Category Descriptions
Canine Portrait
STANDARDÂ EDITING RULES APPLY
Images must depict a canine subject or subjects. Images may be posed or candid, studio or location based, full body or closer.
Equine Portrait
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
Images must depict an equine subject or subjects. Images may be posed or candid, studio or location based, full body or closer.
NEW FOR 2025
Feline Portrait
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
Images must depict a feline subject or subjects. Images may be posed or candid, studio or location based, full body or closer.
NEWÂ FOR 2025
Open Portrait
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
This category is for portraits that donât 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.
Action
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
Images should depict a pet in action, running, playing or in some way conveying a sense of movement.
Creative
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
Images must depict either pets, or pets and people. This category is designed to showcase creative shooting and editing techniques, highlighting conceptual, illustrative or story driven images.
Documentary
DOCUMENTARY EDITING RULES APPLY
Images must depict either pets, or pets and people, in real-life situations such as shelter or rescue organisations, humanitarian causes, working animals, animal sports or images of pets in their daily life. Staged or manipulated situations that alter the truth are not permitted in this category.
Pets and People
STANDARD EDITING RULES APPLY
Images must depict at least one pet and one person, either in part or in full. Images may be posed or candid, studio or location based.
General Information
Important Dates
1 April â 2025 Rules, Judges and Categories revealed
12 May â Pre-Awards critique call - register here
18 May â Earlybird entries open
1 June â Regular entries open
30 June â Entries close
15 July - 22 August â Online judging open
1 September â Finalists announced
10 September â Online Awards Ceremony.Â
13 September â All scores and feedback released to entrants
2025 Changes
Please read the entry information carefully and fully. Changes have been made from previous years.
- The Portrait Category has been removed and in its place is Canine Portrait, Equine Portrait, Feline Portrait and Open Portrait. This enables us to continue increasing visibility of all genres of pet photography. We have simplified the entry process to help you select the best category for your images.
- As we continue to ensure all entries are photographic in origin and no AI has been used, we now require all RAW files or original capture files when uploading your entries. All images entered will be vetted.
- The criteria for category finalists has been updated to reflect our commitment to recognising consistent excellence. Category finalists will now be the five entrants with the highest combined score from their top three images within a single category.
- Image submissions must now be sized specifically to 4000px on the longest side at 72ppi. This is to ensure consistency for our judges. Incorrectly sized images will be rejected at the time of entry.
- The same subject rule has been removed, however we would advise entrants to avoid entering images that are from the same session or look very similar.
- We have added clarity to the rules regarding images taken at workshops, retreats and photo tours while under instruction from mentors/teachers.
- We have added clarity to the rules around the use of printed backdrops.
Awards Overview
The International Pet Photography Awards is the worldâs largest professional pet photography competition celebrating the artistry and skill of pet photographers from around the globe.
The competition has an all-star specialist panel of judges, eight categories, cash prizes, trophies and certificates for winners and feedback from two judges on all images entered.
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Each year, a photographerâs top ten highest scoring images earn points that contribute to their International Pet Photographer Accreditation. As points accumulate over time, photographers progress through accreditation levels â recognising their ongoing commitment to growth and improvement in their craft.
Entry Information
Who can enter?
The International Pet Photography Awards are open to all professional and amateur photographers.
Entrants under the age of 18 are welcome to enter. However, due to legal restrictions in many countries, those under 18 at the time entries open are not eligible to win cash prizes. They remain eligible for trophies, certificates, and category or overall titles.
Judges may enter the competition for the purpose of earning points towards the International Pet Photographer Accreditation Program and receiving feedback on their work. Judges can not be finalists or winners in any category.
What can be entered?
For the purpose of this competition, we will be using this definition of âpetâ: âa domesticated species or an animal that is kept for companionship or pleasureâ.
Images entered into the International Pet Photography Awards must be from original photographs captured by the entrant. All elements that make up an entry must have been captured on or after 1 January 2020. All components of all entries must be photographic in origin.
Entrants may enter up to 20 images in the International Pet Photography Awards.
