ME Pet Photography’s 2026 IPPA Awards
(and What It Means for Your Pet’s Portraits)
I’ve got a little happy update from my portable studio. In the 2026 International Pet Photography Awards (IPPA), my work was recognised with three awards:
- Silver Award in the Creative category
- Bronze with Distinction in the Open Portrait category
- Bronze Award in the Equine Portrait category
And while I’m absolutely chuffed, I want this blog to be useful, not just celebratory. Because the real question is:
What does “award-winning” actually change for you and your pet?
Award-winning pet photography means you’re choosing a photographer who can create consistent, beautiful portraits across different animals, coat colours, personalities, and lighting challenges. It’s not about perfect poses. It’s about skill, patience, and experience you can feel on the day.
A tiny celebration, then straight to what matters
I’m the first to admit it. Awards can sound a bit shiny.
But here’s what they represent behind the scenes:
- The ability to create flattering light without overwhelming sensitive pets
- The patience to work with nervous animals, high-energy animals, and “I will not be bribed” animals
- A calm process that helps pets settle in their own time
- Attention to the tiny details that make a portrait feel like your best friend
If your pet is older, anxious, reactive, or simply not a fan of strangers, you’re not alone. A lot of my clients come to me with that exact worry.
Awards are a quiet signal that the method works.
Our 2026 IPPA results
Here’s what we received at the 2026 International Pet Photography Awards (dated 31 July 2026):
Silver Award: Creative
The Creative category celebrates portraits with strong concept, styling, and visual impact.
In plain English: it’s about making something fun and bold, without losing the pet’s personality.
Bronze with Distinction: Open Portrait
Open Portrait is about strong portraiture, expression, and technical quality.
In plain English: it’s the “this looks like them” category. The kind of portrait you want to walk past on your wall every day.
Bronze Award: Equine Portrait
Equine Portrait celebrates horse portraiture with beautiful light, shape, and presence.
In plain English: horses are powerful and sensitive, and a great portrait needs both respect and control of the details.
What “award-winning” means for your session
(not just my trophy shelf)
Calm, pet-led pacing
Your pet doesn’t need to perform.
We take breaks. We let them sniff. We adjust the plan. We work with the animal you have, not the animal you wish you had.
Experience across coat colours, species, and personalities
Black fur, white fur, shiny fur, fluffy fur, no fur.
Cats who do their own thing. Dogs who want to kiss the lens. Horses who read the room better than any human.
Awards don’t come from one “lucky” session. They come from being able to repeat quality across all those variables.
Lighting that flatters, not frightens
My portable studio is designed to be gentle.
That means soft, controlled light that shows off your pet’s eyes and expression, without turning the session into a stressful sensory experience.
The little details that make wall art feel alive
A portrait that lasts is rarely about the biggest grin.
It’s the head tilt. The whiskers. The way their ears sit when they’re curious. The tiny expression you recognise instantly.
That’s what I’m always looking for.
A behind-the-scenes look at an “award-level” portrait
(without the jargon)
Step 1: We plan around your pet
Before the session, I’ll ask about:
- Your pet’s personality and comfort level
- Any mobility issues or anxiety triggers
- What you love most about them
- What kind of artwork you’re dreaming of
Step 2: I bring the studio to you
Sessions happen in your home, which helps pets feel safer faster.
We set up, we go slow, and we keep things calm.
Step 3: We follow their lead
Some pets are ready in five minutes.
Some need a little longer. Both are completely normal.
Step 4: I edit to keep them looking like them
Editing is there to polish, not to change.
I keep it natural and true to your pet, so the final portraits feel like a real memory, not a filter.
If your pet is nervous, you’re not “behind”
I want to say this clearly.
Nervous pets are welcome here.
You don’t need to apologise for them. You don’t need to “fix” them before you enquire. We’ll talk it through, plan gently, and make choices that support your pet’s comfort.
The takeaway
Awards are lovely.
But the real win is this: you get a calm experience and portraits that feel like your pet, at their best, without forcing them into someone else’s idea of “perfect”.
Ready for the easiest next step?
If you’d like to see the style of work that earned these awards, start here:
- View the portfolio (and see what you’re drawn to)
If you’re feeling nervous about whether your pet will cope, you can also:
- Enquire for a quick chat and tell me what you’re worried about
No pressure. Just a gentle plan.
FAQs
The International Pet Photography Awards (IPPA) are an international competition that recognises high-quality pet photography across multiple categories, including creative portraits, open portraiture, and equine portraiture.
ME Pet Photography (Marie-Elizabeth Pyke) received three awards at the 2026 International Pet Photography Awards: a Silver Award (Creative), a Bronze with Distinction (Open Portrait), and a Bronze Award (Equine Portrait).
No. Award-winning pet photography is not about perfect obedience. A calm, pet-led approach focuses on your pet’s comfort, pacing, and personality, so we can capture real expressions without stress.
Most sessions take place in your home in Brisbane and surrounding areas. ME Pet Photography brings a portable studio to you, which helps many pets feel more comfortable.
A typical session takes around two hours from setup to pack down, with breaks as needed for your pet.
Yes. ME Pet Photography photographs a wide range of animals, including dogs, cats, small pets, and horses, using a calm approach tailored to each species.
Not at this stage. The portable studio approach allows for consistent, flattering lighting and a calmer experience for many pets.