Yes, like you fellow dog parents reading this, I feel the 100s of photos of my dog on my phone are all award-worthy. But when it comes to winning the International Dog Photography Awards, each entry is considered by a diverse group of judges made up of top photographers, dog experts, and other professionals, who consider originality, creativity, impact, relevance, and execution. So, while our photos of our dog standing up to grab a treat will get us likes on Instagram- These winning photos are all next level.
Over 1,400 humans submitted photos from over 50 countries to win the grand prize of the Dog Photography Awards’ 3rd edition. They award first, second, and third place prizes in four categories: Portrait & Landscape, Action, Studio, and Dogs & People.
Portrait & Landscape Winners
1st Place – “Ascending Serenity” by Sanna Sander
In the right light even the most mundane place emits magic.
I had the idea of this image in my mind for quite some time, driving past the log stack every day on my way to drop the kids of at school. And finally, on our way home from school one day, I stopped the car and asked my azawakh girl Soleil to hold the pose for a moment while I took the photo.
Already in the camera I saw that it had become something more than I had hoped for; a moment of clean stillness in the busy and messy everyday life, something more than a posing dog on a log stack.
Sanna Sander
The image made me linger in the moment.
2nd Place – “Serene Snowfall” by Grace Fieselman
3rd Place – “Monochromatic Illusion” by Sanna Sander
On a silent morning when the last snow of the winter was melting the fog rolled over the meadows and the trees stretched into the sky, begging the sun to return.
The colors were sucked out of the world, and everything was silent except the crowing ravens adding to the atmosphere.
In the stillness she posed, watching the winter slowly leaving and making way for spring.
In the stillness she was the only color left in the world.She was the queen of this monochromatic illusion.
Sanna Sander
Action Winners
1st Place – “Stop Your Motion” by Jacqueline Rüdiger
Have you ever seen a dog, or even better a sighthound, running in pure joy? You see the power, the play of the muscles and the perfect anatomy for running fast. In this picture I wanted to show the speed of this dog and capture it, but at the same time freeze the motion to show the anatomy of this beautiful dog. To get it you need a perfect timing of all components involved. The dog, the lights and for sure me as the photographer. The result is a stunning composition reduced to the only important thing, the dog.
Jacqueline Rüdiger
2nd Place – “Moment of Entry” by Roberta Holden
I have become fascinated by the dynamic interplay between air, water and light in turbulence as water is suddenly displaced at the moment of impact as a dock-diving dog enters the water. This split second event conjured for me the feeling of falling through ice or being suddenly transported into an alternate realm.
Roberta Holden
3rd Place – “Catch IT” by Anne-Laurie Léger
Everything there was out of this world. The sunset was absolutely beautiful and the water was so still that it created some crazy reflections.
Anne-Laurie Léger
Studio Winners
1st Place – “Ballerina” by Anna Averianova
2nd Place – “Let’s Dance!” by Carla Gea Perales
Relying on spontaneity in photography allows me to experience positive surprises and unexpected results.
Carla Gea Perales
3rd Place – “Puppy Love” by Tuss Bennergård
Dogs & People Winners
1st Place – “Carabaggio Today” by Mercury Megaloudis
New and the old Inspired by Caravaggio the artist and new trends in steampunk with the love of dogs all in the studio.
Mercury Megaloudis
2nd Place – “Facing the Immensity Together” by Emma Gough
In a world where life can be immense and overwhelming, just like the vast nature of the ocean, we can turn to mans best friend for companionship and support to face the immensity together.
Emma Gough
3rd Place – “Timber’s Tribute” by Jane Thomson
Grading all the 1400 or so works is really challanging, however, it is also an honour
Iza Łysoń, Official DPA Judge
and a pleasure. It was an apportunity for me to see houndreds of amazing pictures.
Level of the submitted photos this year was really high, which did not help me with
casting my votes, but, I am really happy, that with all the other judges we managed to
choose the trully best piece of art. I would like to congratulate all of the winners and I
cannot wait for the next editions!
For more info or to submit your photo, visit dogphotographyawards.com. And if you enjoyed these, check out the winners of the 2022 International Dog Photography Awards.