Premium Members of Unleashed Education receive bonus entries. Monthly and yearly subscribers get one bonus entry, while Lifetime Members receive two. The maximum number of entries for Premium Members is 22. Find out more about membership options here.
Thereâs no limit to how many images an entrant can submit in a single category.
Image Submission Requirements
Entries into the International Pet Photography Awards must be submitted digitally.
- Entries must be finalised and submitted in the International Pet Photography Awards Portal by 5pm AEST on Monday 30 June, 2025
- JPEGs are the only accepted file type. TIFF, PNG, PSD or RAW files are not accepted.
- Image format and size requirements are as follows:
- 4000px on the longest side
- 72ppi resolution
- sRGB colour profile
- Maximum quality JPEG
- Metadata must include Creation Date
- RAW or other original capture files for every element of your entry must be uploaded for vetting at the time of entry.
- There are no required naming conventions â entries will be automatically renamed on upload.
Entry Fees
Earlybird Entries (18-31 May)
Single Image $25
5 Images $100 ($20 each)
10 Images $180 ($18 each)
20 Images $320 ($16 each)
Regular Entries (1-30 June)
Single Image $27
5 Images $110 ($22 each)
10 Images $200 ($20 each)
20 Images $360 ($18 each)
All prices are in USD.
The Judging Process
The International Pet Photography Awards will be judged online by a selection of international specialist professional pet and animal photographers. These experts have been chosen for their extensive experience and photographic skill across all genres of pet photography.
The judgesâ assessment criteria include visual impact, technical excellence, and emotional response, along with originality, vision, and creativity. They will also consider the animalâs body language and behaviour shown in the images.
During the judging process, images are presented for judging anonymously. Any judge who recognises the work of another photographer must abstain from judging that image.
Each image receives a score between 60 and 100 from five judges. The final score of the entry is the average score from all five scores given, or the score receiving a majority consensus from three or more judges.
Each judge will score the entry based on the following scoring ranges:
60-64Â â Below Professional Standard
65-69Â â Professional Standard
70-74 â Bronze
75-79 â Bronze Distinction
80-84 â Silver
85-89 â Silver Distinction
90-94 â Gold
95-100 â Platinum
Each entry also receives two pieces of written feedback, from two judges. Feedback is included in the entry fee.
Entrants will receive their scores, awards badges, certificates and accreditation points (if earned), no later than 13 September 2025 through the International Pet Photography Awards Portal.
Once all images have been scored, the finalists will be determined and announced on 1 September 2025.
Category finalists will be the five entrants with the highest cumulative score from their three highest scoring entries in any one category.
The International Pet Photographer of the Year finalists are the five entrants with the highest cumulative score from their top five entries from across any of the eight categories.
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 10 September 2025.
The Ceremony will reveal the top 100 entries across all categories, announce any newly accredited photographers and the category and overall winners for the competition. Entrants' individual scores and award badges will not be revealed until they become available along with feedback on 13 September 2025. If an image does not appear at the Award Ceremony, it does not necessarily mean it has not earned an award.
Awards & Prizes
Image Awards
Images with overall scores of 70 or higher will be awarded as follows:
70-74 â Bronze
75-79 â Bronze Distinction
80-84 â Silver
85-89 â Silver Distinction
90-94 â Gold
95-100 â Platinum
Entrants will receive a digital certificate and badge for every image scoring in award range.
Category Winners
Each of the eight categories will have five finalists. These are the five entrants with the highest cumulative score from their three highest scoring entries in any one category.
The winner will be determined through a closed judging session via Zoom by a panel of five judges.
Each finalist will receive a digital certificate and badge.Â
Category winners will receive:
- $250 cash
- One year Premium Membership to Unleashed Education
- One year membership to the Professional Photography Business Network
- 100 Accreditation points
- Trophy
- Digital certificate and badge
Overall Winner
The International Pet Photographer of the Year finalists are the five entrants with the highest combined score from their top five images across any of the eight categories.
The winner will be determined through a closed judging session via Zoom by a panel of five judges.
