001 | IN-BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

I love the connection of this image, the way it shows the subjects intertwined and relaxed, three generations in a beautiful dance. The colors of the clothes and the background are especially pleasing and all work together to create an exotic but everyday image. The simple composition tell us a lot.
— Peggy O’Mara

Like the color, emotion and reality of this one
— Stuart Fischbein

Love this image. I wish I could have chosen a second best in labour category photo! I love that everyone has their eyes closed, their supportive hands, how their body’s mold together like they are one unit. Her beautiful ripe belly with the prominent linea nigra. Colours are great. Skin tones are great. Overall a very beautiful capture.
— Cat Fancote

I love the emotion, support, and editing. This is such a gorgeous image.
— kourtnie Scholz

002 | NOWHERE AND EVERYWHERE

This photograph immediately made me think of this woman as ‘mother earth” and bringing forth life. There is just something about the coloring, the water and the calmness on her face that drew me to this photograph.
— Cheryl Haggard

Stunning image.
— lena hyde

Love this moment. I love the lighting and mood. It feels as if they could actually be in a creek instead of a birthing pool. So serene, raw and natural feeling.
— Twyla Jones

This image is so beautiful… mama in her birth trance, leaning on dad, supported by women in the background. It feels dreamy and serene, even though we know mama has been working hard… a moment of calm captured so well.
— Kelly Winder

the composition of this image is really catching my eye. The moody dark water and grain are very wonderful features to capture this emotion!
— Amanda Ditzel

The colors, light and sharpness are in harmony. Really good shot. And talks about the companionship and host we need from our partner to have a good delivery.
— Amanda Nunes

I gasped when I first saw this image. I love the tone and overall composition of this capture. It is so intimate and so beautiful. Well done.
— belle verdiglione

Gorgeous and moody! Love all your work!
— Bree Garcia

Beautiful composition and expression.
— Christina Hodgen

Took my breath away with emotion. The composition is seriously mesmerizing, it stopped me in my tracks and is my favorite image!
— Emily Quezada

Stunning! This photo is edited in such a dramatic, yet soft and peaceful way.
— Ginessa Pierson

Beautiful capture, beautiful edit, and so much peace. This is birth, this is love!
— Isabell Steinert

I feel like this should be in an art museum. It is as if you painted this yourself. Your editing always grabs my heart.
— kourtnie Scholz

The feeling in the photo is so dreamy, but so real. The edit works very well and it’s one of my favorites!
— Lawren Snapka

This image is like a painting. The colours, the tones, the textures, the expressions! My eyes were immediately drawn to it and I kept going back to it over and over again. Such a beautiful image in all aspects- lighting, composition, etc as well as the tone of it. To whomever has taken it I think it is beautiful!
— Lucy Pryor

like an oil paint.
— Nathalie Pauli

familiar shot to birth photographers that is surprisingly tricky to pull off with good aesthetics- this one gets it all and feels warm
— Nikki Williams

004 | BORICUA EN LA LUNA

Your black and white is stunning. Love how you can read both of their emotions.
— kourtnie Scholz

There were so many good ones in this category that it was hard to choose, but I was immediately taken with this photograph. The sweetness on dad’s face is immeasurable– I can just feel it.
— Tova Friedman

005 | THE CALM BETWEEN THE SURGES

BEAUTIFUL! The hands at the top of the support and yet brings an artistic flair with seeing her whole body as a portrait
— kourtnie Scholz

006 | TRIUMPHANT! (VBAC)

Powerful!!! Wow. The magic of giving birth! My favorite part of this image is the mother’s hand gently helping to deliver her baby. All the hands reaching in represents so much. Natural and inspiring!
— Lindsay Gerszt

When looking at photographs of babies being born, my eye often goes directly to the baby. As someone that is not a birth expert, it can be a bit shocking. However, with “Triumphant! (vbac)”, while it is straightforward and no-nonsense, it is composed in a way that allows me to first focus on the mothers strength and power. The slightly skewed composition tilts the background making the scene unstable and energized. The line of pillows immediately draws my eyes to the woman’s face, then her arm directs my eyes to the baby. The women surrounding her help ground the image providing her physical support while also supporting the image visually. The exposure and processing are really strong and clean. I love the soothing background colors — pale greens, soft blues, grays and whites in her bedding and coral nail color.
— Molly Flanagan

I love the strength shown in this image. The color is stunning.
— Christina Hodgen

powerful! I can hear her roar with this image. Love all of the hands in their own forms of support.
— Heather Whitten

OH MY GOSH! This is amazing. The babies details, the emotion, support. I love this image. I made myself go through them all before coming back. But this is just a raw real beautiful moment.
— kourtnie Scholz

You can feel mums roar just looking at the image, perfect portrayal of a vbac and I love how mum and baby are all in focus. superb!
— Tamara Milldove

Raw and real.
— Tara Leach

I loved so many in the full collection, but I couldn’t pry my eyes off this photo. It is pure POWER. The composition is spot on and lets me focus in on all the important details. The busyness of the scene doesn’t distract. Incredible.
— Tova Friedman

007 | AMOR A PRIMEIRA VISTA

The joy on the mom’s face is beautiful and the layers of framing is a great composition.
— Jaydene Freund

I love how you got both parents and doctor in the frame with big smiles! Way to get in there.
— kourtnie Scholz

008 | INTO HIS MOTHER’S ARMS

This is beautiful. not only is it baby being born but mom looks like a badass and this perfect moment where all of her is hidden behind the baby. Amazing work.
— kourtnie Scholz

009 | SUNSET TRANSITION

I wasn’t wild about this photograph at first, but the more I looked at it, the more I liked it. There is a calmness and a peace that flows from this photograph.
— Cheryl Haggard

Beautiful use of light. It’s illuminating her belly perfectly and you can feel the moment they are experiencing together.
— Jaydene Freund

I absolutely loved the use of light in this image and how it was composed.
— Jen McLellan

This is stunning. I love everything about it.
— Christina Hodgen

The lighting in this image is so beautiful, just screams “Good Morning” your title for it is perfect.
— kourtnie Scholz

Great capture! Perfect exposure, use of light, and composition. Very artistic
— Robin Baker

010 | SUNSET TRANSITION

gosh that sunset
— kourtnie Scholz

011 | SUNSET TRANSITION

I like seeing the dad doing to rebozo, you don’t see that often.
— kourtnie Scholz

012 | SUNSET TRANSITION

This is good. Perfect sun, labor, and support. Just the two of them
— kourtnie Scholz

013 | SUNSET TRANSITION

I just want to yell “You are doing it!” so peaceful.
— kourtnie Scholz

014 | SERENITY

love the details of the blood on the floor.
— kourtnie Scholz

015 | DADDY’S GIRL

His expression says so much. The baby’s reflection is also a lovely detail.
— Caroline Bologna

Love how the focus her is right on Dad’s face and that proud smile. And the detail of baby’s reflection. Beautiful edit.
— Cat Fancote

Daddy’s girl. The black and white is beautiful. The light and the glow on his face. The reflection of his baby. Stunning and original.
— Cindy Willems

The expression in Dad´s face really gives me goose bumps. What a precious precious moment excellent captured.
— danny merz

His expression is to die for, and love the reflection of the baby
— kourtnie Scholz

Love Daddy’s face.
— Mallory Cash

016 | HI, I’M NEW HERE

I adore this perspective – and the vernix. It was a lovely image!
— Amanda Ditzel

Beautiful capture. I really love the colours and that you can clearly see everyone’s facial expression. The vernix, cord and placenta really add to this moment. I also notice baby’s sweet little froggied feet on mum’s postpartum belly and his/her hand positioned just like dad’s – it definitely add’s to the composition. My only criticism is that the pinks/reds look slightly oversaturated and I feel that it’s noticeable. Overall a very strong image.
— Cat Fancote

LOVE this family image, and those lips!
— kourtnie Scholz

017 | SURRENDER

This is amazing. her contractions and the midwives support are beautiful.
— kourtnie Scholz

018 | GROUNDED

I love the rich colors, and the narrow depth of focus, such that the mother is in sharp focus whereas the background and foreground are blurry. This creates the feeling that she is well supported by her tribe but at the same time she is in her own world. I also love the expression that has been captured. There appears to be a tear running down her face and yet she is in control of herself and coping with the labor. This shows how powerful and overwhelming labor can be and yet despite this truth, the woman is able to manage and get through it. This shows how strong and powerful women are.
— Emiliano Chavira

This photo was the most moving photo I viewed in the entire competition. It immediately brought me to tears. I can feel every fiber of what that mom is feeling….frustration, excitement, fear…all the things. The only reason I didn’t score this one higher is that I felt like the photo was a little crowded as far as composition. But that tear….that one tear down her face…killed me.
— Heather Hilton

I’m really drawn to this image. The tear streaming down mum’s face pulls me in to the moment. Beautiful capture.
— Cat Fancote

Gosh, that tear. I am just pulled in so deeply
— kourtnie Scholz

Love this one. The vernix, the baby.
— Lela Beltrao

019 | UNDERWATER SCREAM

This is a really unique image. It’s so well composed, technically fascinating and emotionally evocative. I wonder how and when this was taken, how it was captured. It’s a one of a kind image.
— Peggy O’Mara

Captures the moment. lighting and composition of just baby is appealing.
— Stuart Fischbein

This image is incredibly striking because it is clearly the moment of birth and underwater. At first glance it is confusing as to what the vantage point is: are we underwater together with the baby? But then it appears that one foot is sticking out of the water. It’s fun to wonder about where we are in relation to the baby. Blacking out the surroundings is a neat technical feat that adds drama to the image.
— Emiliano Chavira

What a great shot! It’s rare we get to see under the water during birth. The photographer has done a great job capturing a short moment in time from an angle we don’t often get to see.
— Kelly Winder

How can I not choose this? It’s absolutely amazing. Well done to the author!
— belle verdiglione

Just keep doing this! So amazing!
— Bree Garcia

Perfection in composition and lighting
— Emily Quezada

This is amazing! Underwater and just incredible
— kourtnie Scholz

020 | FIRST CRY

Love her emotion
— kourtnie Scholz

021 | ANOTHER FOODIE IS BORN

I love the baby’s hand wrapped around the mothers breast. It’s such a sweet detail. I wish the photographer had zoned in on that more. I think that it’s wider than it needs to be to tell that specific story. Of course I mean this would have had to be done in camera.
— jenna Shouldice

Love the expression of happiness of the mother.
— Emilly Gama

I love how the baby is holding on and moms arms make her body shape seem like a heart.
— kourtnie Scholz

