2026 Categories
Action
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
Action celebrates high-energy images that capture pets in motion, from full-speed sprints to playful moments that feel alive and dynamic.
Canine Portrait
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
Canine Portrait celebrates the art of photographing dogs in every setting and style, from beautifully lit studio portraits to candid outdoor moments. With flexibility for posed or candid images and anything from full body to close-up.
Commissioned Portfolio
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
Commissioned Portfolio showcases a complete body of work from a real client session, submitted as a 10-image set. This category rewards photographers who can deliver variety while maintaining a cohesive style, reflecting the high standard of work clients expect from professionals.
Creative
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
Creative celebrates concept-driven images featuring pets, or pets and people, where imagination and craft take centre stage. From illustrative concepts to highly crafted composites.
Documentary
DOCUMENTARY EDITING RULES APPLY
Documentary celebrates honest, real-life storytelling featuring pets, or pets and people, from rescue and shelter work to working animals, sports, humanitarian causes, and everyday life. With authenticity at its core, this
category rewards truthful unposed images that create emotional impact, with no direction from the photographer.
Equine Portrait
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
Equine Portrait celebrates the beauty and presence of horses and ponies in every setting and style, from elegant posed portraits to candid moments that capture character and connection. With flexibility for studio or location work and anything from full body to close-up.
Feline Portrait
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
Feline Portrait celebrates the art of photographing cats in any setting and
style, from polished studio portraits to candid moments at home or on location. With flexibility for posed or candid images and anything from full body to close-up.
In-Camera Artistry
NO EDITING PERMITTED
In-Camera Artistry celebrates photographers who create exceptional images straight out of camera, with no editing permitted. This category rewards true shooting skill, from light and composition to timing and technical precision.
Open Portrait
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
This category is for portraits that don’t feature dogs, cats, or horses as the main subject. It also includes images that show multiple species. Images may be posed or candid, studio or location based, full body or closer.
Pets and People
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
Pets and People celebrates the bond between animals and the humans who love them, capturing connection, personality, and story.
With flexibility for posed or candid images, studio or location work.
Phone
PHONE EDITING RULES APPLY
Phone celebrates standout pet photography captured and edited on phones and mobile devices, proving that great storytelling and strong technique aren’t limited to traditional cameras.
Studio
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
Studio celebrates crafted portraits made in a studio environment, shaped with professional lighting and attention to detail. This category rewards polish, creativity, and technical control.
1. Awards Overview
The International Pet Photography Awards (IPPA) is the world’s largest professional pet photography competition, celebrating artistry, technical excellence and ethical image-making.
The competition includes:
- 12 categories
- An international panel of specialist judges
- Cash prizes, trophies and certificates
- Feedback on every entry
- Accreditation platform
Each year, a photographer’s top ten highest-scoring entries earn points toward the International Pet Photography Accreditation Program.
Important Dates
1 March – 2026 Awards details released
16 March – Image submissions open for Critique Calls
2 April – Live Critique Call 1
9 April – Live Critique Call 2
16 April – Early Bird entries open
1 May – Regular entries open
30 May – Entries close
20 July – Finalists announced
1 August – Live Online Awards Ceremony
5 August – All entrant scores & feedback available
2. 2026 Updates
Please read carefully. Several important changes apply this year.
New Categories
- In-Camera Artistry
- Studio
- Phone
- Commissioned Portfolio
Image Creation Date
There is no longer a time restriction on when images were created. Images and image elements created at any time may be entered.
Image Titles
You can now add optional titles to entries. Titles will not be visible during the judging process and will be used solely in the gallery of results and provided for press releases.
Documentary Context Statement
You can now add an optional context statement for Documentary entries, which judges can read when scoring.
Physical Backdrops
Printed backdrops with recognisable image elements not created by the photographer (e.g. Christmas scenes, scenery, flowers) are not permitted. Plain or textured backdrops are allowed.
Use of AI
We have updated and clarified what you can and cannot use AI tools for when editing. Please refer to Section 9 (Editing Rules) for more information.
Workshops, Retreats & Photo Tours
Images taken by participants at organised group shooting events are not permitted. Event hosts may enter images from these events.
Vetting Process
Images are now vetted directly after submission. Entrants have 24 hours after submission to make changes. After 24 hours, submitted images cannot be modified.
Wildlife & Responsible Practice
Images are not permitted if they show a pet chasing, pursuing, disturbing, harassing, or intentionally interacting with wildlife. (Full details of this rule appears in Section 8.)
