Rules

Submission Rules & Requirements

General

Participation is open to individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years old, regardless of professional status.

You may save an incomplete submission and return later to complete it. However, once the checkout process is finalized, entries cannot be edited.

Entry Eligibility

You may submit images to multiple Dog Photography Awards contests, regardless of whether they have been previously submitted or awarded. There are no exclusivity requirements.

Images may have appeared anywhere previously (e.g., personal websites, publications, or other competitions).

There are no restrictions based on when the artwork was created.

AI-generated images are not permitted. We reserve the right to request proof that an image is not AI-generated and confirmation of ownership of original files.

Minimal use of generative AI is allowed in all categories. For extensive use, submissions should be entered into the Open category.

Overlays are permitted only in the Open category. You must have the rights to use any external elements included.

Images that may be considered cruel, harmful, or disrespectful to a dog’s welfare will be disqualified.

Technical Requirements for Entries

Photographs must not contain watermarks, including names, initials, logos, or any embedded text or symbols.

Images must be in JPEG or PNG format, with:

• Minimum 2000 pixels on the longest edge
• Maximum file size of 10 MB
• sRGB color space

Submissions may be captured using film cameras, digital cameras, or mobile devices, and can be in any orientation (square, portrait, or landscape) and style (color, black and white, or sepia).

Entry Title & Description

Each entry must include a title. Adding a description is optional and will not affect judging.

Deadlines

All entries must be submitted electronically via the official Dog Photography Awards website within the specified submission period.

Categories

Entrants may submit multiple photographs per category and may also enter the same image into multiple categories.

During submission, ensure that each image is uploaded to the correct category. Incorrect submissions will be disqualified and fees will not be refunded.

Once the submission fee is paid, category selections cannot be changed.

Judging

Judging Process

The judging process is conducted anonymously and consists of two stages. In the first round, a selection of entries is nominated in each category.

In the second round, the scores from all judges are combined to determine the category winners.

To be eligible for the Overall Winner title, each photographer must submit a minimum of five (5) images across any category.

This award recognizes the quality, diversity, and consistency of a photographer’s work across multiple submissions.

The highest-scoring image from the set will be selected as the Overall Winning Photograph. The remaining images will be showcased together on a separate page.

It is strictly prohibited to contact or attempt to influence the judges. Any such actions may result in immediate disqualification. Entries associated with participants who attempt to contact or pressure judges will be disqualified.

Prizes

Cash prizes will be paid in EUR by PayPal or bank transfer. Any fees incurred for foreign currency transfers will be deducted from the winning amount. There are no alternatives available for prize winners.

Use & Ownership of images

Copyright and all other rights remain that of the photographer. Any photograph used by DPA shall carry the photographer’s credit line. Use may include publication in any DPA media sponsor publication. All entrants understand that any image submitted to the competition may be used by DPA for marketing and promotional purposes including in any media such as exhibitions, print and digital media directly related to the DPA competition, though there may not be monetary compensation. By winning or placing in the competition you are agreeing to be included in the winners’ annual.

Neither Dog Photography Awards, nor their associates, affiliates, or partners assumes any responsibility for photos submitted in violation of competition rules, or for those which violate copyright regulations. DPA will investigate claims of copyright infringement to the best of its ability, and will remove and disqualify images that are clearly demonstrated to violate copyright and/or competition policies. DPA will act to maintain the integrity of the competition and its affiliated entities, but is not responsible for any damages resulting from images submitted in violation with rules and regulations.