The Outstanding Maternity Award has been around for over eleven years, and it is incredibly inspiring to follow each photographer’s achievements throughout this journey. No matter your country of origin or your photography niche, this challenge is deeply personal and vital for everyone who decides to participate.
Today, I want to focus specifically on birth photography.
I always talk to my students about how priceless these images are to a family. However, when it comes to awards, it’s worth noting that photographs focusing on connection tend to be much more powerful. I’ve followed Outstanding since the beginning, and I’ve noticed that most of the time, the judges have a soft spot for “connection”, because that’s what brings out the real emotion. Most of our jurors aren’t looking for the surgery or the technical procedure itself; they want to see the raw, overflowing emotion of the moment.
Always value your work. I hope your passion shines through in every single shot, but remember to practice self-critique as well. Your work is undoubtedly great, but perhaps you missed the bigger picture during the selection process. An award-winning photograph is the complete package: it seamlessly combines the moment, the technique, and the final edit. Think about that!
In every profession, growth is essential; we always want to take that next step. Photography is no different. With the passing years, our artistic vision naturally becomes sharper. While photography itself is timeless, as professionals, we always want to stay ahead of the curve and evolve in everything we do.
I leave you with the winning birth photographs of our Seasons.
Get inspired!
Please note that these are only a few examples from our birth category. We accept entries across multiple genres, such as portrait, family, senior, pet, lifestyle, newborn, children, fine art, and maternity.
The Season 41 is open. Join us. Submit your photos!
