Think about it: professional photographers are par for the course at weddings … so why shouldn't they also be capturing that magical moment called birth? This simple logic may explain why birth photography is a growing field that's had its own professional association since 2010 — The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers — which has just announced the winners of their annual 2015 Image of the Year Competition.
This year — the competition's third year in existence — the association received 218 entries from their 1,080 members worldwide. And the results are absolutely breathtaking! One look at the winners may very well convince you to relieve your husband of picture-snapping duties and hand them to a trained professional.
Did you hire a professional birth photographer or not — and why?
Image via Emily Robinson Photography
An Emotional Moment
First place for this competition went to this moving photo by Nichole Hanna in Wichita Kansas, whose baby girl inspired her to pursue birth photography as a profession.
You Can Feel the Family Love
Second place for ths competition went to this intimate photo taken by Dutchman Jos Verhoogen, a press photographer who discovered the joys of birth photographer later in life.
Picture of Bliss
Third place for this competition went to this jubilant photo by Jane McCrae, A Sydney mom with a background in midwifery.
More from The Stir: Incredible C-Section Photos Show Beauty of Every Type of Childbirth
Water Works
An honorable mention for this competition went to this stunningly simple photo by Ashley Marston, a mother of three in British Columbia, Canada.
We Did It!
Honorable mention also went to this happy pic by Vívian Scaggiante at Além D’Olhar fotografia in Brazil.
Who Let the Dogs Out?
A third and final honorable mention for this competition went to this sweet pic by Emily Robinson, a mom and birth photographer living in Miami, Florida.
More from The Stir: Incredible Images of Babies Being Born Give Us a Look at the Miracle of Birth
