An eye for beauty

Natalie Stevanus, 36, of
Bloomingdale, Ont., likes
how her photographs bring
joy to people, which inspires
her to take even more.
(Photo by Jane van Pelt)

Natalie Stevanus has an eye for beauty. She loves to take photographs that make people happy. It is a winning combination!

Stevanus, 36, recently won the Judges’ Choice Award at the United Kingdom’s “My Perspective” photography competition that is open to people with Down Syndrome from around the world. She loves taking landscape and nature shots, and has been a finalist every year she entered.

Natalie Stevanus, who loves dogs,
shot this award-winning photograph
she calls ‘Companionship’ on an early
morning walk, With it she won
the Judges’ Choice Award at this
year’s international ‘My Perspective’
photography competition for people
with Down Syndrome.
(Photo by Natalie Stevanus)

Her photograph entitled “Companionship” won her top honours and was described as “so apt for what we’re all going through.”

Stevanus says that winning was “a big surprise” and that she was “very excited.”

Normally finalists go to the U.K. for an awards ceremony. She is disappointed that the event cannot happen this year, due to COVID-19, but she is excited to receive a new camera as a prize.

Natalie Stevanus’s photograph entitled, “Enchanted House” was a finalist last year in the “My Perspective” photography competition. (Photo by Natalie Stevanus)

Stevanus got started snapping photographs more than 15 years ago, after an early-season snowstorm at a cottage with her family turned their surroundings into a winter wonderland. Her parents recognized her gift and encouraged her to take a course in photography.

Stevanus, who is part of Bloomingdale (Ont.) Mennonite Church, just down the road from her family’s farm, likes how her photographs bring joy to people, which inspires her to take more.

Do you have a story idea about Mennonites in Eastern Canada? Send it to Janet Bauman at ec@canadianmennonite.org.

Natalie Stevanus’s shot of a sunset at Kincardine, Ont., was chosen as one of 25 finalists the first year she entered the “My Perspective”
photography competition. (Photo by Natalie Stevanus)

Natalie Stevanus’s photograph of a tractor on her family’s farm was a finalist two years ago in the “My Perspective” photography competition.
(Photo by Natalie Stevanus)

Natalie Stevanus loves taking landscape and nature photographs, including birds and flowers. (Photo by Natalie Stevanus)

One of the first photographs that Natalie Stevanus took more than 15 years ago. The early-season snow storm inspired her eye for beauty. She has been taking award-winning photographs ever since.` (Photo by Natalie Stevanus)

Natalie Stevanus loves taking landscape and nature photographs, including birds and flowers. (Photo by Natalie Stevanus)