Feedback
Each entry receives either one written feedback from one judge (included in the entry fee), or the photographer may upgrade, for an additional fee, to video feedback.
Entrants may opt out of receiving feedback and the entry fee will be reduced accordingly.
All feedback is completed after scoring is finalised.
3. Eligibility
Who Can Enter?
- Open to professional and amateur photographers worldwide.
- Entrants under 18 may enter.
- Not eligible for cash prizes.
- Eligible for titles, trophies and certificates.
- Judges may enter for accreditation points and feedback only.
- Judges cannot become finalists or winners.
4. What Can Be Entered
Definition of “pet”:
A domesticated species or an animal kept for companionship or pleasure.
Entries must:
- Be photographed by the entrant
- Be photographic in origin
- Contain only elements photographed by the entrant
- Include RAW/original files for every element
- Images entered into the IPPA previously cannot be entered again.
Maximum entries:
- 20 entries per entrant
- Maximum 2 entries in the Commissioned Portfolio category
- Unleashed Education Premium Members receive up to two bonus entries: 22 entries total (still maximum 2 in the Commissioned Portfolio category)
5. Submission Requirements
Entries must be submitted digitally via the Awards Portal.
File requirements:
- JPEG only
- 4000px longest side
- 72ppi
- sRGB colour profile
- Maximum quality JPEG
- RAW/original capture files uploaded at time of entry
No file naming conventions required.
Entry Vetting Process
IPPA reserves the right to request all RAW, original capture or working files in order to verify compliance with the rules; failure to submit the requested files will lead to disqualification.
All images entered into the IPPA will be vetted and entry vetting begins online as soon as entries open.
Vetting is carried out to ensure entries meet the terms of entry and competition rules.
Where the IPPA determines that an entry does not comply with the intent of the rules and the spirit of the awards, the entry and/or entrant will be disqualified.
All 10 images in a Commissioned Portfolio category entry must meet entry requirements, if any single image in a portfolio does not meet requirements, the entry will be disqualified.
Disqualified entries can not be re-entered in future International Pet Photography Awards.
Disqualified entries can not be substituted for alternative images and are ineligible for any refund of entry fees.
In the case of any disqualification, the IPPA’s decision is final.
RAW/Original capture files are kept securely until the awards cycle is complete. They are never used outside of the purpose of vetting and are never shared with or sold to third party organisations.
6. Entry Deadline
All entries must be submitted by:
5pm AEST, Saturday 30 May 2026
No late entries will be accepted.
7. Entry Fees
The pricing below includes written feedback from one judge. This may be removed on a per entry basis for a $5 reduction of the entry fee. The written feedback may also be upgraded to video feedback. The total price will be calculated at checkout.
Earlybird (16–30 April)
- 1 Entry – $25
- 5 Entries – $100
- 10 Entries – $180
- 20 Entries – $320
Regular (1–30 May)
- 1 Entry – $27
- 5 Entries – $110
- 10 Entries – $200
- 20 Entries – $360
Video Feedback Upgrade
- Public Video Feedback: $15 per entry
- Private Video Feedback: $25 per entry
8. Entry Rules
All Categories
- All images and elements must be photographic in origin and photographed by the entrant.
- No printed backdrops with recognisable image elements unless created by the photographer.
- Images taken by participants at organised group shooting events such as workshops, retreats and photo tours are not permitted. Event hosts may enter images from those events.
- RAW/original files for all elements of an entry must be supplied. For entries composed of more than 10 source files (for example, panoramic stitches) a selection of 10 files must be uploaded that clearly show all important elements of the image. Further files may be requested.
- Required model/property releases must be provided upon request.
- Images must not infringe copyright or third-party rights.
- Images must include a “pet” as defined in Section 4.
- Wildlife or zoo animals as primary subjects are not permitted.
- Images previously entered into IPPA are not permitted.
Commissioned Portfolio Category
The rules for All Categories apply, in addition to the following:
One entry into this category consists of a set of 10 unique images from a single session. Images included in the portfolio must not have been previously been entered, or entered into the current year, in any category.
Images in the portfolio must be from a single session that was commissioned by a client prior to the session taking place. The session may be paid or unpaid, but must have been formally requested by a client and agreed to in advance. The session must not feature the photographer's own pets, and must not be a model call or self-initiated session.
The vetting team may request documentation to confirm the session was commissioned, and a signed, dated contract between the photographer and client is the accepted form of proof.
Responsible Practice
Images must promote responsible pet ownership and ethical treatment of animals.
