A striking collection of photographs has been created by international photographers who captured this amazing moment in time.
This year’s winners of the annual Birth Photographer of the Year Awards are typically powerful and breathtakingly intimate, documenting the agony and the ecstasy of childbirth in close detail.
The global contest, in collaboration with Atkins Lab, was founded by award-winning birth photographer Lacey Barratt as a way to further legitimise the stunning and intricate art of birth photography.
Lacey, 34, from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, has been a passionate birth photographer for 11 years and was one of fourteen experienced judges to pick the winners of the awards.
Photographers from around the world have captured the wondrous, miraculous moment of birth – in all its raw and unglamorous glory – in a striking series of images. Colby Tulachnanh, a photographer from the USA, caught the agony of childbirth as one mother was helped through her home water birth
The winners of the Birth Photographer of the Year Awards for this year are often powerful and intimate. They capture the joy and the pain of childbirth with great detail. PIctured, Leona Darnell, based in the US, captures a father and mother smiling at one another following the birth of their child
The global contest, in collaboration with Atkins Lab, was founded by world renowned and award-winning birth photographer Lacey Barratt. Pictured, Rianna Cross showcases a mother crying in joy as her family surround her following her water birth
Lacey created the competition as a way to further legitimise the stunning and intricate art of birth photography. Pictured, Colby Tulachanh, from New York captured a relative gently holding a newborn while the mother observes in the background
First place was awarded to Laura Brink, from the Queensland, Australia, second place was presented to Rianna Cross, also from Queensland, Australia, and third place was granted to Colby Tulachanh, from New York.
With 356 entries snapped by birth photographers from around the world – including Brazil, Portugal, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand – mother-of-five Lacey felt it was important to showcase the top images of the competition.
She said: ‘It was important to host a competition because there are so many other incredible competitions in the world, but they are not specific to birth photographers. So we often get lumped in with documentary, photojournalism, and wedding documentary categories.
Lacey, 34 from Melbourne (Victoria), Australia has been a passionate photographer of birth for over 11 years. She was also one of 14 experienced judges that selected the winning entries. Pictured, excited relatives meet a newborn in this snap taken by Laura Brink in Australia
Laura Brink from Queensland was the winner of first place. Rianna Cross from Australia was second and Colby Tulachanh from New York was third. Pictured, a mother and her newborn in an image by Twyla Ellis, who is based in Colorado
Laura Brink, from Australia, again captured the first seconds of new life in all their raw glory in this fascinating photograph
A woman sits with her hands on her head during a water birth in a photograph taken by Montana-based Lindsey Erin Ellis, pictured left, and a mother breast feeds her baby, pictured right, in a snap captured by Colby Tulachanh, from New York
Lacey, a mother-of-five, felt it important to display the winning images, as 356 photos were submitted by birth photographers worldwide – from Brazil, France and Germany to Australia. Laura Brink captured a hospital birth.
Laura Brink (Australian) captured this photo of the miracle birth, as an infant was delivered by hospital staff.
Judging and comparing birth images with wedding photos are only two extremes of this spectrum. It was crucial to have judges who were experts in birth photography for this prestigious award.
It was Lacey’s second year participating in the contest. She said she was thrilled to see it continue for many years. Lacey stated that they are seeking images that go beyond what is given to birth clients.
“The images we want to see exceed visual communication. They are more than the standards of storytelling professionals would deliver. This competition had a tremendous energy. This event was so unique and I felt honored to have hosted it.
To see all the winning photographs, go to www.birthphotographeroftheyear.com
The competition was in its second year. Lacey said that she was happy to see it continue for future years. Hayden Trace (American) captures a mother giving birth in her bathtub.
In this intimate photograph, taken by Sarah Fowler, from Alabama, a father looks adoringly at his child, who is being held by his partner following the youngster’s birth
Lacey explained the reason she started the competition (pictured: one of the winning photographers) by saying that there were many amazing competitions all over the globe, and they weren’t just for birth photographers. We are often lumped with photojournalism and wedding documentary.
Rianna Cross (Australia) shows how one man gently comforts his partner while they lie in a tub before giving birth.
Lacey said that images are more than visual communication. They are better storytelling than any professional could deliver. Rianna Cross shows a mom breastfeeding her baby shortly after she gave birth to the child.
Jelina Sonnenberg, who is a dual certified birth photographer, birth videographer, and birth doula based out of Albertville, France, captured this image of a mother’s agony while giving birth at a hospital
Rianna Cross’ entry in the competition, which was taken in Australia, clearly shows childbirth emotion. A father and his child embrace their mother after she gives birth.
Hanna Hill, a US citizen, sent her photo titled “My Body, My Birth” of a pregnant mother and her infant lying on a mattress after childbirth.
Sarah Lentz’s photograph of a exhausted father is captured in this photo. He is waiting to hear from his son while his woman is giving birth in an unknown hospital.