Spring is nearly here, which means it's the time of year when the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers announces the winners of its yearly competition, and 2022's honorees are as incredible as ever.
Warning: these photos include nudity and, in one instance, child loss.
1. First, this awe-inspiring photo of a baby's feet making their first entry into the world won Best in Category: Birth Details.
2. This amazing capture of a father seeing his child for the first time won Best in Category: Delivery.
3. This image of an emotional moment was named Best in Category: Labor.
4. This photo of a woman and her placenta post-birth was an honorable mention.
5. And this photo of twins feeding for the first time won Best in Category: Postpartum.
6. This dramatic moment of a laboring mother and her support partner was named an honorable mention.
7. This photo of a newborn baby still covered in vernix was named the winner of the sub-category Birth Details: Documentary.
8. This photo of a woman connecting with herself after giving birth won the sub-category of Postpartum: Black and White.
9. This incredible image of a baby crowning was an honorable mention.
(Warning: the next image depicts child loss, so you may want to skip ahead.)
10. This year, for the first time, the IAPBP created a category to "honor and recognize the one in four birthing persons who experience miscarriage and/or infant loss." This heartbreaking image was named Best In Category: Overall Hardship & Loss.
11. This adorable moment of a sister meeting her new sibling was an honorable mention.
12. This overhead shot of a woman laboring through a water birth won the sub-category of Labor: Fine Art.
13. And this overhead shot won the sub-category of Postpartum: Fine Art.
14. This capture of a mother bonding with her new baby won the sub-category of Postpartum: Documentary.
15. This moving image of a mother being supported by her family through a water birth was named an honorable mention.
16. This powerful moment after a successful water birth won the sub-category of Delivery: Documentary.
17. This sprawling photo of a woman's home birth setup won the sub-category Labor: Documentary.
18. And this capture of a woman pushing through the pain (with a little help) won the sub-category Birth Details: Black and White.
19. This photo of a mother meeting her baby post C-section was named an honorable mention.
20. This capture of a family bursting with emotion won the sub-category Delivery: Black and White.
21. This photo of a mother feeding her newborn and toddler was an honorable mention.
22. This sweet moment of closeness during labor was named an honorable mention.
23. The beautiful image of a mother meeting her new baby (and the dad trying to sneak a look too) was named an honorable mention.
24. This photo of a mother and child resting after a water birth was named the winner of the sub-category Delivery: Fine Art.
25. And finally, this charming photo was named the competition's overall First Place winner.
In addition to the photos selected by the competition's judges, the association's members recognized these additional standouts:
26. This unforgettable shot won the Members' Best In Category: Birth Details.
27. This photo of an overwhelmed father during his first moments with his child won the Members' Best In Category: Postpartum.
28. This photo of a laboring woman in the shower was selected as the Members' Best In Category: Labor.
29. And lastly, the members selected this stunning photo as their First Place Winner.
