- International Pet Photographer of the Year Awards announced winners at professional and emerging levels
- More than 2,500 portrait entries were submitted in 52 countries and cut down to 12 category winners
- Overall winner was Veronika Šandorová from Slovakia with a series of portraits of Border Collie dogs
A photogenic chicken and a travel-weary dog are among the winning snaps of the International Pet Photographer of the Year Awards.
In one image, British photographer Jackie Eke captured a black chicken stood proudly on a wooden podium.
In another image by British photographer Bridget Davey, a small dog could be seen towering over the camera.
The International Pet Photographer of the Year Awards are presented by the Pet Photographers Club and are an annual celebration of the artistry and skill that goes into pet photography.
The competition comprises four categories and two experience levels - professional and emerging.
The judges included British artist Alice Loder, UK based photographer Cat Race, Australian photographer Caitlin J. McColl, Sara Glawe and Craig Turner-Bullock.
'It's been so wonderful to see the pet photography industry growing and thriving, particularly over the last decade,' said the organisers.
The winning snaps of this year's International Pet Photographer of the Year Awards have been announced. Pictured: This photo of a dog poking its nose through a blanket by Esther Rybczynski from Germany won the Open Photograph of the Year category
Among the 12 winners recently announced was this portrait of a black chicken standing proudly on a wooden podium by Jackie Eke from England. More than 2,500 portrait entries were submitted in 52 countries
The overall winner was Veronika Šandorová from Slovakia, with a series of portraits of Border Collie dogs
In one image of Veronika's, titled 'Floating Over Strawberries', captured a dog as it bounced over a vivid pink field of flowers
The Pets and Their People Category was won by Kirsty Antunovich from New Zealand with their sunset shot of a dog walker on the beach
'I quickly realised that I need lots of dogs around me and also I need to cuddle with every dog I meet,' said overall winner Veronika. 'I want to capture the uniqueness of each dog and transfer our love for them into photos'
'We really believe, and we’re sure you do too, that as an industry and a profession, pet photography is coming into its own.
'We're all in this because we love what we do - and how could we not? We're celebrating the joy that animals bring to the lives of people around the world.'
The 2021 Overall Winner of the International Professional Pet Photographer of the Year category was announced as Slovakian Veronika Sandorová, of Ve Shandor Photography.
In one image of hers, titled 'Floating Over Strawberries', she captured a dog as it bounced over a vivid pink field of flowers.
'I quickly realised that I need lots of dogs around me and also I need to cuddle with every dog I meet,' said Veronika.
'I want to capture the uniqueness of each dog and transfer our love for them into photos.'
This snap of a travel-weary pooch gazing out the back of a trailer by Daniela Hofmeister from Austria was made a 'Judges Choice' by Craig Tuner-Bullock
Orthopaedic surgery personal assistant Gina Soule took home the Emerging Pet Photographer of the Year category with this tender moment of mutual respect between horse and rider as the sun was setting in the background
In an image titled 'The Universe' by American photographer Travis Patenaude, water spun in a universe-like pattern from a ball that was about to be caught by a dog
The judges included British artist Alice Loder, UK based photographer Cat Race, Australian photographer Caitlin J. McColl, Sara Glawe and Craig Turner-Bullock. Pictured: Judges Choice: Cat Race, photograph by Bridget Davey
Other categories included the Members Choice award which went to Nikol Koppova from the Czech Republic and his adorable image of friendship between child and dog
'It's been so wonderful to see the pet photography industry growing and thriving, particularly over the last decade,' said the organisers. Pictured: Judges Choice: Sara Glawe, photograph by Stephanie Barraco from France
The 2021 Overall Winner of the Emerging Pet Photographer of the Year category was American Orthopaedic surgery personal assistant Gina Soule.
In one of her winning images, she caught a tender moment of mutual respect between horse and rider as the sun was setting in the background.
'I like to bring the same attention to detail I bring in the operating room to my photography,' said Gina.
'It ensures that I capture and create special memories for my clients to cherish for a lifetime.'
In an image titled 'The Universe' by American photographer Travis Patenaude, water spun in a universe-like pattern from a ball that was about to be caught by a dog.
Travis, of Stink Eye Photography, was awarded the 2021 Action Photograph of the Year for his eye-popping image.
In another image, titled 'Rupert and his Mum' New Zealand photographer Kirsty Antunovich of Dog & Co Photography perfectly caught the experience of both species walking along the beach together. She won the Pets and Their People Photograph of the Year category.
Other categories included the Members Choice award which went to Nikol Koppova from the Czech Republic and his adorable image of friendship between child and dog.
The Open Photograph of the Year category was won by German photographer Esther Rybczynski of Klicktastic Photography with her image of a dogs nose poking through a knitted red blanket.
