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26 Touching Photos That Won The 2023 Birth Photography Image Competition

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Life is an adventure like no other. It starts with a boom which creates life and ends in the most unpredictable ways.

In order to get a glimpse into the complex, raw and overpowering experience of giving birth, we invite you to pull your seats closer. The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers, whose goal is to spread the beauty of birth, announced the best photographs of 2023. And wrapped them up in the fascinating collection below.

If you'd like to see more of the IAPBP's photographs from the previous competitions, check out our previous features here, here and here.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Best In Birth Details: "Waking Up At Sunrise", Paula Beltrao, Brazil

Best In Birth Details: "Waking Up At Sunrise", Paula Beltrao, Brazil

Final score:

72points

Rebelliousslug 1 year ago

This is probably the most incredible photo I’ve seen in this genre

14points

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#2

Best In Postpartum: "The Lovers After", Natalie Broders, United States

Best In Postpartum: "The Lovers After", Natalie Broders, United States

Final score:

56points

Mojavedog 1 year ago

They both look exhausted!! Congrats!

15points

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#3

Best In Delivery: Fine Art: "Brace For Birth", Laura Brink, Australia

Best In Delivery: Fine Art: "Brace For Birth", Laura Brink, Australia

Final score:

47points

Rebelliousslug 1 year ago

This really is a great perspective to highlight the size of a baby at delivery vs where it’s coming from. If you’re trying to get a man (or woman) to appreciate this, this is a great picture

18points

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The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers was created to assist soon-to-be parents with gifted birth photographers. These days the community has well over 1000 members in 52 countries, and continues to grow daily.

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.

13 years ago, IAPBP introduced an annual image competition that allows folks to witness the reality of an otherworldly process. The annual competition by IAPBP celebrates the beauty of birth and the skill of birth photographers around the globe in five categories — labor, delivery, postpartum, birth details, and fresh 48.

#4

Best In Delivery: Black & White: "The Expected Meeting", Karoline Saadi, Brazil

Best In Delivery: Black & White: "The Expected Meeting", Karoline Saadi, Brazil

Final score:

46points

littlerabbit 1 year ago

The pure joy in this photo is amazing

8points

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#5

Best In Labor: Black & White: "The Loyal Birth Attendant", Laura Brink, Australia

Best In Labor: Black & White: "The Loyal Birth Attendant", Laura Brink, Australia

Final score:

46points

Mojavedog 1 year ago

That would comfort me so much.

9points

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#6

Honorable Mention: "Chaos And Calm", Stefany Pontes, Brazil

Honorable Mention: "Chaos And Calm", Stefany Pontes, Brazil

Final score:

45points

SnackbarKaat 1 year ago

I love this picture.. the exhausted nurse.. the involved husband..

13points

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#7

Best In Delivery: "Life Beneath The Surface", Mary Beliz , United States

Best In Delivery: "Life Beneath The Surface", Mary Beliz , United States

Final score:

40points

Frances Petendra 1 year ago

And a breach birth!….that’s not easy!…but a beautiful shot!

20points

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#8

Best Overall: First Place: "Crossing The Veil", Annemarie Fuckel, Germany

Best Overall: First Place: "Crossing The Veil", Annemarie Fuckel, Germany

Final score:

38points

martymcmatrix 1 year ago

Sehr interessanter Nachname!

5points

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#9

Members' Choice: Best In Delivery: "First Touch", Settia Tin, Holland

Members' Choice: Best In Delivery: "First Touch", Settia Tin, Holland

Final score:

35points

Rebelliousslug 1 year ago

This is so sweet

11points

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#10

Best In Labor: "Safe Space", Jessica Innemee, Netherlands

Best In Labor: "Safe Space", Jessica Innemee, Netherlands

Final score:

34points

AR 1 year ago

I took a shower when in early labor. I was drawn to it.

6points

#11

Honorable Mention: "Holding Hands", Ash Blythe, United States

Honorable Mention: "Holding Hands", Ash Blythe, United States

Final score:

34points

Jenny Galbraith 1 year ago

Wow!

11points

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#12

Best In Delivery: Documentary: "Hello, I Have Arrived", Jessica Miles , United States

Best In Delivery: Documentary: "Hello, I Have Arrived", Jessica Miles , United States

Final score:

33points

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#13

Honorable Mention: "Cry Of Love", Anne Lucy, Brazil

Honorable Mention: "Cry Of Love", Anne Lucy, Brazil

Final score:

32points

Rebelliousslug 1 year ago

So much hair!

14points

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#14

Best In Postpartum: Documentary: "Bed 32", Dania Lauren, Australia

Best In Postpartum: Documentary: "Bed 32", Dania Lauren, Australia

Final score:

29points

Mabelbabel 1 year ago

Is dad holding the baby? It looks absolutely tiny!

