The IAPBA best birth photos of 2023 announced

Posted in Birth Photography.

Father cradling babies head as mother births the baby on all fours

The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP) has announced the winners of the 13th Annual Birth Photography Image Competition for 2023.

The competition once again featured an incredible range of captivating, raw, and powerful images that celebrate the wonder and beauty of birth. Categories Birth Details, Labour, Delivery, Postpartum, and Pregnancy Loss showcase the amazing talent and skill of the participating photographers.

Get ready to be amazed and inspired by the incredible winning images of the 13th Annual Birth Photography Image Competition for 2023.

Best Overall First Place

En caul birth photography

“Crossing the Veil” via Annemarie Lea


Best Overall Birth Details

En Caul birth of baby half out

“Waking Up at Sunrise” via Paula Beltrao


Best Overall Labor

Pregnant mother sitting in shower

“Safe Space” via Jessica Innemee – Vi-Photography


Best in Delivery

Mother giving birth in water

“Life Beneath the Surface” via Mary Beliz – Mary Beliz Photos


Best Overall Postpartum

Exhausted postpartum couple after givnig birth asleep in lounge room

“The Lovers After” via Natalie Broders – Portland Birth Photographer + Videographer


Best Overall Hardship & Loss

Stillborn being cradled by mother and fathers hands

“Noahs Ark” via Ebony Ankins – Ebony Ankins Photography


Best in Birth Details – Black & White

Birth photograph with midwifes hands on the babies head and fluid leaking

“In the Eye” via Sara Hunter – Sara Hunter Photos


Best in Birth Details – Documentary

En Caul birth of baby half out

“Waking Up at Sunrise” via Paula Beltrao – Paula Beltrao


Best in Birth Details – Fine Art

En caul birth photography

“Crossing the Veil” via Annemarie Fuckel – Annemarie Lea


Best in Labor – Black & White

Mother resting over the side of a water birth in labour waterbirth

“The Loyal Birth Attendant” via Laura Brink – Rewild Her Birth


Best in Labor – Documentary

Mother in labour on all four knees and hands with a towel over her

“Drowning In Exhaustion” via Laura Brink – Rewild Her Birth


Best in Labor – Fine Art

Pregnant mother sitting in shower

“Safe Space” via Jessica Innemee – Vi-Photography


Best in Delivery – Black & White

Happy mother just given birth with husband and midwife

“The Expected Meeting” via Karoline Saadi – Karoline Saadi Fotografia


Best in Delivery – Documentary

C-section delivery with doctor holding up baby to show mum over the curtain

“Hello, I Have Arrived” via Jessica Miles – Jessica Miles Photography


Best in Delivery – Fine Art

Baby being pulled out of mother during birth

“Brace For Birth” via Laura Brink – Rewild Her Birth


Best in Postpartum – Black & White

Newborn snuggling into mother's breast

“peaceful birth” via Annemarie Fuckel – Annemarie Lea – Geburtsfotografie Frankfurt


Best in Postpartum – Documentary

Pregnancy loss with family in hospital room

“Bed 32” via Dania Lauren – Lauren + Douglas


Best in Postpartum – Fine Art

mother holding newborn still attached to the Placenta

“The Sovereign Family Tree” via Laura Brink – Rewild Her Birth


Honourable Mentions:

Mother and newborn crying out in love

“Cry of Love” via Anne Lucy – Anne Lucy Silva Barbosa


Postpartum photo of couple cuddling new born and exhausted midwife sitting on floor

“Chaos and Calm” via Stefany Pontes – Stephany Pontes Fotografia


Pregnant mother being helped up the stairs by partner

“I Stand In My Power via Lawren Snapka – Lawren Rose Photography and Film


Stillborn baby

“Still” via Michelle Glenn – Michelle Glenn Photography


Pregnant mother sitting on toilet with midwife in the room

“Postpartum Porcelain Throne Check” via Sarah Romero – Sarah Elizabeth Photos and Film


Mother and father holding newborn in a water birth pool

“Beautiful Beautiful Boy” via Tiarra Doherty – Mother Wolf Birth Photography


Trans gender giving birthin a water pool

“All Lines Lead To You” via Laura Brink – Rewild Her Birth


Close up of the start of birthing

“New World” via Yanitsa Karamarkova – Moiata Dula


Image of mother concentrating giving birth

“Letting Go” via Kristen Fortier – New Moon Doula and Photography


Father cradling babies head as mother births the baby on all fours

“First Touch” via Settis Tin of Hello Baby


Read next …

Want to capture some precious photos of your own bub? Head over to these articles next:

Share On