Images depicting unsafe practice, such as pets on train tracks and images using coloured holi/powder are not permitted.
Images are not permitted if they show a pet chasing, pursuing, disturbing, harassing, or intentionally interacting with wildlife, regardless of whether visible harm occurs, unless the activity falls within the permitted exceptions listed below.
This includes (but is not limited to):
- Dogs chasing wildlife on beaches or in parks
- Pets pursuing wildlife for aesthetic, entertainment, or non-essential purposes
- Images where wildlife is visibly reacting to the pet’s presence
- Any staged or encouraged interaction between a pet and wild animals
Permitted exceptions:
- Legally conducted hunting activities
- Organised dog sports
- Working dogs performing traditional roles (e.g. herding livestock, retrieving game, pest control)
- Documentary images entered into the Documentary category
In permitted cases, the activity must demonstrate purpose, control and responsible handling.
The International Pet Photography Awards reserves the right to disqualify any image that, at its sole discretion, promotes unsafe, irresponsible or unethical interaction between pets and wildlife.
9. Editing Rules
Global Editing Rules
- All elements of an entry must be created by the photographer.
- Editing must not be outsourced.
- No watermarks or identifying marks.
- No stock images.
- No purchased digital backdrops, purchased textures or purchased overlays.
- Digital frames/borders and mats may only be used when presentation requires. For example – in diptychs, triptychs, creative composites or for shaped frames (oval/circle etc).
Standard AI Editing Rules
In categories where AI is specifically permitted, AI powered tools may be used for:
- Making selections
- Creating masks
- Sharpening and noise reduction
- Removing collars, leashes, halters, bridles, leadropes and reins
AI tools may not be used for:
- Generating images or elements of an image
- Removing harnesses, people or any other element not specified above
- Expanding image boundaries
Standard Category Editing
Applies to: Action, Canine Portrait, Commissioned Portfolio, Creative, Equine Portrait, Feline Portrait, Open Portrait, Pets and People, Studio
All forms of post-production techniques may be used, including but not limited to:
- Removal of dust spots, sensor spots and scratches
- Healing and cloning
- Colour adjustments
- Black and white conversion
- Compositing
- Focus stacking
- HDR
- Textures and overlays
- Panoramic stitches
- In-camera multiple exposures
- Dodging and burning
- Image series - diptychs, triptychs etc*
Standard AI Editing Rules apply.
* Image series may not be entered as individual images of a Commissioned Portfolio - all images must be single images.
Other Category Editing
Documentary Category Editing
Only minor corrective editing is permitted:
- Removal of dust spots, sensor spots and scratches
- Tone/colour correction
- Black and white conversion
- Sharpening
- Noise reduction
- Cropping
- Dodging and burning
- Levelling
- Image series - diptychs, triptychs etc
- AI may only be used for sharpening and noise reduction
The authenticity of the original capture must not be altered.
In-Camera Artistry Category Editing
- Cropping to straighten an image (not to alter composition)
- No other editing permitted
Phone Category Editing
- Editing must be completed entirely on a mobile device
- Standard AI Editing Rules apply
10. Judging Process
The International Pet Photography Awards will be judged online by a selection of international specialist professional pet and animal photographers and highly qualified judges. These experts have been chosen for their extensive experience and photographic skill across all genres of pet photography, image making, creativity and visual storytelling.
Judges assess:
- Visual impact
- Technical excellence
- Emotional response
- Originality
- Creativity
- Animal body language and behaviour
Images are presented for judging anonymously.
Judges must abstain if they know the entrant, have previously provided feedback on the entry, or recognise the work.
Each image receives a score between 60 and 100 from five judges.
The final score will be calculated using:
- The average of all five scores, or
- A weighted majority consensus (three or more judges)
- Whichever result is higher will be applied.
