Prepare to Be Moved: Witness the Raw and Powerful Moments Captured in These 27 Award-Winning Birth Photos of 2023
It's once again that time of year when the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers announces the winners of its yearly competition, and it's safe to say that 2024's honorees...delivered.
The IAPBP has more than 1,100+ members in 51 countries.
Warning: these photos include graphic depictions of childbirth including nudity and, in two instances, child loss.
1.First, this photo of newborn twins breastfeeding for the first time won Best Overall Birth Details.
Ponte Entres os Mundo ("Bridge Between the World") is by Luma Braz of Brazil's Luma Braz Fotografia.
2.This striking image of an emotional mother stepping into a birth pool during labor was named Best Overall Labor.
Relax, Soften, Open is by Chinelle Rojas of the United States' Tampa Birth Photographer.
3.This photo capturing the moments after a C-section — as the dad bonds with the baby and a doctor stitches up the happy mother's incisions — was awarded Best Overall Postpartum.
A Whole Story in One Image is by Jessica Innemee of the Netherlands' Vi Photography.
(Warning: the next image depicts child loss, so you may want to skip ahead.)
4.In order to "honor and recognize the one in four birthing persons who experience miscarriage and/or infant loss," the IAPBP has an Overall Hardship & Loss category — below is this year's winner.
Generation Lost is by Kyra Wijnhausen of the United States' Earth Side Doula Care.
5.This shot of a doctor or nurse framed by a mother's leg won the sub-category of Birth Details: Black and White.
Focusing is by Ania Wibig of Poland's Obiektywnie Najpiękniejsze.
6.This image of a breech birth won the sub-category of Birth Details: Documentary.
Feet First is by Jessica Innemee of the Netherlands' Vi Photography.
7.This photo of a baby fresh out of their mother and covered in vernix won the sub-category of Birth Details: Fine Art.
Vernix and Breastmilk Rings is by Tiarra Doherty of the United States' Mother Wolf Birth Photography.
8.This snap of a baby boy dramatically entering the world via C-section won the sub-category of Delivery: Black and White.
Into Their Hands is by Lauren Maggi of the United States' Lauren Maggi Photography & Doula.
9.The photographer of this photo used a mirror to capture the image of a baby's head first poking out of their mother — it won the sub-category of Delivery: Documentary.
Reflections of Birth is by Settia Tin of the Netherlands' Hello Baby Geboortefotografie.
10.This photo — of parents celebrating the birth of a baby who is still attached to the umbilical cord — won the sub-category of Delivery: Fine Art.
Raw Embrace is by Isabell Steinert of Germany's Isabell Steinert Fotografie.
11.This capture of a tired mother laboring won the sub-category of Delivery: Black and White.
In the Shadows is by Emily Santi of the United States' Emily Santi Birth Photography.
12.This photo of a woman summoning the strength to keep going won the sub-category of Labor: Documentary.
Unyielding Resolve: Pushing Through is by Natalie Broders of the United States' Portland Birth Photographer Natalie Broders.
13.This image of a laboring mother receiving tremendous love and support won the sub-category of Labor: Fine Art.
Heart Hold is by Laura Brink of Australia's Rewild Her.
14.This image of a mother breastfeeding her children — one older, one minutes old — won the sub-category of Postpartum: Black and White.
Hello, My Little Sister is by Karoline Saadi of Brazil's Karoline Saadi Fotografia.
15.This photo of a mother relaxing in a birthing pool with her new baby — as the baby grips their dad's finger — won the sub-category of Postpartum: Documentary.
Nebula of Love is by Colleen Murtha of the United States' Colleen Murtha Photography.
16.This photo of a mother and baby gazing at each other won the sub-category of Postpartum: Fine Art.
Finally Face to Face is by Lisa Weingardt of the United States' Little Loo Photo + Film.
17.And this dramatic photo — of a baby clutching a doctor's finger while still in the womb during a C-section — is the competition's Overall First Place Winner.
Holding Hands is by Nora Dalmasso of Argentina's Nora Dalmasso Fografia. The photo was also named Best Overall Delivery.
In addition to the photos selected by the competition's judges, the association's members recognized these additional standouts:
18.This joyous moment was named the winner of the Members' Choice Best Overall Delivery.
By Morning Light is by Nicole Hamic of the United States' Nicole Hamic, Doula and Photographer.
19.This shot of a mother admiring the amniotic sac her baby came in (the baby was born en caul) was named Members' Choice Best Overall Birth Details.
Beyond the Veil is by Julie Francom of the United States' Julie Francom Birth Stories.
20.This moment of love and unity was named Members' Choice Best Overall Labor.
Power Couple is by Larissa van de Geer of the Netherlands' Larissa Shootsmemories.
21.This shot of a mother, her baby, and her fur baby was named Members' Choice Best Overall Postpartum.
True Love is by Sophie Bailey of the United Kingdom's WIld Mama Photography.
(Warning: the next image depicts child loss, so you may want to skip ahead.)
22.And this photo of a father and grandfather grieving the loss of a baby born still won the Member's Choice Best Overall.
The Weight of Loss by Kyra Wijnhausen from the United States' Earthside Doula Care.
The members also selected the photo as the best in the Hardship/Loss category.
Finally, here are some memorable photos that were named honorable mentions:
23.This photo of an emotional mother as a doctor holds up her baby was named an Honorable Mention in Delivery.
Miracle #2 is by Martha Lerner of the United States' zenmamalove.
24.This image of a baby born in the occiput posterior position (when the baby is head-down but facing the mother's front instead of her back) was named an Honorable Mention in Delivery.
Birth of a Unicorn is by Alisia Mason of Australia's Sydney Birth Stories by Alisia Mason Photography.
25.This photo of a mother pulling her baby out of her abdomen during a C-section was named an Honorable Mention in Delivery.
Her Baby, Her Birth, Her Way (Maternal Assisted Caesarean) is by Inge Berken of the Netherlands' Inge Berken Fotografie.
26.This emotional shot of a grandmother meeting her grandchild was named an Honorable Mention in Postpartum.
A Grandmother is Born is by Liz Walsh of the United States' Liz Walsh Doula & Photography Services.
27.And lastly, this capture of a mother breastfeeding her brand-new baby and older child was named an Honorable Mention in Postpartum.
Two for Two is by Albany Alverez of Mexico's Albany J Alvarez Fotografía.
Want to see more unforgettable birth photos? Check out all of the this year's competition entries.
