Special guest judge announced for Dog Photographer of the Year 2018 competition

The Kennel Club has named commercial and editorial dog photographer, Elke Vogelsang as the special guest judge for this year’s prestigious Dog Photographer of the Year awards, alongside a reminder that the deadline for entries is fast approaching.

The competition, now in its thirteenth year, will close for entries on 4th April. Photographers of all skill levels are encouraged to apply, from young budding photographers through to serious amateurs and professionals.

German photographer Elke, also known as ‘Wieselblitz’, will be joined by fellow judges including Nigel Atherton of Amateur Photographer magazine; Neil Freeman of Nikon School UK; Alastair Jolly of SmugMug, and Kennel Club representatives. 

Last year the international competition received entries from 75 countries around the globe, including Canada, Russia, Brazil and New Zealand, making it the biggest and most popular canine photography competition in the world.

The competition comprises ten categories: Dogs at Play, Portrait, Oldies, Dogs at Work, Puppies, Man's Best Friend, Young Pup Photographer (for entrants aged 11 and under), ‘I Love Dogs Because …’ (for entrants aged between 12 and 17), Assistance Dogs and Rescue Dogs. An overall winner will then be chosen from the winning ten images.

The overall winner will receive an original oil painting of their image by award-winning artist Sara Abbott. All category winners will have their images on display at the Kennel Club in Mayfair, and will win a SmugMug photography website to showcase their work online and a one day photography course offered by Nikon School UK, as well as a trophy and exhibition print from Loxley Colour presented during an award ceremony.

The Assistance Dog and Rescue Dog category winners will also receive a £500 donation from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust to their chosen dog charity. 

For more information and to officially register and enter, please visit www.dogphotographeroftheyear.org.uk. The deadline to enter is 4th April 2018.