5points

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#15

Best In Postpartum: Fine Art: "The Sovereign Family Tree", Laura Brink , Australia

Best In Postpartum: Fine Art: "The Sovereign Family Tree", Laura Brink , Australia

Final score:

27points

Veronica Elizabeth 1 year ago

That is an AWESOME picture of life!

8points

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#16

Honorable Mention: "My First Seconds Here", Julia Santiago, Brazil

Honorable Mention: "My First Seconds Here", Julia Santiago, Brazil

Final score:

27points

#17

Members' Choice: Best In Labor: "I Call Down My Power", Nicole Hamic, United States

Members' Choice: Best In Labor: "I Call Down My Power", Nicole Hamic, United States

Final score:

26points

#18

Honorable Mention: "Liminal Space", Megan Angstadt-Williams, United States

Honorable Mention: "Liminal Space", Megan Angstadt-Williams, United States

Final score:

25points

Siobhan Gournay 1 year ago

I'd have punched my husband in the throat if he'd done this to me giving birth!

13points

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#19

Best In Postpartum: Black & White: "Peaceful Arrival", Annemarie Fuckel , Germany

Best In Postpartum: Black & White: "Peaceful Arrival", Annemarie Fuckel , Germany

Final score:

24points

Lulu John 1 year ago

Not to take away from the moment, but what a cool last name to have!

2points

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#20

Honorable Mention: "Bloodline", Alannah Finn, United States

Honorable Mention: "Bloodline", Alannah Finn, United States

Final score:

24points

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#21

Best In Labor: Documentary: "Drowning In Exhaustion", Laura Brink, Australia

Best In Labor: Documentary: "Drowning In Exhaustion", Laura Brink, Australia

Final score:

22points

#22

Honorable Mention: "Beautiful Beautiful Boy", Tiarra Doherty, United States

Honorable Mention: "Beautiful Beautiful Boy", Tiarra Doherty, United States

Final score:

20points

#23

Honorable Mention: "The Final Drop", Beth Lindsay, Australia

Honorable Mention: "The Final Drop", Beth Lindsay, Australia

Final score:

17points

#24

Honorable Mention: "All Lines Lead To You", Laura Brink , Australia

Honorable Mention: "All Lines Lead To You", Laura Brink , Australia

Final score:

16points

duckie 1 year ago

Someone's going to be a dad 🥰

21points

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#25

Honorable Mention: "I Stand In My Power", Lawren Snapka, United States

Honorable Mention: "I Stand In My Power", Lawren Snapka, United States

Final score:

15points

BLONDTROBL 1 year ago

Kinda dangerous to be at the top of the stairs.

3points

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#26

Honorable Mention: "Postpartum Porcelain Throne Check", Sarah Romero, United States

Honorable Mention: "Postpartum Porcelain Throne Check", Sarah Romero, United States

Final score:

15points

Melanie Filmer 1 year ago

The first toilet trip after giving birth is nightmare fuel!

10points

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Liucija Adomaite

Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

Ilona Baliūnaitė

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

What do you think ?

John Harrison 1 year ago

1. This is amazing and beautiful. And that's coming from a guy that hates it when people jump on the internet and mindlessly label a picture of a puppy playing with a chew toy "amazing and beautiful". Need more of this, and less of "AITA for not going to my sister's wedding?"

5points

Chez 1 year ago

I've had both a "natural" birth and a C-section and honestly seeing these photos is the first time that I really understood what my body went through. How the hell did I manage to push a 3.2kg child out?? And as someone else said, we do need to see more of this. We should all know what the human body is capable of rather than hiding it behind censorship filters..

4points

Pamela Blue 1 year ago

I had 3 natural births and I was always amazed at what my body was capable of. However, with stitches, that first poop was a nightmare! LOL!

2points

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ADHORTATOR 1 year ago

II was with my wife when she gave birth to our children, the most impressive moments in my life.

3points

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John Harrison 1 year ago

1. This is amazing and beautiful. And that's coming from a guy that hates it when people jump on the internet and mindlessly label a picture of a puppy playing with a chew toy "amazing and beautiful". Need more of this, and less of "AITA for not going to my sister's wedding?"

5points

Chez 1 year ago

I've had both a "natural" birth and a C-section and honestly seeing these photos is the first time that I really understood what my body went through. How the hell did I manage to push a 3.2kg child out?? And as someone else said, we do need to see more of this. We should all know what the human body is capable of rather than hiding it behind censorship filters..

4points

Pamela Blue 1 year ago

I had 3 natural births and I was always amazed at what my body was capable of. However, with stitches, that first poop was a nightmare! LOL!

2points

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ADHORTATOR 1 year ago

II was with my wife when she gave birth to our children, the most impressive moments in my life.

3points

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