The Birth Becomes You Image Contest has revealed its winners for the best birth photos worldwide for 2023 and they certainly are every bit raw, emotional and compelling. Attracting more than 200 professional birth photographers from around the globe, each entry is inspiring and reminds us how amazing the female body really is.
Each image portrays life-changing moments that could have otherwise been missed in the chaos that is birth, capturing the sometimes confronting yet always heartwarming moments to keep forever. From the waves of contractions to the primal surge, the first cuddle to meeting siblings, these photos show birth in all its brilliant glory.
Broken up into nine categories, each photo shows a different stage of birth. Here are the top five from each category for 2023.
Disclaimer: This collection of birth photos captures the raw and profound moments of childbirth which may elicit strong emotional reactions from some readers. We urge readers who are sensitive towards graphic scenes and bodily fluids to exercise caution while viewing this article.
Between Two Worlds
1st Place: Miracles Unveiled
via Salt City Birth and Newborn Photography
2nd Place: Euphoria
via Morgan Petroski Photography
3rd Place: When a Midwife Gives Birth
via Photo Doula
4th Place: Seconds before first breath
5th Place: First Touch
via Windlace Photography
Birth Team
1st Place: I am held
2nd Place: Through the Midwife’s Legs
3rd Place: Left it all on the field
via Jessica Sornson Photography
4th Place: The Golden Ratio
via Wild Oak Birth
5th Place: Witness
via Obiektywnie Najpiękniejsze
Story In One Image
1st Place: The Lovers After
via Portland Birth Photographer: Natalie Broders
2nd Place: Still in the Chaos
3rd Place: That just happened
via VI-Photography
4th Place: Euphoric
via Buffalo Doula Services LLC
5th Place: The ultimate act of love
via Inge Berken
Fluid
1st Place: Leaking Joy
2nd Place: The Wombmate
3rd Place: This Is Birth
4th Place: When the water tells a story
5th Place: Three Brothers
via Heidi Daniels :: the DC birth photographer
Negative Space
1st Place: Light In The Dark
2nd Place: Just Hold Me
via Colleen Murtha Photography
3rd Place: I choose to feel the presence of my husband..
4th Place: Tear of Surrender
5th Place: Stitch by Stitch
via Jessica Miles
Cesarean
1st Place: Miracle number 2
via zenmamalove
2nd Place: The final second before the best surprise ever is revealed.
via Alexandria Mooney Photography
3rd Place: Born Dancing
4th Place: Belly Birth Bliss
via P.S. Love, Mommy Doula Services
5th Place: Loving belly birth
via Geburtsfotografie Heidelberg
Surge
1st Place: Moments Before
via Driftwood + Co Saskatoon Birth Photographer
2nd Place: Relief
3rd Place: One Last Surge
via Dallas Arthur Birth Stories & Support
4th Place: You push, we will pull!
via Nicole Hamic
5th Place: Shadowlands
New Birth Photographer
1st Place: Relief
2nd Place: So Much More
3rd Place: At Last
4th Place: All Hands on Deck
5th Place: Birth is a Family Affair
via Mackenzie Romagni Photography
Experienced Birth Photographers
1st Place: Relax, Soften, Open
2nd Place: Held
via Ebony Allen-Ankins Photography
3rd Place: Through the Midwife’s Legs
4th Place: Touch & Water
via Ashley Marston Photography
5th Place: Surrendering to love & light.
Read next …
If these photos have captured your imagination, you’ll adore our other articles on incredible birth photos, as well as some info on taking photos during birth:
- The IAPBA best birth photos of 2023 announced
- Best 15 photo ideas to take during baby’s first week
- How to create beautiful baby milk photos at home
About to have a baby?
You’re nervous, excited, worried, terrified and counting down the hours, minutes and seconds till you meet the love of your life. You’re not alone, in fact, thousands of other Aussie mums due at the same time as you are already supporting each other in our private Pregnancy Groups – and you could too.
Find your Mum’s Grapevine Facebook Group today!