022 | WHITE KNUCKLED ANTICIPATION

the support is so beautiful.
— kourtnie Scholz

023 | A SOUND OF BLISS, THE FIRST CRY

This photo is so full of joy. Despite a seemingly cold, sterile setting, it emanates warmth.
— Caroline Bologna

Love this composition and you captured the perfect moment. I know these moments occur quickly and you were ready to capture her reaction.
— Jaydene Freund

This wide angle of the OR is stunning – and I can see all those in attendance have a job – what a great perspective!
— Amanda Ditzel

happiness, great color
— Eva Iguaran

LOVE this pull back! and the editing is really pretty. Plus that reaction from the mom of the first cry! amazing
— kourtnie Scholz

024 | OVERWHELMED WITH LOVE

It’s bright, it draws you in from a crowd, the facial expression of dad is so captivating and to add to the whole feeling of the picture is Mum is laying in the background watching
— Aileen Miller

This is a very cool ‘in theatre’ portrait. I love that you can still see mum in the background.
— Cat Fancote

What a proud moment! Also loving mom in the background.
— kourtnie Scholz

025 | STILL IN THE MOMENT

This image is so serene. Simple yet perfect.
— Caroline Bologna

Love this photo. I can feel mum’s pause as she exhales. And the contrast of baby’s vernixy skin against mum’s skin tone, matched with the white tub makes it very visually pleasing. Lovely edit.
— Cat Fancote

this is so beautiful
— kourtnie Scholz

026 | THE STRENGTH OF A SURVIVOR

love the colors
— kourtnie Scholz

029 | LOVE COMPLETE

Stunning
— Abby Epstein

I love the powerful emotion of this image. It really was a toss up between this image and the one I chose for number 1. This image is well balanced on the page but could have been cropped into a square to better advantage. The image is technically bright and well focused. I am so moved by the connection between these three, the touching, the relief. This image shows family in a deep way.
— Peggy O’Mara

Another strong emotional story of love and relief. Just liked this one. Am a fan of the untethered, unmedicated home/BC birth
— Stuart Fischbein

Strength, beauty, and love! This image looks like it belongs in a magazine. It’s glorious! I love the use of light and how it’s composed.
— Jen McLellan

Ooooh I love the raw and tender emotion in this capture. I would have liked a tighter crop but I just love the intimacy of this image.
— belle verdiglione

This moment is so good. I love how intertwined the couple are, mum noticeably exhaling, the beautiful skin tones, the droplets of water on their skin, and the umbilical cord still visible. The only criticism I have of this image is that the light coloured tiles in the background draw my eye away from the subjects. Overall a very strong image.
— Cat Fancote

Love this embrace! The joy, the relief! Beautiful moment!
— Heather Whitten

Her emotion and the camera angle bring me in as if I too am in the room
— kourtnie Scholz

030 | FIRST LOOK

This image captures an amazing moment with the baby reaching out and the parents awe struck. Again there are the hands and the connection I love. I can almost feel the oxytocin. The image is well focused. I’m not sure about the left side of the image with the legs as it’s kind of distracting, but it doesn’t take away from the emotion I feel when I see this image.
— Peggy O’Mara

Love the LOVE
— kourtnie Scholz

031 | GRANDMA’S GREATEST CATCH

everyone’s faces and your ability to get the whole team in is amazing
— kourtnie Scholz

032 | RIDING THE WAVES OF TRANSITION

her face <3
— kourtnie Scholz

035 | LOVE HUG

“Love Hug” has a nice perspective with the mom’s hands filling the foreground as she grasps her partner’s neck. The clean black and white conversion draws attention to the emotion and intimacy of the image.
— Molly Flanagan

I like the soft focus in this image. It adds to the tenderness of the embrace between the woman and her partner. Her facial expression is also very serene and relaxed. The over-the-shoulder angle is unique. I don’t think I have seen many birth images from this angle. The mother is also physically very beautiful and that is captured and highlighted in this image.
— Emiliano Chavira

love the sweet kiss
— kourtnie Scholz

036 | MOTHER HAT

Great capture!
— Abby Epstein

Woah! This is such a cool image, however it’s a little soft due to narrow aperture and motion blur.
— Jaydene Freund

How can this picture not stop you in your place and see the magic of giving birth? Wow. I have never seen anything like this image. It truly shows you what the human body is capable of. Amazing shot!
— Lindsay Gerszt

I am mixed about this image but cannot ignore its powerful impact. I have never seen an image like this. And, while it is disturbing because it is unusual and bloody, the subjects in the image are not nervous. Their hands are relaxed and at the ready. The composition of this image is extraordinary and it took some technical ability to capture this moment. I didn’t put this image first only because I prefer images that tell a more classic story of birth but this one is extraordinary.
— Peggy O’Mara

This is birth – it’s raw and magnificent! The choice to go with color here really puts birth on display and it’s so powerful.
— Jen McLellan

WOWWWW! That is amazing
— kourtnie Scholz

Great capture. Nailed focus. Love the composition/crop. Love the story of the docs/nurses with hands open and ready, but patiently waiting and allowing baby to do what baby can do.
— Lindsey Bartell

037 | FATHER’S LOVE

his emotion! I have a tear
— kourtnie Scholz

038 | ROLLS, VERNIX AND LOVE

Beautiful image. I can feel the love. The composition is great, the focus plane is perfectly on baby and mum’s hand, and I really love seeing baby’s beautiful skin folds and the hint of vernix. Shame about the green cloth on the bottom left that catches my eye – but that is my only criticism. It’s a great photo that captures such a tender moment.
— Cat Fancote

039 | HER FIRST BREATH TOOK HIS AWAY

Made me tear up!
— Abby Epstein

the dad’s reaction is everything in this picture. love it so much!
— Alys Cruz

I wish this had a deeper depth of field so that we could see Mom, Dad, and Baby’s faces all in focus. But there is so much going on here that tells the story so beautifully that I get “enough” DOF to be happy. My eyes keep circling around the image and every time I look at it, I find a new detail. I love that the clock perfectly shows baby’s time of arrival and that Dad stands out not only in a sea of women, but also a sea of blue.
— Ashley Short

love dads reaction
— kourtnie Scholz

041 | UNAPOLOGETIC ROARING GODDESS. BIRTH RISING.

The simplicity and pale color palette of the background contrasts with the rich colors of the woman’s skin and tank top straps. This adds to the drama that you feel when looking at what this woman is going through at this moment in time. She literally bursts forth from the center of this image, with wrinkles in her face and veins in her neck. It captures the power and pain that can come with labor and childbirth. I also love that the woman accompanying her is sitting calmly by her. She is present but not worried and not interfering.
— Emiliano Chavira

Wow. The power and emotion in her face takes my breath away. I am woman, hear me roar!!!
— Jessica Henderson

YESSS! That title is all I was thinking
— kourtnie Scholz

This is raw and this is roar. You can see that this mom is fighting! She is a warrior! It is a beautiful depiction of birth. love the lighting. It is perfect.
— Stephanie Capps

043 | IT’S YOU

This image makes me smile. Baby’s little smooshed up face with one curious open eye. And the teal colour in the image makes it pop! Beautiful shot. Lovely edit.
— Cat Fancote

046 | THE FIRST EMBRACE

This riveting image has everything right. It is perfectly balanced on the page. The contrast is excellent and the subjects seem to leap off the page. All of the subjects have good expressions and my eye moves easily among them. Most importantly, it is emotionally affecting and memorable. It is a classic image of “the three.” I just kept coming back again and again to this image because it tells a powerful story with stunning composition.
— Peggy O’Mara

Goodness I love this shot. What a moment!! I love the facial expressions of both parents. Dad looks elated as he squeezes her tightly. I do feel like I can see more texture on baby’s skin than on the parents and I wonder if the skin smoothing has been taken a little bit too far? or maybe it’s a result of the focus dropping off. I am also a little bit distracted by the bright blue as it drags my eyes to the outside of the image rather than into the centre. But I’m just being picky here. This is such a great moment!
— Cat Fancote

Love the expressions on each face. Everything is sharp and I feel like I am right there in the moment.
— Lindsey Bartell

What gorgeous images, but I’m really turned off by the over-smoothing of the skin. The colors are fantastic!
— Tammy Karin

047 | THE NOURISHMENT OF LIFE

I like the use of exposure to set the mood here, and that instead of just photographing the placenta alone, like many photographers, this one chose to include the detail of the foot.
— jenna Shouldice

I love the colors, composition and emotions this images sparks. It is so warm and magical and the details are just impeccable.
— Diana Hinek

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE
— kourtnie Scholz

Unique composition – a vantage point that often isn’t captured. I love the leading lines bringing me back to baby and full circle back to the placenta. I love the dark edit – not typically something I am drawn to, but it looks like a painting. The lighting is phenomenal.
— Lindsey Bartell

I adore the tones and lighting of this image as well as the composition, such a clever image!
— Lucy Pryor

048 | A TRIUMPHANT VBAC

It describes the loneliness and strength of birth. As technically is perfect
— Amanda Nunes

I love love love this black & white edit. I can feel her exhaustion as she rests.
— Cat Fancote

There is so much serenity in this photograph. I love the confidence and calm it is portrayed here. Also, I think it would be amazing to award a vbac!
— Diana Hinek

This image encapsulates the journey of labor so well. The loneliness, the self re-birth, the sacrifice and the soul of a woman finding her might through it all.
— Gladys Garcia

Beautiful use of shadows. Great image in black & white.
— Heather Sears

I love the honesty and candidness of this image.
— Isabell Steinert

I just love this image. It speaks to me so deeply. I love that the title lets you know she DID IT!
— kourtnie Scholz

It is a elegant, pure and one of the best storytelling images I saw in this contest. It hit me straight away. Light, moment, composition is just perfect.
— Louise van den Broek

049 | A PHYSIOLOGICAL THIRD STAGE

Beautiful color and composition. Tells a story.
— Stuart Fischbein

Love the colors and the composition!
— Tina Beckett

Composition, angle and editing details are impressive. That is a story in a photo.
— Gladys Garcia

Love these colors and such a serene image.
— Heather Sears

love this! the colors that little thumb
— kourtnie Scholz

Beautiful composition and tones.
— Mallory Cash

Perfect use of flash and overall beautiful image
— Robin Baker

050 | THE LIGHT OF LIFE

editing is outstanding
— kourtnie Scholz

What gorgeous images, but I’m really turned off by the over-smoothing of the skin. The colors are fantastic!
— Tammy Karin

