Local photographer Louise Agnew has had one of her photographs shortlisted for the 2022 Australian Photography Awards (APA) in the experimental category.
Now in its seventh year, APA is the most progressive and inclusive award for photographers, image-makers and enthusiasts in Australia.
This is Ms Agnew’s first time entering an award however she has had four of her images selected by Vogue to appear at Photo Vogue and her work featured in many other print sources, including Harper’s Bazaar Magazine and Country Style Magazine.
While Ms Agnew was not nominated as a finalist, she felt honoured to have made the shortlist.
“I was very surprised to see I had been shortlisted,” she said.
“It is a great honour and such a personal accolade to be considered amongst so many other photographers whom I idolise.
“I have been exploring my work from a more artistic perspective recently, so I had not considered entering anything until recently.”
The image in question features a client covering her face while breastfeeding her infant.
“It had started to rain during an outdoor newborn session and my client needed to protect her hair from the rain while she breastfed her baby,” Ms Agnew said.
“The moment caught my eye and I felt drawn to photograph it, due to the underlying messages this scene signified, because at some stage in western history, public breastfeeding has become taboo.
“Women are made to feel great discomfort in exposing their breasts to feed their infants.
“I myself have spent many moments hiding in my car to avoid disapproving looks from strangers.
“It is a shame that mothers feel the need to pop a blanket over their babies’ heads to feed them – it is such a normal and beautiful thing to feed your baby and should not be censored.”
Ms Agnew said she has been working as a photographer for over 10 years but has enjoyed the art of photography her whole life.
“I love to photograph true, natural, raw moments in people’s lives,” she said.
“I focus on the relationship and connections people have with each other and adore photographs that make you feel something or linger for a while longer than usual.”
