Natalie Broders named overall winner: Birth Photographer of the Year 2023
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Natalie Broders
November 13, 2023
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Portland, OR, USA — Natalie Broders has been awarded the prestigious title of Birth Photographer of the Year 2023 amongst thousands of entries from birth photographers all around the world.
Each birth photographer must submit a portfolio of 5 images for consideration. The overall winner is judged based upon the cumulative score of their entire portfolio of 5 images, PLUS a business review and 2 letters of recommendation: one from a client and one from a colleague that they have worked with in a professional capacity.
“It is important when selecting BPOTY that not only are our images incredible, but that the winner is also a person in the birth space that is easily able to work with other people in a professional manner. “
Judging Criteria
These are the crucial points of evaluation that judges use as a guideline to evaluate images:
1. Impact
2. Creativity & Style
3. Composition
4. Center of Interest
5. Lighting
6. Color Balance
7. Technical excellence
8. Photographic Technique
9. Story Telling & Subject Matter
This is an aggregate of scores and literal interpretation across a number of professional bodies around the world:
60-69- below award standard
70-77- professional standard
78-79- commended
80-84- silver
85-89- silver with distinction
90-94- gold
95-100- gold with distinction
I’m absolutely blown away to be named Birth Photographer of the Year. It’s a huge honor, and I’ve got so many people I’d like to thank!
First off, a massive shoutout to all the amazing families who’ve let me capture their incredible stories. Your trust and openness mean the world to me, so thank you.
Thank you to my husband and my children and my support people, on call childcare, everyone behind the scenes who supports me so that I can be on-call.
Huge thanks to the other birth photographers out there – you all keep pushing the bar higher, and it’s my privilege to be a part of this community and normalizing birth.
And, of course, a big round of applause to Lacey Baratt, Paul Atkins, and every single judge on the committee.
This recognition isn’t just for me, but for every single breathtaking moment we’ve all captured as birth photographers, so thank you to everyone who participated and made this award happen.
I’m truly honored, shocked, and humbled to have been named birth photographer of the year. Thank you so much!
– Natalie Broders
View the live judging feedback, award winning images and a video message from Natalie below.
Gold Award: The Lovers After by Natalie Broders
Silver Distinction Award: The Reach by Natalie Broders
Silver Distinction Award: Whispers of Peace in the Wake of Labor by Natalie Broders
Silver Award: Grit, Vernix and Unbreakable Bonds by Natalie Broders
Silver Award: Hold Me, I Don’t Think I Can Do This Much Longer by Natalie Broders
Silver Award: Fluid Bonds by Natalie Broders
Silver Award: The Art of Multitasking by Natalie Broders
A thank you from Natalie:
Live Judging Videos
Portland Birth Photographer
Birth Doula & Videographer
Natalie Broders is a birth photographer, birth videographer and birth doula located in Portland, Oregon. She lives on a farm with her husband and 2 kids. They raise chickens and love to garden. Natalie loves babywearing, cloth diapering and is passionate about her work as an advocate for birthing people as a labor and birth doula. She had one of her babies at a birth center and her second baby was born at home, in water.
