One technique that works wonders for dogs who tend to wander around is putting them up on something.

In natural areas, fallen logs make great platforms for encouraging them to stay in one place while elevating the dog also has many other benefits.

What's more, elevating them is a great alternative to getting down low. We call this style of shot Up Ups, which makes total sense right?!

So for the Up Ups challenge, we are asking to see images with the dog elevated, it doesn't matter what, as long as they are up on something. We had some gorgeous and super creative images submitted by our challengers this time and here, in no particular order are our top 10. Congratulations everyone!

Charlotte & Craig 🐶 📸 ✨

Barbara Byrne | Tails & Trails Pet Photography

There's something really intriguing about this image, there's bags of contrast and texture to explore in the surrounding. But the dog up on that tree root with a lovely expression is what you always come back to.

Dawn Orr 

Wonderful light, great depth, and a really great context of this location make this up-ups shot very successful.

Debora Stacker

What a striking graphic pose, great shape and expression, and wonderful soft colour harmony. This dog is a show-off and we love it!

Desiree Nickerson | Born 2 Run Photography

There is a lovely softness to the background here that has been well executed in shooting and editing. The slightly desaturated palette adds mood and the posing over what looks like a burnt tree stump is a great way to show up-ups!

Elle Manton | Rogue Paws Photography

This is another image that is really fitting for the breed. A working dog on the back of a ute. The paw slightly over the edge really makes this pose! The eye contact is intense and engaging and you can hardly take your eyes off of that beautiful face!

Erin Waggoner | Paw Prints Pet Portraiture

Great tonality through the black and white conversion, gorgeous pose and expression and this boxer is framed well using the rocks in the background. Having the front paws elevated is a really dynamic way to pose a dog.

Helen Daniels | Not Just A Dog Photography

There's a sense of movement and enthusiasm in this image, typical for a collie! Great use of the location and the cloudy sky has resulted in the image having a lovely soft light and pastel tones.

Jenni Paul

For one dog, it's hardly an up-up at all, for the other it's like climbing Everest! We love the humor in this. Both dogs have great expressions and the cool colour palette works very well.

Jennifer Mckinnon 

Great visual impact, lovely subtle colour harmony and a dog that is happily hanging out over this tree!

Lori Cegon | Lori Cegon Photography

Beautifully backlit this dog doing up-ups on a tree looks engaged and relaxed. Ready for an adventure.

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.