Life is an adventure like no other. It starts with a boom which creates life and ends in the most unpredictable ways.
In order to get a glimpse into the complex, raw and overpowering experience of giving birth, we invite you to pull your seats closer. The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers, whose goal is to spread the beauty of birth, announced the best photographs of 2023. And wrapped them up in the fascinating collection below.
If you'd like to see more of the IAPBP's photographs from the previous competitions, check out our previous features here, here and here.
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Best In Birth Details: "Waking Up At Sunrise", Paula Beltrao, Brazil
Best In Postpartum: "The Lovers After", Natalie Broders, United States
Best In Delivery: Fine Art: "Brace For Birth", Laura Brink, Australia
This really is a great perspective to highlight the size of a baby at delivery vs where it’s coming from. If you’re trying to get a man (or woman) to appreciate this, this is a great picture
The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers was created to assist soon-to-be parents with gifted birth photographers. These days the community has well over 1000 members in 52 countries, and continues to grow daily.
The association itself was founded in 2010, and is a proud owner of immensely talented and creative photographers/videographers who put their whole heart into documenting expecting parents' fragile but significant moments.
13 years ago, IAPBP introduced an annual image competition that allows folks to witness the reality of an otherworldly process. The annual competition by IAPBP celebrates the beauty of birth and the skill of birth photographers around the globe in five categories — labor, delivery, postpartum, birth details, and fresh 48.
Best In Delivery: Black & White: "The Expected Meeting", Karoline Saadi, Brazil
Best In Labor: Black & White: "The Loyal Birth Attendant", Laura Brink, Australia
Honorable Mention: "Chaos And Calm", Stefany Pontes, Brazil
Best In Delivery: "Life Beneath The Surface", Mary Beliz , United States
Best Overall: First Place: "Crossing The Veil", Annemarie Fuckel, Germany
Members' Choice: Best In Delivery: "First Touch", Settia Tin, Holland
Best In Labor: "Safe Space", Jessica Innemee, Netherlands
Honorable Mention: "Holding Hands", Ash Blythe, United States
Honorable Mention: "Cry Of Love", Anne Lucy, Brazil
Best In Postpartum: Documentary: "Bed 32", Dania Lauren, Australia
Best In Postpartum: Fine Art: "The Sovereign Family Tree", Laura Brink , Australia
Honorable Mention: "Liminal Space", Megan Angstadt-Williams, United States
I'd have punched my husband in the throat if he'd done this to me giving birth!
Best In Postpartum: Black & White: "Peaceful Arrival", Annemarie Fuckel , Germany
Honorable Mention: "All Lines Lead To You", Laura Brink , Australia
Honorable Mention: "I Stand In My Power", Lawren Snapka, United States
Honorable Mention: "Postpartum Porcelain Throne Check", Sarah Romero, United States
1. This is amazing and beautiful. And that's coming from a guy that hates it when people jump on the internet and mindlessly label a picture of a puppy playing with a chew toy "amazing and beautiful". Need more of this, and less of "AITA for not going to my sister's wedding?"
I've had both a "natural" birth and a C-section and honestly seeing these photos is the first time that I really understood what my body went through. How the hell did I manage to push a 3.2kg child out?? And as someone else said, we do need to see more of this. We should all know what the human body is capable of rather than hiding it behind censorship filters..
II was with my wife when she gave birth to our children, the most impressive moments in my life.
It is absolutely wild how inconsistent the censoring is. Beautiful photos, insane censorship.
These photos made me cry! Seeing new spirits entering incarnation, so beautiful and touching 🥰
1. This is amazing and beautiful. And that's coming from a guy that hates it when people jump on the internet and mindlessly label a picture of a puppy playing with a chew toy "amazing and beautiful". Need more of this, and less of "AITA for not going to my sister's wedding?"
I've had both a "natural" birth and a C-section and honestly seeing these photos is the first time that I really understood what my body went through. How the hell did I manage to push a 3.2kg child out?? And as someone else said, we do need to see more of this. We should all know what the human body is capable of rather than hiding it behind censorship filters..
II was with my wife when she gave birth to our children, the most impressive moments in my life.
It is absolutely wild how inconsistent the censoring is. Beautiful photos, insane censorship.
These photos made me cry! Seeing new spirits entering incarnation, so beautiful and touching 🥰
