Embark 2026 Feedback Videos and Awards Replay
Disclaimer: This video has been transcribed using AI. Click [CC] to access subtitle options. Subtitles may not be 100% accurate.Â
Feedback
Shooting against a coloured building, wall or other coloured object can be a great way to convey personality or focus the viewer’s attention on a dog’s physical features in otherwise distracting outdoor environments.
We're off to a fantastic start with this set of submissions. Congratulations to all those who completed the Colouriffic challenge. We can't wait to see what you come up with for the next 11!
Challenge Brief
Find an area of bold colour and photograph your subject in front of it. We’re looking for images with a background comprising a single bold colour, or you may shoot against a background with multiple colours, with special attention paid to colour harmony.
Timecodes
00:30 How the feedback sessions work
04:53 Alex Ashman
07:10 Andrew Wagner
10:22 Belinda Heyne
12:55 Birgit Zimmermann
14:44 Breanna Burge
16:42 Breanna Weber
19:37 Brittany Rickard
22:34 Caeli Gmai
25:33 Carmen Hazelton
28:25 Caryn Glover
30:11 Courtney Bryson
33:08 Crystal Rambayon
35:45 Cynthia Hall
39:00 Dana Gookin-Owens
40:23 Deborah Townsend
43:10 Dionne Stephenson
45:28 Elsy Slifer
48:41 Emma Coulter
50:47 Eva-Liz Aandal
53:17 Gabi Vannini
56:42 Jacqueline Harris
59:13 Jenny Johansson
1:01:49 Jess Hoffmann
1:04:40 Joan Carey
1:07:59 Karen Dickinson
1:11:16 Katie Pierce
1:13:35 Korina Joseph
1:16:04 Lauren McDonoughÂ
1:19:12 Lexie Larson
1:21:01 Lisa
1:23:07 Lori Veinot
1:25:04 Michelle Dart
1:26:43 Michelle Osborne
1:27:47 Mick McCurry
1:30:05 Natalie Clennell
1:32:10 Nicki Endt
1:33:55 Paula Starke
1:35:58 Polly Baik
1:38:02 Sam Rowe
1:39:06 Samantha Smillie
1:41:36 Sandy Allen
1:44:15 Sara Waldon
1:46:29 Sarah Miller
1:49:52 Shani Ruffell
1:52:11 Tamara PĂ©rez Cordero
1:53:36 Terri Jacobson
1:57:00 Theresa Camastra
1:59:36 Valerie Bavegems
2:01:41 Top 20
2:06:03 Top 10
Disclaimer: This video has been transcribed using AI. Click [CC] to access subtitle options. Subtitles may not be 100% accurate.Â
Feedback
For Get Down, we challenged you to see things for a dogs perspective, to help you make your images more immersive, to get down lower!
Well done to everyone who submitted, you really, errr rose, or rather got down to the occasion!
Challenge Brief
Shoot from a very low angle to show the ground plane and the full body of the subject. Images shot with the camera touching or nearly touching the ground will meet this challenge best.Â
Timecodes
01:14 Valerie Bavegems
03:11 Theresa Camastra
05:22 Terri Jacobson
07:13 Tamara PĂ©rez Cordero
09:48 Sarah Miller
11:29 Sara Waldon
12:41 Sandy Allen
15:05 Samantha Smillie
16:16 Sam Rowe
17:50 Nicki Endt
20:02 Natalie Clennell
21:48 Mick McCurry
23:55 Michelle Osborne
25:30 Lori Veinot
28:39 Lexie Larson
30:29 Lauren McDonough
32:12 Korina Joseph
24:42 Katie Pierce
36:08 Karen Dickinson
37:33 Joan Carey
40:16 Jess Hoffmann
42:32 Jenny Johansson
45:49 Jacqueline Harris
48:20 Gabi Vannini
49:40 Eva-Liz Aandal
52:27 Emma Coulter
54:19 Elsy Slifer
55:54 Dionne Stephenson
57:32 Deborah Townsend
1:00:04 Dana Gookin-Owens
1:01:22 Cynthia Hall
1:03:27 Crystal Rambayon
1:05:50 Courtney Bryson
1:08:22 Claudine Kosier
1:09:42 Caryn Glover
1:11:04 Carmen Hazelton
1:13:17 Caeli Gmai
1:15:38 Brittany Rickard
1:18:08 Breanna Burge
1:20:00 Birgit Zimmermann
1:21:22 Belinda Heyne
1:23:39 Andrew Wagner
1:25:43 Alex Mirontschuk
1:27:00 Alex Ashman
1:28:38 Top 20
1:30:25 Top 10
Disclaimer: This video has been transcribed using AI. Click [CC] to access subtitle options. Subtitles may not be 100% accurate.Â
Feedback
Centring feels very natural and is probably one of the first things you tried when you picked up your camera. After all, the focus point on your camera by default is usually smack bang in the middle, right?
