Penny Rohleder nominated for Hero of the Year for her photography

A well known photographer around the central west Ms Rohleder has been nominated for a Hero of the Year in the Central West Mummy Awards.

Ms Rohleder has been taking photographs of still-born babies for Heartfelt, a volunteer organisation of professional photographers dedicated to giving the gift of photographic memories to families who have experienced stillbirth or have children with serious or life threatening illness.

"I'd heard about it years ago and thought that I could do that," she said. "I applied and had to submit a portfolio of work. I was accepted and I've been doing Heartfelt for seven years now."

Taking photographs of still-born children and those with terminal illnesses is not an easy subject, and the emotional toll is very real.

"I always have to chant to myself when I'm doing these sessions that 'it's not my grief, it's not my grief'. That's how I get through these sessions. They're incredibly emotional."

Strong during the photography sessions, it's afterwards that she allows the emotions to flow.

"It's usually when I get to the car after a session, or when I'm at home editing is when I break down," she said.

"It's not my grief, but as a parent it's totally relatable when you imagine losing your own child and how horrible that would be."

On an average every year in the Bathurst and Orange area Ms Rohleder has 10 sessions between the two centres.

Nominated by a family that had lost a child, Ms Rohleder was surprised to find that she had been nominated.

"I'm just glad that I can be there for people. It's not a very nice thing to do and I always go away wondering if I'd given them something that they can hold onto," she said.

The award is one of six 'Mummy Awards' being held for the first time in conjunction with Mumfest.

The online voting for all awards opened September 1 and will close midnight October 15.

To vote for Penny head to the Central West Mum's website.

The other award finalists are as follows: