19 Stunning Birth Photos That Were Just Named The Best Of 2020

    You've never seen birth photos like these. (Warning: graphic images.)

    Mike Spohr
    by Mike Spohr

    BuzzFeed Staff

    The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers has once again announced the winners of its yearly competition, and its 2021 honorees are the definition of breathtaking:

    This moving photo that the judges named the competition's First Place winner.

    A father holds his newborn as his other three children ages 3-7 meet the baby
    Ashley Marston/Ashley Marston Birth Photography / Via ashleymarstonbirthphotography.com

    "Daddy's Girls" is by Canada's Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Birth Photography.

    The association's members also selected this photo as Best in Postpartum.

    This incredible shot of a baby emerging from their mother won Best In Category: Birth Details.

    Gloved hands pull a baby who is half outside, half inside the mother
    Charlene Foertser/Charlene Foerster Fotografie / Via geburtsfotografie-charlene-foerster.de

    “The Origin Of Life” is by Germany's Charlene Foertser of Charlene Foerster Fotografie.

    The association's members also selected this photo as Best in Birth Details.

    This emotional capture of a mother embracing her newly born baby won Best In Category: Delivery.

    Anne Lucy Silva Barbosa/Anne Lucy Fotografia / Via annelucyfotografia.com.br

    “The Greatest Love In The World” is by Brazil's Anne Lucy Silva Barbosa of Anne Lucy Fotografia.

    The association's members also selected this photo as Best Overall.

    This image of a mother breastfeeding her new baby won Best In Category: Fresh 48.

    Jami Edgar/Touch of Hart Photography / Via rushesandwaves.com

    “Nourish” is by the United States' Jami Edgar of Touch of Hart Photography.

    This shot of a woman minutes away from delivering won Best In Category: Labor.

    A naked woman winces on her hands and knees as a man and older woman look on
    Dana Jacobs/danajacobsphotography.com / Via danajacobsphotography.com

    “Reach Down. He's Almost Here.” is by the United States' Dana Jacobs of Dana Jacobs Photography.

    And this photo of a mother, her baby, and her placenta in a bowl won Best In Category: Postpartum.

    The woman has blood dripping down her legs and is sitting on a bed with white sheets
    Hanna Hill/Hannah Hill Photography / Via hannahillphotography.com

    "My Body, My Birth" is by the United States' Hanna Hill of Hanna Hill Photography.

    In addition to the judges' selections, the association's members recognized these standouts:

    This intimate moment of a laboring woman being supported by her partner won Members’ Choice Best In Category: Labor.

    A woman leans over a table as her husband crouches under her, poised to catch the baby
    Laura Brink/Rewild Her / Via rewildher.com.au

    "Primal Shapes of Birth" is by Australia's Laura Brink of Rewild Her.

    This moment of calm was selected as The Members' Best In Category: Delivery.

    A newborn dozes on a naked mother's chest
    danny merz/geburtsreportage / Via geburtsreportage.de

    “Grace” is by Germany's Danny Merz of Geburtsreportage.

    And this photo of a mother breastfeeding her new baby was named The Members’ Choice Best In Category: Fresh 48.

    Carey Lippert/Carey Lauren Photos & Film. / Via careylauren.com

    "Nursing A Newborn" is by the United States' Carey Lippert of Carey Lauren Photos & Film.

    Also incredible? The contest's honorable mentions, like this photo of a baby born en caul (still in the amniotic sac).

    Nora Dalmasso/Nora Dalmasso Fotografia / Via noradalmassofotografia.mypixieset.com

    "The Miracle of Life In Your Hands" is by Argentina's Nora Dalmasso of Nora Dalmasso Fotografia.

    This photo of a mother breastfeeding her new twin babies.

    Brittany Knapik/The Birth Story Collective / Via thebirthstorycollective.com

    "You And You And Me" is by the United States' Brittany Knapik of The Birth Story Collective.

    And this photo of a baby entering the world.

    A woman is on her knees, cradling her baby's head as it emerges from her with a gush of amniotic fluid
    Cat Fancote/Capturing Birth / Via birthphotographyperth.com.au

    "A Mother's Guidance" is by Australia's Cat Fancote of Capturing Birth.

    This amazing capture of a woman with lots of support giving birth.

    A woman gives birth in a tub with four people assisting
    Lisa Phillips/Lisa Phillips Photography / Via lisaphillipsphoto.co

    "The Strength Within You Is Greater Than Any Storm" is by the United States' Lisa Phillips of Lisa Phillips Photography.

    This touching photo of three generations celebrating the new arrival.

    A water birth where grandma holds a toddler and looks on as the mother holds the newborn
    Kate Kennedy/Kate Kennedy Birth Photography / Via katekennedybirthphotography.com

    "Birthing Queen" is by Australia's Kate Kennedy of Kate Kennedy Birth Photography.

    This shot of a mother expressing colostrum (the differently-colored milk a mother produces after first giving birth) for her newborn.

    Jessica Henderson/Jessica Henderson Photography / Via jessicahendersonphotography.com

    "A Dose of Mother Nature" is by Australia's Jessica Henderson of Jessica Henderson Photography.

    This impressive overhead photo of a woman laboring with support from her partner.

    Dana Jacobs/Dana Jacobs Photography / Via danajacobsphotography.com

    "Of All Our Travels, This Journey Will Be Our Greatest" is by the United States' Dana Jacobs of Dana Jacobs Photography.

    And this awe-inspiring photo of a mother mid-water birth.

    A woman's lower half is underwater and the baby's head is visible emerging from her
    Dania Watson/Lauren and Douglas / Via laurenanddouglas.com

    "Underwater" is by Australia's Dania Watson of Lauren and Douglas.

    This beautiful photo of a mother and her mini getting acquainted with each other.

    A baby rests on her mother's chest in a hospital bed
    Lisa Phillips/Lisa Phillips Photography / Via lisaphillipsphoto.co

    "Examining Every Detail" is by the United States' Lisa Phillips of Lisa Phillips Photography.

    And lastly, this amazing photo of a mother holding her baby just seconds after welcoming them into the world.

    A bloody newborn is cleaned off as their mother holds them
    Paulina Splechta/Paulina Splechta Photography / Via paulinasplechta.com

    "The Journey Traveled For You" is by the United States' Paulina Splechta of Paulina Splechta Photography.

    Want to see more amazing birth photos? Check out all of the competition's entries.