Each finalist will receive a digital certificate and badge.Â
Category winners will receive:
- $500 cash
- One-hour private mentoring with Charlotte Reeves and Craig Turner-Bullock from Unleashed Education
- One-year Premium 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 âInternational Pet Photographer of the Yearâ
- 250 Accreditation points
- Trophy
- Digital certificate and badge
Prize money is in US Dollars. Prizes can not be exchanged for alternatives.
Feedback
Constructive feedback from peers is one of the most powerful tools for growth as a photographer. Thatâs why every image entered into the International Pet Photography Awards receives written feedback from two experienced judges â at no extra cost.
This critique is based on each judgeâs personal perspective and professional experience, and is always delivered with the goal of helping you improve your skills and grow as an artist. Whether youâre just starting out or years into your journey, thoughtful feedback can shine a light on both your strengths and areas for development.
How to Enter
1. Register
When entries open, log in or sign up through the Awards Portal. This is where you will upload and manage your entries, receive your scores and feedback when available, and see your accrued points towards becoming an Accredited International Pet Photographer.
2. Purchase Entries
Buy as many entries as you think you will need. You can always purchase more entries later, up to a maximum of 20 entries. Buy more, save more â discounts available for multiple entries, see pricing above. Buy entries all the way up until the closing date.
3. Upload Entriesâ¨
Upload your images and RAW/source files to the Awards Portal. If you need help with image requirements and checking your images, we have tutorials here. Entries will be automatically finalised and submitted on the final deadline of 5pm AEST on Monday 30 June, 2025.
Entry Rules
The following general rules apply to all entries in all categories:
- All images must be captured by the entrant, including any elements in composite images, such as textures, overlays, sky replacements.
- All images must be photographic creations. AI or computer generated images, text or any other non-photographic elements are not permitted.
- All images, including all individual elements used to make up an entry, must have been captured on or after 1 January 2020.
- Outsourcing any editing/post production is not permitted. All editing work must be completed by the entrant.
- Images captured by participants while under direct instruction from a teacher, mentor or photo tour leader are ineligible for entry. Shots must be set up, crafted and captured solely by the entrant.
- Images that have previously been entered into the International Pet Photography Awards cannot be entered again.
- RAW files or other types of original capture files must be provided at the time of entry.
- Photographs with any type of watermark, including your name, initials, logo or other words or symbols embossed or imprinted anywhere on your entry are not permitted.
- Entrants are responsible for obtaining the appropriate model and/or property releases for their entries. These must be provided upon request.
- Images must include a âpetâ - the definition of a âpetâ is; âa domesticated species or an animal that is kept for companionship or pleasureâ.
- Images of wildlife or zoo animals are not permitted.
- Images that could be interpreted as cruel, harmful, non-respectful of the pet/animalâs well being or that promote unsafe practices, including, but not limited to; animals on train tracks or images taken using coloured powders, are not permitted. Images highlighting animal welfare issues, sporting events, working dogs, including hunting and activities the animals were bred to compete in are excluded from this rule.
- The use of printed backdrops featuring photographic elements not originally photographed by the entrant are not permitted.
- The use of stock photos, purchased digital backdrops, textures or graphics, is not permitted.
- Images must not infringe copyright, moral rights, property, person, or other third-party rights. The entrant will indemnify and keep indemnified any claim by a third party in relation to their work.
In addition to the Entry Rules, images must also comply with the Editing Rules and general Terms and Conditions of entry.
Editing Rules
The following editing rules apply to all entries in all categories:
- All elements in an entry must be the original photographic creation of the photographer.
- The use of computer-generated and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, for example CGI and AI such as Midjourney, Adobe Firefly or Photoshop Generative Fill to create entire images or new elements in an image is not permitted.
- AI tools in editing programs including but not limited to Denoise AI in Adobe Lightroom and Remove Tool and Generative Fill in Adobe Photoshop, may be used to remove items in the image and replace with generated content true to the original image, but not to add elements that were not originally present.
- Digital frames, borders or matts are not permitted, unless essential to image presentation, such as in diptychs, triptychs, creative composites or for shaped e.g. oval/circular frames.
