The Dog Photography Awards, founded by professional photographers Audrey Bellot and Claudio Piccoli, is a platform dedicated to highlighting the work of skilled photo artists. Each year, a worldwide competition is held for the most outstanding dog photographs – this year saw over 1,700 entries from more than 60 countries.
While any adult can enter (though this year’s competition has now closed), each winner receives a cash prize of €500 (£400) and an engraved trophy. The winners of the Dog Photography Awards, which capture the beauty and spirit of man’s best friend, were chosen by a distinguished panel of judges.
This panel included esteemed photographers, dog experts, and industry professionals such as photographers Emilio Cuenca, Sanna Sander, and Caroline Gea, reports the Express.
1st place in category: Action
Moving in time
Photographer: Regine Jensen
2nd place in category: Action
Burst of energy
Photographer: Anastasia Vetkovskaya
1st place in category: Documentary
Greenlandic Flat Tire
Photographer: John Fabiano
“This photo was taken while travelling through a blizzard from Siorapaluk, the northernmost indigenous village in the world, to Qaanaaq, Greenland.
“We did not have a GPS, cell service, or the ability to communicate more than a few words in English,” said Fabiano. “Our protection if we were to run into a polar bear was a rifle from 1940 and the fight within our 13 Greenlandic Huskies.
“We had to stop so my guide, Ilannguaq, could untangle the sled ropes. The dogs watched on and patiently waited until they could get back to doing their favourite thing in the world – running.”
2nd place in category: Documentary
Safe
Photographer: An Di Prima
“This is Santos, a podenco rescued by Hope For Podencos. I visited them in Albacete, Spain, as part of my book project on Podencos,” said Prima.
“Podencos are a horribly abused hunting dog breed in Spain. Every year, after the hunting season ends, thousands get dumped, and a few lucky ones are saved by rescue organisations such as Hope For Podencos.
“With my photography, I try to help as much as I can: together, we are stronger!”
1st place in category: Dogs & people
The Princess & the Pea
Photographer: Jane Thomson
“I wanted to bring children’s fairy tale stories to life with my studio portraiture for the BC Children’s Hospital Pet Therapy programme calendar for 2025,” said Thomson.
“Celebrating the strength of these incredibly brave young hospital patients, shown alongside some of the beautiful dogs enrolled in the pet therapy programme was the most enriching project I have ever worked on.”
2nd place in category: Dogs & people
Growing older together day by day, my dog is my reason to stay
Photographer: Ida Levin
“This is Rune (90 years old) and his dog Hajen. Rune is a man with heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to his long work at a concrete factory, and his only happiness in life is his dog Hajen,” said Levin.
“If he looses Hajen he will probably die in some few days, since he will loose all meaning of life and give everything up. Their bond is so strong, and they really love each other.”
1st place in category: Portrait
Ready for take off!
Photographer: Rhea Nellen
“Every muscle in white shepherd ‘Kooki’ is ready! Any second now he’s going to jump,” said Nellen.
“At first we let Kooki just stand in front of the museum but he wanted to play. So his dog mum threw his frisbee into the air and I managed to capture this pose.”
2nd place in category: Portrait
Hunted Architecture
Photographer: Lea Styger
“Lucerne Hound Zora sneaked through the Maurerhalle in Basel as if she were hunting, typical of her breed,” said Styger.
1st place in category: Studio
Metamorfosis canina
Photographer: Valeria Barbara Barriera Cassina
2nd place in category: Studio
Mila
Photographer: Donna Victor
