44 Of The Best Pet Photos In The World, As Chosen By The 2025 International Pet Photography Awards

This year’s overall title of International Pet Photographer of the Year went to Katie Brockman. Her winning portfolio was a creative mix of portraits featuring her own dog Caldwell and several foster animals she has cared for over the years. Katie explained that she wanted to highlight the charm of rescue pets, proving that they can be both loving companions and wonderful photography subjects. One of her standout entries even featured a mischievous bunny, part of a longer project she has been developing around animals with unusual markings.

A new category made its debut in 2025: Open Portrait. This section was designed for pets outside the more common cats, dogs, and horses, and it attracted a surprising range of entries. The inaugural winner was Ellen Reus, who submitted striking studio portraits of snakes. Ellen said she was thrilled to see recognition for her work, adding that reptiles can be just as photogenic as more traditional pets.

The Documentary category also drew attention for its heartfelt storytelling. Winner Emma Boyle presented a series shot in Istanbul, focusing on the city’s stray cats and dogs. Her images captured the unique relationship between the animals and the people who share their streets, from shopkeepers feeding them to strays finding shelter in public spaces. Emma’s project is part of a larger effort to document stray animals in countries where they are a common part of everyday life.

In addition to these highlights, each of the eight categories showcased an impressive level of talent. From dynamic Action shots of pets in motion, to tender Pets and People portraits, to the elegance of the Equine and Feline categories, the winning images reveal the diversity and creativity within the pet photography community. With so many entries recognized—over two-thirds received awards—the 2025 competition has been hailed as the strongest yet.