The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers recently ran their Image of the Year Competition for 2017.
The winning photos were chosen from hundreds of entries, from talented birth photographers worldwide, showcasing what birth looked like in 2016.
The winners were chosen on a point system and judged on technicality, emotionality and composition.
These were the five best photos.
First place: Road to deliverance by Jaydene Freund - Cradled Creations.
Second place: Determination by Katie Mathis Photography.
Third place: With A Splash by Elizabeth Farnsworth Photography.
Fourth place: Straight From Heaven by Natasha Hance - Birth Unscripted.
Fifth place: Pieces of Me by Kourtnie Scholz – KEDocumentary.
You can see the rest of the competition entries here.
What It Means To Give Birth On Country
The Delivery Room
Top Comments
That one in the car is amazing! All beautiful photographs.
Birth photographs are a bit like being invited around to someone's house to see slides from their recent holiday abroad. They might be utterly fascinating for the people who went on that holiday, but kind of boring and slightly self indulgent for everyone else. Personally, I've had a gutful of this recent trend of having to share every single facet of our lives. By all means, take some pics for yourself, but please don't feel the need to take it public. Some of us are finding it difficult to maintain a polite facade.
Well, you did click on this article, which has a very clear title. You made the choice to look at these photos. No one forced them on you.