051 | BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

This is such a beautiful image of the moment of birth. I think we sometimes (in the natural birth world) think of csection babies as not really having a full birth experience. But look at this beautiful alert baby…..this is a birth! The photo itself is stunning…very clear. I appreciate that we’re not seeing so much of the OR, and mainly just the emergence of the baby. This makes it feel more intimate for the viewer. Great job. Well done.
— Heather Hilton

Love the moment!
— Tina Beckett

Such an interesting perspective – the shallow depth of field is really benefiting this image, gives it movement and I can appreciate the baby, while also seeing where he is coming from.
— Amanda Ditzel

Awesome belly birth capture! I love that baby’s face is clearly in focus. Great job on exposure and not blowing out the highlights under the spotlight.
— Cat Fancote

Incredible angle
— Mallory Cash

Beautiful captured!
— Renate van Lith

054 | FOUR GENERATIONS OF LOVE

“Four Generations of Love” tells a beautiful story of a great grandmother meeting her newest family member. Shot with the mom and baby in the foreground, focus is on the great-grandmother, tissue in hand, as her eyes well with tears. This perspective allows all of the family members to be in the frame, telling a complete and emotive story.
— Molly Flanagan

Simple, 4 generations, lovely emotion.
— Stuart Fischbein

Unbelievable image – the first thing I am drawn to is grandma’s skin up against dad. Then I noticed dad gazing at mom, his eyes are filled with amazement, a true genuine emotion he is feeling and it is emulating and so so beautiful!
— Amanda Ditzel

This is what birth photography is all about! The love, the journey, the meetings, the firsts, and having someone there to document it all so that the family can be part of it. The emotion is great, the angle is great, the color harmony is great. Things that could have made it a bit better: There’s a slight angle where I can see the camera isn’t totally straight, so a crop could easily fix that. (no leaning doorways or windows.) The brightness of the curtain draws my eye away from where it should be, so I would tone that part down, but cropping the image straight would have probably gotten rid of most of that anyway. I love how everyone in the image has their arms around someone, even the woman in the back has herself wrapped up. Grandma’s hands against her grandson tell their own story within the story. This image will be treasured by them for years to come.
— Ashley Short

The generations just stopped my breath
— Emily Quezada

I LOVE that grandma, you were in my top choices
— kourtnie Scholz

a magical moment.
— Nathalie Pauli

056 | OVERCOME.

The use of focus in this photo is very interesting to me. The mother seems to be the main subject of the photo, and yet she is not in sharp focus. It is only the baby’s ear that is in sharp focus, while the mother appears to be reeling backward, having just birthed the baby. This feels to me like a visual representation of what it might be like to be in labor and give birth, when the other things and people in the room fade into the background, and awareness is muted. The mother may not be completely aware of who is moving in and out of the room, and she may not be completely aware of all of the words that are said in her presence. But despite the mother’s altered perceptions, she remains the center of everyone’s focus and attention.
— Emiliano Chavira

057 | FIRST EMBRACE

sweet momma soaking it in and those little fingers love the editing
— kourtnie Scholz

058 | ELATION

this is beautiful
— kourtnie Scholz

059 | RUMPLED

What a beautiful image. I love the narrow depth of field. I love the darker edit. I love how the mom’s hands frame the baby. A perfect detail shot.
— Jaydene Freund

I love how different this is
— belle verdiglione

Just perfect details and emotion of those first moments
— Emily Quezada

love the rolls
— kourtnie Scholz

063 | HANDS

The tiny hand juxtaposed against the father’s large hand is a beautiful detail.
— Caroline Bologna

The perfect little detail. I would in a perfect world like this background cleaned up a bit but I also understand that the OR is not a clean place. I like it regardless and it demonstrates a strong voice on the photographers part that they noticed the little detail in the first affectionate moments between father and child.
— jenna Shouldice

I love black and white images. They seem to capture the essence of things so well. The tiny hand in this image just kills me. The tenderness of the dad is so moving. The moment is captured so well. The image is well positioned and well centered and it is nicely focused so that it pops from the background. This is a classic new dad delight image. It has a strong emotional appeal.
— Peggy O’Mara

Great capture. My eyes are instantly drawn to baby’s tiny fingers, and then I notice the synchronicity of dad’s hand placement. Perfect!
— Cat Fancote

Such a gentle, emotional moment captured perfect!
— danny merz

The serenity of this moment, so much going on around them, but that simple sweetness on his hand on baby and baby’s hand on him, makes it feel like such a quiet, safe moment between the two of them. It feels like a detail moment of birth that could be easily overlooked in the rush of the moment, but this one feels like time is standing still.
— Rachel Utain-Evans

love the hand on the neck. not anything i can find that needs to be fixed.
— veronica george

064 | ADMIRATION AND RELIEF

Wow. This is gorgeous. There are so many beautiful aspects to this photo that keep me looking at it in different ways.
— Jaydene Freund

Perfectly captured emotions and beautiful black and white edit!
— Isabell Steinert

love all this LOVE
— kourtnie Scholz

065 | A SURROGATES KISS

Love this photo. What a beautiful moment to have captured. The way bio – mum’s hands embrace the squishy little babe as she lifts him/her up for a gentle first kiss – as if she’s blessing that baby with her love. A beautiful black & white edit too.
— Cat Fancote

The black and white treatment of this image is amazing. Beautiful details.
— Christina Hodgen

a Surrogates kiss. The way she holds her baby, in the comfort of the fetal position. So gentle, both their eyes closed, and the way he perfectly fits into her lovinghands. This photo is so beautiful and unique in his simplicity. And than I read the titel and I just teared up.
— Cindy Willems

loving this black and white
— kourtnie Scholz

You can FEEL the love and sacrifice in her closed eyes and facial expression. Love the black and white.
— Stephanie Capps

067 | THE LAST PUSH

YESSS! Amazing capture. Just love her roar
— kourtnie Scholz

074 | PEACEFULLY PREPARING

I love how peaceful this is. The editing is beautiful as well
— kourtnie Scholz

075 | RAW EMOTION

This is the only birth photo that I have chosen that appears to focus primarily on the father. I love the black and white tones. But the main thing that I love about this photo is that this appears to be a hard man: muscular, scarred, military hairstyle. Despite this, he is moved to tears by the birth of this child and expresses his love with a beautiful kiss.
— Emiliano Chavira

Oh my goodness, crying dads get me every time. This is such a sweet portrait of a family coming together for the first time. I wish that baby was more focused, but there’s not always time for that I”m sure. This is really beautiful.
— Heather Hilton

I love the raw emotion captured in this image. It immediately drew me in. Everyone is crying and I see happiness, relief and triumph.
— Breanna Lynch

his tears!!! LOVE
— kourtnie Scholz

076 | THE FIRST BOND

I really like this image
— kourtnie Scholz

079 | CALL THE MIDWIFE, CALL THE MOTHER

love the title, I love the head things, I love the POV
— kourtnie Scholz

081 | THE CREATION

The colors in this photo are beautiful – I can see moms strength, love and protection over her baby. It looks like it was a fast birth – and the hands on her for support. Great capture!
— Amanda Ditzel

I love how insanely raw this image is
— kourtnie Scholz

This is a photo that you feel deeply. Up close and intense.
— Louise van den Broek

The hands of support on mom’s shoulders, her hair- wet and messy red curls.. the gorgeous postpartum belly with umbilical cord cascading down, and that tiny little hand on momma’s breast.. The emotion, the tones.. Everything is perfection. The exposure, the tones, in focus, white balance, and beautiful use of centering. I love everything about this image. Absolutely stunning!
— Shea Long

082 | ETERNAL BOND

I fell for this photo because of the tenderness that it shows, without seeing any faces. It’s all in the hands…
— Louise van den Broek

083 | YOU CAN DO THIS. I LOVE YOU!

The emotion and bond shared with this couple is forever captured with this photograph.
— Cheryl Haggard

I’m so in love with this photo! You can see the stormy intensity and weariness of labour in her eyes, but also the seeking of strength. She’s being so beautifully held by dad. Such a loving, calm, rock solid strength. It gives me butterflies seeing couples like this working together. Good on you dad, and you’re amazing mama!
— Kelly Winder

084 | WELCOME TO THE WORLD!

The trust in this photo is apparent. The father delivering his child is powerful and different. I love the colors from the tattoos to the blue tub. I especially love that the baby is reaching for his fathers arm.
— Lindsay Gerszt

085 | HI THERE LITTLE GIRL, I’M YOUR MUM!

I love the color in this one. It really says “welcome to the big beautiful world.”
— Caroline Bologna

love this moment
— kourtnie Scholz

086 | HER QUIET STRENGTH

the veins in her breast, the baby, and her face. It’s so raw and strong
— kourtnie Scholz

087 | 1642 DAYS OF WISHING

This is gorgeous and emotional, however I find the edit a bit washed out and muddy.
— Jaydene Freund

088 | HOW BIG

I love the sense of comedic relief in this one.
— Caroline Bologna

Priceless, really. Perfectly framed and mom’s expression captured at *just* the right moment tells the whole story. Such a unique perspective!
— Michele Anderson

Her facial expression lights up the entire picture you immediately look at hot response and then look at baby being weighed and you put 2 and 2 together that baby weighed heaps it really is a picture speaks 1000 words
— Aileen Miller

Emotion, expression and color toning is incredible
— Candice MacDonnell

Hilarious! I’ve never seen this view of the baby’s weight and it’s brilliant! Great storytelling
— Robin Baker

the expression is perfect!
— Tamara Milldove

089 | THE FINAL CUT

The lighting is absolutely perfect in this photo, and the details of what’s happening really stands out.
— Lawren Snapka

091 | IT’S A BOY

I love that you got all their emotions, the layering and that it is in the waiting room
— kourtnie Scholz

096 | THE BIRTH OF A BIG SISTER

This is everything. As a mom myself. this is just everything. Amazing moment you have.
— kourtnie Scholz

097 | THE PUSH

this made me stop and take it in
— kourtnie Scholz

098 | STUNNING SIBLINGS FIRST ENCOUNTER

Just loved everything about this photograph. I especially liked how the sister will have the photographs to reflect on an experience her young mind would have otherwise never remembered. The power of photography.
— Cheryl Haggard

This moment has me in awe. You captured it beautifully.
— Jaydene Freund

This photographer was obviously at the right place, at the right time. The tub lends itself to a great photograph, and the image maker was ready for it. I love that we can see the mother, the new baby, the older child and the hands. They’ve included the right amount of context to tell a great story and captivate the viewer.
— jenna Shouldice

This is the coolest thing I have ever seen! SO fascinating.
— lena hyde

This picture could be from a movie scene. It’s so magical and simply beautiful. You feel how calm it was in the room. The is a special moment. Amazing! I can’t express enough how unbelievable stunning siblings first encounter is! I can see this picture going viral because it’s so captivating and powerful. The sibling watching the baby be born while remaining so calm…. I just love this.
— Lindsay Gerszt

