My name is Anastasiia Ivashchenko. I’m ukrainian photographer based in the Netherlands since 2022. Now I’m recognized in the Top 10% Globally by my Silver awarded photo “Her mirrored emotions“. Find the story bellow
Her mirrored emotions. Anastasiia Ivashchenko
Siver award. Best in birth details documentary
The Story Behind the Image: she chose to be seen
When Cindy Nagel (the mother from the photo) first reached out to me as a birth photographer, there was an intuitive connection. After meeting in person, we both knew we were the perfect team for her journey into motherhood. She was planning unmedicated birth in Amsterdam in a birth center. We ended up in Amsterdam OLVG Oost.
Throughout Cindy’s powerful experience, I remained a quiet pillar of support by her side, witnessing her incredible confidence. She moved with freedom, supported by a medical team that respected her autonomy. Despite her initial fears of being confined to a bed, the birth chair provided the position she wanted, so she could follow her instincts.
From a technical perspective, the conditions were quite challenging for capturing the moment when her baby boy was born. There was no light and almost no physical space. However, we all were ready to meet the baby Luca and just a few more minutes of patience needed. I never interrupt the sanctity of a birth or move a mother for the sake of a “better shot.” Instead, I adapted, finding a small, cramped vantage point between the birth chair and a bed (she needed to rest her weight on a bed so it was pretty tight).
The midwife had placed a mirror to help Cindy see her baby’s arrival. But from my forced angle perspective, the mirror reflected something else entirely: a raw, primal reflection of Cindy’s face at the moment of transformation.
When I saw that frame during the selection process, it took my breath away. I asked Cindy how she felt about entering it into a global competition. Without hesitation, she said “Yes.” She was hypnotized by the picture and she chose to be seen. I am deeply moved by her courage; it takes a rare strength to allow the world to see such an intimate, unfiltered moment of human power. I knew it would cause some censorship issues. But at least we were honest in exposing birth.
