35 Adorable Pics That Made It To The Winning List Of The “Dog Photographer Of The Year Awards 2023”
Dogs have been our loyal companions for centuries, bringing joy, love, and endless moments of beauty into our lives. Capturing the essence of these four-legged friends through the lens of a camera is an art form in itself. The Third Annual Dog Photographer of the Year Awards, an event that celebrates the bond between humans and dogs, has once again recognized and honored the exceptional talent of photographers from around the world.
This year, the competition brought forth some of the most heartwarming, humorous, and breathtaking canine moments ever captured. Let’s dive into the world of canine photography and explore the winners and finalists that made this year’s event truly spectacular.
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#1 Finalist, Action: “Sharing Is Funny” By Rut Casanellas
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Spain
“When the family told me that Harry and Cooper could do this trick, I couldn’t believe it! After that, one of the owners threw a stick far from us in the path and both came back with the stick while running at the same time.”
#2 Finalist, Portrait And Landscape: “Furry Friends” By Stine Grind
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Sweden
“Exploring the big world.”
#3 Finalist, Portrait And Landscape: “Weimaraner In Winterwonderland” By Daria Rossini
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Switzerland
“The mood this morning was just soo perfect. I totally felt in love with it. Everything was so calm and quiet and there were also some tiny dancing snowflakes all around us.. as I said, just beautiful and perfect.”
#4 Finalist, Studio: “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie” By Rachel Hendrie
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
United Kingdom
“This is Henry! At the time he was only 10 weeks old and the new love of my life. We were having fun playing around my studio (as I couldn’t wait to photograph him) when he started getting sleepy and curled up in his bed and I thought it best just to let him be. Not much has changed since. This portrait just captures him perfectly as he has never quite got out of the napping habit!”
#5 1st Place, Action: “Stop Your Motion” By Jacqueline Rüdiger
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Germany
“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.”
#6 Finalist, Action: “Wave Jumper” By Michelle Dawkins
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
United States
“Taken with the Nikon Z8. The conditions were perfect, calm water, beautiful sky, and the tide was low. That all changed very quickly as the weather pattern changed. High winds came in out of nowhere and so did the crazy waves. This did not stop Lotti from enjoying her time running, jumping, and chasing her ball into the water. She flew with incredible speed and power through the waves to get her ball, while I was watching the waves from the corner of my eye, lifting my camera up and down to avoid the water, while tracking her movement. A fun and exciting time photographing this amazing dog.”
#7 Finalist, Action: “Golden Girls” By Rosalind Phang
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
France
“A malinois and a Belgian shepherd running in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris during sunrise.”
#8 3rd Place, Dogs And People: “Timber’s Tribute” By Jane Thomson
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Canada
#9 Finalist, Action: “Missy” By Jo Lauren
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
United Kingdom
“Being a working line Doberman, Missy loves to play & train, and recently discovered a love for playing with water. She’s the most loving and friendly girl, but I love how this photo shows her spicy side. Happiest when she’s working or snuggling, she’s the best friend anyone could ask for.”
#10 Finalist, Portrait And Landscape: “Orange Highlights” By Melanie Rösen
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Germany
“The clolors of the labradors matched perfectly with the dark stair background.
The orange highlights make the models shine.”
#11 3rd Place, Action: “Catch It” By Anne-Laurie Léger
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Canada
“Everything there was out of this world. The sunset was absolutely beautiful and the water was so still that it created some crazy reflections.”
#12 Finalist, Portrait And Landscape: “Catch The Sunrays” By Karin Bruhin
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Switzerland
“This picture was taken on a bathing day in the early morning. We all had a lot of fun and the dogs ran and bathed. When the sun came over the mountain, I took my chance and took the picture.”
#13 Finalist, Studio: “Chairman Of The Board” By Jane Thomson
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Canada
“Choco was undergoing medical treatment when it was time for his portrait session. The majority of his tiny body had been shaved, but he brought along some of his favorite outfits to stay warm (and of course fashionable). This stylish dude might be a tiny chihuahua, but was large and in charge in front of my camera.”
#14 2nd Place, Action: “Moment Of Entry” By Roberta Holden
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Canada
“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.”
#15 1st Place, Dogs And People: “Caravaggio Today” By Mercury Megaloudis
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Australia
“New and the old Inspired by Caravaggio the artist and new trends in steampunk with the love of dogs all in the studio.”
