The popularity of dog sports has exploded over the last decade! And where there are dog sports, there are photographers eager to capture those competitive moments forever. For challenge number 4 of Empower, we were joined by specialist dog sports photographer and educator Amy Godfrey Johnson.

We've stripped it back for the Sports Star challenge, Asking our students to capture the peak moment of action and only allowing for global editing adjustments, no removal of elements or distractions. Images must have been captured at an official sprint event or event practice session.

As always we were blown away with the submissions. Our top 10 images all display animals at peak moments during the depicted sprint events. Congratulations to the photographers and huge thank to Amy for creating this fantastic Empower challenge.

- Charlotte & Craig 🐶 📸 ✨

Anna Dernsjö | Anna Karin Dernsjö Photography

As this dog turns through exits from the final weave and look on to it's next obstacle, it has so much focus and intensity in it's eyes. Captured beautifully another peak action moment which is just what we want to see in this challenge.

Chantal Levesque | Chantal Levesque Photo 

Is is a dog or is it a banana?! This extreme stretch is fantastic. A perfectly timed moment.

Diane Gollowitzer | Dogs in Focus Photography

This is wonderfully captured, the dog in peak action and the handler is also airborne! Their body positions for a 'v' which is a nice touch.

Jeff Rooney | Hightail It Photography

This has been beautifully exposed in very challenging conditions with the light ranging from deeper shade to the bright white snow. The dogs are in excellent strides and their position and focus adds to the feeling of teamwork you also see in the handlers expression.

Lisbeth Ganer | LisGanerArt

Fantastic composition, the position of the dog not only on the dirt track, but separated away from the bike is excellent

Magda Szklarska | Your Best Furiend Photography

Fantastic point in this action sequence, the light colour toning and city skyline make this feel very cinematic.

Megan Thompson | Megan Thompson Photography

A fantastic moment captured in the most challenging lighting conditions. The action feels dynamic on the turn around the barrel and with the front hooves raised.

Nicole Hrustyk | Pawtraits by Nicole

Fastcat is an extremely speedy sport and the moment captured here really illustrates that with the legs and tail going in all directions.

Pauliina Saarinen | Pauliina Saarinen Photography

The setting here is lovely. The pony and rider are completely in sync and the curves and diagonal lines make for another great Sports Star submission.

Sarah Jones | Mucky Pup Photography

There is so much clarity and texture in the dogs face, the moment as it weaves is well timed with the tail and leg creating a dynamic diagonal line.

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.