I entered the 2021 International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP) Image of the Year Competition again. I am so proud to be a member of this amazing organization and really aspire to photograph births regularly post-COVID. In fact, I had two births scheduled in the first half of 2020, but COVID squashed those plans pretty quickly. It was really sad to have missed these births (I literally spent months preparing!), but I am so glad to have snuck in a few Fresh 48s in January before COVID hit, allowing me to enter the IAPBP image competition this year.

The photos in the IAPBP image competition are truly breathtaking every year, and as a newer photographer I have very, very low (uh, non-existant) expectations. However, I do think it is important to consistently step out of my comfort zone to grow as an artist. It can be pretty nerve-racking though!

You may recognize one of the photos I submitted to the IAPBP image competition as the second place newborn winner from The Motherhood Anthology’s Image Contest last year! I figured I would throw it in and see what happened considering I have limited Fresh 48s to choose from.

The IAPBP image competition is a bright spot during a difficult time for newborn and birth photographers. Our industry has been completely shaken by the pandemic, and it can be hard to see the light. We are slowly getting there (yay, science!) but for the time being we will need to wait until our work can take priority again. I can’t wait for that time to come. I miss indoor newborn sessions so much and can’t wait to have the privilege of photographing a birth!

Best of luck to all of the participants this year! I can’t wait to see all of the incredible photos!