02/21/2026
As Judging Round 2 starts for IAPBP 2026's Image of the Year is underway, it's always a time of nerves and anticipation, self doubt, lots of excitement, and honestly just the biggest rollercoaster ever.
They do not tell you anything during the process š
Last year, I submitted from the third birth I ever shot, one picture, and not even a thought I would place anywhere. Believe my surprise when I saw my image Top 20% WORLDWIDE from the very first year of attending birth ā it looked like this š®š²š¤Æ
This year, I had a budget to submit, I asked a ton of you for feedback, and I submitted a handful of images. Obviously I hope I will place somewhere, but even if I don't I will still use the submissions as a way to get the word out about birth photography and it's impact.
Coming up in March, the voting will open to youāthe public. After this second round ends, I will start posting the images I submitted to bring awareness and I would love if you would share the post with the image you loved. Each post will have a link to go vote, and if you find the image moving, please go vote.
Time after time, almost without fail, I hear the same thing from families "I never knew I needed this until I had it, and I cannot believe I would have went without." People DON'T know. They do not understand the impact looking back on your birth can have. The way it can bring back moments, memories, heal trauma, and change the way we all view birth.
Birth work is important. But it needs more than a handful of us fighting for it.
