Canines crowned king but cats lauded too as winner of 2026 Australian Animal Photographer of the Year revealed
A dramatic series of outdoor pooch portraits placed first in the “Animal” category, but the highest-scoring overall image was a creative feline frame
The 2026 New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP) Iris Awards revealed their winners, with dogs claiming the "Animal" category title in Australia. However, cats also achieved notable success, with one photographer earning the highest-scoring image. Overall, Brisbane-based pet photographer Charlotte Reeves emerged as the winner, capturing a series of striking outdoor dog photographs.
She expressed her honor at receiving the "Animal Photographer of the Year" award, acknowledging her business partner's encouragement to enter. Reeves' winning images included striking poses of dogs in nature. Despite dogs' victory in the "Animal" category, cats put up a strong competition, particularly with Melbourne-based photographer Belinda Richards.
Richards scored 99/100 in the "Creative" category with a unique frame, setting a new high among all entrants in New Zealand and Australia.
Written by urgent.news from Digital Camera World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
