Katie Brockman Wins 2026 Dog Photographer of the Year for "Loved and Hated"
The 2026 winners of the Dog Photography Awards have been revealed, with Katie Brockman earning the title of Dog Photographer of the Year for her piece "Loved and Hated," which depicts a bully breed dog adorned with a newspaper crown and collar to reflect societal views. Brockman highlighted the evolving perceptions of pitbulls, shaped by advocates like Sophie Gamand and the influence of social media. The competition attracted 1,900 submissions, showcasing dog photography from around the world. Other notable winners include Nika Kuplenk Golobič (1st Place, Action, "Winter Launch"), Gavriella Leon (2nd Place, Action, "Mission Balance"), and Elena Marchi (1st Place, Open, "Run"; 1st Place, Portrait Outdoor, "Beyond the Track"). A complete gallery of the finalists can be found on the Dog Photography Awards website.
Key facts
- The 2026 Dog Photography Awards received 1,900 entries.
- Katie Brockman won Dog Photographer of the Year 2026 for "Loved and Hated."
- Brockman's winning image features a bully breed dog with a newspaper crown and a newspaper collar on a chain.
- The crown headlines include "Pit Bull Saves Family From Fire" and "Pit bull therapy dog teaches lessons, allays fears."
- The collar headlines include "A time-bomb on a leash?" and "Words 'pit bull' have sparked hysteria."
- Brockman stated the collar and chain represent breed bans and restrictions, while the crown and gentle hand represent advocates.
- Nika Kuplenk Golobič won 1st Place in Action for "Winter Launch."
- Elena Marchi won 1st Place in Open for "Run" and 1st Place in Portrait Outdoor for "Beyond the Track."
- Tianhang Zhang won 1st Place in Documentary for "Waiting" and an Honorable Mention in Action for "Underwater Fetch."
- The contest aims to highlight exceptional dog photography worldwide and uncover emerging talent.
Entities
Artists
- Katie Brockman
- Nika Kuplenk Golobič
- Gavriella Leon
- Elena Marchi
- Jill Garrett
- Susan Lang
- Tianhang Zhang
- Callie Soden
- Kerstin Leichtenmüller
- Eco Lorka
- Linda Glomb
- Katie Gyltnes
- Sarah Ebner
- Jane Thomson
- Sophie Gamand
- Katie Brockway
- Zhang Tianhang
- Christian Thorsberg
- Belinda Richards
- Kairi Laiapea
- Santos Roman
- Nika Kuplenk Golobic
Institutions
- Dog Photography Awards
- My Modern Met
- Smithsonian Magazine
- PetaPixel
Locations
- United States
- St. Louis
- London
- United Kingdom
- Ronda
- Spain
- Chicago
- Norway
- Cannon Beach
- Oregon