A powerful gallery of images from around the world captures the miracle of childbirth after being picked out by judges.
The stunning photos have been crowned the best on the planet in the annual Birth Photographer of the Year [BPOTY] awards, in collaboration with Atkins Lab.
It was set up by award-winning birth photographer Lacey Barratt, who says she wants to further legitimise the stunning and intricate art of birth photography.
The 34-year-old from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, has been a passionate birth photographer for 11 years and was one of fourteen experienced judges to pick the winners of the awards.
First place was awarded to Laura Brink, from Queensland, Australia, second place was presented to Rianna Cross, also from Queensland, Australia and third place was granted to Colby Tulachanh, from New York, USA.
But with 356 entries snapped by birth photographers from around the world - including Brazil, Portugal, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand - Lacey felt it was important to showcase the top images of the competition.
Lacey, a mum-of-five, felt it was “important” to host the event, as out of the many other incredible competitions around the world there weren’t many specific to birth photographers.
“So we often get lumped in with documentary, photojournalism, and wedding documentary categories. Judging and comparing a birth image with a wedding photo are just two completely different ends of the spectrum,” she said.
“To have a panel of judges trained specifically in birth photography was paramount to the legitimacy of such a prestigious award.
“Our work is so paramount to birthing people, because it allows them to take charge of their emotional autonomy even though our physical autonomy may have been taken from us.
"When we view our images, we get to choose how we feel about them. And that is powerful in itself.”
This was the second year of the prestigious competition and Lacey added she was excited to keep it going for years to come.
She said: “We are looking for images that exceed the standard of what would be given to a birth client.
“The images we are looking for exceed visual communication, are above the standard of storytelling that we would expect any professional to deliver.
“The energy surrounding the competition was so electric.
"I was honoured to host such an incredible event that this niche so desperately desired.”
To see all the winning photographs, go to www.birthphotographeroftheyear.com
