15 Heartwarming Winners From Dog Photographer Of The Year 2017

Candid Canine Photography

Overall Winner and Man's Best Friend 1st Place Winner
Photo: Maria Davison Ramos, Portugal
“A Girl’s Best Friend”
Dog: Yzma, cross breed and rescue dog

Man’s best friend is no stranger to the camera. Both professional photographers and enthusiastic amateurs alike snap countless pictures of their furry companions—and who could blame them? There is a nuance to our pets that's best captured with artful pet photography. Dogs—seemingly more so than other creatures—showcase their quirks in portraits akin to humans. To demonstrate their many sides, the annual Dog Photographer Of The Year competition recognizes some of the best in canine photography.

Organized by the UK-based animal welfare organization called the Kennel Club, the contest features dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes. It has 11 categories which include: Man’s Best Friend; Dogs at Play; Dogs at Work; Dog Portrait; Assistance Dogs; Rescue Dogs; I Love Dogs Because…; Young Pup Photographer; Oldies; Puppies; and Special Mentions. Every portrait highlights the essence of these pups, from playful to serious.

This year, Maria Davison Ramos took the top prize as the competition's Overall Winner. Her image depicts a heartwarming scene of a young pup sitting at its human’s feet; it perfectly conveys the true meaning of companionship. Of the picture, Ramos recalls, “For me, capturing real and candid moments is what photography is all about. This is one of those moments. My friend had just adopted Yzma and while we were chatting in the kitchen I was taking some photographs. The location and the light were far from perfect, but I ended taking one of the photos I’m most proud of.”

Check out a selection of the winners below.

The annual Dog Photographer Of The Year Competition showcases the best in canine photography and captures heartwarming scenes of man's best friend.

Dog Photography Ideas

Dogs at Work Category, 2nd Place Winner
Photo: Lucy Charman, UK
“All Picked Up”
Dogs: Cammy, Smudge, Nellie, Cary and Caper—English Springer Spaniels

Dog Photography Ideas

Dogs at Play Category, 3rd Place Winner
Photo: Will Holdcroft , UK
“Rabbit Run”
Dog: Purdey, cross breed (Collie and Spaniel)

Dog Photography Ideas

Dogs at Play Category, 1st Place Winner
Photo: Kaylee Greer, USA
“Splash!”
Dog: Petey, Wheaten Terrier

Dog Photography Ideas

Dogs at Work Category, 3rd Place Winner
Photo: Peter Steffensen, Denmark
“Eyes on the prize”
Dog: Marley, Border Collie

Canine Photography

Judges’ Special Mention Rescue Dog Charity Category
Photo: Victoria Watts, UK
“Mutts of Mayhem”
Dogs: Bruin (Unknown), Tai (Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Bella (Pug, French bulldog, Brussels Griffon)

Canine Photography

Dog Portrait Category, 2nd Place Winner
Photo: David Yanez, UK
“Sleeping Tiger”
Dog: Raymond, Greyhound

Canine Photography

I Love Dogs Because… (Ages 11 to 17) Category, 1st Place Winner
Photo: Julian Gottfried, USA
“Jumping for Joy”
Dog: Pippin, Terrier mix (cross breed)

Canine Photography

Puppies Category, 1st Place Winner
Photo: Mirjam Schreurs, Netherlands
“Full Concentration”
Dog: Tyson, boxer

Dog Photography Ideas

Oldies Category, 2nd Place Winner
Photo: Igor Abramovich, UK
“Life”
Dog: Rex, breed unknown

Canine Photography

Assistance Dogs Category, 1st Place Winner
Photo: Alasdair MacLeod, UK
“Megan & Duncan”
Dog: Megan, rescued Greyhound and a certified Therapet in Scotland

Canine Photography

Judges’ Special Mention Puppies Category
Photo: Katrina Wilson, UK
“Happy Chappy!”
Dog: Ralph, Basset Hound

Dog Photography Ideas

Man’s Best Friend Category, 2nd Place Winner
Photo: Emma Williams, UK
“Watering Hole”
Dog: Gus, Whippet

Dog Photography Ideas

Man’s Best Friend Category, 3rd Place Winner
Photo: Annemarie King, UK
“Into the Wild”
Dog: Gus, Jack Russell

Canine Photography

Rescue Dogs Charity Category, 1st Place Winner
Photo: Alexandra Robins, UK
“Hope”
Dog: Chloe, Brindle Greyhound

Dog Photographer Of The Year: Website | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [Neatorama, Digg]

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Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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