- Default Photoshop brushes or purchased brushes may only be used for the purpose of masking, dodging or burning.
Standard EditingÂ
Categories: Canine Portrait, Equine Portrait, Feline Portrait, Open Portrait, Action, Pets and People, Creative
Standard editing is intended to reward technical and creative excellence in photographing and presenting images with all post production and composite techniques allowed.
All forms of post-production techniques may be used, including but not limited to:
- Removal of dust spots, sensor spots and scratches
- Creative tone and colour adjustments
- Black & white conversion
- Sharpening
- Noise reduction
- Cropping
- Lens correction
- Vignetting
- Levelling of horizons
- Perspective correction
- Series - diptychs, triptychs etc
- Panoramic stitches
- Focus stacking techniques
- In-camera multiple exposures
- HDR
- Compositing
- Textures and overlays
Documentary Editing
Category: Documentary
The Documentary category is intended to reward the technical and creative excellence in traditional purist documentary photography practices.Â
Post-production techniques may only be used to enhance an image without altering the authenticity of the scene or subject matter of the original capture.Â
The only permitted post production techniques are:
- Removal of dust spots, sensor spots and scratches
- Corrective tone and colour adjustments
- Black & white conversion
- Sharpening
- Noise reduction
- Cropping
- Dodging and Burning
- Levelling of horizons
- Series - diptychs, triptychs etc
Terms and Conditions
Copyright
Copyright of all images entered will remain the property of the entrant. The International Pet Photography Awards reserves the right to use images entered, whether awarded or not, for the purposes of marketing, promotion or education in relation to the International Pet Photography Awards only. Images will be credited to the photographer wherever possible.Â
The entrant owns all rights and takes full responsibility that the work submitted is original, and does not infringe the copyright, moral rights, or other rights of any third party. The entrant will indemnify and keep indemnified any claim by a third party in relation to their work.
Competition Legalities
Entry fees and prizes are quoted in US dollars. The total prize pool of cash and prizes across the awards is $2500.Â
Prizes will be as stated, with no alternative prizes available for winners. If the International Pet Photography Awards cannot contact the winning entrant by phone or email within a reasonable time frame, the judges may award the prize to another entry.
The promoter of the International Pet Photography Awards is UNLEASHED EDUCATION PTY LTD, ABN 96651285184 (Australia) trading as International Pet Photography Awards.
No late entries will be accepted.
The 2024 International Pet Photography Awards Ceremony will be held live online. Winner announcements will be available online shortly after the ceremony concludes.
Entrants' scores and feedback will be available in the entry portal on the International Pet Photography Awards website no later than 13 September 2025.
The decisions of the judges and the International Pet Photography Awards in relation to any aspect of these awards are final.
Any areas or issues not explicitly covered by these terms and conditions and other competition rules will be interpreted by the International Pet Photography Awards if and as they arise.
The laws of Australia exclusively apply to these rules and your participation in the Awards. You irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Australian Courts.
Disqualification
If an entrant knowingly breaks the rules, their image/s will be disqualified and awarded prizes where relevant must be returned. In addition to breaking general and/or category rules, images may be disqualified if:
- An image is considered to be plagiarised (although homage to an artist is acceptable)
- An image contains inappropriate content for public viewing, including obscene, provocative, defamatory, sexually explicit or otherwise objectionable content
- The image contains content that is considered an unsafe practice or could result in being harmful to the subject
- An image contains information (e.g. graphics or watermarks) that identifies the creator
- The entrant is unable to supply a model or property release within 48 hours, if one is required in the country of origin
- Any images that have been entered into previous year's International Pet Photography Awards
- Entrants contacting judges directly to discuss or dispute their scores or feedback is not permitted and may result in disqualification. Grievances and disputes should be raised by contacting the organisers directly through this link.
- Entrants abusing, threatening or assaulting judges or organisers online or in person, verbally or physically, will be disqualified, banned from future awards and may be prosecuted.Â
- Any attempt to circumvent the entry process will result in instant disqualification.
