Mothers around the world love to take photographs of their adorable newborns. So in honor of newborns and their mothers, the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP) holds an annual contest to find the best birth photos. Check out the following results from the IAPBP 2018 contest.
Best In Category: Birth Details
Winner of the Best in Category: Birth Details, Birth of a Brother shows the special bond between two brothers. The love is evident in this black and white photo, as older brother waves at the family’s newest addition. Of course, baby brother is oblivious to this fact as he just came into this world.
Best In Category: Postpartum
Winner of the Best in Category: Postpartum, Flesh of My Flesh is evidence of the special bond between a mother and her child. In this photo, mom looks down with loving joy. Little does the newborn know, but he will have this bond for the rest of his life.
Best In Category: Delivery
En Caul Baby Birth, the winner of Best in Category: Delivery shows just how intricate the birth process is. Covered in the protective birth caul from the womb, this little one will soon get its first glimpse of the world. Rest easy little one for soon you begin your journey through life.
Best In Category: Labor
In the photo entitled Nowhere and Everywhere, winner of the Best in Category: Labor, the expectant mother rests in the lap of the father. While peaceful looking, soon the birthing process will begin in earnest. Then it is all work until the job is done.
First Place Winner
The first place winner, Stunning Siblings First Encounter, was taken by Marijke Thoen Birthphotography. The photo shows a tender moment between newborn and their older sibling. Taken as baby was delivered in a water tank, an older sibling looks on as the doctor removes the babe from the tank.
Members Choice Winner
The members choice winner, Three Become Four, shows the whole family welcoming baby. Obviously a poignant moment, mother cries in relief as dad and daughter look on. As for baby, it is too busy exercising its lungs to know how special this moment is.
Members Choice Best in Category: Postpartum
Take My Hand, Hold My Heart, winner of members choice in Best in Category: Postpartum shows that special the bond between mother and child. Baby snuggles comfortably into mom’s chest, while mom gets some much needed rest. Dad meanwhile touches them both.
Honorable Mention: Underwater Scream
Underwater Scream, one of the many photographs that received honorable mention shows a baby screaming underwater. Taken by Caroline Devulder, the photo gives a rare glimpse into this procedure. Baby looks like it is ready to go at this point and get on with its life.
Honorable Mention: Love Complete
Love Complete, another honorable mention winner, shows the loving relationship between mother, father, and child. The mother, obviously worn out from giving birth, relaxes in the arms of the father. Baby meanwhile is busy making its first explorations into the world.
Honorable Mention: Admiration and Relief
The photo Admiration and Relief shows dad’s appreciation and admiration for mom. Meanwhile, mom is just glad it’s all over. As for baby, it sleeps peacefully on mom’s chest.
Honorable Mention: How Big
This photograph from Meg Brock Photography highlights mom’s surprise at the size of her newborn. Entitled How Big, the photo won honorable mention at the IAPBP Awards. Meanwhile, admiring onlookers take pictures of their own to commemorate the big event.
Honorable Mention: Nurse Linda
This photo is a reminder of the hard work and sacrifice that nurses in hospitals around the world make every day. Entitled Nurse Linda, the honorable mention winner shows the aforementioned Nurse Linda as she helps a mother deliver her baby. This picture just goes to show that a birth can happen anywhere.
Honorable Mention: Labor by Candlelight
Labor by Candlelight by Ashley Marston shows the view of a mom in labor from a mirror. Meanwhile, the room is lit by candles, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Her husband holds her hand to comfort her while she is in labor.
Honorable Mention: Touch
This photo, called Touch, shows a mother giving birth in a water tub. A midwife, or nurse, helps her by touching the small of her back from behind. Maybe this touch is all that the mother-to-be needs to get through labor.
Honorable Mention: Fist Bump for Mom
In this photo, entitled Fist Bump for Mom, a baby gives his mom a tender touch through the plastic sheeting. Mom, for her part waves and touches back. Dad and the doctors look on at this tender moment.
Honorable Mention: Birthing Waves
The photograph Birthing Waves shows a mother as she waits to give birth. This black and white photo won honorable mention at the IAPBP Awards. While peaceful now, she soon expects to begin the hard part of the birth process.
Other Entries: Birth Details
One of the many other entries to the contest includes White Knuckle Anticipation, a photo submitted by Snap Life Photography. In the photo, a mother giving birth squeezes the hand of a supporter. The intensity of the situation is evident from the look on her face.
Other Entries: Delivery
Mom, father and child rest peacefully in a water pool in The First Embrace. Both mother and father cry in joy, while their infant rests peacefully on mom’s chest. In the photo, dad actually seems more emotional than mom, though mom is probably just tired from her efforts.
Other Entries: Labor
In Transition, by Erika Pearce Photography, dad holds the expectant mother as she goes through labor. Mom meanwhile seems oblivious to her surroundings as she deals with the work of delivering a child. This photo is just one of the many photos submitted to the contest.
Other Entries: Postpartum
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In Unconditional Love, Mother, baby, and older sibling relax following the birth. Brother stares happily as his mom feeds his sibling. Baby meanwhile seems content with the world.
