PLACENTAS AND A GODDESS: THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHERS’ 2020 COMPETITION

I had two images place in the top 20% in the 10th annual International Association of Professional Birth Photographers’ birth photography contest. Two images from my first birth photography session last year!

Both of these photos were from the Birth of Wrenn. The first, titled Map of Love, is a photo of the midwife holding up the placenta. I always love how excited the midwives get when checking it out. And I get it. How effing amazing is the placenta?! I’ve shown these photos to a lot of women and so many have told me that they never got to see their placenta. Many didn’t even know that it was an option to see. I’m not actually sure I saw my placenta when my second son was born. It was fast and furious, but I wish I had seen it or taken a photo. I do have a painted print of it and I ate it, so… 

The other photo, Sunbath, is of the mama holding her newborn about 30 minutes after he was born. Little brother was being super gentle. Wrenn came into the world in the morning and the sun was shining through the window creating some amazing shadows. She looked like a goddess in a painting. Pretty sure she is actually a goddess. 

When I photographed this birth last year, I immediately knew I was hooked. I quickly joined IAPBP (International Association of Professional Birth Photographers) and since photographed another birth and have two more on my calendar. IAPBP, with 1140+ members from 52 countries, has an annual image contest and I knew I wanted in! I wanted the challenge. I wanted the personal growth. I wanted the chance to be included among such an incredible group of artists. A group dedicated to documenting the power of birth. 

I’m honored to place in the top 20%! I cannot wait to submit again next year and see how much I grow as an artist. And I am super excited to see how birth photography will change as well. It’s growing! Get ready! 

CHECK OUT THE COMPETITION RESULTS HERE! 

And a piece by Today that tells the stories of a few of the images.