Despite living in a time of crisis that leaves us struggling with overwhelming anxiety about the future – let’s take some time off and celebrate our presence. Life is sincerely mind-blowing. We get to go through these contrasting events filled with all the possible emotions, we have the freedom to get whatever we want from our existence, and we’re allowed to make mistakes while still having the power to improve and grow.
We’re brought into this world by our beautiful mothers that go through what seems like an unimaginable delivery. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been through the child-bearing process or not – you understand how overpowering and captivating it truly is. Though the media tends to conceal the reality of the birth, IAPBP doesn’t fail to provide folks with mesmerizing behind the scenes:
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The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers has been hosting their famous birth photography competition for several years, and they recently announced the winners and participants of their 12th contest. Bored Panda has already covered IAPBP’s previous works – so if you’d like to see more, click here and here.
More info: IAPBP
#1 Best In Labor: “Ovarian Cancer Survivor – Hospital Transfer” By Sara Hunter, United States
Image credits: Sara Hunter
The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers was essentially established to assist soon-to-be parents with gifted birth photographers. These days the community has over 1,100 members in 52 countries, and continues to grow daily. Moreover, 12 years ago, IAPBP introduced an annual image competition that allows folks to witness the reality of an otherworldly process. The association itself was founded in 2010, and is a proud owner of immensely talented and creative photographers/videographers who put their whole heart into documenting expecting parents’ fragile but significant moments.
Becoming a birth photographer is a very crucial choice. It’s a way to connect with the world and its wonders, it’s intimate and it’s messy. Birth photographers are storytellers who catch every aspect of the delivery, whether it’s planned or unplanned. They’re there to document the person’s anticipation, pain and finally that long-awaited skin-to-skin contact.
#2 Best In Delivery: “The First Look” By Ebony Allen-Ankins, Australia
Image credits: Ebony Allen-Ankins
Photography is a very rewarding practice, let alone when you specialize in capturing people’s deliveries. Not everyone is aware that birth photography is even a thing, besides, most would probably think that documenting such private and personal moments is rather unnecessary – but meeting your child for the first time is an otherworldly emotion that many would love to remember forever.
Every labor is different, but most are extremely difficult, as you can never thoroughly plan the process. It’s all very individual, where some are blessed with a very smooth and quick delivery and others spend days laboring with the immense support of their loved ones. Either way, birth photographers are completely trained to adapt to the unexpected and are ready to capture your beautiful journey.
#3 Best In Postpartum: “Twins First Latch” By Jessica Miles, United States
Image credits: Jessica Miles
#4 First Place: “A Touch Of Love” By Bárbara Aviz, Brazil
Image credits: Bárbara Aviz
Being a birth photographer isn’t only about finding the best angles to portray the future mother’s story. It’s an incredible task where you need to constantly be aware of the surroundings, in order to not interfere with the beauty and the harsh reality of the birthing process. An overpowering moment that can hardly be described with words, an event that is filled with excruciating pain and an overflowing love that, in the aftermath, feels like has gone by within a split second. The process is easily forgotten once your child finally enters your arms and birth photographers are there to help and seal those life-changing hours forever.
#5 Best In Hardship & Loss: “As Long As I Am Here With You My Perfect Little Baby” By Meike Nagorny, Germany
Image credits: Meike Nagorny
#6 Best In Labor: “Surrender” By Renate Van Lith, Netherlands
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Image credits: Renate van Lith
Giving birth is the most empowering feeling, despite experiencing a form of pain that you never even knew existed. You’re on the verge of bringing a new life to this world while being surrounded by the people you love the most. Not a lot of us can truly comprehend what happens in that delivery room but having competitions like this one allows folks to witness what it’s like going through such a dynamic event.
