I’m Newborn Photographer of the Year 2021!
Every year the annual Societies of Photographers Convention is held in London. As I write this, I’ve just got back, and I’m exhausted!!
As ever, it was a brilliant event – a great chance to catch up with photography friends but also to find out whether my newborn photography would make the cut in their prestigious photography awards.
Well, I’m delighted to share with you that it did! I won the title of ‘Newborn Photographer of the Year’!
Newborn Photographer of the Year
These awards are entered by thousands of photographers from around the world. Let me tell you, competition is tough in every category!
Many fabulous newborn portraits are entered by some of the world’s very best baby photographers, which makes it all the more thrilling to think that I’ve now won the title!
Although I found out a few months ago that I was in the running for the Newborn Photographer of the Year, so were several other brilliant photographers. So, you never know until the announcement during the award ceremony, whether you’ve been successful or not.
I was certainly feeling nervous as it came closer to results time. When I heard my name, I was delighted!! I was on a high for hours afterwards.
My award-winning newborn portrait
The newborn photo that I won the Newborn Photographer of the Year title with was this intimate portrait of a new mother breastfeeding. Who would have thought it?
I’m immensely proud of this photo – it’s beautiful and raw, and just perfectly natural.
Judges comments
“A lovely, tender moment caught between mother and baby with a fantastic monochrome conversion. This image caught the judge’s eyes straight away as it’s not something they often see in the competition, and its impact carried it through to win the category.“
Shaking off the stigma around breastfeeding
I’m really keen to play a part in normalising breastfeeding and to shake off the stigma around what is an entirely natural part of motherhood.
On the plus side, I do think gradually society is changing. Women are beginning to feel more empowered about their rights as mothers, and are not hiding their breastfeeding as they once did. This can only be a positive thing.
My hope is that by winning an international photography award for one of my breastfeeding images and having this portrait seen by thousands of people (and maybe even more), it’ll help breastfeeding to become even more widely accepted.
I was really encouraged when MP Stella Creasy attended the Houses of Parliament with her sleeping newborn last year.
This led to a wider conversation about the rights and wrongs of traditionally-held views around breastfeeding. It was a triumph for all working mothers when it was announced that breastfeeding is now permitted within the House of Parliament. Slowly but surely, breastfeeding is likely to become accepted in more workplaces as a result.
Celebrating a natural part of motherhood
Breastfeeding does seem to be becoming accepted and celebrated, rather than treated as something that should remain hidden and be not talked about.
Certainly, a world where breastfeeding is welcomed and respected as a completely normal and natural part of motherhood is one that I want to live in. Do you feel the same? Let me know in the comments below.
Breastfeeding photography
I’m asked more and more often by my clients to photograph them breastfeeding their child. This is something that I am always happy to do during your baby’s newborn photoshoot. While it’s not for everyone, it is something I can offer so please don’t be afraid to ask.
Do contact me to book in for a newborn photoshoot if you’re expecting this year, and don’t forget to book as early as possible to secure your preferred date.