Blood, sweat, and tears. This is birth, in all its crowning glory. These photos celebrate labour, birth and postpartum in a way that leaves us speechless. The energy, the emotion, the incredibly candid shots – wow. Just. Wow.
Birth photography winners 2021
Every year the IAPBP (International Association of Professional Birth Photographers) hosts a worldwide competition to determine the best of the best in birth photos.
There are hundreds of birth photographers, from over 50 countries who enter their amazing birth photos so you can imagine how incredible the winning pics are. And this year certainly didn’t disappoint.
Behold, the birth photography winners of 2021.
Aren’t they something else?
Judges’ Overall Winner – Daddy’s Girls (Canada)
This beautiful picture also won the members’ choice award in the POSTPARTUM category.
Judges’ Delivery Winner – The Greatest Love in the World (Brazil)
This incredible image also won the members’ choice award in the OVERALL Category.
Members’ Choice Delivery Winner – Grace (Germany)
Judges’ Labour Winner – Reach Down, He’s Almost Here (USA)
Members’ Choice Labour Winner – Primal Shapes of Birth (Australia)
Judges’ Birth Details Winner – The Origin of Life (Germany)
This photo also won the members’ choice BIRTH DETAILS category as well.
Judges’ Postpartum Winner – My Body, My Birth (USA)
Judges’ Fresh 48 [New Baby] Winner – Nourish (USA)
Members’ Choice Fresh 48 Winner – Nursing a Newborn (USA)
Honorable Mentions
Choosing the winners would be an almost impossible task which is why the IAPBP also has an honourable mention category to highlight even more birth photos that really stood out and captured the birthing journey so beautifully.
Below are a few of our faves:
Welcome Little Woman (Australia)
A Dose of Mother Nature (Australia)
The Miracle of Life In Your Hands (Argentina)
Check out our story on en caul births for more stunning pics like this one.
Underwater (Australia)
A Mother’s Guidance (Australia)
The Strength Within You Is Greater Than Any Storm (USA)
This Moment 2020 (Canada)
Even more amazing birth photos
Although these photos didn’t win, they are still so powerful that we had to share them as well. There are hundreds of more photos too – you can check them all out on the IAPBP page.
Connection through Disconnection (Australia)
Rather than snipping the cord, many cultures prefer to cauterise the umbilical cord using a candle.
Sacred Ceremony (USA)
No rush to arrive (Brazil)
Scoop You Up (USA)
Shiva (Brazil)
Previous winning pictures
You can check out the previous winners of the IAPBP Birth Photography Awards below:
