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The miracle of birth is a powerful yet shocking event. What we see on TV and in the movies is a sanitized version of reality which is both beautiful and emotionally raw.

The winners of the 2020 International Birth Photography Image Competition have been announced and we bring you the most powerful images that show just how strong moms are. Be warned, dear Readers, the images below are NSFW, very graphic, and should be viewed at your own discretion.

If you’d like to view some more emotional photos from the photo contest in previous years, have a look through Bored Panda’s earlier articles here, here, and here.

More info: IAPBPBirthPhotographers.com | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

#1

Best In Birth Details: “Baby Noah Empelicado", Jana Brasil

Best In Birth Details: “Baby Noah Empelicado", Jana Brasil

Jana Brasil Report

#3

First Place: “A Moment Of Silence”, Jessica Vink

First Place: “A Moment Of Silence”, Jessica Vink

Jessica Vink Report

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rabbitcarrot avatar
Rabbit Carrot
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Home birth = great. Home birth on the couch = nope. Too cramped and a bit unhygienic to be honest.

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The annual photography contest by the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IABPB) celebrates the beauty of giving birth and the skill of birth photographers around the globe in 5 categories: labor, delivery, postpartum, birth details, and fresh 48. The largest birth association worldwide encompasses over 1.1k members in 52 countries.

The association’s annual photography awards recognizes its members and their best work on an international platform. The competition has grown in scope each year. Highly anticipated, the best photos quickly go viral each year when the winners are announced. Images are judged on a variety of criteria and the first place winner will be featured throughout the year.

Birth photos are a highly specialized field and the choice to have the experience documented is an intensely personal decision. It involves the birth process, environment, the parents, and those in attendance. According to the IABPB, 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.

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#5

Honorable Mention: "Silence", Evelien Koote

Honorable Mention: "Silence", Evelien Koote

Evelien Koote Report

#6

Best In Fresh 48: "Denial", Natalie Weber

Best In Fresh 48: "Denial", Natalie Weber

Natalie Weber Report

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NWB
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

love the title!!! That would totally be my girl!

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In a previous interview with Bored Panda, one of the finalists of the 2018 IBPIC, Tammy Karin of Little Leapling Photography, said that the competition is very important in how it affects photography as an art form.

“This annual contest is a huge part of not just bringing awareness to a genre of photography. It plays a major role in this growing movement toward empowering women, improving our birth options, as well as inspiring us to dig deeper and fight for the types of births that are safest and best suited for our families and us,” Karin told Bored Panda. ­

#8

Honorable Mention: “In It Together”, Lori Martinez

Honorable Mention: “In It Together”, Lori Martinez

Lori Martinez Report

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#9

Members' Choice First Place: “Ring Of Fire”, Katie Torres

Members' Choice First Place: “Ring Of Fire”, Katie Torres

Katie Torres Report

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“Labor is an incredibly difficult genre and most of us photographers get burned out from all of the on-call time. Few realize the level of commitment needed to not just show up at the right time, but to insert ourselves into the typically intimate environment without having any negative impact on the mother's progress. It's not just about standing in the right place at the right time; we must truly understand and respect the birth process,” she explained the complexity of the task.

According to Karin, honest and beautiful photos depicting childbirth are still considered taboo, even though the genre is growing. “I know most people in our culture are still not comfortable with it. But birth photographers are not just going for shock and awe when they share detailed images of a baby emerging. I'd love to join that push for normalizing the sharing of those kinds of powerful captures. In general, our culture tends to sexualize everything and inject fear into the birth process.”

#10

Honorable Mention: “Holding Two Sons”, Lindsey Ellis

Honorable Mention: “Holding Two Sons”, Lindsey Ellis

Lindsey Ellis Report

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coricox avatar
Cori
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one made me tear up. It's beautiful and sad. If you're confused by the title, look at the tattoo. It's a heartbreaker.

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#11

Honorable Mention: "Unplanned, Furious And Free", Bree Garcia

Honorable Mention: "Unplanned, Furious And Free", Bree Garcia

Bree Garcia Report

#12

Honorable Mention: “On The Day You Were Born”, Sarah Maverick

Honorable Mention: “On The Day You Were Born”, Sarah Maverick

Sarah Maverick Report

#13

Honorable Mention: "Overflowing Love", Barbara Aviz

Honorable Mention: "Overflowing Love", Barbara Aviz

Barbara Aviz Report

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#14

Best In Labor: “Morning Light Creeps In”, Shea Long

Best In Labor: “Morning Light Creeps In”, Shea Long

Shea Long Report

#15

Best In Labor: "I Am A Birthing Goddess", Sophia Costa

Best In Labor: "I Am A Birthing Goddess", Sophia Costa

Sophia Costa Report

#16

Honorable Mention: "Milagre Da Vida", Jana Brasil

Honorable Mention: "Milagre Da Vida", Jana Brasil

Jana Brasil Report

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Melesa Bramlett-fary
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So realistic!!! This is how it looks in reality but most O.B. doctors break the sac in the USA during labor so not seen too much anymore!

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#17

Honorable Mention: "We've Got You Baby!", Belle Verdiglione

Honorable Mention: "We've Got You Baby!", Belle Verdiglione

Belle Verdiglione Report

#18

Honorable Mention: “Fresh”, Brittney Hogue

Honorable Mention: “Fresh”, Brittney Hogue

Brittney Hogue Report

#19

Best In Delivery: “Unmasking The Many Layers Of Birth”, Alexandria Mooney

Best In Delivery: “Unmasking The Many Layers Of Birth”, Alexandria Mooney

Alexandria Mooney Report

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Melesa Bramlett-fary
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't want my toddler to see me in labor and delivery. To see mommy in so much pain might distress the little guy too much or make him mad at the baby for hurting his mommy! But different cutures have different ideas and that's what makes life an learning place.

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#20

Best In Fresh 48: “Her Cup Runneth Over...”, Martha Lerner

Best In Fresh 48: “Her Cup Runneth Over...”, Martha Lerner

Martha Lerner Report

#21

Honorable Mention: "A Dramatic Entrance", Dania Watson

Honorable Mention: "A Dramatic Entrance", Dania Watson

Dania Watson Report

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coricox avatar
Cori
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, c**p! Is that the cord wrapped around the neck!?! I hope this one turned out okay.

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#22

Honorable Mention: "Dance With Me On Your Long Walk", Kate Carlton

Honorable Mention: "Dance With Me On Your Long Walk", Kate Carlton

Kate Carlton Report

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Melesa Bramlett-fary
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he might be helping her to go to the bathroom but if they are in labor dancing then I lalways love a romantic moment caught on film. Either way this is a beautiful picture!!!

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#23

Honorable Mention: "Colostrum Drunk", Shea Long

Honorable Mention: "Colostrum Drunk", Shea Long

Shea Long Report

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#25

Best In Postpartum: "Vernix Constellation", Kristy Visscher

Best In Postpartum: "Vernix Constellation", Kristy Visscher

Kristy Visscher Report

#26

Best In Birth Details: “Warrior”, Bree Garcia

Best In Birth Details: “Warrior”, Bree Garcia

Bree Garcia Report

#27

Honorable Mention: "She Watches Them", Ashley Marston

Honorable Mention: "She Watches Them", Ashley Marston

Ashley Marston Report

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Marlene Ricker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A man can never look more sexy than when he is holding his newborn. This really touches my heart.

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