What a magical way to view a birth! I felt like we were there with the family in that moment. Beautifully lit and the choice to use black and white helps us to focus on the big sister’s expression of curiosity.
— Michele Anderson

Really wonderful storytelling in “Stunning Siblings First Encounter”. The exposure highlights the baby and little girl’s profile. By backing up and including the little girl and father as well as a bit of the mother’s face, a complex story unfolds where each family member plays a part, yet our eye is still drawn to the baby and sister.
— Molly Flanagan

Meets all criteria. Uniqueness of view and tub just makes this one stand out. Its generational and allows a sense of wonder.
— Stuart Fischbein

Such an incredible opportunity to view a water birth in this way and you executed the moment phenomenaly! The framing of the entire family is excelent and your use of light perfect.
— Twyla Jones

I know this spectacular image has been going viral and has won other awards… but it’s utterly breathtaking. Not only does it provide an insight and a sneak peak into what baby goes through during a gentle waterbirth, but it’s also captured a delightful story of siblings meeting for the first time too. They’ve set eyes on each other before mama! The lighting is great, the story is heartwarming, and a beautiful outcome. Love, love, love!!!
— Kelly Winder

This image pulls you right in and provides such a unique perspective of birth. The perspective the photographer shot this image at is perfect.
— Jen McLellan

there is nothing like an older sibling witnessing the birth of their baby brother/sister. perfect picture capturing the sibling, baby and mom
— Alys Cruz

I think a lot of people want to say this image is awesome because of the clear tub. However, this image is amazing because of the way the artist handled the situation, the lighting, and their camera. The composure is perfect, with the main story being told between the baby and it’s sister. From there, your eyes circle around the frame to both mom and dad. I love that enough of mom’s face is left to see her expression, but the image is cropped right there, as the image isn’t about mom. Dad is included as a back up, but again, this isn’t about Dad, thus he is the other edge of the frame. I love the crispness that allow for the little details to shine through and tell more of the story- the pieces floating in the water, the water droplets on the sister. The reflection of the little girl’s head shows us that if the creator hadn’t been careful, this image wouldn’t have been possible. Well done!
— Ashley Short

This is just the perfect capture. Curiosity and just beautiful
— Bree Garcia

This photo is so super special. I have seen it many times before and it gives me goosebumps to think about how this experience will impact that beautiful child in years to come. My only criticisms are that the highlights on the sibling’s head distracts me, as does the person wearing socks and sandals. I think the exposure could be brushed down on the person’s shoes to draw my eye back up to baby and sibling.
— Cat Fancote

Lovely image.
— Christina Hodgen

The best photo in this category is a stunning moment! And old sister meeting the new baby.
— Emilly Gama

Everything about this image is wonderful. In such a crazy time of delivering a baby to be able to compose this and light it correctly amongst the excitement of birth is truly amazing
— Lucy Pryor

Was a vary magical moment. And the image is perfect! You can see the face of all the family, parents, sister and baby. Amazing.
— Nathalie Pauli

One of my all time favourites. This is an amazing story telling image. I mean, does it get any better than a water delivery in a clear tub?!? I love that we can see part of momma’s face, her nipple, her hands reaching between her legs for baby and toes curled.. I love that the new baby is being held for older sister to get a close look, and even seems to be waving! The choice of aperture is fantastic, the scene is clean enough that having a higher aperture isn’t causing the environment to be distracting, but let’s the viewer appreciate all the amazing details of this photo without blurring them too much! This photo is such a treasure!
— Shea Long

Maybe knowing the family history of this image persuaded me, but what an absolutely incredible moment captured. Front row seat to the most incredible show of her life! My heart is dying for more of a reaction out of big sister, but this is just too cool not to fall in love.
— Tammy Karin

i have been a fan of this image since i first saw it. it’s amazing. the awe of the big sister. the details you can see. amazing!
— veronica george

099 | FIRST LOOK: A WOMAN CENTERED CESAREAN

This image is outstanding! It tells a story and birth, motherhood and love. It provides us with a different narrative of what cesarean birth can look like. The use of light and color is perfection.
— Jen McLellan

LOVE THIS SO MUCH! wow! You are so close and you can see so much.
— kourtnie Scholz

101 | ENCOURAGING CONTRACTIONS

The colors in this photo! And the moment of baby helping bring baby into the world!
— Stephanie Capps

102 | LOVE AFTER LOSS

Nowhere and everywhere. What I love about this photo is that I think it is true art. The quietness, the light, the colors. Her laying so peaceful in his lap like this could last forever. And we all know that it is the silence before (or between) the storm.
— Cindy Willems

104 | COLORFUL LIFE

This is beautiful. What an artful capture. I wish I could see the full face though.
— Jaydene Freund

This is just so beautifully done. The color is incredible. The perfect curling of the baby…still looks like s/he is in the womb, surrounded by swirling light and soft color.
— Michele Anderson

the number one thing moms find mind bottling after birthing their precious baby is “How did he/she even fit in there ?!”. this picture explains it perfectly. perfecr post partum picture. and the fact this is in color, brings so much life.
— Alys Cruz

Absolutely beautiful colors in this image!
— Heather Sears

I love all the color! It is so different from what you normally see. Beautifully done!
— kourtnie Scholz

105 | THREE SOULS LABOUR AS ONE

I have seen this image before the competition and I’m always drawn to it. The colors are gorgeous and her face is so peaceful.
— Christina Hodgen

one of my faves
— kourtnie Scholz

107 | THREE BECOME FOUR

The sibling’s joy and mother’s emotion make for a beautiful combination.
— Caroline Bologna

I love that this mother is leaning on her child as opposed to a partner. Clean, well shot and emotionally evocative.
— jenna Shouldice

Once again I’m a sucker for the touching and the connection and emotion that this image shows because it so well captures the ecstatic moment after the baby comes. It is well composed as the subjects are centered on the page and the image centered in the space. Colors are sharp, but not too sharp as to overshadow the moment and focus is good. I love images of family like this and this one eloquently shows the intimacy of the time immediately after birth.
— Peggy O’Mara

Family! This photo captures so much emotion and love. It’s a beautifully edited image.
— Jen McLellan

Really love this! Composition, colour, processing- and a perfect moment captured!
— Alysha Nuske

I love the connection between this family. It is almost as if I am experiencing their joy right there with them!
— Amanda Ditzel

Beautiful moment captured. The mother looks overcome with emotion – leaning in and embracing her older child whilst holding her newborn firmly against her chest. The older sibling squished in there between dad and mum with that excited smile is just perfect. I can visually see how fresh baby is, and all the hands show much love and support: Mum’s hand on her older child’s cheek, Dad’s hand on mum’s arm, and the child’s hand touching baby’s hand. The composition and edit is great – and skin tones are on point. I can instantly feel all the emotions from each family member. It’s a beautiful image that really shows the beauty of birth photography.
— Cat Fancote

Three become four So much love and emotion in this picture. Hands touching eachother. Love the colors.
— Cindy Willems

Color and emotion and family, all touching, nothing is out of frame, just beautiful clean work
— Eva Iguaran

A defining moment for this family beautifully captured.
— Ginessa Pierson

I looked through all of the images in two separate sittings. When I finished my second viewing I went searching for this sibling image because it really stayed with me. I have just given birth to my second child and the emotion on the Mother’s face resonated with me. I love how the focus is on the mother’s face and it’s perfectly framed by her three loves.
— Jessica Henderson

I love this image so much! The emotions and family love
— kourtnie Scholz

This is THE shot every mother wants. Great job and the composition is perfect!
— Stephanie Capps

I wanted to select an overall winner that really demonstrates the value of birth photography. This image has it all. The emotion, the bonding, the perfect little details, and fantastic execution. Daddy, sibling, multiracial, warmth and safety of home…love it all!
— Tammy Karin

The intimacy of this photo is stunning. This is such an incredibly sweet moment. Mom’s face is pure raw emotion, and you can feel the excitement and wonder from dad and the older sibling. The image is thoughtfully composed so my eyes can dance around and take in all of the details.
— Tova Friedman

109 | DOULA’S SUPPORT, FRIEND’S LOVE

I love how you captured this support and moms strength in one.
— kourtnie Scholz

110 | HANDS OF LOVE, COMFORT, AND SUPPORT

I just love that this photo illustrates the multiple lines of support that mothers sometimes need. I didn’t judge it higher because it didn’t have the emotional pull for me that some of the other images did, but I think it’s an important one to note.
— Heather Hilton

Love the way hands are supporting this woman. The composition is also perfect!
— Emilly Gama

This is such a lovely and thoughtfully composed image! I love all of the little details that show individuals’ unique ways of giving support. My only critique would be to burn down the top left corner a bit, because the light coming from that area is distracting.
— Tova Friedman

114 | FLESH OF MY FLESH

I love this. The detail in baby’s fingers is beautiful. The colours of baby’s skin tone against mom’s skin is also beautiful. I just wish your aperture wasn’t so narrow so mom was also fully in focus.
— Jaydene Freund

A classic image of mother and baby perfectly focused and popping out of the black background. I find this image arresting because of the depth of feeling it shows. And, it is well composed on the page. I love the expression is captures, the shadows, the towels, the overall balance of the image.
— Peggy O’Mara

The sharpness and colors are also great, besides the peace that it shows
— Amanda Nunes

This is the epitome of postpartum contentment.
— Christina Hodgen

the editing is lovey and I love her freckles
— kourtnie Scholz

Beautiful photo of mom and baby
— Louise van den Broek

115 | MIDWIFE AT MIDNIGHT

Such a strong storytelling image! It combines showing the exhaustion with a very good humor. love that.
— danny merz

This is awesome! The use of the mirror and the yawn. One of my top faves
— kourtnie Scholz

This is a real feeling in a long labor
— Lela Beltrao

116 | SHOULDERS TO LEAN ON

I love this capture and composition but the focus seems soft on the mom.
— Jaydene Freund

“Shoulder to Lean On” has beautiful lighting and strong emotion. Love the expression in her face and the way she is draped over her helpers. The way the photographer shot up at the mom creates leading lines with the ceiling tiles and excludes potential distractions in the background… allowing the viewer to focus fully on the unfolding story.
— Molly Flanagan

118 | SHOWER RELIEF

very creative shot
— Candice MacDonnell

Love this in color. The steam of the shower door acts as a veil between the mother and viewer. Wonderful symbolism!
— Heather Whitten

