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Last week I woke up with good news. I have been awarded the title of International Birth Photographer of the Year 2020 at the Birth Photographer International Image Competition (BPIIC). Not only thanks to my photos, but also because of my commitment to the community of birth photographers. I was very surprised by the news and almost fell off my chair when I read it. Really amazing.

Five years ago, I accidentally entered the photography world. At the time, I was still working as an inspector in the childcare industry. Each civil servant received a career budget that could be spent on something that had nothing to do with their own profession. With that money, I followed the basic training at the photography trade school.

It was intended as a hobby, but quickly got out of hand. In the end, I even quit my job. Not because it wasn't fun, but this is my passion. Birth photography is so special. All the emotions you can think of will pass by: relief, tension, exhaustion, sadness, and joy. I see everything through the lens. It is very special to be part of that as a photographer. I think it's great that people trust me to be in such an intimate moment.

More info: Instagram | Facebook | twitter.com | renatevanlith.nl

In the meantime, I have attended dozens of deliveries. I do a maximum of two per month. You can't plan a hundred such shoots in a year. You never know when labor will start and there is no colleague I can alternate with, like a midwife. It is therefore very intense. I have experienced deliveries lasting more than 24 hours. Then, you work non-stop, without a break, and without sleep.

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Janie Martini
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As I’m looking at all the pictures my daughter and son in law are having their baby right now! Am sad and excited for them because I can’t be there with them. But he’s keeping us all informed ♥️♥️♥️

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For the competition, I had to send in not only photos, but also documents such as customer reviews and letters of recommendation. In addition, I had to demonstrate to what extent I am involved in the profession and committed to the community of birth photographers.

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That wasn't a problem for me. For example, I have been involved with others in establishing a quality mark for birth photographers in the Netherlands and Belgium, which shows hospitals that the photographer has sufficient knowledge and professionalism to attend a delivery. Of course, you shouldn't get in the way as a photographer. Several hospitals now work together with this quality mark.

In addition, I have set up a platform where Dutch-speaking birth photographers can come together. Here, people can consult and ask each other questions. There is a lot of interaction. It is meant to lift each other up a bit.

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And I am also the founder of the Birth & Beyond Photography Awards. It's a photo competition for family photographers who capture motherhood with everything that goes into it. I thought it was important that there were more opportunities for birth photographers to submit their work to photo contests. As a lifestyle, fresh 48, and birth photographer, I was often left out with my genre and there was often no competition that suited me. At the Birth & Beyond Photography Awards, there is a special birth category, in addition to more common categories such as pregnancy, newborn, baby, children, and family. Motherhood should be celebrated, right?! All genres are therefore welcome: studio, portrait, fine-art, fresh 48, lifestyle, documentary, posed and un-posed photography, and more.

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Corey Smith
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This reminds me of seeing my daughter for the first time and her seeing us for the first time. It's an indescribable feeling to those who don't have children.

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Sue Koches
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As Robin Williams once said - "They hand you a little old man dipped in 40 weight!"

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I hope to be able to do this work for a long time and to be able to professionalize birth photography even further. Despite the fact that standing on call is very intense, this is a wonderful job. I have grateful customers, I can be part of wonderful moments and see new life being born. It couldn't be more beautiful, right?

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Dorothy Cloud
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a face on the baby. It's like.............I'm here & I'm so proud!

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Lucia Coleman
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW this is amazing EDIT: i didnt mean it the way you might think

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Kristen Medina
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will never forget starring at that flimsy blue curtain, waiting with desperation and anticipation for my baby’s first cries.

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Jennifer Baumann
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

C-section birth.... Beautiful.... I had 3 like this and I thank you for the photo as I have never seen this birth. xx

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Quinton James
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks like the kind of person who would quit living before she quit doing this job.

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Andrew Gibb
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

for a horrible second I thought that the baby was being held by it's feet by the toddler

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Harold Houfek
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find this very interesting from a man's point of view. I love the attention and concern of the husband/father. Just wondering what cultural rite this is. Quite calming and loving.

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hoRSefAce
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know it doesn't hurt them because their tendons haven't tightened or whatever but why do they roll them into a ball like that?

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Mary Dellenbusch
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hear it is more comfortable to give birth in water. Or, at least as comfortable as giving birth can be. More natural.

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Lori T Wisconsin
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3 years ago

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There have been babies that contracted Legionnaires disease in water births. Most women leak a little pee or poop in the last stage of labor, too. Seems like an increased risk of infection.

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Note: this post originally had 84 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.