Prize

Prize winners will be announced at David Roche Gallery on Friday 29 August 2025.

• First Prize – Amateur or professional photographer – $5000 cash prize
• First Prize – Young photographer (12-18 years) – $500 cash prize
• People’s Choice Award – $500 cash prize

All entries submitted electronically and co-judged with up to 80 selected finalist works required for exhibition at David Roche Gallery, Adelaide. Final judging and prize winners selected from physical photographs (A3 size) prior to the opening of the exhibition.

Finalist works printed in the accompanying exhibition catalogue.

Finalists invited to attend the exhibition opening of Best in Show 2025: Australian Photographic Dog Prize at David Roche Gallery.

Free exhibition entry for Finalists to Best in Show 2025: Australian Photographic Dog Prize exhibition at David Roche Gallery.

Entries opening Tuesday 25th February 2025. 

Entries are invited in the following competition categories by both adult and young photographers. All photographs are required to be less than two years old at the time of the closing date of entry. All photographs must have been taken in Australia.

• Dog portrait
• Dogs and companions
• Dogs in action
• Puppies

Competition Category descriptions:

Dog Portrait


The main subject of your photograph should be the dog either depicted in full or in-part. The dog can be inside or outside or in a studio setting and seated, standing or lying. Group portraits of dogs are also eligible. People are excluded.


Dogs and companions


Capture that special moment between people and dogs. As an owner or those favourite people and dogs that you know. Playing, walking, in Show, or simply enjoying each other’s company, this category should illustrate the ways in which dogs enrich our lives.


Dogs in action


This category should illustrate the active life of healthy dogs who are busy playing, running, or performing jobs such as herding, pointing, rescuing, or in action at a Show. Dogs playing or working together are eligible, people are excluded or must be minor background elements only.


Puppies


Photographs can be of one or more puppies and can include mum. Puppies are to be under 6 months of age. People are excluded.       

Entries opening Tuesday 25th February 2025. 

Amateur and Professional photographer

Each photographer may submit up to four entries. The entry fee is AU$30 (incl GST) for each entry. You may enter one photograph per category.

Young photographer (aged 12-18 years old)

Each young photographer may submit up to four entries. The entry fee is AU$10 (incl GST) for each entry. You may enter one photograph per category.

All entry fees are non-refundable and payable online.

Entries opening Tuesday 25th February 2025. 

Entries into Best in Show 2025: Australian Photographic Dog Prize must be submitted online via the entry portal and include digital images.

Amateur or Professional photographer?


• Amateur: Does not earn an income from their photographs nor sell or publish their work.
• Professional: A professional photographer earns, or earnt, a significant portion of their income from photography and who sells or publishes their work regularly.
• Young photographer: At the close of the entry date to the competition the entrant must be between 12 and 18 years of age.

Entrants may enter photographs in the competition between 17 February 2025 and 5:00pm (ACDT) on 19 May 2025.

An entrant may submit up to four entries, one in each of the competitions categories. The same entry should not be entered into more than one category.

To enter, entrants must upload each entry via the competition’s online entry portal at www.rochegallery.com.au/BisPrize/

• complete the online entry form in English, including entrant’s name, mailing address, telephone number and email address be an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident until the end of 2025
• include a title for the entry
• include a brief statement of a maximum of 100 words about the image and when and where the Entry was taken
• naming format for images: category_firstname_lastname_Image#.jpeg. Image# relates to the number of the entrant’s entry. If it’s the first entry uploaded, title it Image1, second entry uploaded Image2 etc. e.g.  Dogportrait_David_Roche_Image1.jpeg
• pay a non-refundable entry fee which is calculated as follows:

  1. Amateur or professional photographer each entry $30 (incl GST)

  2. Young photographer each entry $10 (incl GST)
• confirm you are the sole copyright holder of the work
• nominate an insurance value for each entry(what would it cost you to reprint your photo and frame)

All entries must be colour photographs created using either traditional photographic emulsion or digital process in a two-dimensional format.

All entries should be the entrants original work including all post-production work. The use of stock photos, graphics, or computer-generated content is not permitted.

The entrant must be the sole copyright holder of the work.

The entry image is less than two years old at the closing date of entry.

All entries should be formatted to JPG file format, in sRGB colour mode, size no more than 2MB. Please ensure your image has sufficient pixels and use the guideline of a minimum 1200 pixels on the shortest edge.

All entries are deemed to be received at the time of receipt by David Roche Gallery and not at the time of transmission by the entrant.

First round of judging

The first round of judging will be conducted using the electronic images submitted online by each entrant.

Each of the two judges will review the images based on the following criteria: originality, creativity, personality, execution, category relevance.  

If your entry is selected by the judges for display in the Best in Show 2025 exhibition at David Roche Gallery, you become a finalist (Finalist). You will be notified by COB 10 June 2025 whether you have been selected as a Finalist.

