evans Photography.
9.This incredible image of a baby crowning was an honorable mention.
"Soften Open Release" is by Deborah van Bruchem of the Netherlands' Noa Fotografie.
(Warning: the next image depicts child loss, so you may want to skip ahead.)
10.This year, for the first time, the IAPBP created a category to "honor and recognize the one in four birthing persons who experience miscarriage and/or infant loss." This heartbreaking image was named Best In Category: Overall Hardship & Loss.
"As Long As I Am Here With You My Perfect Little Baby" is by Meike Nagorny of Germany's Meike Nagorny m.o.m.e.n.t.s.
11.This adorable moment of a sister meeting her new sibling was an honorable mention.
"Daughters of a Midwife" is by Jessica Henderson from Australia's Jessica Henderson Photography.
12.This overhead shot of a woman laboring through a water birth won the sub-category of Labor: Fine Art.
"Surrender" is by Renate van Lith from the Netherlands' Renate van Lith Fotografie.
13.And this overhead shot won the sub-category of Postpartum: Fine Art.
"Swimming Interstellar" is by Hayden Trace of the United States' Home Again.
14.This capture of a mother bonding with her new baby won the sub-category of Postpartum: Documentary.
"Love Till Infinity" is by Inge Berken of the Netherlands' Inge Berken Fotografie.
15.This moving image of a mother being supported by her family through a water birth was named an honorable mention.
"Love and Support" is by Vannessa Brown of Canada's Vannessa Brown Photography.
16.This powerful moment after a successful water birth won the sub-category of Delivery: Documentary.
"Dad Catches His Baby Girl" is by Sara Johnson of the United States' Sara Hunter Photography.
17.This sprawling photo of a woman's home birth setup won the sub-category Labor: Documentary.
"My Sacred Birth Cocoon" is by Jessica Innemee of the Netherlands' VI-Photography.
18.And this capture of a woman pushing through the pain (with a little help) won the sub-category Birth Details: Black and White.
"She Roars" is by Lindsey Bartell of the United States' Lindsey Eden Photography & Doula.
19.This photo of a mother meeting her baby post C-section was named an honorable mention.
"The Reach" is by Natalie Weber of the United States' Natalie Zepp Photography.
20.This capture of a family bursting with emotion won the sub-category Delivery: Black and White.
"Euphoria" is by Inge Berken of the Netherlands' Inge Berken Fotografie.
21.This photo of a mother feeding her newborn and toddler was an honorable mention.
"Life Giving Nectar" is by Lyuboc Chaykovskaya from Russia's Birth Moments.
22.This sweet moment of closeness during labor was named an honorable mention.
"Lean Into Me" is by Lindsey Ellis of the United States' Wild Ember Birth.
23.The beautiful image of a mother meeting her new baby (and the dad trying to sneak a look too) was named an honorable mention.
"Ecstasy" is by Jacinta Lagos of the United States' Jacinta Lagos Birth Services.
24.This photo of a mother and child resting after a water birth was named the winner of the sub-category Delivery: Fine Art.
"The Blessed Exhaustion" is by Danny Merz of Danny Merz Geburtsreportage.
25.And finally, this charming photo was named the competition's overall First Place winner.
"A Touch of Love” is by Bárbara Aviz of Brazil's Bárbara Aviz Fotografia.
In addition to the photos selected by the competition's judges, the association's members recognized these additional standouts:
26.This unforgettable shot won the Members' Best In Category: Birth Details.
"Blood Ties" is by Alina Goroaia Vincenti from Italy's Fotoemozioni Alina G. Vincenti.
27.This photo of an overwhelmed father during his first moments with his child won the Members' Best In Category: Postpartum.
"Crying Dad" is by Sara Johnson of the United States' Sara Hunter Photography.
28.This photo of a laboring woman in the shower was selected as the Members' Best In Category: Labor.
"White Noise" is by Cindy Willems of the Netherlands' Birth Day geboortefotografie.
29.And lastly, the members selected this stunning photo as their First Place Winner.
"Blood of My Blood" is by Laura Brink of Australia's Rewild Her