Chemainus photographer Ashley Marston had not just one, but two photos chosen among the 36 elite submissions in National Geographic含羞草研究社檚 Your Shot best photos of 2018.

含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 at a loss for words,含羞草研究社� conceded Marston, 36, whose husband John is a renowned carver. 含羞草研究社淚 could hardly believe my own eyes. Two of my photos were selected.

含羞草研究社淭he photos accompanying mine from all over the world are stunning. I can hardly believe I am among them.含羞草研究社�

One of the photos Marston described as 含羞草研究社渁 simple portrait of me and my three children.含羞草研究社�

But Sukanya De, one of three Your Shot photographers tasked with picking 12 favourite photos each from the 18,880 submissions, called it 含羞草研究社渕uch more than a simple self portrait.

含羞草研究社淚t is an intriguing portrayal of your identity, expressing your role as a mother in a most powerful way,含羞草研究社� he added. 含羞草研究社淚 love that you have focused on the expressions in the eyes of your two kids, not showing your face or that of your elder child, and only his hand reaching out to you. There is so much of trust, support and connect in the way your children hold on to you. The textures on your skin, black and white tones and the play of light and shadows instill so much of character and presence in this moment. It definitely takes portraiture to a unique level of excellence.含羞草研究社�

Marston said she含羞草研究社檚 been shooting daily family photos for five years. 含羞草研究社淚 call it my love letter to my kids,含羞草研究社� she said.

The other Marston photo selected depicted a home birth of a baby girl.

含羞草研究社淭he first-time mother was strong and confident in her body and the support around her to bring this baby earthside,含羞草研究社� she explained of the moment. 含羞草研究社淭his photograph is everything. All the hands coming in to assist and then there is hers, the mother含羞草研究社檚 hand, placed so gently on top of her baby含羞草研究社檚 head for their first contact outside of the womb.含羞草研究社�

Shannon Hunt, another of the Your Shot photographers who pored through the entries, gave the image high praise.

含羞草研究社淲hat a special moment to be part of Ashley,含羞草研究社� she wrote. 含羞草研究社淭he moment a new life comes into the world is such a personal experience for the mother. To see so many people supporting her in this trying moment made my heart flutter. I love how she is not only surrounded by people, but she and the baby are surrounded by love. What better start to a new life. Thank you for sharing such a special moment.含羞草研究社�

Marston said she submitted three photos that she felt were some of her top work for the year. She definitely hit the jackpot with two of them picked out of such a high number of entries.

Both photos are in black and white. 含羞草研究社淏lack and white I always prefer for my story-telling images,含羞草研究社� she said.

Rose Ungvari was the other photographer chosen by National Geographic Your Shot producer David Lee to pick the winners, along with De and Hunt.

含羞草研究社淭hey have earned my respect through their hard work and positive attitude,含羞草研究社� noted Lee. 含羞草研究社淪hannon, Rose and Sukanya have established the quality standard of what I expect in future Your Shot mentees. Throughout 2019, I look forward to continue identifying exceptional Your Shot photographers who articulate why they love the photos of their peers in thoughtful comments, and offering them opportunities to edit assignments and curate stories.

含羞草研究社淵our Shot is my way of giving back in appreciation of those editors and photographers who gave me an extra five minutes out of their busy schedule. However, even more important was the role my peers played in my growth as a photographer. That is what makes Your Shot such a special platform, you are a global community of photographers who all aspire to be better photographers and more thoughtful storytellers.含羞草研究社�

Marston appreciates the sentiment in her case. 含羞草研究社淲e run a fairly artistic household,含羞草研究社� she said. Those traits are being passed on to her kids.

含羞草研究社淭hey are very artistically and musically inclined,含羞草研究社� Marston conceded.