Emerge challenge number nine is called Mirror Image. Capturing an image with a full reflection is so much fun to do. You can use a mirror image in so many ways that enhance an image and add a little touch of magic to them. They can add symmetry and balance to a composition and they can even be used to trick our eyes. Whether reflections are a sharp mirror image of their real life counterpart or a softer, ethereal representation that loosely resembles the shape and colour, reflections rock!

There were many excellent and creative submissions for this challenge, and we loved providing feedback on all the images to our challengers. But here, in no particular order are our top 10. Well done to the photographers!

- Charlotte & Craig 🐶 📸 ✨

Amy Hodson | Wander Pet Photography

A stunning location and dog captured very, very well. The pose and expression are great and the water so still is really is a mirror image reflection.

Aubri Poon | Aubri Poon Photography

This has so much mood and story, the use of colour emphasises the magical narrative, as does the dogs expression! The literal mirror image is captured at the perfect angle.

Dawn Orr

This is a very simple, clean image with a fresh feeling. The dog almost looks as if it is walking on the surface of the water.

Debora Stacker | PicTails Pet Portraits

What a great moment well captured here. The shore line on the right is balanced nicely with the sand on the left. The interaction between the dog and the reflection is lovely!

Desiree Nickerson | Born 2 Run Photography

This is a beautifully captured action shot, the time of day and soft colours beautiful. The reflection adds balance and symmetry. This is an excellent example of how a reflection adds a dynamic feel to a composition.

Ginger Wick | Ginger Wick Photography

This is a fantastically creative take on the Mirror Image challenge brief to create a reflection. The coloured water fountains make a great frame and the dog is cleverly lit in the same way the light illuminate the water. 

Julie Cork | J Cork Photography

A beautifully captured action shot with a great sense of place and the reflection really adds to the final result.

Lisa Hanley | Odd Quad Photography

Great angle to capture this reflection, the slightly different colour balance in the window allows the 'real' dog to be the main attraction with the cooler darker reflection a supporting element. 

Lisa Olson | Pets R Family

This is a very sweet image, the props are carefully thought out and arranged in a spot that feels like it really is this kittens place to get dressed up and all fancy!

Shandess Griffin | Shand and Your Dogs Photography

What a fabulous kaleidoscope of dog! An excellent interpretation of the Mirror Image challenge brief, and the cool and warm tones complement each other perfectly.

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.