Niki Sprekos wins 2020 Find A Photographer Award for philanthropy


On 21 November Find A Photographer Australia announced their 2020 photography business award winners.

The awards recognise those photographers who go the extra mile and give extra care to their clients.

Malvern East photographer Niki Sprekos who specialises in newborn, maternity, baby and family photography was “delighted” to find out she had won the special category award for philanthropy.

“I felt so grateful that all my hard work in 2020 was recognised…I honestly love my job and not being able to photograph newborns and families was tough. The joy my photography brings to clients when they receive their images and albums are priceless and so many families missed capturing lots of milestones for their babies in 2020,” she told Neos Kosmos.

Photo: Niki Sprekos Photography

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Ms Sprekos was recognised for her work in boosting morale for those living in Victoria during the tough lockdowns, despite having to put her own business on hold.

“I closed my business from mid March and opened again full time in October. Unfortunately with newborn photography we cannot socially distance as we are required to touch our clients and pose them. Only when babies are over six months can they sit unassisted and be photographed with social distancing,” she said.

During the Victorian lockdown Ms Sprekos found a way to drum up support for businesses and inspire her clients by putting together an ‘Ultimate Newborn Giveaway’ competition run through Instagram.

She made sure she culminated a group of mostly local businesses when organising the giveaway.

“I was so fortunate enough to get 20 amazing businesses who were so generous and gifted items that were mind blowing…They were also wanting to give back to the community during these tough times,” Ms Sprekos said.

Photo: Niki Sprekos Photography

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She felt putting together the competition was her way of bringing some “sunshine and joy into someone’s life and their family”, and not falling short of her goal, the prize winner was an expecting first time mother who was in much need of a little extra TLC.

“When I called her to tell her she won, she was crying with so much emotion. That is exactly what I wanted from the giveaway. I wanted to bring joy, hope and light to someone who was doing it tough. Hayley had had a terrible year in 2019 with losing a family friend to cancer, a pet passing away and a forced miscarriage at 12 weeks,” Ms Sprekos explained.

Niki Sprekos Photography also placed fifth in the top 10 photographers in Victoria.

You can view her work at www.nikisprekosphotography.com.au