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Motherhood doesn’t need words. It doesn’t need explanations. In the wild, it shows up as instinct, sacrifice, protection, and quiet tenderness—and these 25 award-winning photos prove it in the most powerful way possible. Curated from the 35AWARDS, this collection captures animal moms doing what they’ve always done best: loving, teaching, and protecting their young against all odds.
Founded in 2015 by the creators of the professional photography community 35photo.pro, 35AWARDS has grown into one of the world’s most respected international photography competitions. Every year, photographers from across the globe submit their strongest work, hoping to freeze moments that feel honest, emotional, and unforgettable. The “Mother’s Love” category hits especially hard because it taps into something universal—no matter the species.
These images aren’t staged. They’re raw slices of life in nature: a lioness standing guard, a bird sheltering fragile chicks from the rain, an elephant mother guiding her calf with a gentle nudge. Each photo tells a story of patience, resilience, and devotion. You can feel the tension, the calm, the fear, and the trust—all in a single frame.
What makes these photos award-winning isn’t just technical skill. It’s timing. It’s empathy. It’s photographers waiting hours, sometimes days, for the exact moment when love reveals itself naturally. Scroll through this collection and you’ll realize something fast—motherhood looks different in every species, but the feeling behind it is exactly the same.
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#1. Photo by Karen Bilgrai Cohen
#2. Photo by Kurashima Daisuke
#3. Photo by Nishijima Takayuki
#4. Photo by Narayanan Iyer
#5. Babies Day Out by Mainak Halder
"A mother LESSER WHISTLING DUCK is roaming around the wetland area with her nine babies in a perfect row form. This image shows the intense love and care of the mother-child connection of these tiny birds. This image has been captured at PURBASTHALI BIRD SANCTUARY in WEST BENGAL."
#6. Carried by a mothers love by Anand Kumar
#7. Get ready to charge! by Ruslan Pl
#8. A Mother’s Shield by Karunakaran Ramalingam
"A Mother’s Shield" Captured in natural light, this photograph reflects the timeless bond of care, fear, and unconditional love that transcends species — a moving portrayal of maternal devotion and survival in the heart of nature.
#9. Photo by Zhenhuan Zhou
#10. Mothers touch by Sudipta Chakraborty
#11. Photo by Marina Malikova
#12. Mothers love by Sudipta Chakraborty
#13. What a mischievous fellow by Alena Gazukina
"The baby stilt walker runs around his mother and enjoys the new day :)"
#14. Play Time in the Arctic by Turgay Uzer
"A female polar bear who was a star in Norwegian media, and her last cub, which was five months old at the time of the photo. The image was taken across the bay from Longyearbyen (Svalbard archipelago) as the mother-cub pair were on the run on the ice shelf from a giant male bear. The pair eventually outpaced the male and we spent over three hours with them."
#15. A mother red fox bonding with her kit by Karthik Subramaniam
#16. Photo by Konstantin Tuchin
#17. Photo by Mainak Halder
#18. Little Grebe with her little ones by Swarup Roy Chowdhury
#19. Photo by Boris Bekelman
#20. Photo by Boris Bekelman
#21. Photo by Mainak Halder
#22. Delicious bait for kids by Le Khuong
#23. Photo by Mikhail Izmailov
#24. Comfort by Endra Agust
#25. Eternal Bond by Ronak Joshi
"Mother leopardess and her Son in tender moment of love. Even without any speech, they express their bonding so loudly that one can see it clearly."
In Summary
What is 35AWARDS?
- 35AWARDS is a major international photography competition founded in 2015, showcasing outstanding work from photographers worldwide.
What is the Mother’s Love category in 35AWARDS?
- It focuses on powerful images capturing maternal care, protection, and bonding among animals in the wild.
Who submits photos to 35AWARDS?
- Professional and amateur photographers from around the world submit their best wildlife and nature photography.
Why are these animal motherhood photos special?
- They capture real, emotional moments that show how animals express love, care, and sacrifice for their young.
What makes an award-winning wildlife photo?
- Timing, storytelling, emotional depth, and technical excellence all play a key role.
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