You have to see the birth photos that were just voted the best of the year

For centuries together, birth, the beginning of a life, was seen as something that occurred behind closed doors. With changing times, where documenting pictures of oneself to having an elaborate photo shoot for every occasion is deemed important, Birth has now become a talking point in photography. The bespattered, aching and daunting experience of welcoming a new life into this world probably isn’t one of those times where a mother and child look their best. But documenting a mother’s gradual transformation from the dreadful labor to the moment of relief and euphoria of delivering a bundle of joy, is definitely is magical!

Birth Photography is taking the photography world by storm and some of these photographs are a proof of it. The International Association of Birth Photographers determines the best photographs in childbirth, annually. The 2018 edition of the contest saw hordes of photographers sending in incredible pictures of labor, delivery, birth, and postpartum, but only a few made it to the list of the best birth photographs.

Here are a few of photos that the panel of judges named the best birth photos of the year and they are sure to leave you awed and moved:

In This Article

1. The First Encounter Of The Siblings

This black and white marvel tells much more than the monochrome tone of the picture. Seconds after the water birth, the newborn is seen staring right in the face of the sibling as he begins to cry. Marjike Thoen’s perfectly timed picture is a mixture of so many expressions— of joy, anxiety, relief, welcoming, and, of course, pain.

2. The Calm Before The Pain

This picture of a mother in labor is an astonishingly calm one, much like the calm before a storm. However, the storm here is what leads to the much awaited new beginning. Rebecca Coursey, a professional photographer and a certified doula, captures a moment of calm amidst the emotional and physical stress a mother experiences during labor.

3. A Mother Embraces Her Newborn

Seconds after childbirth comes the moment of unbridled love and relief of conquering the arduous, yet wonderful task of delivering the baby. Esther Edith creates magic with this photograph of unconditional love and warmth that a mother embraces her baby with.

4. The Welcoming of A Brother

This picture is a testament to the phrase – one life, many joys! The birth of this baby had put a smile on the faces of all near and dear ones. However, one cannot miss the excitement of the sibling going all out to shower his immense love on the baby. If only there wasn’t a glass wall separating the two. The brother’s welcoming kiss says it all.

5. The Screams Of The Newborn, Underwater

If you ever wondered what a scream underwater looks like, Caroline Devulder captures the moment for you. The first few moments of the baby’s arrival straight into the water beautifully illustrates the wonder that water is, but it can also be a dangerous one, much like the world the baby is about to face.

6. A Complete Family

Home is where the heart is, and more often than not the heart lies with the family. A family is what you relate to, belong to, and find security in. Esther Edith captures the emotion of a complete family through this effortless picture, as the mother brings in a new member to complete it.

7. Expressions Galore

This photo is as dramatic as it could get. The mother’s expression at the sight of her baby is something to behold. The phones and cameras snapping away pictures of the newborn already make him a star. It’s a frame that is full of expressions, and Megan Brock captures all of them in one wonderful shot.

Birth is many things—beautiful yet painful, rewarding yet exhausting, and difficult but totally worth it. These photos of labor and birth speak a thousand words; words that can be cherished forever!

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