The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers was essentially established to assist soon-to-be parents with gifted birth photographers. These days the community has over 1,100 members in 52 countries, and continues to grow daily. Moreover, 12 years ago, IAPBP introduced an annual image competition that allows folks to witness the reality of an otherworldly process. The association itself was founded in 2010, and is a proud owner of immensely talented and creative photographers/videographers who put their whole heart into documenting expecting parents' fragile but significant moments.

Becoming a birth photographer is a very crucial choice. It's a way to connect with the world and its wonders, it's intimate and it's messy. Birth photographers are storytellers who catch every aspect of the delivery, whether it's planned or unplanned. They're there to document the person's anticipation, pain and finally that long-awaited skin-to-skin contact.

Photography is a very rewarding practice, let alone when you specialize in capturing people's deliveries. Not everyone is aware that birth photography is even a thing, besides, most would probably think that documenting such private and personal moments is rather unnecessary – but meeting your child for the first time is an otherworldly emotion that many would love to remember forever.

Every labor is different, but most are extremely difficult, as you can never thoroughly plan the process. It's all very individual, where some are blessed with a very smooth and quick delivery and others spend days laboring with the immense support of their loved ones. Either way, birth photographers are completely trained to adapt to the unexpected and are ready to capture your beautiful journey.

Being a birth photographer isn't only about finding the best angles to portray the future mother's story. It's an incredible task where you need to constantly be aware of the surroundings, in order to not interfere with the beauty and the harsh reality of the birthing process. An overpowering moment that can hardly be described with words, an event that is filled with excruciating pain and an overflowing love that, in the aftermath, feels like has gone by within a split second. The process is easily forgotten once your child finally enters your arms and birth photographers are there to help and seal those life-changing hours forever.

Giving birth is the most empowering feeling, despite experiencing a form of pain that you never even knew existed. You're on the verge of bringing a new life to this world while being surrounded by the people you love the most. Not a lot of us can truly comprehend what happens in that delivery room but having competitions like this one allows folks to witness what it's like going through such a dynamic event.

Though most birth photographers are only focused on documenting your story, some are also known to offer their support services, essentially acting like doulas. It's fascinating to know that you can also develop a connection with your photographer that will most likely positively impact on your final images. Many birth photographers reveal that their clients cry when they first view their images and it must feel very rewarding for the artist to see those final happy tears.

Even though childbirth is a truly terrifying event, it's important to educate ourselves and to hear about this matter from the women that undergone this equally stressful and beautiful process. A lot of us don't know enough about labor and delivery because we're so used to seeing a slightly sugar-coated version in the vastness of media. Yet, this project and this competition is a great way to bring awareness to real and unstated birth. And it's totally hypnotizing.