Framing your subject is a fantastic, no-mistaking way to bring attention straight to your subject. At the same time, framing allows you to introduce extra eye candy to the image in the form of colour, texture and an impression of place and purpose. You can frame your subject in so many ways by using items in the foreground or background, nature or urban settings, doorways, foliage - the options are endless!

Framing is a fantastic way to draw attention to the subject and as we kick off with the first Emerge challenge, that is what we are looking for.

Armed with the challenge brief, an instructional video and some behind the scenes footage for inspiration, our challengers set out to create images with framing as the number one compositional element.

We had a very high standard of images for our first challenge, but here, in no particular order, are our top 10 submissions.

Fantastic work, we're sure you'll agree, so well done to the photographers.

- Charlotte & Craig 🐶 📸 ✨

Brittani White 

This very literal take on the challenge work fantastically well. The dog is bursting to life through the frame. What is within the frame could easily be a successful portrait in it's own right, and those paws coming forward and the sweep of sand at the bottom act as another subtle frame.

Gabriela Ciobanu | LightStories

This is a fabulously crafted interpretation in the Framed brief. Beautifully lit to illustrate the arms as the framing element.

Ginger Wick | Ginger Wick Photography

The tonality in this images is great. The dog walking towards the camera really engages the viewer and the little splashes highlight against the dark tunnel are a lovely little detail.

Juliette Bercovici | Juliette Bercovici

What a cleverly crafted image that is humourous, quirky and engaging. The 'frame' and unique angle amplify this. Great expression and the complementary colour scheme really finish it off nicely.

Kendra Stautz | Wild Woof Photography

What a fantastic natural frame. The inclusion of the mountain behind adds a sense of place and the dog feels like it belongs in this environment. The windswept fur introduces an emotive quality to the image.

Lisa Hanley | Odd Quad Photography

Cats and boxes are like ham and cheese, made for each other! The angle this was shot at and the knowing expression of the cat make this a successful Framed submission.

Melissa Schiestel

This bright, sunny image has several layers of framing and there is so much narrative to be read in such a simple composition. The kicker for this little dog sitting in a giant wheel, is the little name tag reading Chainsaw!

Shandess Griffin | Shand and Your Dogs Photography

This is an incredibly evocative image and a very creative take on the challenge brief. Using the light in the way to frame the subject works beautifully and the black and white edit adds a timeless quality.

Teran Buckner | Phido Photography

What a lively, vibrant image! The use of the tulips in the foreground framing the green space with the dog central to that adds layers of depth it the image drawing the viewer in.

Valerie Howes | Wild + Ruff

A fantastic pose and expression strengthen the location of this Framed image. The dog feels statuesque in a timeless way that fits in every way.

Emerge is the second series in our Unleashed Challenge courses and is made up of 12 challenges over 6 months. It’s open to anyone who has completed our first course in the series, Embark.

So much more than just a challenge, the Unleashed Challenges are an invaluable educational resource that will help you build up a go-to list of shots to help create variety in your work. Designed for anyone to be able to complete whether you just want to photograph your own dog or you are a professional pet photographer.

Enrollment for Embark is currently open until April 30, 2024. If you'd like to know more, head over here to register your interest.