For many of us, pet ownership is a big part of our modern urbanized life. It's become commonplace to see pets out and about in cities and suburbs. Incorporating interesting architecture can add a sense of time and place to our images resulting in more meaningful and widely appreciated art that your clients will love to share.

For the City Slicker challenge we asked our Embark challengers to head out into Urban areas and create images that showcase pets at home in the human world.

We had another incredible set of submissions and narrowing them down to a top 10 was tough. But here we are at the top 10 City Slickers. Shown here in no particular order. Congratulations to all the photographers for creating these fantastic images.

- Craig & Charlotte 📸 🐶 ✨

Abi Bradbury | Abi B Photography

The contrast between spots and stripes, darkness and light give this image a really graphic feel, and the striking gaze of the dog adds to this impact. Wonderful!

Anthea Proudfoot | SeedingSource Online trading as Malone Photography Australia

The architectural details in this image give it a real sense of place, while the expression of the dog pulls the viewer in to his perspective on the place. Great use of harmonious colour throughout, too. Well done!

Ashley Summerville | Paws for Portraits

What a fabulous, fresh-feeling image with a great sense of place. The point in time with the foot extending towards the camera and the "blep" has been captured brilliantly. Congratulations!

Carol Mudra | Apawture Studios

The juxtaposition of the serious architecture with the extreme angle and slightly ridiculous, awkward pose of this dog adds a lot of dimension and quirkiness to the image. Great use of colour to add some drama. Great work!

Claire Penno | Flagstaff Photography

The use of colour in this image is fabulous, and the posing has been handled brilliantly. You've captured a great expression which, along with the low angle, helps your viewer create a connection with the dog. Good work!

Juliette Fournier

A strong composition and good use of colour here with the warm tones of the eyes contrasting with the overall cool tones add to the image's impact. The hint of a reflection adds dimension and the expression is wonderfully engaging. Great work!

Kaori Stewart | Kaori Stewart Photography

This is a wonderfully-seen image, presenting a gorgeously statuesque dog framed well by an urban fountain. Great technical skills demonstrated throughout your shooting and editing here, well done!

Polona Železnikar

What gorgeous tones you've captured in this image, and the posing has been beautifully handled. The location is perfect for creating this sort of soft reflection that has been imagined and implemented wonderfully. Good job!

Rachel McCready | Furtographer

A perfect choice of time of day to give beautiful light, along with wonderful framing of both the subject and the location itself, make this an impactful City Slicker image. Well done!

Samantha Brown | Samantha Brown Photography

There is some great storytelling in this image with the cheeky expression of the dog looking back at the viewer inviting us to join them for a weekend stay in their favourite hotel! You have a lovely use of lines throughout, and a perfect shooting angle. Well done!

Are you ready to transform your pet photography in just 6 months?

The Unleashed Challenges are a series of 3 interactive challenge based courses, Embark, Emerge and Empower. Each one with 12 challenges running over 6 months. 

Much more than just a challenge, Then 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.

If you'd like to know more, head over here to register your interest.