Finalists

If selected by the two judges as a Finalist you must do the following:

• Confirm acceptance by email as a Finalist by COB 17 June 2025
• Print your selected entry to an A3 size (297mm x 420mm). Outsourcing to a professional lab is acceptable as is a higher MB file for printing. Prints can be A4 to A3 however A3 will be the competition preferred size.
• All entrant Finalists are responsible for the cost of printing the selected entry/entries for Exhibition.
• All entrant Finalists are response for the cost of mounting your print or framing your print (use acrylic glazing or Perspex only, not glass).*
• All entrant Finalists are responsible for the cost of delivery of the selected work(s) to and from David Roche Gallery, Adelaide.*
• All entrant Finalists must have delivered their work between 11 – 18 August 2025 to be eligible for the second round of judging.

Selected Finalists must not do the following:

• Reveal you are a Finalist until advised by David Roche Gallery who will coordinate the public announcement of the Competition.
• No modifications to the image after the submitted entry are accepted and can lead to disqualification.
• Unmounted photographs will not be accepted for Exhibition at David Roche Gallery and will be disqualified.
• Do not use glass if you frame and glaze your photograph.

* Refer to the Competition Rules for further important information.
 

Second round of judging

The second round of judging will be conducted at David Roche Gallery using the printed photographs delivered by each entrant mounted or mounted and glazed.

From this round the two Award First Prizes will be selected and the announcement made at the official opening of Best in Show 2025: Australian Photographic Dog Prize on the evening of Friday 29 August 2025.  

The People’s Choice Award will be announced on 17 October 2025.
 

Exhibition

Best in Show 2025: Australian Photographic Dog Prize (the Exhibition) includes:

• The Finalists work(s) exhibited to the public at David Roche Gallery in Adelaide from 30 August to 25 October 2025.
• Finalist works printed in the accompanying exhibition catalogue.

David Roche Gallery will insure all works while in its custody for the nominated value given by each Finalist entrant. Each Finalist entrant is responsible for transit insurance.

David Roche Gallery reserves the right to remove works from the Exhibition at its absolute discretion.
 

Collection/Return of entries

You must collect or arrange the collection of your entry, at your own cost, from David Roche Gallery after 25 October 2025. Refer to the Competition Rules for further important information.

Entries opening Tuesday 25th February 2025. 

1. The organiser of Best in Show 2025: Australian Photographic Dog Prize is David Roche Gallery Pty Ltd.
2. Information on how to enter forms part of these rules and is deemed acceptance of these rules.
3. Entry into the Competition is open to all Australian citizens and permanent residents (who are here to December 2025). Staff and immediate families of David Roche Gallery and judges of the competition are ineligible.
4. All photographs must be taken in Australia, be in colour, and be less than two years old at the time of the close of entries. Be the original work of the entrant and not infringe the rights, including copyright and privacy rights, of any third party.
5. All photographs taken with film cameras or digital cameras may be digitally adjusted.
6. Judging: Each of the two judges will review the images based on the following criteria: originality, creativity, personality, execution, category relevance. If an entry is selected as a Finalist in the Exhibition the entrant must confirm acceptance by COB 17 June 2025. If confirmation is not received the entry will be withdrawn from the Finalist selection.
7. RAW files or other types of original capture files must be provided if requested to verify your entry. Failure to submit such files within 48 hours of a request being made will result in disqualification of the Finalist entry.
8. Finalists must Print the selected entry work for Judging and Exhibition. The preferred size is A3 (297mm x 420mm). Outsourcing to a professional lab is acceptable and the use of a higher MB file for printing. Prints can be A4 to A3, however A3 will be the Competition preferred size. Prints will not be accepted smaller than A4 or larger than A3 and will be ineligible for the Competition and Exhibition. All entrant Finalists are responsible for the cost of printing the selected work(s) for Exhibition.
9. Framing: All Finalist work(s) for the Competition Exhibition must be mounted in a form that allows the photograph to be hung securely on the wall for the term of the Exhibition. The Finalist is responsible for all costs associated with framing or mounting their work.
   
   Traditional framing has the photograph mounted, matted, or float mounted and encased in a frame and glazed (with acrylic or Perspex only, not glass). Search online for standard premade frames or visit a framing specialist to have a custom-made frame created.
   
   Or Finalist work(s) can be adhered to foamboard, aluminum, or dibond mounted requiring no frame or glazing. Speak to your printer or framer about the various options.

If matting your photograph David Roche Gallery recommends that a white or neutral coloured mat board be used.
David Roche Gallery’s preparator will affix hanging hardware to your work(s).

   
   Affix the title of the work and your name, address and telephone number on the reverse of the framed or mounted work.
   
   
10. Packing: Finalists please pack your work carefully so that corners are not damaged or the frame damaged in transit. Consider print paper boxes or craft print boxes depending on the style of mount and size. Bubble wrap framed works as a minimum. Talk to your Post Office, Pack & Send, or preferred Courier about the safest way to pack your work so that it is not damaged. Clearly label your packaged work “FRAGILE DO NOT BEND”.
    
