Forest, VA — March 30, 2023 — The annual competition by IAPBP celebrates the beauty of birth and the skill of birth photographers around the globe in four main categories — birth details, labor, delivery, and postpartum. New this year are four subcategories – black & white, documentary, fine art, and hardship & loss. The number one birth association worldwide, http://www.birthphotographers.com, encompasses more than 1,100 members in 52 countries.

“We are incredibly proud of the entrants of this year’s competition because in spite of all we endured in our community in recent years, this contest represents the resistance birth photographers have to overcome unforeseen challenges. We are also thrilled to continue offering a new, impactful and powerful subcategory titled Hardship & Loss. We desire to honor the 1 in 4 birthing persons who experience miscarriage and/or loss and inviting images of these events into our celebration of birth photography is one way we can do this. We are proud to present to you a breathtaking body of work that shares life’s most powerful moments from 2022.”

The association’s annual photo competition recognizes birth photographers worldwide and their best work on an international platform. The competition has grown in scope each year. Highly anticipated, the results quickly go viral each year when the winners are announced. Images are judged on a variety of criteria and the first place winner will be featured throughout the year.

“Our association has grown by leaps and bounds and our members continually produce excellent, emotive, invaluable birth photographs for the families that hire them,” said Cook. “I want to thank each and every person who entered this year and, of course, the families who agreed to share their beautiful and sacred birth moments with the world.”

IAPBP has assembled an impressive panel of judges for this year’s competition. Birth photography is a highly specialized field and the choice to have the experience documented is an intensely personal decision. It involves the birth process, environment, the parents and those in attendance. Birth photography encompasses the tears of joy, the wonder of bringing a new life into the world and celebrates family. The photographers who specialize in the field use their art to tell the story of birth.
Winners of the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers thirteenth annual competition will be named on March 30, 2023 and the contest is just one of the ways the Association is highlighting the profession..

About The Company
The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP) was established to assist expectant parents who are in search of a professional birth photographer or videographer in their area via an online directory.

Portland Birth Photographer Natalie Broders Takes Home a Win
Natalie Broders has received First Place GOLD in the Postpartum category for her image titled “The Lovers After”. In addition to Gold, Natalie also received First Place in the Member’s Choice category and an award for placing in the Top 20 images for the 2023 Annual Image Competition held by the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers.

Natalie Broders is a birth photographer, videographer and birth doula serving Portland Oregon and Vancouver Washington. She lives on a farm with her husband and 2 kids. They raise chickens and love to garden. Natalie loves babywearing, cloth diapering and is passionate about her work as an advocate for birthing people. She had one of her babies at a birth center and her second baby was born at home, in water.

“Two lovers exhale and close their eyes for a brief moment. Savoring the moment, letting that relief wash over them, having emerged on the other side whole and more in love than ever before.“

“It is such a privilege to be invited into the sacred and intimate space that is birth. I am constantly humbled when a family allows me to document their transition into parenthood. Thank you, to this wonderful family, for allowing me to share their birth story – I am forever grateful.”

Natalie Broders

“The Lovers After” by Portland Birth Photographer: Natalie Broders has received four awards.
Gold Award 2023
Best in Postpartum 2023
Best in Postpartum Members’ Choice 2023
Top 20 Award 2023

View All the 2023 Winners

Overall – 1st Place

Birth Details – 1st Place

Labor – 1st Place

Delivery – 1st Place

Postpartum – 1st Place

Hardship and Loss – 1st Place