I love photos that help me feel the way the subject was feeling.
— Mallory Cash

Just love it.
— Tara Leach

120 | KINDRED’S FIRST KISS

The use of light and shadow is incredible. Love the richness of color and the triangle of love created by their bodies and the light.
— Michele Anderson

121 | DROPLETS OF STRENGTH

This photo captures the tremendous strength of mothers. It’s incredibly visceral.
— Caroline Bologna

122 | SEALED WITH A KISS

Absolutely stunning picture. I feel their love and unity. This beautiful, new family are all connected.
— Lindsay Gerszt

gorgeous
— kourtnie Scholz

I kept coming back to this image. The light beautifully highlights this tender moment. I love all the hands and the emotion. Very well captured.
— Robin Baker

127 | NOTHING BUTT LOVE

I love the capture of the blueish butt!
— Heather Whitten

129 | REFLECTING LIFE

My eye was immediately drawn to the baby’s reflection. I loved the stillness of this image.
— Cheryl Haggard

Wow. This is gorgeous. I didn’t see the reflection at first glance and when you notice it, it adds so much to the image. I would love to see what this looks like in black and white because it would minimize my attention going to the pink colour of mom’s shirt.
— Jaydene Freund

Be still my heart! What an incredible use of color and light! This photo took my breath away as it’s wonderfully composed.
— Jen McLellan

Is about the peace of getting in this world with respect and love.
— Amanda Nunes

A image of peace and love.
— Nathalie Pauli

133 | SURRENDERING TO THE FLOW

Love the black and white edit on this one – and I feel a strong connection with it as I can clearly remember doing exactly this during my own labours.
— Alysha Nuske

I love this A LOTTTTT, the moment is so deep. I just had to sit here and take it all in. 134
— kourtnie Scholz

134 | AND STILL I RISE

LOVE!
— kourtnie Scholz

139 | HELLO

The capture of this facial expression in THAT special moment is perfect. Also this adorable expression made me laugh – and it´s not that easy to show humor in birth pics.
— danny merz

baby is so alert and right there! Great moment
— kourtnie Scholz

140 | WALKING, SURGING

This is gorgeous. I love the edit, and what all it screams. She is in her own world with sister going crazy.
— kourtnie Scholz

Again, a unique image. Something different. Walking through labor in an environment that isn’t necessarily ‘beautiful’, but is REAL. All the while, wrangling the toddler who is full of energy and in such a different place. Mom’s expression of inward focus, yet still very present with her family. I love the black and white conversion on this as well.
— Lindsey Bartell

141 | HAND ON MY HEART

Such a beautiful use of light in this image. Your edit and caption are perfect because it draws my attention straight to the tiny fingers. I’m drawn to this image but I’m not choosing it as my favourite because it’s not as unique as others in the same category.
— Jaydene Freund

142 | NEWBORN-LICIOUS

this is SO funny
— kourtnie Scholz

This image is just unbelievable! Much love.
— Lela Beltrao

144 | THE BIRTH OF OLIVER

How cool!! Dad catching his own baby…what could be better? The moment of crowning is so intense and raw, and then dad’s hands are so perfectly gentle and just…waiting. The angle on this photo is perfect.
— Heather Hilton

I keep coming back to this image. It tells such a story and the focus falls perfectly on mum, baby & dad’s hands. I can see the intensity of the moment in mum’s expression and her right hand clutching her knee. I can see baby crowning with that head full of hair. I can see dad’s gentle hands ready to guide baby out. I can see mum’s belly contracting, dad’s awesome forearm tattoo, the midwife intently observing without interrupting, and the additional support person by mum’ss side. Her birthing position is amazing. And the angle for this shot is spot on. So much to love about this photo!
— Cat Fancote

I love this. There are so many details in one image. its amazing
— kourtnie Scholz

146 | FOREVER CONNECTED

I’m a sucker for the light and all the hands in the photo
— Candice MacDonnell

147 | BABY WHISPERER

Very intimate
— Abby Epstein

Beautiful image. I love the use of candlelight, however because it’s so dark the mom is soft.
— Jaydene Freund

The way this image was documented takes me back to the moment. Had a flash been used to compensate for the low light, we would not be able to tell what they were going through at that moment in the dark. I feel the quiet, whispering, hoping, calmness… it all comes through with the way the light was handled with the image. The color tones are great. I do wish the light on the cabinets was toned down a bit, because my eyes keep going back to that spot, however the cabinets themselves are a lovely leading line. Beautifully handled!
— Ashley Short

I love the moment and I love the edit!
— Tamara Milldove

150 | NURSE LINDA

This is amazing. The setting. The nurses face. How lucky you could be there to capture this.
— Jaydene Freund

Just wow. Two heroes there!
— lena hyde

This is a riveting image. It’s not technically great, but I can’t get it out of my mind because I want to know what happened. And, who took the photo?
— Peggy O’Mara

This photo tells quite the story! It’s a moment so powerfully captured in time. The angle the photographer used is so great.
— Jen McLellan

wow what a shot!
— belle verdiglione

Unique and amazing capture
— Megan Croce

151 | A GENTLE NEWBORN EXAM WHILE SKIN-TO-SKIN WITH DAD.

I love that this was taken on dad. The editing is gorgeous and really this is a top image for me.
— kourtnie Scholz

153 | RIGHT THERE WITH YOU

I love this shot. It is a sweet moment captured.
— Stephanie Capps

154 | BRINGING BABY EARTHSIDE TOGETHER

This is beautiful. The angles in the bedroom and light frame them so well. I didn’t choose it because there were a few others that stood out more for me.
— Jaydene Freund

I like how you waited for them to almost have the same face. The arms holding each other and them in the center.
— kourtnie Scholz

157 | LABOURLAND ZEN

Beautiful use of light. I love the attention to symmetrical composition.
— Jaydene Freund

She looks like a violin. This is birth as art. Well seen.
— Michele Anderson

This picture is mesmerising to me; balance, strength, harmony and a moment of calm in what is likely such intensity. Can’t help but look at it!
— Kelly Winder

This a very powerful image. The mother seems composed, relaxed, and in command. The tattoos lend to her looking very strong and powerful. And the angle looking down from above is very unique and interesting.
— Emiliano Chavira

Beautiful symmetry and use of light!
— Tina Beckett

I see a strong, warrior woman who is calm and ready. I love that she is centered and her tattoos are beautiful in the photo. Very powerful!
— Lindsay Gerszt

pure “zen”. this is definitely a favorite. her tattoos are perfect and show a strength in her she probably knew even knew until becoming a mom. this picture tells so much in the calm of birth
— Alys Cruz

158 | GODDESS OF LIFE

This is a really cool image! I love all the detail and clarity, however I find the dodging around the edges a bit distracting.
— Jaydene Freund

I love how this shows the beauty of the placenta and nothing else.
— Christina Hodgen

160 | BULGING FOREWATERS

Love how sharp and clear this photo is, the brightness and again its in colour which I love. You don’t get to see the bulging waters all that much and they have captured it perfectly here.
— Alysha Nuske

I love the framing and editing of this image. This capture is so unique and raw. Its pure birth.
— belle verdiglione

This is impressive you got the perfect capture of something so rare to see perfectly framed with beauty and without exposing too much of mom! Amazing.
— Bree Garcia

Beautifully exposed and edited.
— Ginessa Pierson

I saw much images that i believe must be in postpartum. This is a beautiful detail.
— Lela Beltrao

What an insane capture! No words, just WOW!!!!
— Megan Croce

The true definition of a detailed shot! Up close, so that I can see bubbles of fluid, the texture of mom’s skin, even the reflections of the room can be seen..My favourite part is the flecks of vernix floating in the waters! Tack Sharp, exposure is awesome, white balance on point. This is an amazing image, and one I’ve not seen before! Great work!
— Shea Long

This is epic!
— Stephanie Capps

161 | POSTERIOR BIRTH; GENTLY ASSISTED

This is an absolutely amazing shot.
— Alysha Nuske

163 | SO MUCH SUPPORT FOR THIS LABORING MAMA

I am woman; hear me roar. Wow, this is a powerful image of a woman powerful in birth. Very inspiring. Composition is well centered and there are just a few distracting areas.
— Peggy O’Mara

I love her face in this moment.
— kourtnie Scholz

165 | THE FEELING IS MUTUAL. THIS IS BIRTH.

I love the raw emotion and joy in this photo!!! I wish that the color had been adjusted a little better…it felt a little washed out and there are so many beautiful colors in that photo that could have been played up. I’m also not totally sure about the angle. I didn’t understand it, but that could just be an artistic thing. It’s a really beautiful photo of a very raw moment and it definitely moved me.
— Heather Hilton

beautiful emotion in this image.
— belle verdiglione

168 | BEING IN THE LIGHT

LOVE all the light! This is gorgeous
— kourtnie Scholz

169 | THE SILENT JOURNEY

I like these silent moments
— kourtnie Scholz

170 | NUCHAL HAND PRESENTATION

This is an awesome capture of a nuchal hand. The focus and edit are great. But I am distracted by the image being upside down. I only notice this because the fluid isn’t dripping downwards and it confuses me slightly. Overall though it’s a very very cool capture!
— Cat Fancote

171 | FINALLY FACE TO FACE

I love that you can see Mom on the left looking at baby, and that part isn’t just assumed. The photo is about Mom meeting her baby, not just the baby being born. It’s such a rare and beautiful moment, especially when there is no curtain dividing them!
— Lawren Snapka

172 | EMERGENCE

One of my very favorite delivery captures. The splash of waters is so cool!
— Tammy Karin

174 | INTO THE LIGHT

Hello baby!
— Abby Epstein

Beautiful use of the available light. I love the details in this moment, the vernix, the cord, the face and how tiny the baby is in the doctor’s hands.
— Jaydene Freund

176 | GENTLE BREECH

What I love most about images like this one is that it helps to normalise births which are often feared due to media or mainstream information. Not only does this image show skill with amazing balance, lighting and focus, but it truly gives the feeling of baby experiencing a gentle birth in his or her own time, even though it’s not how babies are often allowed to be born. Images like this are so important! Thank you for a magnificent photo!
— Kelly Winder

The baby looks so gentle and comfy the colours give great contrast and I love that the rule of thirds come into play well.
— Aileen Miller

177 | THE LONG WAIT

While birth photos are amazing, I love seeing the details and ancillary relationships surrounding the birth. I love the way the light here creates a triangle, drawing attention to the items on the tray. Also the way the light draws out the pattern and texture of the curtain. The man looks stoic and intense– within himself. I like the glint of light in his wedding band.
— Molly Flanagan