Once you learn to move the focus points around and expand your compositional repertoire, centred composition may seem overly simplistic. However, it does have its place. Centring can be used to create a sense of calmness, stillness and serenity. It can also work hand in hand with another compositional element, symmetry.
But however far along you are in your photographic journey, centring your composition is still worth considering. Centring can result in beautifully balanced, impactful images that are pleasing to the eye.
We had a fantastic set of submissions for this challenge, well done everyone!
Challenge Brief
The subject must be perfectly centered in the frame. Symmetry in the pet’s pose and background can help create a balanced composition, but it’s not essential. The key is a centred subject and an overall sense of balance.
Timecodes
01:02 Alex Ashman
02:57 Alex Mirontschu
05:09 Belinda Heyne
06:53 Breanna Burge
08:42 Breanna Weber
10:39 Brittany Rickard
12:06 Carmen Hazelton
15:20 Caryn Glover
17:15 Claudine Kosier
18:43 Courtney Bryson
20:01 Crystal Rambayon
22:23 Cynthia Hall
24:35 Dana Gookin-Owens
26:32 Deborah Townsend
28:10 Dionne Stephenson
31:56 Elsy Slifer
34:54 Emma Coulter
36:46 Eva-Liz Aandal
38:30 Gabi Vannini
40:22 Jacqueline Harris
41:58 Jenny Johansson
43:47 Joan Carey
45:34 Karen Dickinson
47:30 Katie Pierce
49:36 Korina Joseph
51:17 Lexie Larson
55:43 Lori Veinot
57:15 Michelle Osborne
58:29 Mick McCurry
59:52 Natalie Clennell
1:02:57 Nicki Endt
1:05:26 Sam Rowe
1:07:36 Samantha Smillie
1:09:51 Sandy Allen
1:13:49 Sara Waldon
1:16:24 Sarah Miller
1:19:32 Tamara PĂ©rez Cordero
1:20:59 Terri Jacobson
1:23:19 Theresa Camastra
1:24:58 Valerie Bavegems
1:26:56 Top 20
1:30:23 Top 10
Disclaimer: This video has been transcribed using AI. Click [CC] to access subtitle options. Subtitles may not be 100% accurate.Â
Feedback
We've loved going on a world tour through your Dogscapes submissions!
This is probably the most difficult challenge of Embark, so well done everyone who submitted, and special congratulations to the top 20 and top 10.
Challenge Brief
A natural landscape must be prominently featured in this image, though man-made elements can be included. The image can be shot with any focal length or even stitched from multiple images, but it must give a sense of place, while still featuring the pet as the main subject.
Timecodes
00:55 Valerie Bavegems
02:56 Theresa Camastra
05:47 Terri Jacobson
06:51 Tamara PĂ©rez Cordero
09:50 Sarah Miller
11:24 Sara Waldon
13:12 Sandy Allen
16:18 Samantha Smillie
20:17 Sam Rowe
22:02 Polly Baik
24:30 Nicki Endt
27:36 Natalie Clennell
30:43 Mick McCurry
32:55 Michelle Osborne
35:34 Lori Veinot
39:06 Lexie Larson
41:29 Korina Joseph
44:00 Katie Pierce
46:23 Karen Dickinson
49:15 Joan Carey
51:57 Jenny Johansson
54:44 Jacqueline Harris
58:20 Gabi Vannini
1:27:07 Eva-Liz Aandal
1:04:43 Emma Coulter
1:07:50 Dionne Stephenson
1:10:53 Dana Gookin-Owens
1:13:01 Cynthia Hall
1:15:26 Crystal Rambayon
1:19:03 Courtney Bryson
1:21:06 Caryn Glover
1:26:08 Carmen Hazelton
1:28:24 Caeli Gmai
1:30:54 Brittany Rickard
1:34:04 Birgit Zimmermann
1:36:23 Belinda Heyne
1:38:41 Alex Mirontschuk
1:40:50 Top 20
1:44:38 Top 10
Disclaimer: This video has been transcribed using AI. Click [CC] to access subtitle options. Subtitles may not be 100% accurate.Â
Feedback
One technique that works wonders for dogs who tend to wander around is putting them up on something.
