The Outstanding Photo Award has officially announced the winners of its 42nd season, celebrating exceptional family and maternity photography. Released on October 20, the winning collection features work from photographers across 11 countries: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United States.
Entries were judged by a distinguished panel featuring industry leaders Sam Sacramento and Elizabeth Alemán. Sacramento, a photographer with over 200 awards and ranked among the top five globally by organizations including the SWPP, WPE, WPI, and WPC, returned to the panel after first serving in 2018. His signature style blends refined editorial aesthetics with candid documentary storytelling. Over an 18-year career spanning 31 countries, he has photographed high-profile events and celebrities, establishing himself as one of the industry's most influential luxury wedding photographers.
Alemán, with eight years of experience, has built a strong reputation as a maternity photographer, educator, and speaker. Her work combines elegance, meticulous attention to detail, and a distinct creative voice that attracts international clients. She has mentored photographers across Mexico, the United States, and Latin America, been a featured exhibitor at WPPI for over six years, delivered keynotes at the Expo Photo Master Class in Mexico and the WPPI Latin Summit, and serves as an ambassador for Baby Dreams Backdrops. Her goal is to capture the beauty of pregnancy and elevate maternity photography into art.
At its heart, the award is built on community, bringing photographers together across borders to share ideas and perspectives. Eliane Pellegrini, who founded the organization in 2014, reflected on what makes each season special: "It is always moving to see the final winning images come together. The selected work clearly showcases the highest standard in maternity and family photography today, capturing authentic personal stories."
The full collection of Season 42 winning photographs is now live on the Outstanding Photo Award website. Submissions for Season 43 are officially open for photographers looking to enter the upcoming round. Established in 2014, the Outstanding Photo Award celebrates the art of maternity and family photography, bringing together talented photographers from across the globe. The award is a means for photographers to stand out, receive proper recognition for their art, increase their visibility, and reach new audiences.
This announcement matters because it highlights the increasingly global and professional nature of maternity and family photography, a genre that is gaining recognition as an art form. For photographers, the award offers a platform to gain international exposure and credibility, which can lead to new opportunities and clients. For the industry, the diverse participation across 11 countries signals a growing market and a demand for authentic storytelling through photography. As the award continues to expand its reach, it may further elevate the standards and visibility of maternity and family photography worldwide.
