Every year I submit images into the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers image competition. I am very confident in my body of work, it is consistent, powerful and recognizable. My images represent a documentary feel and the storytelling that is done through my photographs is something I love sharing with the world.

You can see all the winners here.

While my images often fall short of winning, I don't submit to get the recognition. I submit every year to share the beauty of birth and the authentic storytelling that comes along with it. It is important for me to show others that birth is more than just shocking your viewer.

It's about the journey families take in becoming parents.

The slight hesitation in the big siblings hand as it goes to gently reach out to touch their moms hand as she works through a contraction.

Watching the grandma-to-be find the courage to watch her daughter scale walls she never through possible.

Seeing the connection between partners as they hear their baby cry for the first time.

Appreciating the nurse who helps mom to the bathroom for the first time.

Witnessing a smile light up the faces of all those around as the baby's name is first announced.

It's about SO.MUCH.MORE then the coveted crowning shot - its about the whole story, their journey. So I enter images that don't shock but rather show the beauty that is the story of birth.

Pregnant woman with hands on her knees, hovering over a toilet that you can't see in the image. She is focusing and breathing through a contraction with a cold wet washcloth draped over her neck. — Power Stance | Labor | 2022

Mom spent the majority of her labor in their tiny toilet room, she would semi squat during contractions, and breath deeply into her belly. Listening to her body during each moment.

I often like to get a lower viewpoint and that is what I did here. The simplicity of the image is what I was drawn to. The power that this image holds is representative to how mom labored. She internalized her power and as the viewer you are able to feel that power in how she has positioned herself.

Mom is sitting on a blue yoga ball breathing through a contraction with her 2 year old daughter standing right in front of her. Her daughters hand is placed on her moms chest as comfort and the doula is standing behind mom. — I’m Doing it with You | Labor | 2022

Her daughter had her dress lifted for the assistant to do heart tones on her stomach - and when she noticed her mom breathing through a contraction, she turned to her mom and placed her hand on her chest. This was a common touch for mom as she suffers from anxiety and this touch makes her feel grounded and safe.

This image shows my documentary style and told such a beautiful story and I wanted to share this with the world. The viewer can see that mom is relaxed with her shoulders dropped and hands fallen to the side. Her doula’s gentle touch is the reminder she needs to stay present and grounded. The assistant is waiting with fresh gel on the doppler for this contraction to pass. The excited and empathic big sister offers support as she notices her mom becomes quiet and starts to breathe with intention.

The birthing person has one hand on her belly and one hand raised above her head as she leans into the wall. She is reflected no only in the bathroom mirror, but her face is also visible in the magnified makeup mirror on counter next to sink — Magnified Strength | Labor | 2022

During long labors it really stretches my creativity. Their home was full of mirrors and the magnified makeup mirror was one of my favorites to play with. I really enjoyed the sharp image amongst the shallow depth of field.

Mom's tattoo was her mantra throughout labor. Her husband peering over her shoulder often muttered the same words of encouragement.

This image is my favorite from 2022. I didn’t notice her tattoo at first, but after I did I couldn’t help but wonder if she got it for her birth. Mom embodied her laboring role so perfectly. Being able to witness how she navigated through labor was really inspiring. The tattoo, those words, really took on a whole new meaning.

Mom handpicked her birth team knowing she was going to need extra support. She suffers from anxiety and often it would cause uncertainty and doubts. It even played a role in the length of her labor as a wave of anxiety caused a bit of a stall. The whole team was ready to give her all the safety she craved and through reassuring hands and words of encouragement she was able to birth her baby at home. The light from the window highlighted this gentle embrace between mom and her doula. The feminine silhouette is striking and emulates pregnancy so beautifully.

The blood flowing down the leg, reminds you just how freshly new this baby is. The placenta was just released and the red rivers flowed as she made her way to the couch from the tub.

I entered this into the postpartum category because I wanted to show what immediate postpartum looks like. So many birth images are celebrated for the triumphant love and excitement - and while those are so moving, showing the normalcy of birth is important as well.

laboring mom is leaning against the back of the hospital bed with an epidural catheter running along her back — Catheter Ripple | Birth Detail | 2022

Mom chose to receive an epidural after many hours into into her induction. She had her doula there to help maneuver her into as many positions as er epidural would allow.

When she was able to get onto her knees and lean over the back of the bed, her catheter created this beautiful ripple and texture. It almost looked sewn into her skin! I wanted to include this in the birth details category as many don’t get to see what this looks like being that the line runs along the back.

This little baby had so much meconium, and at one point it was like glue that kept his blanket stuck to his bum. There was meconium everywhere - even all over dad as he laid him down to get weighted. Dad had to change his clothes twice!

I really wanted to share this unique birth detail. So many babies poop on their way out or shortly after they are born. This, however, was a moment that had all of us laughing as they peeled the blanket off his behind. I was hoping to bring a smile to the judges faces.

Asynclitic; Marked by her Journey Out | Brith Details | 2022

After pushing for hours, it was no surprise baby came out with a crooked cone head. Their heads are designed to mold at the crown, but if they are misaligned it can make the path out much more difficult. It can result in a prolonged labor and sometimes the need for interventions.

I thought this was such an interesting image and a great glimpse in how she found her way out. The shallow depth of field brings your attention to the baby’s head and then you notice just how new she is as they are about to cut the cord. After a few days her head will round out and no one will even know how hard it was for her on her birth day.

black and white image of mom is sitting on her hospital bed while the nurse and doula untangle all her wires — Art of the Untangle | Birth Details | 2022

It is so easy to get tangled in all the cords of birth - and this was no different. We laughed as the nurse and doula worked together to untangle mom.

I knew the second I took this photo it was one I wanted to enter into the IAPBP Competition. There are so many moments from birth that go unnoticed or under appreciated. Untangling the cords is nearly a full-time job!