Chemainus photographer Ashley Marston had not just one, but two photos chosen among the 36 elite submissions in National Geographicsa国际传媒檚 Your Shot best photos of 2018.

sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 at a loss for words,sa国际传媒� conceded Marston, 36, whose husband John is a renowned carver. sa国际传媒淚 could hardly believe my own eyes. Two of my photos were selected.

sa国际传媒淭he photos accompanying mine from all over the world are stunning. I can hardly believe I am among them.sa国际传媒�

One of the photos Marston described as sa国际传媒渁 simple portrait of me and my three children.sa国际传媒�

But Sukanya De, one of three Your Shot photographers tasked with picking 12 favourite photos each from the 18,880 submissions, called it sa国际传媒渕uch more than a simple self portrait.

sa国际传媒淚t is an intriguing portrayal of your identity, expressing your role as a mother in a most powerful way,sa国际传媒� he added. sa国际传媒淚 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.sa国际传媒�

Marston said shesa国际传媒檚 been shooting daily family photos for five years. sa国际传媒淚 call it my love letter to my kids,sa国际传媒� she said.

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

sa国际传媒淭he first-time mother was strong and confident in her body and the support around her to bring this baby earthside,sa国际传媒� she explained of the moment. sa国际传媒淭his photograph is everything. All the hands coming in to assist and then there is hers, the mothersa国际传媒檚 hand, placed so gently on top of her babysa国际传媒檚 head for their first contact outside of the womb.sa国际传媒�

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

sa国际传媒淲hat a special moment to be part of Ashley,sa国际传媒� she wrote. sa国际传媒淭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.sa国际传媒�

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. sa国际传媒淏lack and white I always prefer for my story-telling images,sa国际传媒� 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.

sa国际传媒淭hey have earned my respect through their hard work and positive attitude,sa国际传媒� noted Lee. sa国际传媒淪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.

sa国际传媒淵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.sa国际传媒�

Marston appreciates the sentiment in her case. sa国际传媒淲e run a fairly artistic household,sa国际传媒� she said. Those traits are being passed on to her kids.

sa国际传媒淭hey are very artistically and musically inclined,sa国际传媒� Marston conceded.