Outstanding Maternity Award Season 37 Recognizes Global Photographers from 17 Countries

The Outstanding Maternity Award has concluded its 37th season, recognizing photographers from 17 countries for their exceptional work capturing the maternity spectrum, including family, motherhood, childbirth, and lifestyle imagery. The international competition, established in 2014 and led by multi-awarded photographer Eliane Pellegrini, serves as a platform for photographers to gain visibility, receive professional recognition, and expand their client base through global exposure.

Season 37 featured winning photographers from diverse regions including the United States, Ukraine, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Portugal, Russia, Austria, Cyprus, Turkey, Bulgaria, France, French Polynesia, and Luxembourg. The award's global reach demonstrates the universal appeal and artistic significance of maternity photography as both an art form and professional pursuit. Photographers can view the complete winners' gallery at https://maternity.outstandingaward.com/eng/.

The competition's judging panel included distinguished international photographers Katrine Moite from the United States and Julia Marse from the United Kingdom. Moite, an award-winning photographer and filmmaker based in New York City, specializes in intimate motherhood portraiture and documentary storytelling. Her acclaimed documentary "Don't Have My Home Anymore…" has received global recognition for highlighting the experiences of Ukrainian women displaced by war, earning awards at LACA and the New York Independent Cinema Awards while being featured in publications including ELLE Ukraine and NY Weekly.

Julia Marse, based in London, brings extensive experience as a professional photographer, international educator, and brand ambassador. As founder of Marse Studios and an international photography school, she has completed over 10,000 photo shoots and trained more than 2,000 students worldwide. Marse has led workshops across 27 countries and serves as a jury member for numerous international photography competitions while maintaining active membership in the Business Women's Association.

Pellegrini emphasizes that the award provides significant professional development opportunities for photographers, noting that participants often experience impressive growth throughout each competition season. The feedback mechanism and international recognition help photographers gain new clients, achieve career milestones, and expand their professional networks globally. The Outstanding Maternity Award specifically values images that capture the essence and beauty of maternity through both studio and outdoor sessions, celebrating artistic excellence while supporting photographers' business development.

This international recognition matters because it elevates maternity photography as a serious art form while providing tangible career advancement opportunities for photographers worldwide. The competition's global nature fosters cultural exchange and artistic innovation while helping photographers establish international reputations and connect with broader audiences. For the photography industry, awards like this help maintain professional standards, encourage artistic excellence, and create networking opportunities that transcend geographical boundaries.