Celebrating the Beauty of Birth, Regardless of Circumstances.
Witness the profound beauty of birth, a spectacle that transcends settings and circumstances.
In the past, fathers were often excluded from the birthing room, but today, it has evolved into a family affair, allowing the entire support system, including children, to be present and share in the marvel of a newborn’s arrival. Birth photographers play a crucial role, enabling parents to document and cherish every significant moment of this life-altering experience.
Jennifer Mason and Monet Nicole, the visionaries behind Birth Becomes Her, an online platform dedicated to inspiring birth photography professionals and expectant parents, emphasize the transformative power of witnessing and sharing the visual narrative of childbirth. “Preserving memories from the most extraordinary days of your life is invaluable,” they assert on their website.
The recent “2019 Birth Becomes Her Image Contest” attracted over 1,200 submissions from birth photographers worldwide. Esteemed judges from the birth and photography communities meticulously selected winners across categories such as hospital and out-of-hospital births, color and black-and-white images, as well as postpartum moments encompassing the initial 48 hours after birth and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) sessions.
Reflecting on the competition, participant Sadie shared her thoughts on Instagram, expressing admiration for an image that encapsulated the array of emotions post-birth. Photographer Topi conveyed gratitude to a family for allowing her to document a magical and sacred moment during childbirth.
Photographer Linnéa Geiger, describing the enchantment of attending a home birth, shared on Instagram, “It was pure magic, and I am filled with love because of it.” Cat captured a poignant moment of a new mother’s first encounter with her baby, emphasizing the emotional, spiritual, and physical rewards of closely observing and connecting with the newborn.
The winning postpartum image by Art by Jessica touched hearts with its portrayal of a significant moment. Other remarkable winners included Kendal Blacker Photography for color images, Sashi Hesson for black and white, Coastal Lifestyles Photography for postpartum, Cradled Creations for out-of-hospital births, and Hanna Hill Photography for the third-place postpartum image, beautifully encapsulating the essence of welcoming five brothers. Each photograph narrates a unique and compelling story, capturing the unparalleled beauty and emotional depth of childbirth.
