Childbirth: it’s one of life’s great miracles. For the last five years, the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP) has held a photography contest which celebrates “the beauty of birth and the skill of birth photographers”. The contest is split into three categories: labor, delivery, and postpartum.
The IAPBP just announced the finalists and winners for the 2016 competition, and as you can see from the below, the photographs are truly spectacular. IAPBP’s press release notes the following:
“Birth photography is a highly specialized field and the choice to have the experience documented is an intensely personal decision. It involves the birth process, environment, the parents and those in attendance. Birth photography encompasses the tears of joy, the wonder of bringing a new life into the world and celebrates family. The photographers who specialize in the field use their art to tell the story of birth.”
First Place Winner
Image credits: Marijke Theon
Best In Category: Labor
Image credits: Apple Blossom Families
Best In Category: Delivery
Image credits: Birth Blessings Photography & Childbirth Services
Best In Category: Postpartum
Image credits: Natalia Walth
Honorable Mention
Image credits: Krista Evans
Honorable Mention
Image credits: Angela Gallo
Honorable Mention
Image credits: Alexandra Kayy
Image credits: Jennifer Martin
Image credits: Daniela Justus / Monet Nicole
Image credits: Coastal Lifestyles Photography / Bridget Clarke
Image credits: Line Sena
And don’t forget, if you’re looking for a piece of original art to hang on your walls, check out artFido HERE!
Life is a disgusting process, from the moment of conception till the last part…
How can anyone think that a small human who needs to stretch the vagina beyond normal in order to be born is “normal”?
Well, I guess a lot things pass for normal, hence, it’s the “norm” :v
Judging from the comments below I was not wrong to think the absurdity of it all, the films aliens summarizes it xD
Last pic ftw! xD
Maybe I’m too young, but I really don’t think that it’s an appropriate topic for photos, and more – to make photographic competitions. Of course, the birth of a child is certainly an amazing time for parents, but in my opinion, it should be a private moment, just for them.
Seriously… People around the World don’t need to see a child when it winks from vagina of its mother…
Last picture is a regular delivery. the woman has her legs open so the baby is right front of her
for some reason nothing loads for me.
picture nr 8…the little one coming out, saying “wtf am i at ?!” just born but already fully aware of everything (looking like it, that it) :)
The last picture seems photoshopped….. Anatomically that foot is coming out of the wrong place… Check out the picture just above. That’s where it comes from.
Pregnant women/pregnancy really grosses me out, seriously (but am drawn to look at things that gross me out..) “It is a miracle!!” nope. It is a parasite!! All i think of when I see a pregnant woman is the film Alien…. This is disgusting :/ good job I am a homo and have zero chance of getting pregnant!! euuuugh Nothing in these pictures is beautiful, I just don’t get it…
I am a fertile hetero woman and also no chance in hell, no thank you!
Yet you come to observe what here
I came to observe the horrifying breech foot/butt!
The issue perhaps is why you have such an aversion to a miraculous, wonderful, powerful part of your female nature. You exist because of it. Why hate yourself?
Yeah, I sometimes think of a baby as a parasite too, but a parasite that mommies and daddies want, usually. ;)
No you are scared
Life is a fatal sexually transmitted disease
I don’t want children either but I’d never be such a dick about it. Calm down.
I am a straight woman but still share your feelings. There is nothig miraculous and beautiful about overpopulating this word. It is ugly in every aspect! Lets face it.
Last one makes me a wee bit nervous. Also, no stretch marks on butt, yeeeeah! Lucky woman.
exactly what i was thinking :)
last pic is like a horror film slash comedy scene.
Yep breech is variation of ‘normal’, caesarians have become expected delivery as many obstetricians are no longer skilled up to deliver breech babies. Woman can still choose to deliver naturally – I’m about to do this and excited!!
Last pic, really?
looooool i know right
Beautiful pics but I am confused with that last photo was the baby breech? Isn’t the head supposed to come out first??
You can delivred a breech baby, it’s just a little bit more hard and take more time. Doctor was use to do it back in time, before cesarian become the easy thing.
Women delivered breech, double breech until the eighties when doctors decided they could make more money out of C-sections and terrified women into believing they were incapable of delivering a baby and needed it cut out of their body.
I think the baby is coming out of her ass!
That’s what I was thinking. From certain angles, babies really do look like they are coming from there!
i did come out to this life on my feet ! standing !
yes, baby is breech, just a variation of normal :)
Beautiful.
Life is hope …