Stephanie Blum Photography Wins Two Bronze Awards in the 2026 International Pet Photography Awards
Two Bronze Awards, One Very Good Reason to Celebrate 🏆🐾
I'm thrilled to share that two of my images — "Olive and Biscottie" and "Buddha" — just earned Bronze distinctions in the 2026 International Pet Photography Awards (IPPA). If you follow me on Instagram or read my last newsletter, you already know I've been walking around with a pretty big grin about this one.
What Is IPPA, and Why Does It Matter?
IPPA is the world's largest professional pet photography competition — and the numbers back that up. This year's competition drew over 4,200 entries from photographers in 48 countries, judged across 12 categories by an international panel of industry professionals.
That's not a local contest or a popularity vote. It's a blind, juried competition where images are scored purely on composition, storytelling, technical skill, and creativity — nothing else. Placing at all is an accomplishment. Placing twice, with two very different images, means even more.
The Two Images
Olive and Biscottie — a portrait of two Basset Hounds, full of the personality and warmth that makes this breed so easy to fall for.
Buddha — a portrait of a rescue Pit Bull, a subject close to my heart given my ongoing work in animal rescue advocacy. Seeing a rescue dog recognized on an international stage means something extra.
Two completely different dogs, two completely different stories, both recognized by the same panel of judges. That range is exactly what I aim for in this work.
What It Means to Submit to IPPA
Entering a competition like IPPA isn't just about the outcome — it's about the process. Every submission gets real feedback from working professionals in the industry: what's working, what could be stronger, where the image succeeds artistically and technically. That feedback loop is part of how I keep growing as a photographer, session after session.
It also means holding my own work to a higher standard. An image has to earn its place in a portfolio built for a global, juried competition — not just look good on Instagram.
What It Means to Win
For me, this recognition is proof that the artistic choices I make in every session — the connection with the subject, the light, the moment I choose to capture — hold up against photographers from around the world.
For you, if you're considering booking a session, it's a signal: this isn't just a nice photo of your pet. It's a portrait built with the same eye and craftsmanship that international judges recognized on an international stage.
Thank You
Every one of these images starts with a client who trusted me with their pet — their story, their personality, their most-loved family member. This award belongs to them as much as it does to me.
Want a Portrait Like This for Your Own Pet?
If you'd love a fine art portrait session for your dog, cat, or family, I'd love to talk about what that could look like. Contact me to get started, or follow along on Instagram for more from the studio.
Stephanie Blum Photography specializes in fine art dog and pet portraits in Mendham, NJ, serving Morris County and surrounding areas including Morristown, Basking Ridge, Chester, Madison, Chatham, and beyond.
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