Upper Hutt-based fine art dog photographer Em Boyle has been named the winner of the Documentary category at the 2025 International Pet Photography Awards, an achievement that highlights her growing reputation on the global stage.

Em’s winning series was captured during her travels to Istanbul in November 2024, when she and her husband flew in and out of the city while on their wedding trip to Copenhagen. Armed with just one lens (a 24–70mm), Em turned her camera towards the stray cats and dogs that roam Istanbul’s streets and live in harmony with the city’s residents.

All three of Em’s winning images were taken on a single night around Taksim Square. One depicts a stray dog in a deep sleep at the entrance of the metro station, undisturbed by the rush of dozens of commuters passing by. Another shows a dog calmly watching the world unfold along the ever-busy Istiklal Street. The third captures a young, inquisitive cat in the Square, who had been playing up a tree with a group of other strays. Together, the photographs highlight the animals’ assimilation into urban life, their resilience, and the quiet bond they share with the city’s people.

“The strays of Istanbul are part of the fabric of the city,” says Em. “Locals feed them, care for them, and co-exist with them in a way that is full of mutual trust. I wanted my images to capture that quiet but powerful relationship between people and animals.”

Attracting 4,011 images from hundreds of photographers from around the world in 2025, the International Pet Photography Awards is the most contested photography competition for pet photographers. The Documentary category is one of the most challenging, requiring photographers to depict pets or animals in genuine, unposed situations without digital manipulation. Em’s images were chosen from among six international finalists after five judges assessed the strongest portfolios.

During the awards ceremony, the international panel of pet photography judges talked of Em’s “beautiful” finalist images saying, “we were all really enamoured by these photographs” of a “very touching project.”
This win adds to Em’s growing list of accolades, with over 120 international awards to her name. Highlights include first place in the Black and White Category at the Asia Pacific Photography Awards 2024, first place in the Portrait Category of the NZ Amateur Photographer of the Year Awards 2024, and multiple finalist placings across international competitions since 2023.

Em says of the win, “My passion has always been about telling the stories of animals, whether they’re much-loved pets here in Wellington or the strays who live side by side with communities overseas. This award means so much to me because it honours not just the photographs, but the animals themselves. These images weren’t staged or styled, they’re real moments that reflect the unique coexistence I witnessed in Istanbul and I hope they encourage others to see the beauty and value in every animal’s story.”

While her documentary work shines a light on the lives of strays abroad, Boyle is also making an impact closer to home. She is currently running The Paws Project, photographing 45 dogs across Wellington for a 2026 charity calendar, with 100% of proceeds going to Ellie’s Canine Rescue. Applications are currently open for the medium dog sessions, with the calendar set for release in October.

To find out more about Em’s work, visit www.emboylephotography.co.nz.

A “thank you” to Em Boyle for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

11/09/25