There’s something deeply moving about a moment that feels both fleeting and timeless. That’s exactly what Rebecca Williams has captured in her winning Documentary image. Set on her own sheep and beef farm in rural New Zealand, the photo is a love letter to the life she lives and the animals she adores. With the early morning light streaming through the clouds and a Huntaway mid-bark, it’s a scene that pulses with energy, connection, and purpose.

Rebecca’s photography is rooted in everyday magic - the grit, chaos, and quiet beauty of farm life. Her win in the Documentary category is a celebration not just of technical skill, but of heart. It’s about seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary, and the way dogs, sheep, land, and light come together to tell a story that’s as honest as it is unforgettable.

About your winning image

Is there a story behind this winning image you'd like to share?
We had an early morning on the farm, and we were bringing lambs into the yards. I live and work with my husband, on a sheep and beef farm in New Zealand. There is always plenty of action in the yards and I wanted to capture some images of the farm dogs working. The sun was peeping through the clouds and the scene was beautifully back -lit.

What was the most challenging part of creating this photo?

Everything is happening so quickly, and it is a challenge to predict exactly how the dogs and sheep will move. I needed to get in a good position without holding up the sheep, and I needed to have all the settings on my camera ready for fast paced action. This is a familiar scene on many farms, but it is quite difficult to capture the feeling and the action in a single shot.

Did you know right away that this image was special?

I took a series of images, but this one stood out, there was just something that just told the story of the Huntaway dog barking and enjoying his work. There was even something about the expression of the sheep looking directly at the working dog.

Was this a planned shoot or a spontaneous moment?

It was planned in the sense that I took my camera in the hope of getting some good documentary images of the farm dogs working the sheep, but it was also spontaneous in the way the scene unfolded. The dogs were running fast to chase the sheep up and there was no way of predicting exactly how the dogs would be positioned at any given moment.

About your process

What's in your camera bag?

I have 2 Canon R 6 bodies and an RF 70 - 200 mm f2.8 , RF 28-70mm f2.0 and RF 35mm F1.8 I also have a Sony A7 iii with a 16- 35mm - this is useful for the wider angle shots and I took this image with this set up.

How do you prepare for a shoot like this?

Taking my camera on farm in a good waterproof bag, with charged batteries and settings ready for action shots.

How much post-processing went into this image?

There was very little post processing on this image. I converted to black and white as it suited the mood of the image. I also cropped to draw the viewers eye to the working dog and the interaction with the sheep. The wider crop also helped to keep all the storytelling elements in the background of the image.

About your journey

How did you get started in pet photography?

I have always been keen on photography and living on a farm I have plenty of opportunity to practice a variety of styles from landscapes to animal portrait, action and documentary style. For a while I followed horse sports and this helped me to improve my skills with action shots and animal portraits.

I was keen to learn more, so I signed up for an online Diploma in Photography. Completing the diploma gave me the confidence to take on photography work that was mostly rural based and while visiting various farms I was always drawn to the hard working sheep dogs that were forever present. I couldn’t resist trying to capture these dogs and their personalities. I knew

I had to improve my skills to get better images of these clever canines. Then I discovered Unleashed Education. Their courses and challenges gave me a chance to improve my skills further and focus on the working dogs that I love so much.

Have you entered awards or competitions before?

I have entered a few competitions in recent years, it is a great way to learn and I really appreciate the judges feedback. Entering competitions gives me a chance to look back through my images and really reflect on some of the shots that are favourites or really told a story or just captured a moment.

What does winning this award mean to you?

Winning this award means so much to me! I am so glad there is a Documentary Category as this is a big part of my style. The Award has been such a boost of confidence and a feeling that perhaps I am on the right track. I’m always looking to learn more and improve, but I must be heading in the right direction.

About you

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

Yes, living on a farm I am so lucky to have 11 working dogs as best friends and co-workers! They all have their own personalities, and I try to capture some of this in my images. I do have a favourite his name is Pete and he is a Border Collie. He is a working sheepdog, but he has been the most patient model, and I have used him to practice on so many times. He is clever, fun and handsome. The biggest problem I have with him is trying to keep him clean if I want to get a certain shot!

What’s your favourite part about working with animals?

I do love that they just don’t care what they look like in the photo!

What's next for you and your photography?

I have an ongoing personal project photographing farm dogs. In New Zealand most farmers and shepherds will have a team of 4 - 6 working dogs. I love these teams, and I am trying to get as many images of working teams as I can. I produce a sheep dog calendar every year, so I’m always on the look out for handsome farm dogs. It can be tricky to get a good team shot but I’m always keen for the challenge.

You can see more of Rebeccas incredible work on Instagram.