Photography

20 Award-Winning Photos Capture the Terror and Beauty of Giving Birth During the Pandemic

Childbirth was already an incredibly difficult and painful process that required strength and tenacity. But the pandemic added an entirely new layer to giving birth in 2020.

While the childbirth photographers that capture these precious moments lost much of their work last year, the images that were captured only emulated the beauty of new life amid so much grief.

The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IABPB) announced the winners of their annual birth photo competition this month. The entries from across the globe were judged in five categories: birth details, labor, delivery, postpartum, and Fresh 48 (which documents the first few hours of life).

Best in category: delivery. “The Greatest Love In The World,” by Anne Lucy Silva Barbosa of Anne Lucy Fotografia who lives in Brazil. (Anne Lucy Silva Barbosa/Anne Lucy Fotografia)

More: IABPB h/t: insider

First place overall. “Daddy’s Girls,” by Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Birth Photography who lives in Canada. (Ashley Marston/Ashley Marston Birth Photography)

Best in category: birth details. “The Origin Of Life,” by Charlene Foertser of Charlene Foerster Fotografie who lives in Germany. (Charlene Foertser/Charlene Foerster Fotografie)

Best in category: fresh 48. “Nourish,” by Jami Edgar of Touch of Hart Photography who lives in the United States. (Jami Edgar/Touch of Hart Photography)

Members’ choice best in category: delivery. “Grace,” by Danny Merz of danny merz | geburtsreportage who lives in Germany. (Danny Merz/danny merz | geburtsreportage)

Members’ choice best in category: fresh 48. “Nursing A Newborn,” by Carey Lippert of Carey Lauren Photos & Films who lives in the United States. (Carey Lippert/Carey Lauren Photos & Film)

Honorable mention. “The Strength Within You Is Greater Than Any Storm,” by Lisa Phillips of Lisa Phillips Photography who lives in the United States. (Lisa Phillips/Lisa Phillips Photography)

Honorable mention. “The Miracle of Life In Your Hands,” by Nora Dalmasso of Nora Dalmasso Fotografia who lives in Argentina. (Nora Dalmasso/Nora Dalmasso Fotografia)

Honorable mention. “You And You And Me,” by Brittany Knapik of The Birth Story Collective United States. (Brittany Knapik/The Birth Story Collective)

Honorable mention. “A Mother’s Guidance,” by Cat Fancote of Capturing Birth who lives in Australia. (Cat Fancote/Capturing Birth)

Honorable mention. “Home Birth in a Pandemic,” by Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Photography who lives in Canada.(Ashley Marston/Ashley Marston Photography)

Honorable mention. “Welcome Little Woman,” by Kate Kennedy of Kate Kennedy Birth Photography who lives in Australia. (Kate Kennedy/Kate Kennedy Birth Photography)

Honorable mention. “Birthing Queen,” by Kate Kennedy of Kate Kennedy Birth Photography who lives in Australia. (Kate Kennedy/Kate Kennedy Birth Photography)

Honorable mention. “Examining Every Detail,” by Lisa Phillips of Lisa Phillips Photography who lives in the United States. (Lisa Phillips/Lisa Phillips Photography)

Honorable mention. “Reborn,” by Rianna Cross of Birthspoke who lives in Australia. (Rianna Cross/Birthspoke)

Honorable mention. “When Time Stands Still,” by Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Photography who lives in Canada. (Ashley Marston/Ashley Marston Photography)

Honorable mention. “Of All Our Travels, This Journey Will Be Our Greatest,” by Dana Jacobs of Dana Jacobs Photography who lives in the United States. (Dana Jacobs/Dana Jacobs Photography)

Honorable mention. “This Moment 2020,” by Kandyce Wagar of Songbird and Oak Photography who lives in Canada. (Kandyce Wagar/Songbird and Oak Photography)