Such a subtle but insightful perspective!
— Heather Whitten

THIS IS AMAZINGGGGGGG! I freakin LOVE this image. like. SO MUCH. His worry, all those cups and trash.
— kourtnie Scholz

178 | LIFT AND TUCK

Love the duo
— Abby Epstein

Is this grandma helping? I always find it amazing to watch grandmas at births – their wisdom is so magical. Great capture!!
— Amanda Ditzel

This is gorgeous, the their faces and the editing
— kourtnie Scholz

181 | HAPPINESS

This photo depicts labor/childbirth as a joyful experience, and as a whole family experience. The laughter that you see in the partner as well as the young child are just priceless. From a technical point of view, I love the various textures that you see, from the soft vertical lines that you see in the background curtain to the “cobblestone” appearance of the water.
— Emiliano Chavira

This is everything!
— kourtnie Scholz

amazing moment and all the family together. The happiness moment!
— Nathalie Pauli

184 | REACHING FOR DADDY

I just love this image because the one thing you are drawn to the most is baby reaching out for dad. Then you notice dad’s gentle hands bringing baby into the world. Ah, I’m gushing. I love it!
— Kelly Winder

So awesome!
— kourtnie Scholz

188 | DISCOVERING THE LOVE CHROMOSOME

This is the moment we wait for. Baby gazing into their parents eyes – the world around them so new, yet so aware and familiar.
— Breanna Lynch

189 | PURE BLISS

This is such a great moment and that doula too
— kourtnie Scholz

190 | BELIEVING TOGETHER

Beautiful intimate capture. You can feel the excitement.
— lena hyde

191 | WHILE THEY SLEEP / MIENTRAS TODOS DUERMEN

The lighting really sets this image apart. Soft, yet dramatic. A peaceful, intimate moment made even more powerful when you notice the others sleeping behind them.
— Michele Anderson

A beautiful image of peace showing another side of birth history: the tranquility between contractions. The composition of the image is perfect. I love the shadows.
— Emilly Gama

love the mood and light on face and the hammock in background. great story telling ability
— Eva Iguaran

love the shadow
— kourtnie Scholz

192 | FIRST KISS

The love flows from the photo, and it’s rather like a calm before the storm.
— Caroline Bologna

Ahhhh, this image is SO incredibly sweet. What woman doesn’t adore being kissed on the forehead. In a procedure which can feel very disconnected or be disconnecting, this image shows such a beautiful symbol of connection and strength between the couple. Dad isn’t just giving her a “you’ve got this!” but, “you’ve got this… and I’ve got you”.
— Kelly Winder

YES! So sweet
— kourtnie Scholz

193 | LIQUID GOLD

great photo!
— belle verdiglione

Such a pretty image.
— Christina Hodgen

Lactation is such a powerful time in a woman’s life. This photo freezes it perfectly and showcases how amazing a woman’s body is.
— Ginessa Pierson

Such a real image. Absolutely beautiful
— Heather Sears

love the detail
— kourtnie Scholz

What an important image to capture. THE MILK! It is such an important part of the journey but doesn’t get much of the attention. It should! Great shot!
— Stephanie Capps

Draws you in. Beautiful.
— Tara Leach

198 | MIRACLE

A really beautiful image. I love how you drew attention to the single moment of baby emerging over the curtain with the edit.
— Jaydene Freund

200 | THE BEGINNING

love the grain and color. The twins are adorable
— kourtnie Scholz

201 | EN CAUL BABY BIRTH

I went back and forth on this one because I think photographs should be interesting in composition despite the content. This photo definitely relies on content alone BUT, it also has good exposure and clean composition so in the end I decided to include it in my top 10. What I would love to see, is this photo with more context, so I could see what else the photographer might have to say about the moment.
— jenna Shouldice

This is different and I can’t take my eyes away. It almost looks like a sci-fi movie but when you see the mother’s stomach it all makes sense. I love that this moment was documented. It’s captivating.
— Lindsay Gerszt

En caul births are always so fascinating! Rarely do we get the pleasure of seeing an uncommon birth event in great detail and contrast, giving us a sneak peak into what baby was up to inside the womb. Absolutely adore this picture.
— Kelly Winder

Wow! Images like this are so rarely captured this good. I love how the color is balanced to the black background. So well done!
— Jen McLellan

I just love everything about this! Totally amazing to see a completely en caul c-sec like that. I love the processing and that its been kept in colour. I could stare at this photo for ages just love it.
— Alysha Nuske

En caul is a magical gift that is rare. The moment capture is not often seen. And getting the shot with perfect spot light metering and clean is also an achievement.
— Gladys Garcia

WOW! SO amazing! What an awesome moment to capture
— kourtnie Scholz

Great shot! WOW!
— Lindsey Bartell

Amazing detail on the trendy ‘en caul’ photo, with a sense of peace
— Nikki Williams

202 | ADRENALINE HIGH DELIVERY

this photo makes me happy. I love love love it and I wish it weren’t so washed out in the middle. I would have liked to see more detail in the baby. But mom is so happy and I love the coconut water sitting next to the tub….it’s cool to see all the “real things” that are there for a birth that we never think about.
— Heather Hilton

You captured joy. Pure beauty and joy. I love this one!
— Stephanie Capps

203 | BIRTH OF A BROTHER

This image immediately brought me a sense of nostalgia. It feels like it could have been taken in any place and time. It definitely tells a story.
— Cheryl Haggard

Wow. This image makes me smile and laugh. It has so many layers and keeps my attention because I keep looking at all the onlookers. Great capture.
— Jaydene Freund

I love this image. Great capture. This mom’s face is intoxicating. However, it’s a bit overexposed and I wish I could see more detail in baby’s face.
— Jaydene Freund

This is just adorable. The moment on the boys face is just right, and the reflections are great. However, I would crop out the lights on the top of the image.
— jenna Shouldice

This makes me want to cry. Happy tears.
— lena hyde

This one really made me smile. I’ve always wondered what it’s like to be on the other side of that viewing window, seeing all these people looking in with joy and wonder. Timeless, classic shot!
— Michele Anderson

“Birth of a Brother” tells a sweet story of a big brother seeing his new sibling for the first time through the nursery window. The composition creates a leading line with the window frame which leads our eye to the action. The exuberant joy and smiles of the crowd of family and friends make me feel like they are catching a glimpse a celebrity.
— Molly Flanagan

I am obsessed with this one!! As someone who has been in the waiting room waiting for that first glimpse of the new baby, this is exactly how it feels! I love the expression you were able to capture from the new brother. Such a unique perspective, well done!
— Twyla Jones

This photo has such an iconic feel – it deserves to be on the cover of Time Magazine! Not only does it invoke emotion but also it’s beautifully composed. The choice of black and white was excellent.
— Jen McLellan

The joy and love emanates from this photograph!
— Tina Beckett

the tons, contrast and emotion of the picture are so good.
— Amanda Nunes

Birth of a brother. I love the documentary mood in this frame. That boy kissing his baby brother/sister through the window and all the people surrounding him with mobile phones to take a picture. So much is happening in this photo, that is why I love it. It takes a village…
— Cindy Willems

I was really torn between 203 and 206 in this category, for different reasons. But ultimately decided on 203 because it was so different from the rest of the images submitted in this category. I love that the photographer captured both brothers in this photo as well as the joy and excitement of everyone else that’s waiting outside the nursery. There’s a lot of emotion, and I’m sure this image will be cherished by the family for years to come.
— Dawn Sousa

I can not get this image out of my mind!
— Diana Hinek

The composition is perfect and the expression on the older brother’s face is priceless. This image just gives me joy.
— Diana Hinek

This is the best. All those people and brother front and center! Top image <3
— kourtnie Scholz

This image made me smile so big! All of the emotion, love, humor, excitement…LOVE IT! I love how my eyes keep moving through all of the faces in this capture.
— Tammy Karin

204 | KEIZERSNEDE

This is such a touching image, with the hand on her face and look in mom’s eyes as I’m assuming she looks towards a loved one. With both babies in her arms, too! This is such a great angle to have taken this photo and I love the editing of this photo in black and white to give it even more of a emotional draw.
— Dawn Sousa

Smile!
— Renate van Lith

206 | SO MUCH LOVE

Love the emotion and composition of this image!
— Tina Beckett

There sure is so much to love about this image. I love the family aspect, togetherness and love. Beautiful capture.
— belle verdiglione

This is my second favourite for the delivery category. So so good. I love the composition, and the expressions on their faces – I can really feel the joy! I love that it’s not too busy and all the focus is right on them in that very moment. Edit is great too!!
— Cat Fancote

This image was captured at the perfect angle. The whole family is in it and it captures so much happiness.
— Diana Hinek

210 | NO WORDS, JUST LOVE

Beautiful capture. I love that I can clearly see those little bubbles on baby’s lips, but the whole feeling comes from the out of focus moment of love – bliss between the parent. A lovely edit and great use of the shallow depth of field.
— Cat Fancote

211 | LOVE, ALWAYS

quite moments are the best
— kourtnie Scholz

213 | TAKING THE BIG SISTER ROLE SERIOUSLY!

Great moment captured! This image makes me smile.
— Cat Fancote

214 | BRAND NEW TOES

great capture
— belle verdiglione

216 | I’VE GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN MY HANDS

The expressions on all the faces are what draws me to this image. It has great color and composition.
— Christina Hodgen

219 | IN GOOD COMPANY

Images that tell a story – that is what I am drawn to. This image has so many details, I can sit and look at it and put together a story of my own. For example: I am assuming the two girls admiring the baby are sisters, maybe cousins, as I see another woman in the distance, maybe mom’s sister? The baby looks so itty bitty, the blood sugar test sitting next to the babe can indicate either mom had GD or that baby was small and needed to have her tested. The nurse looks as though she is checking moms bleeding so this is newly postpartum, maybe an hour old? *I would LOVE to know how close i was to telling these details!
— Amanda Ditzel

220 | TRANSITION

This mother’s face says it all. When I look at this image I can feel every emotion she’s going through. Her exhaustion and the pain she is in read loud and I can’t wait for her to rest. I also love that this is in black and white.
— Lindsay Gerszt

I can ‘feel’ this image. It feels raw and powerful. It appears to be at that very intense point of labour where your body takes over and you just can’t hide from it. The details; such as her messy hair show that it has not been an easy journey thus far, and the gloved hands make me believe the midwife is physically supporting her through this (which makes me love the image more!). The black and white edit adds to the intensity, and my eyes are drawn right to her face. Simple yet perfect composition.
— Cat Fancote

I can feel her transition
— kourtnie Scholz

What a fantastic capture of the true power of women. I love the black and white conversion. Great contrast and detail and fierce emotion!
— Tammy Karin

221 | A MOMENT OF SILENCE, SUSPENDED

This photo is lovely and so peaceful. I wish every mom could experience this kind of peace during labor. I didn’t have a big emotional response to this photo, but I really love the composition and subject.
— Heather Hilton

228 | THE PEACE OF A HOMEBIRTH

everything. color, baby expression, peacefullness
— Candice MacDonnell

230 | LOVE DOES NOT DIVIDE, IT MULTIPLIES.

