---
title: 'Call for Submissions: Help Make Birth Visible – Research & Portrait Project'
description: >-
  Ottawa artist Alexa Mazzarello seeks birth photographs for a research/portrait
  project; selected contributors get a $25 honorarium.
url: 'https://www.artsume.com/programs/54f8ec9b-c805-490c-9d42-6e503a3896a2'
type: program
status: open
createdAt: '2026-05-28'
updatedAt: '2026-09-30'
programType: Open call
organization: Alexa Mazzarello
organizationUrl: 'https://www.artsume.com/o/alexa-mazzarello'
deadline: '2026-11-30'
location: 'Ottawa, ON, Canada'
isOnline: false
compensationRange: $25 honorarium per contributor (not per image)
disciplines:
  - photography
---

# Call for Submissions: Help Make Birth Visible – Research & Portrait Project

**Hosted by:** Alexa Mazzarello

**Type:** Open call | **Location:** Ottawa, ON, Canada | **Deadline:** November 30, 2026

## About This Program

> "Making birth visible"

Now accepting submissions of birth photographs for a visual research and portrait project focused on **making birth visible**. Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, this project is spearheaded by artist and photographer Alexa Mazzarello in an effort to honour the depth, complexity, and diversity of birth experiences.

Alexa welcomes **imagery of birth (from parents and/or guardians)—from hospitals, birthing centres, homes, or any other setting. Both vaginal and Cesarean births are welcome!**

Submissions must be shared with full ownership and/or permission. All photographs will be used only within the context of this project and related exhibitions. Selected contributors will receive a modest honorarium for their contribution.

### Eligibility

Parents of all kinds are encouraged to submit (including adoptive parents who were present at birth).

### Compensation

Contributors whose images are selected will receive a modest honorarium (this is per contributor, not per image selected).

### Selection Process

This is a one-step process. Interested contributors will complete the submission form, and all images will be reviewed by artist Alexa Mazzarello. Selected participants will be contacted and invited to take part in the project. Contributors whose images are selected will receive a $25 honorarium per contributor, not per image selected.

### Project & Submission Requirements

We're looking for:

- Birth images documenting all types of birth
- Photos where submitters (or their families) have full ownership and consent to share images
- Any setting (hospital, home, birthing centre, etc.)
- Photo type in JPEG or PNG: digital, phone, film. Please send the highest resolution you have access to.
- Archival images are very welcome (your mom's old albums?), but please send digital renditions of the hard copy image.

### How to Submit

Please review the full details and submit your images via the online submission form.

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** International
- **Disciplines:** photography
- **Note:** Parents of all kinds are encouraged to submit, including adoptive parents who were present at birth.

### Additional Requirements

- Birth images documenting all types of birth
- Full ownership and/or consent to share the images
- Any setting (hospital, home, birthing centre, etc.)
- Photo type in JPEG or PNG: digital, phone, or film, highest resolution available
- Archival images welcome, sent as digital renditions of the hard copy image

## Compensation & Benefits

$25 honorarium per contributor (not per image)

**Includes:** Honorarium

Contributors whose images are selected will receive a $25 honorarium per contributor, not per image selected.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** May 28, 2026
- **Deadline:** November 30, 2026

## Contact

**Contact:** Alexa Mazzarello

**Email:** hello@alexamazzarello.com

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://forms.gle/Xdut6SFPgzDWvJc26