Here Are The Best 19 Pics Of 2024, As Shared By Dog Photography Awards

We’re about to serve you one of our all-time favorite pieces of content. No, this time we’re not talking about cats, but we hope even feline lovers will be delighted by the winner’s announcement of the 2024 Dog Photography Awards®.

This annual contest showcases the best dog photographs from around the world. As stated on the organizers’ website: “Our mission is to celebrate the artistry of top dog photographers, uncover emerging talents, and showcase the extraordinary diversity and charm of dogs.”

Without further ado, scroll down to discover the stunning images from the finalists in five categories: Portrait, Action, Studio, Dogs & People, and Documentary.

More info: dogphotographyawards.com | Instagram | Facebook

19 PHOTOS

#1 1st Place, Dogs & People: The Princess & The Pea By 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 program calendar for 2025. Celebrating the strength of these incredibly brave young hospital patients, shown alongside some of the beautiful dogs enrolled in the pet therapy program was the most enriching project I have ever worked on.

We got in touch with Lea Styger, who took 2nd place in the Portrait category with her image ‘Hunted Architecture.’ We wanted to learn more about the photographer’s work and the winning shot.

First, when asked about her inspiration for capturing Zora, a Lucerne Hound, in a setting like the Maurerhalle, Lea responded: “I photographed Zora as part of my photo project ‘Basel Dog Calendar 2025.’ For 2025, I have thought of a special edition with the theme ‘Our 9 Swiss dog breeds present Basel.’ There was already a calendar for 2024 of dogs from Basel, photographed in Basel. For the elegant appearance of the Lucerne Hound, I chose an equally elegant location, and so I assigned Zora to the great Maurerhalle in Basel. It has little to do with ‘hunting’ - I chose the name for the picture because of Zora’s posture in the photo - it looks as if she is following a scent.”

#2 Honorable Mention, Dogs & People: Dálmata Al Desnudo By Valeria Barbara Barriera Cassina

#3 3rd Place, Studio: I See You By Regine Jensen

We were curious to learn more about the mood Styger aimed to convey in her photograph. We found out that: “My goal was to capture this impressive hall with the special wall together with the elegant hound, without the dog being lost or too little of the architecture is visible. The colors and mood of the picture reflect the style I have acquired over the last few years. So it was perfect that the sun wasn’t shining that day and there was a soft and atmospheric light in the hall. I didn’t want a bright, sweet picture, but rather a harsh contrast with the bare concrete and this elegant breed of dog, a picture that you look at for a long time.”

The photographer continued and told us how Zora’s demeanor contributed to creating that atmosphere: “Zora was rather cautious in the masonry hall at first. But she quickly understood that we wanted to ‘work’ with her here and so she fell into her typical hound posture, which she adopts when she is allowed to go hunting (work) with her owner.”

#4 Honorable Mention, Portrait: Dark Roots By Fleur Scholte

#5 3rd Place, Portrait: Hot Off The Press By Sophia Hutchinson

This photo was taken in Leadenhall Market, a historic London landmark dating back to the 14th century, where it once thrived as a center for trading meat, poultry, and game. The wirehaired Vizsla, known for its role as a hunting dog, finds its place amid the market's warm glow and rain-soaked cobblestones - reflecting the heritage of the breed and the market's rich past.

Lea shared with us some of the challenging aspects of capturing the winning image: “For my photo project, I planned exactly which pictures I wanted at which location. This was also the case here in the Maurerhalle. I wanted a picture of Zora walking past this wall, so I did some research beforehand, created a small mood board, and took the right equipment with me. I was inspired by various architecture photographers on social media who take such pictures with human models. I then simply incorporated this into my dog ​​photography. I wanted to capture Zora trotting or running, but she didn’t feel like that, she preferred to creep through the hall at a long stride, as if on the hunt.”

#6 Honorable Mention, Action: Shark Mode Activated By Anne-Laurie Leger

Bulle, the sweetest Bouvier des Flandres, going into Shark Mode for her frisbee.

#7 3rd Place, Dogs & People: Silent Connection By Moa Naslund

Lastly, we wanted to understand how the ‘Hunted Architecture’ photo fits into the overall body of Lea’s work. The photographer shared: “I already photographed dogs in Basel for my Basel dog calendar for 2024. During this time I have been busy with architectural photography a lot, because I want to show the special features and sights of Basel without the dog or the location competing with each other or one of them getting lost, much more so that they complement each other and together complete the picture.

“I will be doing more projects like this in the future. I particularly like the connection between architecture and dogs. It allows me to live out my artistic and creative side more and steer my work in a direction that I have had in mind for a long time. I would also like to continue to live this out outside of Basel. You can be excited, there is a lot on my list for my photographic future as a dog photographer.”

#8 1st Place, Portrait: Ready For Take Off! By Rhea Nellen

Every muscle in white Shepherd 'Kooki' is ready! Any second now he's going to jump.

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.

#9 1st Place, Documentary: Greenlandic Flat Tire By John Fabiano

This photo was taken while traveling 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. 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 favorite thing in the world - running.

#10 2nd Place, Dogs & People: Growing Older Together Day By Day, My Dog Is My Reason To Stay By 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. If he loses Hajen he will probably die in a few days, since he will lose all meaning in life and give everything up. Their bond is so strong, and they love each other.

#11 2nd Place, Studio: Mila By Donna Victor

#12 2nd Place, Portrait: Hunted Architecture By Lea Styger

Lucerne hound Zora sneaked through the Maurerhalle in Basel as if she were hunting, typical of her breed.

#13 Honorable Mention, Portrait: At World's End By Anne-Laurie Leger

The most insane sunrise I have seen in my life. The colors were out of this world and the water was so perfectly still!

#14 3rd Place, Action: Floating By Anne-Laurie Leger

Maze was trotting and I was lucky enough to have the perfect timing for this shot. She's just floating and her paws touching make it exquisite

#15 1st Place, Action: Moving In Time By Regine Jensen

#16 Honorable Mention, Dogs & People: My Peace By Andrea Djivanova

#17 2nd Place, Documentary: Safe By 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,
Podencos are an 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 organizations such as Hope For Podencos. With my photography, I try to help as much as I can: Together, we are stronger!

#18 Honorable Mention, Portrait: Breath Of The North By Denisa Zbrankova Albaniova

One moment when we were hiking on the top of the mountains during the freezing winter. When I saw these trees wrapped in a blanket of ice, I knew that I had to make this photo.

#19 Honorable Mention, Portrait: Kind Of Mordor By Denisa Zbrankova Albaniova

This mysterious portrait was created in basalt rocks in a place reminiscent of the world of Lord of the Rings and dark Mordor. This white Swiss Shepherd symbolizes white spirit, white wizard, protector, and never-dying hope.