TITLE: Metamorphic

The beginning stages of metamorphosis as I let go of what was and what I thought was meant to be. Today I accept that my life and my dreams are suspended like a chrysalis while my tears wash down the drain. Every bone in my body is riddled with grief but I am holding on to hope that my wings will grow bigger and brighter than before. One day I will know who I am and where I am meant to be but today I am meant to be here, crying in the shower.

AUTHOR: Natalie Arber (Australia)

Natalie Arber is a self-taught lifestyle and environmental portrait photographer based in Melbourne who practices mostly in black and white. She documents candid moments with an emphasis on emotions and human expression. In 2023 she was a finalist in the Head On Portrait awards where her self portrait, Scarred was on exhibit in Bondi as well as being exhibited by the Museum of Australian Photography as part of their 2023 LOOK! prize with her winning portrait Sleepy-Head. Natalie's image, Miss Apprehended was also exhibited in 2023 as a finalist for the Out From the Mist competition in Queensland. In 2024 Natalie has won the title of Portrait Photographer of the Year in the Australian Photographic Prize and won the Emotive Portrait category of the Better Photography Photographer of the Year. Natalie also is a semi-finalist in the Head On Portrait awards, was a finalist and exhibited in the Kingston Arts Optika awards, Australian Photography Awards and the Museum of Australian Photography LOOK! Prize. She recently placed 2nd in the Out From the Mist photography awards with her image Metamorphic.