In natural areas, fallen logs make great platforms for encouraging them to stay in one place while elevating the dog also has many other benefits.
What's more, elevating them is a great alternative to getting down low. We call this style of shot Up Ups, which makes total sense right?!
So for the Up Ups challenge, we are asking to see images with the dog elevated, it doesn't matter what, as long as they are up on something. We had some gorgeous and super creative images submitted well done all!
Challenge Brief
Capture an engaging portrait of your subject up on something – all four paws or just their front paws. As long as they are visibly elevated on an object, off the ground.
Timecodes
00:41 Alex Ashman
03:32 Belinda Heyne
06:27 Birgit Zimmermann
08:37 Brittany Rickard
11:51 Caeli Gmai
13:37 Carmen Hazelton
15:45 Caryn Glover
17:29 Claudine Kosier
20:10 Courtney BrysonÂ
22:18 Crystal Rambayon
23:35 Cynthia Hall
25:23 Dana Gookin-Owens
27:48 Deborah Townsend
30:11 Dionne Stephenson
32:06 Emma CoulterÂ
34:19 Eva-Liz Aandal
36:18 Gabi Vannini
39:22 Jacqueline Harris
41:31 Jenny Johansson
43:28 Jess Hoffmann
45:19 Joan Carey
47:55 Karen Dickinson
50:21 Katie Pierce
51:20 Korina Joseph
53:57 Lauren McDonough
55:23 Lori Veinot
57:56 Michelle Osborne
1:00:30 Mick McCurryÂ
1:04:24 Natalie Clennell
1:06:45 Nicki Endt
1:08:50 Sam Rowe
1:14:00 Samantha Smillie
1:15:51 Sandy Allen
1:17:56 Sara Waldon
1:20:25 Sarah Miller
1:23:14 Tamara PĂ©rez Cordero
1:24:49 Terri Jacobson
1:27:09 Theresa Camastra
1:28:57 Valerie Bavegems
1:31:11 Top 20
1:34:30 Top 10
Disclaimer: This video has been transcribed using AI. Click [CC] to access subtitle options. Subtitles may not be 100% accurate.Â
Feedback
We're half way through Embark already, can you believe it! So for this challenge it's time to do a little soul searching.
This style of shot can be a great way to introduce variety into a session, especially if you usually shoot from a very low angle. The high angle and the expression, are sure to tug at the heartstrings, and people really relate to this view of their dog.
They see it every day when they look down at them. These images can feature just the dog's face filling the frame, or they can be framed wider to include more of the body.
This shot really plays on the whole "eyes are the windows to the soul" saying with the eyes being big, bright, and sharp, and a shallow depth of field turning everything else into soft blur.
Well done to all who submitted.
Challenge Brief
Shoot from a high angle, looking down at the subject as they look up and make eye contact. The face should be evenly lit, with sharp focus on the eyes. Ensure the background is pleasing and non-distracting.
Timecodes
01:43 Valerie Bavegems
02:52 Theresa Camastra
04:18 Terri Jacobson
05:39 Tamara PĂ©rez Cordero
08:26 Sarah Miller
09:52 Sara Waldon
12:13 Sandy Allen
14:54 Samantha Smillie
16:36 Sam Rowe
17:26 Pat Collins
18:11 Nicki Endt
19:57 Natalie Clennell
20:56 Michelle Osborne
22:32 Lori Veinot
24:15 Lauren McDonough
24:53 Korina Joseph
26:27 Katie Pierce
28:26 Karen Dickinson
29:43 Joan Carey
31:12 Jenny Johansson
32:42 Jacqueline Harris
34:52 Gabi Vannini
36:30 Eva-Liz Aandal
37:30 Emma Coulter
38:46 Dionne Stephenson
40:40 Dana Gookin-Owens
41:47 Cynthia Hall
43:17 Crystal Rambayon
45:49 Courtney Bryson
47:42 Claudine Kosier
49:33 Caryn Glover
51:37 Carmen Hazelton
54:36 Caeli Gmai
56:03 Brittany Rickard
57:16 Breanna Weber
58:54 Breanna Burge
1:00:52 Birgit Zimmermann
1:02:19 Belinda Heyne
1:03:47 Alex Mirontschuk
1:05:39 Top 20
1:07:20 Top 10
Disclaimer: This video has been transcribed using AI. Click [CC] to access subtitle options. Subtitles may not be 100% accurate.Â
Feedback
For the City Slicker challenge, we sent you out to photograph pets in urban locations.
We had a fantastic standard of submissions, congratulations to those who made the top 10 and top 20.