#16 Finalist, Studio: “The Leia Organa Look” By Tina Stahl
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Germany
“The dachshund, called ‘Maddie’, was so in love with the treats, then this really funny snapshot originated and makes her look like Princess Leia.”
#17 1st Place, Studio: “Ballerina” By Anna Averianova
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Montenegro
“Ballerina in the studio.”
#18 3rd Place, Studio: “Puppy Love” By Tuss Bennergård
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Sweden
“Three weeks old Great Dane puppies. Photo is taken with studio lights at the breeders home.”
#19 Finalist, Portrait And Landscape: “Enchantress” By Anne-Laurie Léger
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Canada
“One of the most beautiful scenery I got to see. The tall trees with all the flowers, the sunset.”
#20 3rd Place, Portrait And Landscape: “Monochromatic Illusion” By Sanna Sander
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Sweden
“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.”
#21 Finalist, Studio: “Grey Old Love” By Jessica Olsen Eriksson
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Sweden
“I wanted to capture the love and respect these two senior Weimaraner dogs have for each other. They are now 11 and 9 years old and have always been together. Grey Old Love never rots.”
#22 Finalist, Action: “Fly High In The Sky” By Anne-Laurie Léger
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Canada
“Just a Border Collie flying for his frisbee. The dog did a back vault, jumping from his owner’s back.”
#23 Finalist, Studio: “Sing My Song” By Klaus-Peter Selzer
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Germany
“Our friend Michelle’s dog – Strolchi – in my photo studio.”
#24 2nd Place, Dogs And People: “Facing The Immensity Together” By Emma Gough
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
New Zealand
“In a world where life can be immense and overwhelming, just like the vast nature of the ocean, we can turn to man’s best friend for companionship and support to face the immensity together.”
#25 Finalist, Dogs And People: “I Made A Wish…” By Kristiina Vuori
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Finland
“Me and my precious Manja, enjoying the peacefulness of the remote location and night sky miracles. I’m so lucky that I was able to capture this very special moment we shared together. The vast starry sky, the Milkyway and Perseid meteors make an unique landscape and atmosphere for expressing our special companionship.
She is already 14 years old. She doesn’t see very well in the dark anymore, but I show her light and we walk together. I’m so grateful that she was still willing to join me and pose with me. I feel that we made magic during the nights we photographed the Perseid meteor shower.”
#26 Finalist, Portrait And Landscape: “Seeing Double” By Katie Brockman
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
United States
“Urban photography: Finding beauty in the mundane.”
#27 2nd Place, Portrait And Landscape: “Serene Snowfall” By Grace Fieselman
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
United States
“Nala, the Australian Shepherd, relaxing on a quiet backroad in the beautiful snowfall.”
#28 Finalist, Dogs And People: “Momma’s Girl” By Kyle Rurak
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Canada
“Ruby running with Momma at Spanish Banks, Vancouver, Canada.”
#29 Finalist, Action: “Summer” By 贺 华培
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
China
“Happy day.”
#30 Finalist, Studio: “Best Friends” By Klaus-Peter Selzer
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Germany
“The two border collies Mylo and Cooper of our friend Ruth in my photo studio.”
#31 Finalist, Portrait And Landscape: “Stormy Sea” By Julia Haberichter
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Germany
“Vizsla girl Mia in the dunes.”
#32 1st Place, Portrait And Landscape: “Ascending Serenity” By Sanna Sander
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Sweden
“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.
The image made me linger in the moment.”
#33 Finalist, Action: “Poodle Jump” By Celine Robel
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Germany
“This photo shows the cheeky toy poodle Motte. Being very little but high in energy, she was almost too fast for the eyes, but not too fast for the camera. As you can see, Motte really enjoyed her time in the sand romping around.”
#34 Finalist, Studio: “Vitamin Ball” By Iulia Tulcinscaia
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
Poland
“When you’re out grocery shopping for your family, maybe you can put a can of cat or dog food in your cart and bring it to an animal relief center.”
Rachael Ray
Model: Beagle Sherry
#35 Finalist, Dogs And People: “The Afghan Bride” By Sandra Ferwerda
Image source: Dog Photography Awards
The Netherlands
“I wanted to do a fine art style with this beautiful traditional Afghan Kuchi Tribe dress and jewels and the Afghan dog.
For a bit of movement in the dog’s hair I used a hairblower, which the dog was used to on account that she is being groomed often.
This shoot was done with women only, my ‘higher’ aim with photography is to empower women. With the current situation in Aghanistan this shot has a deeper layer to it.”
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