Warning: This post contains images of stillbirth.
For 12 years the International Association of Birth Photographers has run their annual birth image competition, showcasing the very best in all things birth photography, from labour to postpartum, in a series of incredible birth photos that, every year, take our breath away.
The competition is open to professional birth photographers around the world with over 1,000 photographers from 51 different countries taking part.
The 2022 birth photos entries are perhaps the best we’ve ever seen! There are several categories, including a new category this year – Hardship and Loss, which honours the countless families who lost their infant and brought a new level of power and strength like we have never seen before.
There are also winners in Overall, Birth Details, Labour, Delivery and Postpartum.
Whether you simply like birth photos or are looking for inspiration on your own birth pics when the time comes, these 2022 birth photos winners are sure to hit you in the feels.
Ready to see the winning photos? We certainly are!
Winner: Overall
Winner: Birth details
Winner: Postpartum
Winner: Hardship and Loss and Member’s Choice: Hardship and Loss
Winner: Delivery and Member’s Choice Best in Delivery
Winner: Labour
Member’s Choice: Overall
Member’s Choice: Birth Details
Member’s Choice: Best in Labour
Member’s Choice: Best in Postpartum
Category Birth Photos Winners
In the category section, there are three different winners per section – Black & White, Documentary and Fine Art. We’ve selected just a few of our faves but you can see all the winners at the IAPBP.
Be sure to also scroll through their honourable mention section – there are so many amazing photos.
Labour: B&W
“Ovarian Cancer Survivor”
Sara Johnson of Sara Hunter Photo LLC
United States
Labour: Fine Art
“Surrender”
Renate van Lith of Renate van Lith Fotografie
Netherlands
Birth Details: Documentary
“Nuchal”
BRITTNEY HOGUE of Brittney Hogue | Birth, Baby, Family
United States
Postpartum: Fine Art
Hayden Trace of Home Again
Honourable Mentions
“The Reach”
Natalie Weber of Natalie Zepp Photography
United States
“Touch of Love”
Dora Barens of Dora Barens Geboortefotografie
Netherlands
Deborah Van Bruchem of Noa Fotografie
We are in absolute awe of how birth photographers are able to capture so much rawness, realness, emotion without a single word. Congrats to all the winners and thanks to the IABP for letting us share the stunning images.
As Liz Cook, the director of the IAPBP tells Mum Central,
We are incredibly proud of the entrants of this year’s competition because in spite of all we endured in our community in recent years, this contest represents the resistance birth photographers have to overcome unforeseen challenges.
We are proud to present to you a breathtaking body of work that shares life’s most powerful moments from 2021.”
Check out all entry photos at IAPBP.
Be sure to check out the winning pics of previous years:
