Sometimes the best portrait subjects can be found close to home and the best pet photos have been recognised by the International Pet Photographer of the Year awards. 2021’s contest saw more than 2500 entries from photographers in 52 countries. Images were appraised by an expert judging panel including Alice Loder of Alice Loder Photography, Craig Turner-Bullock of Furtography, Caitlin McColl of Ragamuffin Pet Photography and last years winner, Sara Glawe of Arts with Heart Photography.
This year, the Overall Winner of the International Pet Photographer of the Year awards was named as Veronika Šandorová. The Slovakia-based professional dog photographer, who’s passion for image-making started with her first dog named Nabu commented; “I quickly realised that I need lots of dogs around me and also I need to cuddle with every dog I meet.”
Winner of the Emerging Pet Photographer of the Year was announced as Gina Soule, a PA in am orthopedic surgery from the USA, who commented; ‘I like to bring the same attention to detail I bring in the Operating Room, to my photography, ensuring that I capture and create special memories for my clients to have to cherish for a life time!’
Jackie Eke from the UK was named as the winner of the Portrait category for this stunning image that benefits from expert lighting and a fine-art feel.
Lighting up the Action category in the International Pet Photographer of the Year awards was this jaw-dropping image from US creative Travis Patenaude from Stink-Eye Photography.
This epic sunset provided the background for New Zealand’s Kirsty Antunovich’s winning image, which claimed top spot in the Pets And Their People category.
German photographer Esther Rybczynski obviously has a nose for a great pet photo and this beautifully creative frame helped her claim top spot in the 2021 Open Photographer of the Year category.
One of the winners from the Judges’ Choice awards was this striking wide-angle frame from UK photographer Bridget Davey, which was captured using a full-frame Canon R5 paired with a 16-35mm lens.
This heart-warming frame by Nikol Koppova from the Czech Republic struck a chord with the judges and helped the image-maker claim top spot in the 2021 Member’s Choice Photograph of the Year.
Finally, another Judges Choice award went to this perfectly composed image from French photographer Stephanie Barraco.
