Outstanding Maternity Award Celebrates Global Family Photography in 36th Season

The Outstanding Maternity Award has completed its 36th season, celebrating exceptional maternity and family photography from around the world. With photographers representing 15 countries, the competition continues to demonstrate the universal language of familial love through visual storytelling. This global representation underscores the award's significance in bridging cultural divides through shared human experiences of family and parenthood.

This year's jury comprised internationally acclaimed photographers Elif ES from Germany and Mariana Bontempo from Brazil, who selected images that powerfully communicate familial bonds. Elif ES, a master's degree holder in International Photography, and Mariana Bontempo, whose work has been exhibited at prestigious venues like the Carrousel du Louvre, brought extensive expertise to the selection process. Their international backgrounds ensured a diverse and culturally sensitive evaluation of submissions from various global perspectives.

The winning photographs represent diverse cultural perspectives, capturing moments from pregnancy through everyday family life. Photographers from Portugal, Brazil, Germany, Turkey, the United States, Cyprus, India, Italy, France, Martinique, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Canada contributed to this global artistic dialogue. This geographical diversity highlights how family bonds transcend national boundaries while maintaining unique cultural expressions.

Founded in 2014, the award has spent a decade celebrating photographers who capture authentic, emotionally resonant family moments. Eliane Pellegrini, the award's founder with 12 years of international photography experience, emphasized the significance of cultural diversity in this year's submissions. The competition's longevity demonstrates its ongoing relevance in promoting family photography as a serious art form worthy of international recognition and celebration.

The competition goes beyond a traditional photography contest, serving as a platform for photographers to showcase their work and reach broader audiences. By highlighting the nuanced, intimate moments of family life, the Outstanding Maternity Award continues to elevate the art of family photography on an international stage. This platform provides emerging and established photographers alike with visibility and recognition that can advance their careers while contributing to the global appreciation of family photography as both art and documentation of human experience.