Warning: The images you are about to see show the remarkable miracle that is childbirth in all of its raw, real, natural, and graphic glory.
There’s nothing quite like a mother’s love for her child. There’s also nothing quite like seeing the moment a woman becomes a mother for the first, second, or third time. Birth photography is a beautiful thing. It takes one of the single biggest moments in a person’s life and makes it stand still for a lifetime.
And just in time for Valentine’s Day, the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers have announced the “winners of the 2020 Birth Photography Image Competition.” These images captured the moments before, during, and after labor in all of its raw, natural, and beautiful glory. Below are a few of the winners:
This picture titled “Baby Noah Empelicado” was taken in Brazil by Jana Brasil of JanaBrasil Fotografia. It won the category for Best In Birth Details. The photo shows Noah still in the amniotic sac just moments after making his way into the world.
This image titled “Morning Light Creeps In” captured the calm before the storm. Shea Long of Coastal Lifestyles Photography won Best In Labor for this remarkable photo.
The next photo won Best In Birth Delivery. The stunning black and white image was taken by Alexandria Mooney of Alexandria Mooney Photography.
This incredible image was named Members’ Choice First Place. It was captured by Katie Torres of Your Story-Professional Birth Services, who titled the photo “Ring of Fire.”
The photo that won Best In Labor captured a soon-to-be mom and a soon-to-be dad sharing in an intimate moment just before their little bundle of joy arrived. Titled, “I am a Birthing Goddess,” the image was captured by Sophia Costa of The Sophia Co.
The winner of Best In Fresh 48 is called “Denial.” This precious image was taken by Natalie Weber of Natalie Zepp Photography and shows a big sister laying in her sibling’s hospital crib while the sibling is seen being held by their mom in the background.
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And the overall first place photo is titled “A Moment of Silence, captured by Jessica Vink of VI-Photography in the Netherlands.
Wow, isn’t the beginning of a new life spectacular.