Affinity for generation pictures. This one is sweet and gentle,
— Stuart Fischbein

The skin tones are beautiful – and the connection here is quite moving. With my own birth coming up, it is images like this that make my heart so excited to welcome our newest!
— Amanda Ditzel

Clearly love this photo! You’re amazing and thank you for photographing my birth â¤ï¸
— Bree Garcia

the love between mom and baby and child is incredible
— Candice MacDonnell

I love love love this sibling and momma moment
— kourtnie Scholz

231 | LOOKING FOR MY MOM

This one made me laugh. You captured it perfectly to frame baby right between doctor’s hands. However I didn’t choose it because focus seems a bit soft (likely due to motion/ water)
— Jaydene Freund

232 | THE EXAUSTING RAPTURE OF LOVE

I love all the kids touching mom and baby at the breast.
— Christina Hodgen

So much love for this postpartum shot! The beauty of family in those immediate moments after baby arrives is perfection. I love how the older sibling is comforting mom with a touch to her ear- complete with chipped blue nail polish. The next youngest nuzzled safely into mom’s breast, looking at her new sister. The care provider checking baby, and momma resting… So much beauty and rawness in this shot.
— Shea Long

233 | LABOR BY CANDLELIGHT

A unique use of a mirror. Pretty colors.
— Christina Hodgen

love how unique this image is.
— kourtnie Scholz

I love the tones in this and the clever composition. I love how the reflection gives the sense of what a peaceful time this was and the flickers of candlelight on the edges. Very beautiful and incredibly striking
— Lucy Pryor

love how this is shot in the reflection. and the love of his face gazing at his partner/wife
— veronica george

234 | LOOK AT YOUR BABY

I LOVE this image. The use of natural light and this moody edit are breathtaking. I also love the detail of dad holding mom. Beautiful.
— Jaydene Freund

Beautiful image of support and love. Beautiful composition.
— Tina Beckett

this is AMAZING!
— kourtnie Scholz

So difficult to select, but I think out of all of the images submitted this has all the elements of birth. The raw, innate strength, the unconditional partner support, the helping hands, and the emergence of life.
— Megan Croce

241 | THE EMOTION OF THE FIRST DATE

The emotion combined with the perfect reflection of the baby is different and wonderful.
— Christina Hodgen

emotion and reflection and great moment!
— Eva Iguaran

Seriously the best photo! I love how you utilized the reflection of the window to help with the story!
— Lawren Snapka

I adore the emotion in this image, and the framing of baby in the reflection is perfect.
— Rachel Utain-Evans

242 | BLISSFUL HAPPINESS

Beautiful image. I love mom’s face. I love the use of natural light. I love how dad’s framing her. I see a little sibling in the bottom corner of the photo and wish I could see more of her.
— Jaydene Freund

So much emotion and love here. Lovely composition.
— lena hyde

I love the angle this photo was taken, the emotion in the parents’ faces, and the lighting in this image used in such a way that perfectly draws your attention to the mom’s face. I also really love the hands overlapping on one another, and oddly enough… the light coming in on the left side… it pulls my eye even more towards the center. I just love this so much! Kudos to the photographer!
— Dawn Sousa

Gorgeous lines leading to the baby. Very captivating image! Perfect choice for black and white. Very memorable image.
— Robin Baker

246 | THE JOURNEY

Wonderful storytelling in “The Journey”! We have the laboring mother, the concentrating midwife, and busy father. This wide shot gives us a sense of the environment and tells a more complex story. The cool and quiet light makes it feel like an early morning after a long night.
— Molly Flanagan

I love this perspective! What a creative way to capture this storytelling image!
— Amanda Ditzel

I love when there are two room in one shot!
— kourtnie Scholz

254 | I CAN DO THIS, I AM DOING THIS

I just want to chant with you ” you Can do this” love the emotion
— kourtnie Scholz

259 | TOUCH IT!

Beautifully captured and I love the expression – takes you back to that moment and can feel what it would be like.
— Tamara Milldove

261 | COMFORT AND STIMULATION

Beautiful moment showing the different layers of motherhood.
— Tina Beckett

I like the composition of this image. And I love that I can see that the child is clearly emotional (that sweet tear) and is finding comfort at the breast whilst mother is labouring. The edit is lovely and the skin tones are great.
— Cat Fancote

This is so so sooo gorgeous
— kourtnie Scholz

Great moment. Love the tear.
— Renate van Lith

262 | THROUGH THE DARKNESS, THERE IS LIFE

This was a great moment for me, but I just felt the photograph was almost too simple. I would have preferred if the photographer had been really close to we could almost feel the emotion between the mother and child ourselves. In terms of storytelling, we don’t need all the space around them in an image. I also find the light flat here, and I’m not sure if that’s because it was flash or because it was bright in the room. It’s hard to say without being there obviously. Without flash the light might be more dynamic OR the photographer being closer in camera would create a feeling that would make me care less about the flat light.
— jenna Shouldice

The title and the emotion just pull you in.
— kourtnie Scholz

All the emotion in this one. The juxtaposition of joy and pain is evident and creates a lot of tension. Beautiful image.
— Lindsey Bartell

The lighting isn’t fancy nor is there a preset or a tonal quality like in some of the other images but the composition and the expression on the moms face has made me sob every single time I’ve enlarged it. The pure joy in her eyes but the clinging on to both babies makes me want to know the story behind the photo and the title – it also makes me want to give her a massive cuddle! Beautiful, emotive image
— Lucy Pryor

264 | LIGHT AND SHADOW

Love the shadows. Love the intimacy of father and child.
— Cheryl Haggard

This is my favourite in this category. I love the edit, use of light and the vernix on that baby is all gorgeous
— Jaydene Freund

266 | TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

This image is both powerful and tender. The birthing mother is in one of those “white knuckle” moments in labor, and her face is buried in the pillow. But she is not alone in that moment. She is holding hands with someone: presumably her partner. The textures that you see are visually very striking: from the smoothness and softness of her skin, to the wildness of her flowing hair. She has a very feminine appearance, which contrasts with the very masculine arm at the bottom of the image.
— Emiliano Chavira

267 | TOUCH

This image gives me all the moods. I love the use of light, edit and attention to details.
— Jaydene Freund

Gorgeous capture.
— lena hyde

I love the simplicity of this moment. Your edit is so lovely: soft and dreamy. I was drawn to this image immediately.
— Twyla Jones

This use of light here is gorgeous! I love the simplicity of this image and yet how much of a story it still tells.
— Jen McLellan

When I saw this image I could feel the support and pressure that this mom is receiving. The low light and grain are really working for this emotion.
— Amanda Ditzel

This is just so beautiful. The editing just makes me feel like I’m looking at a painting. I’m a lover of details and this just screams at me.
— kourtnie Scholz

my fav
— kourtnie Scholz

It captivates you and draws you in.
— Tara Leach

269 | TWO MOMS – TWO ANGLES – TWICE THE AWESOME!

This emotion is everything!
— Christina Hodgen

270 | SURRENDER

I love what this image tells the viewer- and what it doesn´t. So artful. A very strong moment excellent captured – great composition and sense for the light. Also I like the tones a lot. Congratulations to this image!
— danny merz

love your editing
— kourtnie Scholz

272 | DOUBLE TRUE KNOT

I love this detail. Beautiful composition and clarity. There are just so many great shots in detail category and this came in a bit behind others for me.
— Jaydene Freund

Powerful capture.
— lena hyde

Love this composition of this shot – I’m really drawn into the knot. Great edit. Strong image!
— Cat Fancote

273 | TRANSITION

So real
— Abby Epstein

The color and composition in this photo are really beautiful. The viewer is so drawn into that moment in time where mom and dad are working so hard together. It’s really great…great work!
— Heather Hilton

I love how you captured this while she was up and he was totally focused on her
— kourtnie Scholz

274 | ALL BIRTH IS BEAUTIFUL

I’m happy to see someone photograph outside of the usual in the OR. It tells a strong story as a single image, as we don’t need to see anything else to understand what has happened.
— jenna Shouldice

LOVE the raw stitches, So real.
— kourtnie Scholz

this is raw and amazing
— kourtnie Scholz

Again, I am drawn to the unique compositions. This one is almost abstract, the first time I saw it, it took a minute to understand what I was looking at. But it is perfectly edited and tells a complete story with seemingly little information. I love the details in her stitching, the fact that there is still blood or dye on her belly, the deflated stretch marks. It feels like a chiaroscuro painting to me.
— Lindsey Bartell

275 | HER HOUR HAS COME

love how all the focus was on the baby. only CC would have been do darken the top part of the sleeve that was showing.
— veronica george

280 | PERFECTLY IMPERFECT, EXTRA CHROMOSOME INCLUDED

Love how sharp this image and the teamwork displayed is just beautiful without being too much.
— Heather Sears

283 | NOURISHING BODY AND SOUL

love your editing
— kourtnie Scholz

284 | THEY SAID I COULDN’T, I DID. VBAC AND T1D STRONG

Such a beautiful, raw moment. I love your framing to include the whole story of this moment while still drawing focus to the couple.
— Twyla Jones

287 | BEST FOOT FORWARD

The focus on the feet with the hand reaching to deliver is beautiful. This image furthers my awe in what our bodies are capable of doing! It’s very rare to see delivery photos that are not head first. What a magical shot!
— Lindsay Gerszt

Important photo supporting breech vaginal birth in peaceful setting. Good use of light and B&W
— Stuart Fischbein

288 | TAKE MY HAND, HOLD MY HEART.