Challenge Brief
Photograph the subject in a man-made environment, paying special attention to showing features of the location – either large or small – to create an urban feel. As always, the pet should be the main star of the shot, with the location playing a supporting role.
Timecodes
1:00 Alex Mirontschuk
03:07 Belinda Heyne
05:59 Brittany Rickard
07:56 Caeli Gmai
10:24 Carmen Hazelton
13:43 Caryn Glover
16:50 Claudine Kosier
19:21 Courtney Bryson
20:17 Cynthia Hall
22:53 Dionne Stephenson
25:11 Emma Coulter
28:24 Eva-Liz Aandal
30:15 Gabi Vannini
32:42 Jacqueline Harris
34:09 Jenny Johansson
37:34 Joan Carey
40:29 Karen Dickinson
42:09 Katie Pierce
44:47 Korina Joseph
46:19 Lori Veinot
49:46 Michelle Osborne
52:16 Natalie Clennell
54:06 Nicki Endt
56:01 Sam Rowe
57:15 Samantha Smillie
59:25 Sandy Allen
1:01:19 Sara Waldon
1:04:42 Sarah Miller
1:06:42 Tamara PĂ©rez Cordero
1:09:26 Terri Jacobson
1:11:30 Theresa Camastra
1:13:23 Valerie Bavegems
1:14:43 Top 20
1:15:51 Top 10
Disclaimer: This video has been transcribed using AI. Click [CC] to access subtitle options. Subtitles may not be 100% accurate.
Feedback
Featuring flying ears, long flapping tongues, and crazy eyes, these shots are hilarious and always front runners with dog lovers. A must to include in any clients image gallery!
Capturing animals in action would have to be one of the most demanding types of photography. They move erratically, they're relatively small, and they're different colours, shapes and sizes. And that's before you even consider the extra challenges you have in directing and influencing their movement. Once you have the know-how though it's all down to practice. And for these shots, you won't get many complaints about that from your doggy subjects.
So stepping up the difficulty level as we tackle challenge number 8 of Embark is precisely what we needed to do! for everyone who submitted, great job.
Challenge Brief
In this action challenge, the subject should be running directly towards you with plenty of expression. Timing is important, with the subject captured at the optimum position in their stride. The image should be shot from a low angle and the subject should be evenly lit. There should be no motion blur, with sharp focus on the eyes or whole face.
Timecodes
1:03 Alex Mirontschuk
2:35 Belinda Heyne
4:02 Breanna Weber
5:37 Brittany Rickard
07:42 Caeli Gmai
11:04 Carmen Hazelton
13:06 Caryn Glover
13:59 Courtney Bryson
15:19 Crystal Rambayon
17:04 Cynthia Hall
18:49 Dana Gookin-Owens
20:24 Dionne Stephenson
23:42 Emma Coulter
27:42 Eva-Liz Aandal
29:38 Gabi Vannini
32:10 Jacqueline Harris
36:15 Jenny Johansson
38:00 Jess Hoffmann
40:03 Joan Carey
41:44 Karen Dickinson
45:11 Katie Pierce
46:37 Korina Joseph
47:50 Lauren McDonough
50:09 Lori Veinot
51:28 Michelle Osborne
52:47 Natalie Clennell
54:36 Nicki Endt
56:39 Sam Rowe
58:18 Samantha Smillie
1:00:30 Sandy Allen
1:02:55 Sara Waldon
1:04:18 Tamara PĂ©rez Cordero
1:05:46 Terri Jacobson
1:07:56 Theresa Camastra
1:09:09 Valerie Bavegems
1:10:35 Top 20
1:12:39 Top 10
Disclaimer: This video has been transcribed using AI. Click [CC] to access subtitle options. Subtitles may not be 100% accurate.Â
Feedback
Dog photos are most successful when they're engaging, when they show the personality of the dog and make you feel like you're right there with them when you're looking at the photo. For maximum engagement, you just can't go past a doggy head tilt.
The jury is out on exactly why they do it, but it's thought to be in order to hear us better. A change in head and ear position can help them more accurately locate the direction and distance of a sound.
Whatever the reason they do it, it's always something to strive for in your work to take the expression and emotion of your photo to the next level.
This is probably our most adorable set of submissions of Embark 2026 yet!
Challenge Brief
The main aim of this challenge is to capture a doggy head tilt. We’re looking for an engaging expression, showing personality and connection with the camera, so eye contact is preferable. For maximum impact, the eyes should be sharply focused and the image evenly lit.
