Birth photographer Paula Galvão’s breathtaking photos capture the tender moments between a mum and her new baby. Paula Galvo, a photographer from Natal, Brazil, captures the initial moments of a baby’s life. These beautiful, raw moments reveal the wonder of new mums bringing their babies into the world.

One ᴇxᴛʀᴀᴏʀᴅɪɴᴀʀʏ sʜᴏᴛ shows a newborn being delivered while still in the ᴀᴍɴɪᴏᴛɪᴄ sᴀᴄ, while another shows a new mother and baby meeting for the first time. Meanwhile, one moving picture shows a woman in the hours before giving birth, kneeling on the floor and holding onto her partner for support while having contractions. But when the painful marathon is over, Paula captures those tender moments between a mum and her new baby as they meet for the first time. Paula started to take photos of women in ʟᴀʙᴏᴜʀ after the birth of her own daughter, Ingrid, now 17.

The 39-year-old has always been interested in photography and began working in her father’s studio when she was 16. Following family tradition – her father, brother and grandfather are all photographers – Paula went on to become a children’s photographer. Then, in February 2001, Paula welcomed Ingrid in to the world and invited her father to take pictures of the birth. A few days later she saw the pictures and the emotions she felt giving birth came flooding back. It was in that moment Paula decided she wanted to do the same for other parents. She said she works all hours of the day as a baby can come at any time, but feels ‘very happy and fulfilled’ by her job. She said:” I am very happy and fulfilled. Each birth brings a different emotion.”