The Outstanding Photo Award has announced the winners of its 42nd season, a collection released on October 20 that celebrates exceptional family and maternity photography from artists in 11 countries: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United States.
The announcement matters beyond the individual careers it honors because it signals how maternity and family photography, once treated as a niche commercial service, is being evaluated by the same rigorous standards applied to fine art and editorial work. Entries were judged by a distinguished panel featuring industry leaders Sam Sacramento and Elizabeth Alemán, organizers said.
Sacramento brings a background defined by strong craftsmanship, combining every key element of fine art photography into compelling imagery. A photographer with more than 200 awards, he has been ranked among the top five globally by organizations including the SWPP, WPE, WPI, and WPC. He first served on the panel in 2018 and returned this season to lend his expertise again. His signature style blends refined editorial aesthetics with candid documentary storytelling, and 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 behind the lens, has built a 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. Her background behind the camera naturally transitioned into teaching, leading her to mentor photographers across Mexico, the United States, and Latin America. She has been a featured exhibitor at WPPI for more than 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 stated 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. For working photographers, the recognition offers a route to stand out, receive proper recognition for their art, increase their visibility, and reach new audiences.
