20 Raw Birth Photos That Capture The Beauty And Power Of Delivery

The Beauty And Power Of Delivery

Birth photography is an incredibly intimate and powerful art form. To honor this work and the families who choose to document and share these vulnerable moments, the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers holds an annual photo contest.

These photos capture intimate, miraculous moments that show human life does go on, despite the hardships we’ve all faced in the past couple of years. We are still in awe of the way families to trust a photographer to document this profound moment in their lives.

On Wednesday, the IAPBP announced the winners of its 11th annual Birth Photography Image Competition, which celebrates excellence across four main categories: labor, delivery, postpartum and birth details. Subcategories for recognition include black and white, documentary, fine art, and hardship and loss.

“We are incredibly proud of the entrants of this year’s competition because in spite of all we endured in our community in recent years, this contest represents the resistance birth photographers have to overcome unforeseen challenges,” IAPBP director Liz Cook said in a press release.

“We are also thrilled to introduce a new, impactful and powerful subcategory titled ‘Hardship & Loss,’” she added. “We desire to honor the 1 in 4 birthing persons who experience miscarriage and/or loss and inviting images of these events into our celebration of birth photography is one way we can do this. We are proud to present to you a breathtaking body of work that shares life’s most powerful moments from 2021.”

Overall Winner "A Touch Of Love"The Beauty And Power Of Delivery Bárbara Aviz Fotografia

Best in Labor "Accepting A New Plan"The Beauty And Power Of Delivery Sara Avila Fotografia

Best In Delivery "The First Look"The Beauty And Power Of Delivery Ebony Allen-Ankins Photography

Best In Postpartum “Twins First Latch"The Beauty And Power Of Delivery Jessica Miles Photography

Best in Birth Details: "She Roars"The Beauty And Power Of Delivery Lindsey Eden Photography & Doula

Best In Delivery: “Dad Catches His Baby Girl"The Beauty And Power Of Delivery Sara Hunter Photo, LLC

Best in Labor: "My Sacred Birth Cocoon"The Beauty And Power Of Delivery Jessica Innemee/VI-Photography

Honorable Mention: "Ecstacy"The Beauty And Power Of Delivery Jacinta Lagos Birth Services

Honorable Mention: "Love And Support"The Beauty And Power Of Delivery Vannessa Brown Photography

Honorable Mention: "Transition Tears"The Beauty And Power Of Delivery Ashley Marston Photography

Honorable Mention: Absolute JoyThe Beauty And Power Of Delivery Lindsey Eden Photography & Doula

Honorable Mention: After BirthThe Beauty And Power Of Delivery Ebony Allen-Ankins Photography

Honorable Mention: BloomThe Beauty And Power Of Delivery Brittney Hogue

Honorable Mention: Daughters Of A MidwifeThe Beauty And Power Of Delivery Jessica Henderson Photography

Honorable Mention: Life-Giving NectarThe Beauty And Power Of Delivery Lyubov Chaykovskaya

Honorable Mention: Touch Of LoveThe Beauty And Power Of Delivery Dora Barens Geboortefotografie