The 2025 Dog Photography Awards have announced their winners, with Belinda Richards from Melbourne, Australia, taking home the prestigious Dog Photographer of the Year title. Richards impressed judges with her creative, conceptual portrait series showcasing a puppy named Penny's journey from puppyhood to adulthood, titled "I'm All Ears." The photographer revealed on her Instagram that she specifically focused on capturing Penny's changing ears, as they represented the most dramatic transformation during the dog's growth.
The international competition drew remarkable participation, receiving 2,036 entries from talented photographers spanning 48 countries, including submissions from China, Australia, Italy, and Finland. The total prize pool reached $2,900 (2,500 Euros) distributed among winners, with the overall champion receiving an engraved trophy alongside the cash award.
In the Portrait Outdoor category, Denisa Zbranková Albaniová claimed first place with her stunning image "The Shape of Stillness." Second place went to Samara Valent for "Roaming Through the Calm," while Susan Lang secured third place with her majestic outdoor portrait simply titled "Majestic."
The Action category showcased dynamic canine photography at its finest. Sylvain Langler and Rudy Anthoine collaborated to win first place with their energetic shot "Catch It!" Chinese photographer 狗哥 宠物摄影师 earned second place with "Rainbow Bridge," and Shandess Griffin rounded out the top three with "Leaps for Days," capturing incredible athletic moments of dogs in motion.
Studio photography demonstrated technical excellence and creative vision across multiple winning entries. Jane Thomson dominated this category with her humorous first-place image "Can You Please Trim My Bangs?" Mia Tepelea's emotional "The Kiss" captured second place, while Katie Brockman's artistic "Work of Art" secured third position, showing the versatility possible in controlled studio environments.
The Dogs and People category celebrated the special bond between humans and their canine companions. Jane Thomson achieved another victory with her playful "May the Fur Be With You." Alessandro Musicorio's touching "Soulmates" earned second place, and Tony Hertz completed the podium with "My Faithful Shadow," each image telling a unique story of human-dog relationships.
Documentary photography highlighted working dogs and their roles in society. Rebecca Williams won this category with "Watching and Waiting," featuring a team of sheepdogs, a fox terrier, and a German Short-haired Pointer patiently waiting as their owner handles farm work that doesn't require their assistance. Williams noted that the quad bike and trailer represents a popular transportation method for working dog teams throughout New Zealand.
Angelica Briones secured second place in the Documentary category with "Dog Sanctuaries Around the World," while Jill Brammer's "Turtle Watch" claimed third place, both images documenting important aspects of canine life and conservation efforts.
The Open category allowed for maximum creative freedom, with Katie Brockman winning for "Suppertime." Sandy van Kruysdijk's powerful "Dogs Justice" took second place, and Barbara Cesari's atmospheric "Contrails" earned third position. These diverse winning images demonstrate the broad artistic possibilities within dog photography, from intimate moments to grand artistic statements that celebrate the enduring relationship between humans and their four-legged friends.
