The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers recently revealed the winning photographs of its 10th annual Birth Photography Image Competition, noting that this year’s entrants were a particularly special group as they’d demonstrated an ability to adapt and overcome the challenges that came with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“Despite hundreds of birth photographers worldwide having lost a majority of their work and income in 2020 due to the global pandemic, we are incredibly thankful for and proud of the entrants of this year’s competition,” the association said. “In spite of the hardships we endured as a community, this competition represents the resilience birth photographers have shown to overcome unforeseen challenges.”
Readers should take note that birth photography is often graphic and can include nudity, blood, or other bodily fluids. Those who don’t wish to view such images should consider this their warning to stop scrolling. Otherwise, browse the full list of 2021 Birth Photography Image Competition winners and their stunning photographs below:
1″Daddy’s Girls”
Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Birth Photography from Canada won First Place with their photograph “Daddy’s Girls.” This photo also won the Member’s Choice Award for Best in Postpartum.
2“The Origin Of Life.”
Charlene Förster of Charlene Förster Fotografie from Germany won Best in Birth Details with their photograph “The Origin Of Life.” This photo also won the Members’ Choice Award for Best in Birth Details.
3“The Greatest Love in the World”
Anne Lucy Silva Barbosa of Anne Lucy Fotografia in Brazil won Best in Delivery for their photograph “The Greatest Love in the World.” This photo also won the Members’ Choice Award for Best Overall.
4“Reach Down. He’s Almost Here”
Dana Jacobs of Dana Jacobs Photography in the United States won Best in Labor for their photograph “Reach Down. He’s Almost Here.”
5″Nourish”
Jami Edgar of Touch of Hart Photography in the United States won Best in Fresh 48 for their photograph “Nourish.”
6“My Body, My Birth”
Hanna Hill of Hanna Hill Photography in the United States won Best in Postpartum for their photograph “My Body, My Birth.”
7“Grace”
Danny Merz of Danny Merz | Geburtsreportage from Germany won the Members’ Choice Award for Best in Delivery for their photograph “Grace.”
8“Nursing A Newborn”
Carey Lippert of Carey Lauren Photos & Film in the United States won the Members’ Choice Award for Best in Fresh 48 for their photograph “Nursing A Newborn.”
9“Primal Shapes of Birth”
Laura Brink of Rewild Her in Australia won the Members’ Choice Award for Best in Labor for their photograph “Primal Shapes of Birth.”
10“The Strength Within You Is Greater Than Any Storm”
Lisa Phillips of Lisa Phillips Photography in the United States won an honorable mention for their photograph “The Strength Within You Is Greater Than Any Storm.”
11“The Miracle of Life In Your Hands”
Nora Dalmasso of Nora Dalmasso Fotografia in Argentina won an honorable mention for their photograph “The Miracle of Life In Your Hands.”
12“You And You And Me”
Brittany Knapik of The Birth Story Collective in the United States won an honorable mention for their photograph “You And You And Me.”
13“A Mother’s Guidance”
Cat Fancote of Capturing Birth in Australia won an honorable mention for their photograph “A Mother’s Guidance.”
14“Home Birth in a Pandemic”
Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Photography in Canada won an honorable mention for their photograph “Home Birth in a Pandemic.”
15“A Dose of Mother Nature”
Jessica Henderson of Jessica Henderson Photography in Australia won an honorable mention for their photograph “A Dose of Mother Nature.”
16 Welcome Little Woman”
Kate Kennedy of Kennedy Birth Photography in Australia won an honorable mention for their photograph “Welcome Little Woman.”
17“Birthing Queen”
Kate Kennedy of Kennedy Birth Photography in Australia won a second honorable mention for their photograph “Birthing Queen.”
18“Examining Every Detail”
Lisa Phillips of Lisa Phillips Photography in the United States won a second honorable mention for their photograph “Examining Every Detail.”
19“Reborn”
Rianna Cross of Birthspoke in Australia won an honorable mention for their photograph “Reborn.”
20“When Time Stands Still”
Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Birth Photography from Canada won an honorable mention for their photograph “When Time Stands Still.”
21“Of All Our Travels, This Journey Will Be Our Greatest”
Dana Jacobs of Dana Jacobs Photography in the United States won an honorable mention for their photograph “Of All Our Travels, This Journey Will Be Our Greatest.”
22“The Journey Traveled For You”
Paulina Splechta of Paulina Splechta Photography in the United States won an honorable mention for their photograph “The Journey Traveled For You.”
23“Underwater”
Dania Watson of Lauren and Douglas in Australia won an honorable mention for their photograph “Underwater.”
24“This Moment 2020”
Kandyce Wagar of Songbird and Oak Photography in Canada won an honorable mention for their photograph “This Moment 2020.”
25“Erupting into Being”
Laura Brink of Rewild Her in Australia won an honorable mention for their photograph “Erupting into Being.”
26“Silent Night”
Rianna Cross of Birthspoke in Australia won a second honorable mention for their photograph “Silent Night.”
WHAT TO EXPECT
Layland Masuda/Moment/Getty Images10 Home Birth Videos That Are Real, Raw, & Empowering
If you’re wondering where to put your birth tub, watch these.
If you’re thinking about your birth plan and the idea of delivering at home sounds right for you, that opens up a whole slew of options for you to consider. Watching home birth videos and vlogs can help you decide exactly how you want your labor and delivery to go, and answer questions you didn’t even know you had.
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Do you want to give birth in bed, in your bathtub, or in an inflatable birth tub? Do you want your older children there for some or all of the action? What about the rest of your space — should it be dimly lit with twinkly lights and music going, or totally normal, like any other day at home? Seeing how other parents set up their homes for their own births can help you decide exactly what you want too. You’ll also see how other couples manage contraction pain together, doing massage, hopping in the shower, or taking walks (before things get too intense, of course).
And then there’s the not-so-fun parts of planning a home birth, like making a backup plan in case you do require hospital care at some point. Checking out some home birth videos in which families go to the hospital can help you understand what that process looks like, and how those parents handle the change to their plans. No matter what, screening some of these vlogs will give you a ton of information about home births, and empower you to make the choices that feel best for you.
This vlog is short, sweet, and has zero talking to the camera. You’ll see glimpses of Mom in the tub and shower, laboring in bed, and getting lots of hugs and support from her partner and toddler.
This mom has her water birth in a hospital with special birthing tubs, so if you’re wondering what they look like or how things run in a more medical setting, her video might answer some questions. She chats in a calm, positive way about her whole experience, from the membrane sweep to the hospital food after delivering.