#7 Honorable Mention: “Touch Of Love” By Dora Barens, Netherlands
Image credits: Dora Barens
#8 Honorable Mention: “Held” By Lindsey Bartell, United States
Image credits: Lindsey Bartell
#9 Best In Labor: “Accepting A New Plan” By Sara Avila, Mexico
Image credits: Sara Avila
Though most birth photographers are only focused on documenting your story, some are also known to offer their support services, essentially acting like doulas. It’s fascinating to know that you can also develop a connection with your photographer that will most likely positively impact on your final images. Many birth photographers reveal that their clients cry when they first view their images and it must feel very rewarding for the artist to see those final happy tears.
#10 Members’ Choice: “Crying Dad” By Sara Hunter, United States
Image credits: Sara Hunter
#11 Best In Delivery: “The Blessed Exhaustion” By Danny Merz, Germany
Image credits: Danny Merz
#12 Honorable Mention: “Daughters Of A Midwife” By Jessica Henderson, Australia
Image credits: Jessica Henderson
Even though childbirth is a truly terrifying event, it’s important to educate ourselves and to hear about this matter from the women that undergone this equally stressful and beautiful process. A lot of us don’t know enough about labor and delivery because we’re so used to seeing a slightly sugar-coated version in the vastness of media. Yet, this project and this competition is a great way to bring awareness to real and unstated birth. And it’s totally hypnotizing.
#13 Best In Delivery: “Dad Catches His Baby Girl” By Sara Hunter, United States
Image credits: Sara Hunter
#14 Best In Birth Details: “The Tiniest Feet” By Dania Lauren, Australia
Image credits: Dania Lauren
#15 Best In Postpartum: “Love Till Infinity” By Inge Berken, Netherlands
Image credits: Inge Berken
#16 Best In Birth Details: “She Roars” By Lindsey Bartell, United States
Image credits: Lindsey Bartell
#17 Honorable Mention: “Exhale” By Natalie Broders, United States
Image credits: Natalie Broders
#18 Honorable Mention: “Lean Into Me” By Lindsey Ellis, United States
Image credits: Lindsey Ellis
#19 Best In Postpartum: “Reunion” By Rachel Utain-Evans, United States
Image credits: Rachel Utain-Evans
#20 Best In Postpartum: “Swimming Interstellar” By Hayden Trace, United States
Image credits: Hayden Trace
#21 Honorable Mention: “Ecstacy” By Jacinta Lagos, United States
Image credits: Jacinta Lagos
#22 Honorable Mention: “Ready For Devotion” By Sadie Wild, United Kingdom
Image credits: Sadie Wild
#23 Best In Labor: “My Sacred Birth Cocoon” By Jessica Innemee, Netherlands
Image credits: Jessica Innemee
#24 Honorable Mention: “A Calm Birth In Times Of Pandemic” By Susanne Krauss, Germany
Image credits: Susanne Krauss
#25 Honorable Mention: “Life-Giving Nectar” By Lyubov Chaykovskaya, Russia
Image credits: Russia
#26 Members’ Choice: “White Noise” By Cindy Willems, Netherlands
Image credits: Cindy Willems
#27 Best In Delivery: “Euforia” By Inge Berken, Netherlands
Image credits: Inge Berken
#28 Honorable Mention: “Into The Night” By Ebony Allen-Ankins, Australia
Image credits: Ebony Allen-Ankins
#29 Honorable Mention: “Transition Tears” By Ashley Marston, Canada
Image credits: Ashley Marston
#30 Honorable Mention: “This Is Us” By Charlene Foertser, Germany
Image credits: Charlene Foertser
#31 Honorable Mention: “Womb World To Our World” By Sadie Wild, United Kingdom
Image credits: Sadie Wild
#32 Honorable Mention: “Love And Support” By Vannessa Brown, Canada
Image credits: Vannessa Brown
#33 Honorable Mention: “The Reach” By Natalie Weber, United States
Image credits: Natalie Weber
#34 Best In Birth Details: “Nuchal” By Brittney Hogue, United States
Image credits: Brittney Hogue
Source: boredpanda.com