Powerful Photos From The 2018 Birth Photo Competition

The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP) has announced the winners of their 2018 image contest, and the powerful photos that they have judged to be the winners show the raw beauty and drama of childbirth, as well as the sheer joy that follows.

Last year's contest was extremely high in quality and emotion, and this year the competition delivers once again. Each image tells a story of pain, perseverance, relief and joy. They document a new human's first moments of life, and a family's first moment of unity. You can see the full list of winners here.

As such, we must warn you that many of the photos below are intense and graphic, so reader discretion is advised. While one day birth photography will undoubtedly become more mainstream and accepted, we are not quite there yet. Scroll down below to see these powerful and unique images, and let us know what you think in the comments.

First Place Winner: Stunning Siblings First Encounter Marijke Thoen Birthphotography

Raw Emotion Lifetime of Clicks Photography

Honorable Mentions: Nurse Linda Little Leapling Photography

Hello Carlos Chow Ho Fotografia

Brand New Toes Breanna Lynch Photography

Newborn-Licious Belle Verdiglione Photography

Sealed With A Kiss CATHERINE BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

Best In Category: Delivery, En Caul Baby Birth DANIELA JUSTUS FOTOGRAFIA

Love Does Not Divide, It Multiplies Artshaped photography and birth services

Best In Category: Labor, Nowhere And Everywhere Rebecca coursey, photographer + doula

Discovering The Love Chromosome Emilly Gama Fotografia

Woman Power Neo photography

You Can Do This. I Love You! Jody Deijnen Photography

So Much Love DANIELA JUSTUS FOTOGRAFIA

Honorable Mentions: How Big Meg Brock Photography

Best In Category: Birth Details, Birth Of A Brother DANIELA JUSTUS FOTOGRAFIA

A Surrogates Kiss Lillian Craze Birth Photography

Honorable Mentions: Fist Bump For Mom Ker-Fox Photography

A Sound Of Bliss, The First Cry Snap Life Photography LLC

Colorful Life Renate van Lith Fotografie

Rumpled Sevan Photography

Into The Light Kate kennedy birth photography

Honorable Mentions: A Physiological Third Stage Santa Cruz Birth Photography & Doula Services

1642 Days Of Wishing Angelfire Photography

Free Truckee Birth Photographer

The First Embrace Santa Cruz Birth Photography & Doula Services

Goddess Of Life Cat Fancote - Capturing Birth

Shhh, Brandnew Love, Shhh Geburtsreportage

Honorable Mentions: Labor By Candlelight Ashley Marston Photography

Honorable Mentions: Birthing Waves Birth Blessings Photography & Doula Services