Judges use the following scoring definitions to assess each entry:
Below Award Range
60-64 – Below Professional Standard
- Does not exhibit the standards required of professional practice
- May show proficiency in some areas
65-69 – Professional Standard
- Approaching award level
- Well executed, appropriate professional level of craft and technique
- Good standard of professional practice - what a professional is expected to produce day to day
- Would be considered saleable to clients
Award Range
70-74 – Bronze
- Very high standard of professional practice, craft, skill and technique
- Exceeds the normal level expected of professional practice in some areas
75-79 – Bronze Distinction
- Very high standard of professional practice, craft, skill and technique
- Exceeds the normal level expected of professional practice in most areas
80-84 – Silver
- Excellent level of technique, craft and production
- Displays some level of imagination and creativity
- Some clear visual communication, interpretation of subject and/or emotion
85-89 – Silver Distinction
- Excellent level of technique, craft and production
- Excellent level of imagination and creativity
- Excellent visual communication, interpretation of subject and/or emotion
90-94 – Gold
- Outstanding level of imagination and creativity
- Outstanding visual communication, interpretation of subject and/or emotion
- Originality of thought/concept
- Outstanding mastery across all areas of technique, craft and production
95-100 – Platinum
- Exceptional level of vision, creativity and innovation
- Exceptional level of visual communication and interpretation of the subject
- High level of originality - something that hasn't been seen before
- Invokes an emotional response, has impact and is memorable
- Flawless mastery in all areas of creative and technical execution
Category and overall finalists' image sets will be judged on a closed Zoom call by a panel of five judges and a winner will be determined.
Winners will be announced during an online Award Ceremony taking place on 1 August 2026 AEST.
11. Awards & Prizes
Individual Entry Awards
70–74 – Bronze
75–79 – Bronze with Distinction
80–84 – Silver
85–89 – Silver with Distinction
90–94 – Gold
95–100 – Platinum
For each awarded entry, a digital certificate and badge is provided.
Accreditation points are awarded on the entrant’s top 10 highest scoring award-range entries.
Category Finalists
To be eligible as a category finalist, entrants must enter at least three images in that category, with the exception of Commissioned Portfolio where only one entry (composed of a 10 image portfolio) is required.
Category finalists comprise of the top five entrants per category, based on the highest cumulative score of their top three entries.
Commissioned Portfolio Finalists are the top five highest scoring portfolios.
Finalists will be announced on 20 July 2026 AEST.
Category Winner receives:
- $250 USD
- One-year Unleashed Education membership
- One-year Professional Photography Business Network membership
- 100 Accreditation points
- Trophy
- Digital certificate and badge
International Pet Photographer of the Year Finalists
Top five entrants based on cumulative score of top five entries across all 12 categories.
Finalists will be announced on 20 July 2026 AEST.
Winner receives:
- $500 USD
- One-hour private mentoring with Charlotte Reeves and Craig Turner-Bullock from Unleashed Education
- One-year membership to Unleashed Education
- Two-hour private mentoring session with Mark Rossetto from the Professional Photography Business Network
- One-year membership to the Professional Photography Business Network
- Title of "International Pet Photographer of the Year"
- 250 Accreditation points
- Trophy
- Digital certificate and badge
Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable.
12. Copyright & Legal
Copyright of all images entered remains the property of the entrant.
IPPA may use entered images, whether awarded or not, for marketing, promotion and education relating to the Awards only. Images will be credited to the photographer wherever possible.
IPPA will never license or sell entrants’ images.
If IPPA receives a third-party enquiry regarding licensing outside of marketing, promotion or education relating to the Awards, IPPA may, at its discretion and with the entrant’s permission, facilitate contact between the enquirer and the entrant so that any licensing arrangements can be negotiated independently of the competition. IPPA will not act as an agent, broker or intermediary in any licensing arrangement.
Entrants warrant that their submitted work is original and does not infringe the copyright, moral rights or other rights of any third party. Entrants indemnify IPPA against any third-party claims relating to their work.
The promoter of the International Pet Photography Awards is UNLEASHED EDUCATION PTY LTD, ABN 96651285184 (Australia), trading as International Pet Photography Awards.
The decisions of the judges and the International Pet Photography Awards are final and binding in all matters relating to the competition.
Scores and feedback will be available within three working days of the live online Awards Ceremony.
Any areas or issues not explicitly covered by these terms and conditions or competition rules will be interpreted by the International Pet Photography Awards as they arise.
Disputes may be raised by contacting the organisers directly.
The laws of Australia exclusively apply to these rules and participation in the Awards. Entrants irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Australian Courts.
13. Disqualification
Entries may be disqualified if:
- Entry Rules (Section 8) or Editing Rules (Section 9) are breached
- Any single image in a Commissioned Portfolio entry does not meet the submission requirements or rules
- Plagiarism is identified
- Inappropriate or unsafe content is included
- Required releases are not supplied within 48 hours of request
- The image was entered in previous IPPA competitions
- Judges are contacted directly regarding scores
- Abuse of organisers or judges occurs
- Attempt to circumvent the entry process
In the case of any disqualification, the IPPA’s decision is final.
Disqualified prizes must be returned where applicable.
