A SOUTHBOURNE mum-of-three is 'over the moon' after winning a prestigious category at the British Photography Awards.
Sophie Bailey has worked as a newborn photographer for six years but specialised in birth for four years.
She won the ‘People’s Choice Award’ for her documentary photo of baby a born by planned caesarean titled ‘Birth is Birth.’
The British Photography Awards described her photo as ‘a planned Caesarean section surrounded by wonderful staff, music and laughter.
When speaking about her career, Sophie said: “I don't have a favourite birth as I'm friends with all my birth families and each birth is unique - I did almost once deliver a baby at a home birth.
"This birth in theatre was particularly poignant as I got to cut the cord of baby Alannah which I've never done before.
“Every birth is just like the best thing ever."
There were 19 categories at the British photography awards
The 41-year-old won in the documentary series shortlisted alongside 24 other documentary photographers.
Speaking on the winning photo, she added: “I was over the moon about that photo because being in theatre is something that is not normally allowed.
“I only got in because my client was a single parent so when she booked me as a birth photographer, I became her birth partner as well.
“The baby in the picture is called Alana and I was very lucky to work with the mum.
“We only met about two weeks before her birth.”
The win was announced on November 10 at The Dorchester in London.
Sophie said: “I've not been to The Dorchester ever before, so to be in London and to be at Dorchester was really special.
“The atmosphere was amazing and all the photographers there were brilliant, and everyone just supported each other.
“It was a lovely event to be at.”
Sophie is mother to Mia, 20, Jacob, 12 and Freddie, nine.
As well as being an award-winning photographer, Sophie is also enthusiastic about birth being less of a taboo topic.
She said: “Most of my clients let me share their images on social media, which is fabulous because I'm quite passionate about birth being normalized and something for people to talk about.
“I have to go on call for up to four or five weeks at a time to document a birth because you never know when it's going to happen.”
The photo was taken at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.
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