13/08/2026
Well... that wasn't easy!
Last year, choosing a winner was difficult. This year, it felt almost impossible.
After reading through around 250 comments, it's reminded me exactly why I love working in the pet industry. There were incredible stories of resilience, businesses built from passion, loyal communities rallying behind their favourite brands and so many lovely words of support.
Because I already knew some of the businesses, I asked a fellow dog lover (with no connection to any of the entrants) to help me create an unbiased shortlist. Even then, narrowing it down wasn't easy.
When it came to making the final decision, I looked at more than just the number of nominations. I wanted to understand the story behind each brand, how they communicated their business and whether I thought professional photography could make a meaningful difference to their business
After photographing hundreds of pet businesses over the years, I've seen just how much the right images can change the way a business is perceived and, more importantly, the confidence owners have in sharing their story.
So... congratulations to The Dog Corner! 🎉
Emily shared the story behind her business with such honesty, and it was wonderful to see the support from clients and followers who spoke so highly of her. Alongside running her business, she's studying for her canine nutrition diploma and already sharing her knowledge to help other dog owners.
I know how difficult it can be to stand out in her sector, so I really hope this shoot helps tell Emily's story, build trust with future customers and support the next stage of her business.
As I mentioned in yesterday's Reel, I wish I could photograph every nominated business... but there are only so many hours in the day!
So instead, over the coming weeks my Spotlight Sunday posts will feature one of the nominated businesses, sharing a little about who they are and what they do. Hopefully this wonderful community of dog lovers will discover a few new businesses to support along the way.
Thank you to everyone who nominated a business, shared their story or took the time to comment. Reading them all has genuinely been one of the highlights of my year. I have a feeling you're all going to make next year's decision even harder.
K x