12 fantastic birth photographers you should be following on Instagram

We’ve been switched on to our favourite birth photographers as we followed along with industry awards like the The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers Image of the Year Competition and the Birth Becomes Her Competition.

Capturing special moments

It then takes a tiny bit of detective work to follow the best of the bunch back to their Instagram account, but it’s totally worth the effort. 

The photographers that catch our eye combine artistry with intimacy, capturing birth from both surprising and familiar perspectives. 

If you’re keen to add some big and special moments to your Instagram feed, here are some really brilliant places to start.

And if you’re planning your very own birth shoot, these talented experts can provide some talking points as you go through ideas on logistics, lighting, shot lists, composition and even editing.

Read more about birth photography:

• These award-winning images will take your breath away
• Is this the most amazing water birth photo EVER?
• The one photo that perfectly captures the exhaustion of labour

At this point, we’d like to issue a warning because these photos are so beautiful you might need a hankie to happy-sob into!

12 birth photographers you should be following on Instagram

1. Marijke Thoen

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Hello World ? #csection #cesareanbirth #birthphotography

A post shared by Marijke Thoen Birthphotography (@marijkethoen_birthphotography) on Feb 11, 2018 at 7:41am PST

2. Rebecca Coursey

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to the moon and back excited to have my image of this beautiful mama chosen as Judge's Choice in the @documentaryfamilyawards competition!! The winners circles in each category are absolutely breathtaking! Beyond honored to stand among theincredibly talented lineup that DFA put together! Click over to their Instagram account and check out all the fabulous work!! #birthofamama #illuminateclasses #clickpro #docfamawards #monochromaticlens

A post shared by Los Angeles | Doula (@rebeccacoursey_photosandfilm) on Feb 28, 2018 at 7:15am PST

3.  Daniela Justus

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E essa de um partão lindo que foi o da chegada do Tom. A imagem mostra o momento da revelação de que ele era um meninos para os pais! @flavia @beboucas @brunowunder @familyphotojournalists #fotografiadefamilia #fpja #concurso #premiodefotografia #danielajustus

A post shared by Daniela Justus Fotografia (@danielajustusfotografia) on May 5, 2018 at 4:05am PDT

4. Esther Edith

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Dad’s reaction to seeing his baby girl for the first time. ? (I know IG is small, but anyone see the falling tear?) Such an honour to capture these memories for my dearest birthing families. . Spokane, WA Birth Photographer & Doula @estheredithbirth www.estheredithbirth.com . #babyfeet #newborn #newbaby #babygirl #spokanephotographer #spokanebirthphotographer #spokanedoula @birthbecomesher

A post shared by Spokane Birth Photographer (@estheredithbirth) on May 1, 2018 at 1:32pm PDT

5. Tamara Milldove

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When you have waited SO long for this moment – <3 This beautiful mumma was so strong delivering her baby, she was determined to not deliver on her back despite having the epidural and here she is, meeting her baby for the first time AND she just found out she has a precious daughter – what a moment!! #birthisbeautiful #birthphotography #wellingtonnz #birthwithoutfear #beautifulmemories #birth #daughter #empowered #empoweredwomen

A post shared by Tamara (@milldovebirthphotographer) on Nov 30, 2016 at 11:41pm PST

6. Santa Cruz Birth Photography

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When you are born covered in birthday frosting it means you are extra sweet. #vernix #bayareabirthphotographer #santacruzbirthfilms @santacruzbirthphotography @birthnetworksantacruz @birthwithoutfear @birthbecomesher @birthphotogs

A post shared by Santa Cruz Birth Photography (@santacruzbirthphotography) on Mar 16, 2018 at 11:11am PDT

7. Songbird and Oak Photography 

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This daddy reaction was everything !! Jeff had so much compassion for his wife through the whole process, he just hated seeing her in pain. When it was announced they had a girl he was just beaming but nothing compared to the first time he held his new sweet little Sunny-Rae. He had us all smiling with his pure joy at this perfect little bundle?

A post shared by Kandyce Joeline (@songbirdandoakphotography) on Jan 29, 2018 at 9:53am PST

8. Meg Brock

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Last week I had the privilege of photographing the most incredible home birth. This photo of big brother Grey meeting his new little sister moments after she was born has me all choked up. Thank @anniehauserc for inviting me to such a beautiful morning! #birth #love #birthwithoutfear #postpartum #familydocumentary #shamoftheperfect #clickmoms_love

A post shared by Meg Brock (@megbrockphotography) on Jan 17, 2018 at 7:46am PST

9. Leilani Rogers

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Today's Born In December #birthstory is from a #surrogate birth I documented 3 years ago… for a couple from Austria. As if that wasn't spectacular enough, it was a #twins birth, and the babies were born on different days. . . Watch the entire #birth unfold via link in bio ❤️✨ . . . #bornindecember #austinbirthphotographer #photosbylei #preservehappy

A post shared by Leilani Rogers, Photographer (@photosbylei) on Dec 19, 2017 at 2:19pm PST

10. Elise Hurst Photography

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She kept saying to her husband, "good job, Daddy," all while he kept saying, "YOU did it! YOU did such a great job." . . . . . #lubbockbirthphotography #lubbockbirthphotographer #texasbirthphotographer #texasbirthphotography #hospitalbirth #birthbecomesher #birthwithoutfear #empoweredbirthproject #justborn #thebirthhour #ig_motherhood #motherhoodrising #stopcensoringmotherhood #birthofamama #beyond_motherhood #clickinmomis #instagood #clickmagazine #amarillobirthphotographer #amarillobirthphotography

A post shared by Elise Hurst Photography (@elisehurstphotography) on Dec 19, 2017 at 8:48am PST

11. Jaydene Freund

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It’s that time of year when I get to post my favourite birth moments of the year. This is the moment they found out “it’s a……… boy!!!!”

A post shared by Cradled Creations (@cradledcreations) on Dec 19, 2017 at 6:54pm PST

12. Lacey Barratt

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Welcome baby Cole. A much loved surprise darling boy, after a journey of love and loss. Born into his grandmas hands on the bathroom floor, in the same home he was made and surrounded by people who obtained an exclusive invitation only into his sacred space. Welcome, and happy birthday✨? . . . . #melbournebirthphotographer #melbourne #birth #birthbecomesher #birthphotography #laceybarratt #birthwithoutfear #document #documentary #photography #carriagehousebirth #empoweredbirth #unhindered #invitationonly

A post shared by Lacey Barratt (@laceybarrattphotography) on Feb 23, 2018 at 8:57pm PST