Outstanding Maternity Award Celebrates Decade of Global Family Photography in Season 36

The Outstanding Maternity Award has completed its 36th season, showcasing powerful photographic narratives that celebrate the profound emotional connections within families across 15 countries. This milestone season not only marked the organization's 10th anniversary but also demonstrated the global reach and artistic depth of maternity and family photography.

With participating photographers from Portugal, Brazil, Germany, Turkey, the United States, and multiple other nations, the competition emphasized the universal language of familial love. The award's jury, comprised of internationally recognized photographers Elif ES from Germany and Mariana Bontempo from Brazil, evaluated submissions that captured intimate moments spanning from pregnancy to everyday family interactions.

Elif ES, a master's degree holder in International Photography, brought her expertise in newborn photography to the judging process. Her approach emphasizes creating safe, welcoming environments that reveal genuine emotional moments. Similarly, Mariana Bontempo, whose work has been featured in prestigious venues like the Carrousel du Louvre, transforms intimate family experiences into compelling artistic expressions.

The competition's founder, Eliane Pellegrini, who has documented families across 14 countries, noted the unique cultural perspectives each photographer brings to their work. This diversity enriches the award's narrative, showing how familial love transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.

Winning photographs showcased the multifaceted nature of motherhood, revealing the depth and complexity of familial relationships. From pregnancy portraits to candid family moments, the images represented a global anthology of human connection, demonstrating photography's power to communicate universal emotional experiences.

As the Outstanding Maternity Award continues to grow, it remains a critical platform for photographers to gain recognition, expand their audiences, and contribute to a global dialogue about family, love, and human connection through visual storytelling.