    Delivery of Finalist work(s) to David Roche Gallery: All entrant Finalists are responsible for the cost of delivery of the selected work(s) to the Exhibition in Adelaide. You are responsible for obtaining transit insurance for your work. David Roche Gallery will not accept any charges for the delivery of your work.

Work(s) must be delivered Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm between 11 and 18 August 2025 to be eligible for the Competition and Exhibition.

    
    Delivery address:
    
    David Roche Gallery

    241 Melbourne Street

    North Adelaide SA 5006
    
    
11. All Finalist entries are sent at the entrant’s own risk, and the entrant releases David Roche Gallery from liability for any damage to, or loss of, submitted entries.
12. David Roche Gallery will insure all works while in its custody for the nominated value amount given by each Finalist entrant.
13. David Roche Gallery will use the information supplied by the Finalist entrant in the entry form to attribute your work, including the production of exhibition labels and catalogue texts (artist, title, brief statement) and reserves the right to edit or exclude the brief statement.
14. Return of Finalist entries: You must collect or arrange the collection of your work(s) at your own cost, from David Roche Gallery within two weeks of the close of the Exhibition. David Roche Gallery will pack the work in the same packaging in which it was delivered or in the packaging you have provided for its return.
    
    David Roche Gallery will not arrange any freight company or courier service collections on your behalf and will not accept any collection costs of charges. You are responsible for obtaining transit insurance for your work.

    
    You must confirm who and when your work will be collected via email.

    
    If you do not collect your work within the relevant period stated above you agree that: David Roche Gallery may move your work to storage and after six months dispose or destroy your work without further notice to you.
15. All prizes must be taken as offered. Each prize is valued in Australian dollars. If David Roche Gallery cannot contact the winning entrant by phone or email within a reasonable time frame (one month from announcement), the judges may award the prize to another entry.
16. Use of Finalist entries: Any winning or Finalist entry may be used by David Roche Gallery (or its authorised representative) for the purpose of marketing and promotion of the Competition and the Exhibition or future Competitions. Finalist entries will be used by David Roche Gallery in publishing material (print and digital) and to print an Exhibition catalogue. Copyright of all images entered remain the property of the entrant and each entrant grants David Roche Gallery a non-exclusive, worldwide and irrevocable copyright licence in perpetuity.
17. The entrant winners of the Award Prizes consent to David Roche Gallery using their name in any media for the purpose of promoting the Competition and Exhibition.
18. Finalist works must be in the Exhibition at David Roche Gallery and you agree that it will be impracticable for the Gallery to prevent visitors from taking photographs of the work (including on their smartphones) and you will not hold the Gallery liable for such photography or use of those images by third parties. 
19. The decisions of David Roche Gallery relating to the Competition and Exhibition will be final and no correspondence regarding judging or organisation of the Competition will be entered into.
20. If this Competition is not capable of being conducted due to any reason beyond the reasonable control of David Roche Gallery, the organiser reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the Competition and Exhibition, as appropriate.
21. By entering the Competition, the entrant consents to receipt of any email regarding the Competition and Exhibition from David Roche Gallery.

Entries opening Tuesday 25th February 2025. 

Co-judges of Best in Show 2025 are Robert Reason, Director of David Roche Gallery and Alex Cearns OAM.

Robert Reason

Robert Reason is Director of David Roche Gallery, Australia’s preeminent private museum for European fine and decorative arts. He is recognised as one of Australia’s leading decorative arts authorities having worked in the field for nearly thirty years. Robert has curated numerous exhibitions, published extensively, and lectured regularly in the decorative arts. At David Roche Gallery he assisted with the establishment of the house museum and gallery in 2016 and has since implemented a successful programme of exhibitions and events as well as collaborative ventures with artists, festivals, and national art institutions.

Robert has been a judge for the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize at the South Australian Museum; ceramic awards, including the Victorian Ceramic Art Award at the Manningham Art Gallery, Melbourne; and the prestigious Cicely & Colin Rigg Contemporary Design Award at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.

Alex Cearns OAM  

Australian photographer Alex Cearns OAM crafts exquisite animal portraits that convey the intrinsic joy people find in animals. As Creative Director of Perth based Houndstooth Studio, she has photographed more than 15,000 dogs in her studio. Her images have been published extensively in worldwide media, books, magazines and ad campaigns.

An undisputed leader in her niche, Alex is the recipient of more than 350 awards for her photography, business and philanthropy. Deeply committed to the wellbeing of all creatures great and small, Alex is considered one of Australia’s most passionate champions and voices for animal rescue and wildlife conservation. A well-respected photography judge, Alex is sought out by magazines, international competitions and camera clubs to judge their photographic competitions.

Dogs Today Magazine UK called Alex Cearns “One of our greatest dog photographers in the world”.

Entries opening Tuesday 25th February 2025.