The Birth Becomes Her Contest, My Thoughts

You might have heard buzz about the Birth Becomes Her image competition. If you haven’t, you need to check out this breathtaking gallery of images. Photographers from around the world have been invited to submit their strongest images in the categories, Maternity, Labor, Birth, Fresh, and Breastfeeding photography, to be shared with the world, and reviewed by an amazing panel of judges.
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To be honest, I have been hesitant to compete in a contest surrounding birth. It is such a vulnerable event, and I never want my clients to feel exploited. I loathe the thought that some photographers might feel motivated to pose, or change a moment during a birth in order to “capture the perfect, award winning image” (or, that a client might feel pressured to “perform” for a photographer). And I never want a client to feel that just because their image is not included in the contest, that their birth experience is somehow inferior. This is not the case. At all. I try to remain very cautious of these things (and so much more) in my photography and sharing of it. We were limited to 5 image submissions for this contest, and it was painstakingly hard to choose from all of my 2017 sessions.
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Every birth story is significant; every birth is beautiful, and a miraculous gift of life.
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So why am I participating in this contest? I believe that this is SO much more than a competition. I truly believe that sharing powerful birth images has the potential to impact and improve birth experiences throughout the world. I can’t tell you how many clients, friends, strangers, have said things like, “I’ve been worried about giving birth, but seeing these birth images makes me feel more confident about birthing!”
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I had a really difficult first labor that left me fearful of birthing again, but it was through seeing powerful birth images that I found healing, strength and confidence to birth again. My second birth was a redeeming experience, and I attribute some of that to birth photography…
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A friend of mine in India followed my birth photography for a while, we brainstormed together about what it could look like over there, she started photographing births herself, networked with some home birth midwives, had a home birth herself, and there is currently an entire movement growing to improve birth for women in India.
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Birth photography captures a little glimpse of how fearfully & wonderfully we are made. I believe that powerful birth images contribute to creating a better birthing world for families in which we trust that women’s bodies are designed to birth.
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I never expect to win a thing in these contests, but I see them as opportunities to stand beside the other women and men in my industry who are passionate about, and slowly changing the way the world views and goes about birth. In order to reach people far and near, I understand this sometimes means doing so through forms like a contest, as it’s something that often gets picked up by various medias, hence reaching several corners of the earth… I am honored to be a part of such a movement.
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Below are links to my 5 images. {One of the awards is “People’s Choice” so please take a minute to vote for any of your favorites!}
And as always, feel free to share, and dialogue with me in the comments.

 

	Three souls labor as one.	Serenity is Found in a Father’s Tender Embrace (Lotus Home Birth)	Enveloped in Love; Sealed with a Kiss

 

	Sustenance	Three become four; who knew the heart had room for one more.

I also want to include a few of my personal favorites by a few photographers I admire.
There are SO many I am utterly in awe of, but I was particularly moved by these three:

	Light of Transformation – Paige Driscoll	Hello, Hello – Rebecca Coursey	Healing Hands – Neely Ker-Fox