Wilf the greyhound: an award-winning portrait
We’re known for some rather quirky pet portraits at Origin Studios, so it was particularly pleasing when a photograph of Wilf the greyhound received a Gold award in the British Institute of Professional Photography’s January 2025 awards.
Character comes first
One of the things I enjoy about photographing dogs is making a picture with personality. I want the result to be something the owner recognises, but also a photograph that makes you stop and look.
Dogs have their own expressions, shapes and ways of being. A thoughtful portrait can celebrate all of that, whether the finished picture is quiet and simple or a little more unexpected.
Why I enter competitions
I enter competitions because they encourage me to keep pushing my photography. Having the work judged by fellow professionals is a useful challenge, and receiving recognition is always rewarding.
It was lovely to see Wilf’s photograph recognised for its creativity, technical quality and storytelling. But an award is only part of the story. The aim is still to make photographs that people love having in their homes.
If you’ve seen some of the more unusual dog photographs and wondered whether your dog has to be perfectly trained, the answer is no. Patience and getting to know the dog are a large part of the process.
You can see more of my dog portraits, and find out about a session at the studio or on location, on the Dog Portraits page.
