Renate Zuidema is a pet photographer based in the Netherlands. Her portfolio of three images was announced as the winning set in the 2025 Equine Portrait Category at the International Pet Photography Awards - determined, as with all categories, by an entrant's three highest-scoring images in that category.

What connects Renate's three winning images is emotion. A mare nuzzling her foal in a sun-drenched pasture, two mismatched equine BFFs side by side in the snow, and an Icelandic stallion caught in a quiet moment of stillness - none of them staged, all of them felt. Renate photographs what she sees, and it shows.

In this interview, she shares the stories behind each image, her approach to keeping animals relaxed in front of the camera, and an incredibly moving personal journey that brought her back to photography and back to life.

About Renate's winning images

Are there any stories behind your winning images you'd like to share?

The beautiful mare & foals are Spanish bred horses named Fuerta and the foal's name is Navarro. This was a client photo session. Just very simple in their own pasture. With this kind of photo sessions we don't pose or composite. I just photograph what I see and this moment was just perfect!!! The way the foal is also looking towards me is just too cute.

The snowy image are Shetland pony, Ron (who sadly also passed away recently) and Belgian draft horse Boris. In the Netherlands we don't get really nice snowy days. So when it is snowing you need to be fast. I asked if anyone wanted a photo session in the snow in the area. And owner Wilke responded. I really liked that even though it is two completely different breeds that still look very much the same. Mini & Maxi. They were also best friends. Now that pony Ron is passed away this will be such a lovely image to remember their friendship.

The last image is a Icelandic stallion named Rögnir. I was visiting my friend Melissa who is also a photographer in Denmark. We were making video content together and Rögner was a model for my photo halters that I make. But next to that we also wanted to make some images. This image was just an in-between photo where Rögnir was waiting to get lunged in the water. He was standing so beautifully that I quickly made an image of it!!

What inspires you to capture moments like these?

With almost all images it was a photo in the moment. Nothing has been set up and I really like to photograph the moment that are natural and relaxed. Also that shows their personality and character.

Were there any challenges to overcome when creating these images?

With the mare and foal you sometimes need to be quick. They walk freely around and you don't want any distractions in the background. So sometimes I needed to walk relaxed but in a bit of hurry to the other side. Hoping that would stay and I can take the image. With the snowy image it was the cold and wet ground i was laying on that was a challenge. I was very happy to get home again and take a shower haha. The Icelandic stallion was just so much fun together with my friend Melissa. So much amazing memories we made and everything was so much fun.

Did you know right away that these images were special?

No. I never really photograph special for awards. I really hope the owners are happy with them. And then to see they even do good in awards is just such a blessing

About Renate's process

What's in your camera bag?

Nikon Z8 Sigma art 35mm f/1.4 Sigma Art 105mm f/1.4 ( my favorite ) Sigma art 135mm f/1.8.

How do you usually prepare for a shoot?

Get your batteries full and cards empty and go with the flow haha!

Do you have a favourite lens or tool you rely on?

I just love the Sigma art 105mm.

How much post-processing goes into your images?

The mare & foal was especially cleaning up distractions in the background. The snowy images I flipped for awards. So originally they were standing on the other side. Next to that I edited out the owners and photo halters and also some distractions in the background. On the Icelandic stallion image I needed to tone down the sky a bit and changed the colours a bit more to be more dramatic.

How do you connect with the pets you photograph to bring out their personalities?

When they are relaxed and happy they will be at their best. Most of the times I don't come too close and just let the owner handle them. After the photo session there will be a time for cuddling and attention. I see that this works best.

About Renate's journey

How did you get started in pet photography?

I started when I was around 12 years old (32 now). I used my dad's camera to photograph our own horse. I really liked to make images of horses and our pets in that time. When I was 19 years old I got sick (Trigeminal Neuralgia) and had three brain surgeries. They didn't help completely sadly and I couldn't work anymore. But in 2021 I was walking with our dogs in the beautiful autumn forest and remembered I had a camera. From that day on I never stopped again. Now I am a full time photographer and it really brought me back to life. So thankful!

What does winning this award mean to you?

So much. It really is unbelievable. I never thought i would have come this far.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to other pet photographers?

Enjoy the process and keep doing what you love the most!

About Renate

Do you have any animals of your own? Tell us a bit about them!

Yes!! We have two French bulldogs. My soulmate Fay is now 3 years old. And we got a puppy Bibi, now 8 months old. We have a mixed breed named Aslan who is already 14 years old. Next to that together with my husband we have many welsh ponies. We like to carriage drive with them.

If you could photograph any animal in the world, who (or what!) would it be?

I would love to photograph a zebra in their natural habitat. That would be amazing!

What’s your favourite part about working with animals?

Every animal is different and I really like to see when they are a bit afraid or nervous that they will relax and even gain some confidence from a photo session. I always hope that also for the animals a photo session is something to enjoy.

Do you have any fun or memorable behind-the-scenes stories from your shoots?

A few weeks back we had such a fun photo session in the forest with a girl and her dog. They were having so much fun and running through some rainy waters. But she fell down in the water. And we laughed so hard!

What's next for you and your photography?

Just enjoying what I do and thankful every day that I can do this even though it is very difficult sometimes with being chronically ill.

You can see more of Renate's incredible work on her Website and Instagram.