Timecodes
00:49 Alex Mirontschuk
02:28 Belinda Heyne
05:40 Brittany Rickard
07:57 Carmen Hazelton
10:12 Caryn Glover
11:23 Courtney Bryson
13:13 Crystal Rambayon
14:51 Cynthia Hall
16:47 Dana Gookin-Owens
18:40 Dionne Stephenson
21:40 Emma Coulter
23:50 Eva-Liz Aandal
26:20 Gabi Vannini
29:30 Jacqueline Harris
31:34 Jenny Johansson
32:24 Jess Hoffmann
34:05 Joan Carey
35:30 Karen Dickinson
38:38 Katie Pierce
40:35 Korina Joseph
42:50 Lori Veinot
44:11 Michelle Osborne
47:12 Natalie Clennell
48:50 Polly Baik
51:10 Sam Rowe
52:59 Samantha Smillie
54:15 Sandy Allen
56:41 Sara Waldon
59:57 Terri Jacobson
1:02:43 Theresa Camastra
1:04:37 Valerie Bavegems
1:06:19 Top 20
1:10:24 Top 10
Disclaimer: This video has been transcribed using AI. Click [CC] to access subtitle options. Subtitles may not be 100% accurate.Â
Feedback
Working with natural light, especially on a bright sunny day can be challenging at times. However, the resulting warm and engaging portraits created from shooting in the afternoon sunshine make it all worthwhile.
Backlighting your subject is a beautiful way to separate them from the background, giving your images an instant glow-up.
So, for this challenge, we want to see some perfectly executed backlight, and images with rim-light that really add the separation and give the Glow-Up feeling.
Well done to all the Embarkers who submitted an image for this challenge.
Challenge Brief
Capture a backlit subject, with full rim light visible around the edges of the subject. Golden hour provides the best light source for backlighting, but artificial light may be used instead. The camera-facing side of the subject should be receiving plentiful natural light, balancing the rim light and creating clear catchlights in the eyes.
Timecodes
1:28 Valerie Bavegems
3:13 Theresa Camastra
5:33 Terri Jacobson
8:21 Tamara PĂ©rez Cordero
10:15 Sara Waldon
12:02 Sandy Allen
13:59 Samantha Smillie
16:32 Sam Rowe
17:43 Natalie Clennell
19:57 Michelle Osborne
21:19 Lori Veinot
22:57 Lauren McDonough
25:18 Korina Joseph
27:43 Katie Pierce
29:00 Karen Dickinson
31:26 Joan Carey
32:59 Jess Hoffmann
34:43 Jenny Johansson
36:40 Jacqueline Harris
39:01 Gabi Vannini
40:08 Eva-Liz Aandal
42:22 Emma Coulter
44:11 Dionne Stephenson
46:56 Dana Gookin-Owens
48:25 Cynthia Hall
51:31 Courtney Bryson
53:52 Caryn Glover
55:46 Carmen Hazelton
57:21 Brittany Rickard
1:00:07 Breanna Weber
1:01:16 Birgit Zimmermann
1:02:34 Belinda Heyne
1:04:43 Top 20
1:06:17 Top 10
Disclaimer: This video has been transcribed using AI. Click [CC] to access subtitle options. Subtitles may not be 100% accurate.Â
Feedback
Can you believe it? We've reached the penultimate challenge of Embark 2026. Splash! is always a fun one to give feedback on this year was no exception.
Congratulations to the photographers who submitted, fabulous work as always.
Challenge Brief
Incorporate water in your image, preferably with the subject interacting with the water in some way – running, swimming, playing, jumping or drinking. If there is action in the image, it should be captured sharply. Special consideration should be given to showing any splashes clearly.
Timecodes
1:04 Belinda Heyne
3:09 Brittany Rickard
5:51 Carmen Hazelton
8:11 Caryn Glover
10:19 Courtney Bryson
11:41 Crystal Rambayon
14:14 Cynthia Hall
16:56 Dana Gookin-Owens
20:27 Dionne Stephenson
22:45 Emma Coulter
24:39 Eva-Liz Aandal
28:23 Gabi Vannini
29:33 Jacqueline Harris
32:40 Jenny Johansson
34:19 Joan Carey
35:45 Karen Dickinson
38:46 Katie Pierce
40:29 Korina Joseph
42:01 Lori Veinot
43:30 Michelle Osborne
47:05 Natalie Clennell
49:57 Sam Rowe
51:13 Samantha Smillie
52:44 Sandy Allen
56:44 Sara Waldon
58:41 Theresa Camastra
1:00:11 Valerie Bavegems
1:01:48 Top 20
1:02:27 Top 10
Â
