Capturing the Unexpected: Jane Thomson – 2025 Studio Category Winner
Jane Thomson recently captured the judges’ attention at the Dog Photography Awards with her whimsical image, “Can You Please Trim My Bangs?” The photograph features Ricky, a senior dog with a wild mane of fur, perfectly caught mid-flop as his hair fell forward in an unplanned, magical moment. What began as a playful session with a fan and a noisemaker turned into a spontaneous portrait that needed no props, costumes, or heavy post-production—just Ricky being himself.
Can you walk us through your creative process for your winning image “Can You Please Trim My Bangs”?
Ricky’s session was an absolute delight. I quickly discovered what a well-behaved, gentle soul he was—a senior dog who arrived ready to please. I had planned to use a fan to blow through his wild mane of fur (if he was comfortable with it), imagining him like Steven Tyler mid-concert. My approach was simply to see what would happen. When I asked his owner if we could remove the little braid on top of his head, she warned me, “You’ll see why he usually wears it up.” Then, as I blew a noisemaker to get his attention, he turned toward me and all the fur on his head fell forward. The moment appeared on my screen, and I knew instantly—this was something special.
How has your work evolved over the years, and what new directions are you excited to explore next?
Lately, I’ve been drawn to creating more narrative work—portraits that tell a story or hint at one. This image, however, came from a client session where nothing was planned beyond capturing Ricky as he was. When the photo appeared on my screen, it had such impact on its own. No props, costumes, or post-production effects were needed. It reminded me that sometimes the most powerful stories happen naturally, and that’s a direction I want to explore even more.
Throughout the process, what posed the greatest challenge for you?
Honestly, there weren’t many challenges on this shoot; Ricky made it easy. Some dogs aren’t fond of a fan blowing at them, but he took it all in stride. I really just got lucky that day.
What does the award mean to you?
I have enormous respect for this competition. It’s entirely focused on dog photography, and the judges are exceptionally talented photographers who truly understand the craft. That makes this recognition deeply meaningful to me. It’s an incredible honor to be acknowledged by such gifted peers.
Lastly, can you give us a glimpse into any upcoming projects you’re currently working on?
Fall is always a busy season for client sessions, so personal projects tend to take a back seat. But I’ve learned that every session has the potential to reveal something remarkable. Dogs have this wonderful way of surprising us. One expression or gesture can shift everything. I love staying open to those moments and being creative on the fly.
More about Jane Thomson: www.janethomsonphotography.com/
