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Stride Through the Ages: Regine Jensen – Dog Photography Awards Action Category Winner

Regine Jensen recently claimed the Action category win at the 2024 Dog Photography Awards with her captivating image, « Moving in Time ». The shot features a whippet named Rebelle, draped in a flowing red cape that adds an air of majesty and drama to the scene. Though the setting evokes visions of ancient Egypt and its iconic pyramids, it’s actually a construction site in Norway, cleverly transformed through Jensen’s artistic eye. Her ability to blend Rebelle’s dynamic movement with a strikingly mysterious backdrop impressed the judges and solidified Jensen’s place among the top talents in dog photography.

  • HOW DID YOU GET INTO DOG PHOTOGRAPHY?

I received my first DSLR camera as a Christmas gift from my parents in 2007, though my love for photography had sparked even earlier—it had been at the top of my wish list for as long as I could remember! However, it wasn’t until the pandemic that my passion truly blossomed. With more time on my hands, I was finally able to dive deep into the world of photography, and it quickly became a way for me to find beauty in everyday moments. My dogs, always by my side, became my loyal models, adding life and personality to my shots as I continued my learning journey.
Growing up in a creative family where music and art were woven into our daily lives, I always felt a pull toward creative expression. Choosing an academic career path felt a bit against my nature, as I’ve always felt more at home in the creative realm. But now, through photography as a hobby, I finally feel like I’ve found my true place. I’m excited and inspired to keep growing and exploring where this journey can take me.
  • YOUR WORK « Moving in Time » EARNED YOU THE TITLE OF DOG PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR. CAN YOU SHARE THE STORY BEHIND CREATING THIS IMAGE?

After watching this masterclass by Kris Anderson, hosted by That Tog Spot, my mind was buzzing with ideas. I began sketching out some of my thoughts, imagining a composition where fluidity and motion meet straight lines and structure. Since I have a deep love for sighthounds, whose origins are often linked to the Arabic world, I envisioned the Sahara as the perfect setting for this project. The pyramids and sweeping sand dunes would blend beautifully with flowing fabric to illustrate smoothness.
However, living in Norway, I didn’t exactly have access to the Sahara! Instead, I found a construction site where sand was being excavated—it had the look I needed. After exploring the area and taking some test shots, I felt confident it was the right spot. That same day, I tried a simple edit to experiment with the exact placement of the subject. Then we waited for the perfect weather, which came a few days later.
Since the fabric was so long, we enlisted an assistant to hold it while the whippet trotted gracefully toward her owner on the other side. After countless shots, I finally captured the one I wanted, with the head, feet, and backline in exactly the right positions. Since the final image was panoramic, I stitched several photos together to achieve the effect I envisioned. After carefully editing out a few bloopers, the image was finally ready to be entered in the Dog Photography Awards.
  • THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, WHAT POSED THE GREATEST CHALLENGE FOR YOU?

Firstly, the greatest challenge was finding the right location. Knowing that I live in the wrong country for the shoot I envisioned was a mental challenge, but also a positive one that pushed my creativity. I knew that some sand excavation sites might resemble what I had in mind, but the sand and stone often had a cooler, bluish tone. After visiting a few locations, I finally found the perfect spot.
The second challenge was my camera, which struggled to focus when the subject was moving at a distance. But hey, maybe that’s just a good excuse for an upgrade! In the end, everything came together for the perfect shot, and I couldn’t be more relieved and happy.
  • WHAT DOES WINNING THE AWARD MEAN TO YOU?

Winning this award means so much to me. I remember my photos from just a year ago, when I was still trying to understand the standards of competition, while also trying to create something for myself—something artistic and truly creative. Suddenly, everything clicked. I realized that I needed to think outside the box, to break away from what everyone else was doing, and to let my creativity flow freely.
This picture wasn’t initially meant for competition; it was my very first project. From the initial sketches and visualizations to sourcing the right fabric (the store even had to send samples from another branch because I wasn’t satisfied with the quality and color), finding the perfect location, waiting for the right weather, and coordinating with a model,  owner and an assistant—it all took careful planning. When we finished, I thought, « This went pretty well. »
But winning this award has truly made me think, « Wow, trust the process! » This wasn’t a lucky shot; it was the result of detailed planning and creative effort, and it all came together beautifully. So thank you so much to the judges for appreciating this image!
  • LASTLY, CAN YOU GIVE US A GLIMPSE INTO ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS YOU’RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON?

I’m far from finished—this feels like just the beginning of my creative journey! Right after capturing this shot, I immediately started sketching new ideas that could fit within the same thematic category. Each concept feels connected in some way, forming a vision I’m eager to bring to life. Of course, living in Norway presents its own challenges for locations, but I love the thrill of driving and discovering new places. This may turn into a long-term project, perhaps one that spans several years.
In the meantime, my focus will be on growing as a photographer, pushing the boundaries of my creativity, and capturing the essence and vision of what I see. I’m excited to improve my skills and let my creativity lead me wherever it wants to go. Thank you for giving me an extra boost to achieve my goals!

More about Regine Jensen: https://www.instagram.com/idefixphoenix/

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