Award-Winning Pet Photographer

At Happy Paws Photography, my best “award” is the joy you have when I deliver the images from our pet photography session! To challenge myself and improve my craft, I invest time and energy in entering photography competitions. I do this to push myself and learn how to improve my techniques. 

It’s truly an honor to have my work recognized by professional pet photography organizations. These awards celebrate not just technical skills, but heart, humor, and personality behind every image. 

Friends and family know that I don’t love bragging about myself, but maybe you would find this interesting to check out!

A happy, smiling dog with a blue and yellow bandana and a teal harness, lying on a dark blanket. In front of it is a yellow sign that says "ADOPT ME I'M A FOSTER" in colorful writing. The background appears to be a dark wall with the word 'VINTAGE PIT RESCUE' partially visible.

Pet Photography Award and Recognition

The International Pet Photography Awards 

The International Pet Photography Awards are judged by a panel of five experts who score images on visual impact, technical excellence, emotional response, originality, and creativity. With thousands of entries worldwide, each award level is increasingly challenging to achieve, making recognition at any level a true honor.

Featured 2025 Images 

Two guinea pigs sitting on a rock, one with a white and brown fur pattern and the other with mostly brown fur, both with fluffy fur and dark eyes, with a blurred dark background.

Image Title: “The Gossip” – Guinea Pigs Portrait

  • Judge feedback highlights: Fun, well-lit, unique character captured.

  • Behind the photo: Taken outdoors (not in a studio), which made capturing this “chatty” moment especially challenging and rewarding. The timing of this portrait was also bittersweet because one of the guinea pigs passed away the very next month. It’s a reminder of how fleeting our time with our pets can be, and why it’s so meaningful to treasure these moments while we can.

A brown dog standing in snow, looking to the left. Snowfall and blurred trees in the background. An award badge in the top left corner reads '2025 International Pet Photography Awards, Bronze'.

Image Title: “Winter Stroll” – Dog in the Snow

  • Judge feedback highlights: Strong use of color, atmosphere, and snow details.

  • Behind the photo: A serene winter portrait where timing and lighting brought out the dog’s vibrant coat. As a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, June seemed completely in her element! Once she discovered the snow, she couldn’t stop begging to go outside.

Dog with a brown coat and white patch on chest, catching a treat mid-air with its mouth open, showing teeth and tongue, against a green background, with an award badge for 2025 Pet Photography Awards indicating bronze level.

Image Title: “The Catch” – Dog with Treat

  • Judge feedback highlights: Excellent focus, detail, and energy.

  • Behind the photo: Created with a green-gelled speedlight on a grey backdrop — a technically advanced lighting technique. It was taken in honor of St. Pawtrick’s Day and featured sustainable treats from Chippin, adding a playful and eco-friendly twist to a classic action portrait.

A happy golden retriever dog playing in the snow, with snowflakes falling around it.

Image Title: “Snow Day Joy” – Dog in Falling Snow

  • Judge feedback highlights: Joyful, playful, perfect focus, great depth of field.

  • Behind the photo: Caught mid-play, snowflakes and all, with irresistible energy. It was taken during a snowstorm when I ended up snowed in at the dog’s family home for four days. Luckily, they were close friends, which meant not only extra bonding time but also plenty of chances to capture joyful, once-in-a-lifetime moments like this one.

Featured 2024 Images

A brown and white dog wearing a pink collar sitting on a rock near a river, with a blurry green forest background.

Image Title: “Lake Day Retriever” – June at Lake Accotink

  • Judge feedback highlights: Natural integration into the environment, authentic colors, strong framing.

  • Behind the photo: This portrait of June, at just six months old, was taken at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, VA. Taken with June, in June, at 6 months old. She’s my favorite model. (YUP! The same dog from the snowtos in the 2025 awards.) I'm basically her uncle. This was at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, VA

A brown brindle dog lying on green grass outdoors, looking at the camera with a curious expression, with a background of blurred foliage and a bronze award badge in the upper left corner.

Image Title: “Wanna Play?” – Shelter Dog Portrait

  • Judge feedback highlights: Strong eye contact, engaging expression, excellent lighting.

  • Behind the photo: This portrait features Dune, a shelter pup from PG County Animal Shelter. I was able to replace his intake image with this portrait, helping him to have a fresh chance to connect with adopters.

A smiling pit bull dog wearing a blue bandana and a blue harness, lying on a black blanket. The dog has a yellow tag that reads, 'Adopt me, I’m a foster.' In the background, there is a sign indicating the 2024 International Pet Photography Awards and a logo for the Bronze level. The dog is cheerful and looks directly at the camera.

Image Title: “Kiwi’s Smile” – Fundraiser Portrait

  • Judge feedback highlights: Joyful expression, narrative clarity, strong client connection.

  • Behind the photo: Captured at a fundraising event for Vindicated Pitbull Rescue at Mustang Sally’s in Chantilly, VA (now Bunnyman Brewing). Kiwi’s new mom fell in love with this photo. Proof of the power of a happy smile.

Dog with blue eyes wearing a floral necklace playing fetch with a blue ball on grass field, award badge in top left corner.

Image Title: “Ball’s in Play” – Cymber at Bon Air Rose Garden

  • Judge feedback highlights: Great timing, expressive action shot, harmonious color palette.

  • Behind the photo: Cymber, an energetic dog, was photographed during a maternity session at the Bon Air Rose Garden in Arlington, VA. Just two weeks later, she welcomed nine puppies!

A young woman in a turquoise dress sitting on a stone ledge beside a large dog, likely a husky or malamute, outdoors in a park or city square with trees and buildings in the background. The woman is smiling, and the dog is standing beside her with its mouth slightly open. The image has a badge in the upper left corner indicating it won bronze at the 2024 International Pet Photography Awards.

Image Title: “Golden Hour Duo” – Brittany & Charlie

  • Judge feedback highlights: Strong posing, pleasing rim light, joyful expressions.

  • Behind the photo: Taken in Old Town Alexandria near the waterfront, this portrait was created for a business announcement. Charlie, the sweet senior pup pictured, stole the spotlight with his gentle, happy demeanor.

A cute brown and white puppy running on grass in a park with trees in the background.

Image Title: “Backyard Joy” – Baby June Running

  • Judge feedback highlights: Balanced composition, lively expression, natural setting.

  • Behind the photo: Captured at just 10 weeks old, this early portrait of June shows her boundless puppy energy in her Alexandria backyard. June again! This was back when she was only 10 weeks old; she was the happiest little pup, just in her backyard in Alexandria, VA. I freakin' love her!

Award-Winning Pet Photographer in the DMV


While awards are an honor, what matters most to us is creating meaningful portraits for you and your pet. If you’re ready to work with an award-winning DMV pet photographer, contact me today!

A young man with brown hair and a light beard, smiling, wearing a light blue collared shirt, against a black background.