I felt chills when I saw this image! Such an incredible family portrait with the subtle touching with both the mother and child. I love your framing and black and white conversion as well.
— Twyla Jones

So many things I love about this one – I love how peaceful mum looks, and baby holding onto dads finger is just too cute. There’s a lot of connection here and you can see the love they all share.
— Alysha Nuske

The hand holding dads finger, and his gentle touch on mom. Just wow. The vertical frame is really working with this moment as well!
— Amanda Ditzel

This photo is BEAUTIFUL. I love the look of quiet bliss on mum’s face, dad’s hand embracing her chin, and baby holding onto dad’s finger – right on mum’s heart centre – plus baby feeding, and mum’s relaxed hands. Beautiful composition. Lovely edit. I wish I had witnessed and documented this moment!
— Cat Fancote

The bliss of postpartum is captured so beautifully here. I love the peace after the storm & the unspoken love between them.
— Gladys Garcia

A moment of peace, love, and connection beautifully captured!
— Isabell Steinert

The hands in this image are simply amazing, the levels of connection, the sweet embrace and I can feel the relief of the moment.
— Rachel Utain-Evans

292 | TAKING IT ALL IN

Captured pure newborn sweetness. good focus and tech.
— Stuart Fischbein

293 | FIST BUMP FOR MOM

I love this image. What a cool moment. I know how quickly these moments occur and you were ready to capture it perfectly. Bravo.
— Jaydene Freund

This is a fun picture. I think it’s too wide, but I still like the moment.
— jenna Shouldice

What a wonderful capture of mom’s first look at her baby via c-section!
— Michele Anderson

I love how I feel like the baby is making eye contact with me in “Fist Bump for Mom”! The way the two nurses mirror one another creates a sense of balance, framing the baby. The composition is straight forward and orderly. The way the mom’s hand is extended, touching her new baby, yet still separated by the plastic barrier adds a sense of tension and expectation.
— Molly Flanagan

Beautiful image!
— Tina Beckett

The look on the baby’s face, the interaction between Mum and baby’s hand. The composition and sharpness is perfect.
— Jessica Henderson

this moment is just so amazing
— kourtnie Scholz

Fist Bump for Mom was my second choice for delivery category. Super cute moment, wonderful image.
— Robin Baker

294 | TIME & FOREVER

Wow. Very cool delivery image. I love the details of the crossed feet, blood, cord, and use of spotlight and vignetting.
— Jaydene Freund

Breathtaking look into the world of cesearans. I loved the use of light and shadow, the colors, and the lines!
— Tina Beckett

This took my breath away. The colors and shadows, the details, the cord and the feet. It almost looks like a painting.
— Rachel Utain-Evans

295 | MAMAS BIG HELPER

Such a sweet photograph. Definitely tells a story.
— Cheryl Haggard

297 | THE MOTHER

Real life. I’m feeding my baby in the most natural way possible while I have all these unnatural things attached to me. I just think it’s a really cool moment to catch, and from an angle that many photographers wouldn’t think about. So often we only see the “pretty” angle, but this is so completely real postpartum. It helps that the mother herself is stunning, so really any angle would be pretty…but this really illustrates the “get down to business and care for my baby” mindset of the new mother.
— Heather Hilton

300 | HEALING HANDS

I love that the photographer chose to show context here. They also chose an intimate moment between the mother and child. The combination works for me and is a different take on the caesarean.
— jenna Shouldice

All of the hands captured in this image are incredible. They all have a purpose and your perspective is incredible!! Very well framed and a gorgeous color edit as well.
— Twyla Jones

This photo perfectly balances the beauty and strength of cesarean birth moms. The color pops and really drawls you right in.
— Jen McLellan

This is the only photo that I have chosen of a cesarean birth. It is captivating in the way in which the curtain separates what is happening above and what is happening below. It is almost difficult to connect the two halves of the image because they seem so disparate, despite that fact that you know intellectually that everything is happening within that woman’s body. Her facial expression is serene, and there is the tenderness of the little hand on her face. The colors are bold, and the rich blue above contrasts with the bright red below, adding to the separation between the two halves of this photo. Many women describe feeling in some way disconnected form their birth when it is a surgical birth. I cannot tell if this particular woman feels that way, but this image evokes that sense of separation.
— Emiliano Chavira

The serenity of her face is love overcoming fear and/or disappointment. I feel this is the winning attitude during birth, as so many things are unpredictable. This accurately represents what birth is about.
— Gladys Garcia

I love that I feel like I am a part of two different worlds. There is a very medical side and a totally emotional side. The composition is appealing, strong and tells the entire story. The editing is wonderful – colors are great. The emotion and detail in that moment between mom and baby is honest and raw.
— Lindsey Bartell

304 | A FAITHFUL FATHER’S TEARS

So special
— Abby Epstein

I loved the rawness of this photograph. I liked how the photographer used black and white to intensify the contrast to produce a more dynamic expression.
— Cheryl Haggard

Seeing the pure, raw emotion on the father’s face just grabs you. You can’t help but to feel his joy, too!
— Michele Anderson

This moment in time tells such a powerful, moving story. Of all the images, this one probably moved me and stirred my emotions the most. The photographer has done a wonderful job of telling the story of a new father’s experience, one which definitely needs to be shared a great deal more.
— Kelly Winder

I think this is THE hardest category to choose a favorite from, but I cried looking at this image. Such an incredibly beautiful capture.
— Megan Croce

306 | THE PERFECT REWARD

I love the colors, the framing is beautiful.
— Amanda Ditzel

307 | BREECH BREASTFEEDING

A beautiful clean edit of a sweet moment. My eyes are drawn straight to baby’s tiny fingers on mum’s ring and those little toes curling over mum’s hand. I also notice the the remains of the henna art on mum’s belly, which is another beautiful detail. Overall it’s a very visually pleasing image that draws attention to those tiny details.
— Cat Fancote

Clear image, color is good, and detail in ring and fingers on point. edit isn’t over done. And yes to breastfeeding
— Eva Iguaran

311 | BIRTHING WAVES

This is moody and gorgeous. She has a gorgeous silhouette!
— Jaydene Freund

So serene yet impactful. Great vision.
— lena hyde

This is such a gorgeous photo! I love that you took the time to capture this beautiful frame. The black and white conversion is perfect.
— Twyla Jones

I love the composition and moody tone.
— Aileen Miller

the belly, the water, the strength between the bubbles… all so beautifully captured
— Alys Cruz

I love the artistic feel of this image.
— Breanna Lynch

This image is so very cool. I love the silhouette and the water drops on the glass. A visually pleasing creative shot. Nice work!
— Cat Fancote

This image is very unique. I never would have thought of taking it and it’s perfect in this category.
— Christina Hodgen

I love the mood and artistic feel of this image. There is something peaceful about it.
— Isabell Steinert

Haunting and beautiful
— Tara Leach

312 | DICHOTOMIES OF A FATHER AND SON

I love the composition and lighting in this piece – it’s so simple yet dramatic at the same time. Excellent use of lighting to accentuate babe in this photo!
— Dawn Sousa

Incredible lighting. Looks like a studio shot!
— Jessica Henderson

Unbelievable love, strength, and safety in the details of this black and white capture. I love everything about this…contrast, sharpness, negative space, and the crop is perfection.
— Tammy Karin

314 | “WE DID IT!! ”

Raw!
— Abby Epstein

Besides this photo accidentally ending up in the wrong category, I love it! Normally someone would focus on the parents, but I love how the photographer chose to frame the parents in the foreground and focus on the baby. Beautiful layering.
— Jaydene Freund

This is out of focus, but I love the emotion it shows, the connection, the black and white image.
— Peggy O’Mara

Again, tells a story with strong emotion of joy. B & W is always very powerful.
— Stuart Fischbein

316 | DAD MEMORIZING YOUR FACE MOM MEMORIZING THE MOMENT

A priceless, beautiful, peaceful, intimate moment caught for this family. I would have this framed in my home for sure because of the emotion it conveys.
— Michele Anderson

319 | HIS FIRST CRY.

Beautiful capture of the first cry and I love the colours!
— Jessica Henderson

320 | THERE ARE NO WORDS

I am not usually drawn to vertical images – but this image stopped me in the scrolling. The reflection in the door, and the reflection to the right, a little glimpse into the bathroom. My mind was imaging all that was around them while they were in this moment together unaware of their surroundings.
— Amanda Ditzel

Beautiful moment of support and beautiful colors. I love the composition of the bodies and the glass of the bathroom.
— Emilly Gama

It’s such a powerful moment captured in time. Beautifully framed and edited.
— Ginessa Pierson

321 | GROUNDED IN STRENGTH

This one is so haunting. I love it. I think the photographer choose a perfect wideangle lens to give this moment a unique perspective.
— Jaydene Freund

Love seeing a woman being this strong and confident in herself.
— lena hyde

The photographer’s choices of composition, exposure and focus in “Grounded in Strength” allow the viewer to connect with the pure emotion of laboring. The black and white conversion is lovely with light whites and dark blacks and a clear range of tones in-between. I like the way the lines of the shower ceiling and walls create strong leading lines towards the woman. The woman is framed nicely by the windows and shower door. I love the detail of the repeating rectangles and windows to her left, which help balance the frame. The way the water droplets and steam are in focus adds texture and a certain organic element that brings life to the image.
— Molly Flanagan

This image spoke to me as I wanted to reach through the photograph and put my hand on hers to let her know she wasn’t alone. A beautiful use of light and shadows and framing.
— Tina Beckett

so striking
— belle verdiglione

I love the perspective, the artistic feel, the small details. It feel so cinematic.
— Breanna Lynch

This image caught my eye several times, as I love the contrast and use of lighting as well as the emphasis placed on mom’s hand on the shower door. It’s such an empowering photo, showing her strength during labor. I can’t see if anyone is there with her, so it shows that women were made to do this; with a team or not they know what to their bodies can and are able to do.
— Dawn Sousa

amazing POV. Love that hand.
— kourtnie Scholz

I love the overall simplicity of the image, but it evokes that memory of my own labors.
— Megan Croce

This is such an epic photo, it stopped me in my tracks. There is so much power in this image. That Hand!! I love the editing, and the point of focus. This is a great perspective and perfect lens choice as well. I can literally feel her power.
— Shea Long

326 | WOMAN POWER

The composition draws me in and I absolutely adore her stretch marks
— Aileen Miller

I love the detail, the symmetry, and the emotion just out of reach in the background.
— Rachel Utain-Evans

329 | WAITING

gorgeous editing and POV
— kourtnie Scholz

335 | DEEP DIVING INTO HERSELF

this is beautiful
— kourtnie Scholz

I love the moment of the image. It also has such strong graphic elements (the lines, circle) that drew me right in. What a wonderful shot! My only critique is that it looks somewhat oversharpened for my taste.
— Tova Friedman

336 | AT LAST TOGETHER!

Victory!
— Abby Epstein

This photo is bursting with powerful energy.
— Caroline Bologna

339 | IN THIS TOGETHER

Such an incredible and unique perspective! I love the storytelling aspect and your beautiful black and white conversion.
— Twyla Jones

I love the moment SO MUCH, the pullback is awesome. where are you?
— kourtnie Scholz

340 | WE’RE PARENTS

love the emotion on his face
— veronica george