We're half way through Embark already, can you believe it! So for this challenge it's time to do a little soul searching.

This style of shot can be a great way to introduce variety into a session, especially if you usually shoot from a very low angle. The high angle and the expression, are sure to tug at the heartstrings, and people really relate to this view of their dog.

They see it every day when they look down at them. These images can feature just the dog's face filling the frame, or they can be framed wider to include more of the body.

This shot really plays on the whole "eyes are the windows to the soul" saying with the eyes being big, bright, and sharp, and a shallow depth of field turning everything else into soft blur.

So without further ado we give you the fantastic images that made it into the top 10 of the Soul Searcher challenge.

Well done to all the photographers.

Charlotte & Craig 🐶 📸 ✨

Desiree Nickerson | Born 2 Run Photography

A really high angle looking right down on the dog gives a pleasing result and really engages the viewer. The simple gridlines in the background/flooring work well to bring attention to the subject.

Elle Manton | Rogue Paws Photography

What a striking image, the dog really pops against that background and the eyes are super sharp. Even lighting on the face helps to engage the viewer, just what a Soul Searcher image should do!

Emily Pickett | Embark Photography

The composition of this is wonderful, the tail is like an extension of the dog's face and the texture of the wet fur adds an extra depth to the narrative.

Jenni Paul 

A beautifully captured, simple image. The composition is great and then you have the grass, which looks oversized compared to the subject making them look tiny in a big world!

Juliette Bercovici | Juliette Bercovici

This is some great outside the box thinking, having the dog interacting with the toy gives more interest and narrative. The eye is super sharp and the wide angle adds to the sense of fun.

Kendra Stautz | Wild Woof Photography

Lovely expression, sharp eyes and even light on the face. The little paws being visible is a really nice detail.

Marie Goldsworthy | Ree's Photo Obsessions

A lovely image and a cheeky expression from the subject. The body positioning and shape are reminiscent of a family crest.

Melissa Schiestel

This dog really is the star of the show and centre of attention. It's not always easy to see the eyes of shaggy-haired dogs, and here they are visible and super sharp.

Teran Buckner | Phido Photography

The depth of field has been well used to give the image an almost 3D effect with the grasses coming into sharpness as they come up towards the camera. Great colours and a fantastic joyful expression.

Tracie Dereszynski

Lovely muted tones and a very neutral dog who really stands out against the stylistic editing choices off a matt background. The diagonal lines of the stones are well thought out with the dog placed well against them.

Embark is made up of 12 challenges over 6 months and is the first interactive course in the Unleashed Challenges series.

Much more than just a challenge, Embark is 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 and we'll send you all the details when enrollment next opens in April 2024.