Scoring Ranges & Awards
Each entry is judged by five judges, who each provide a score between 60 and 100. These scores are averaged to give the final score, which may result in an award.
The judges assessment criteria includes visual impact, technical excellence and emotional response. Also assessed is the level of originality, vision and creativity. Judges take into consideration the animal's body language and behaviour displayed in the images.
Images not awarded will either receive the result of Professional Standard (score of 65-69) or Below Professional Standard (score of 60-64).
A Below Professional Standard image means it does not yet exhibit the standards required of professional practice, but may show proficiency in some areas.
A Professional Standard image is approaching award level. It is well executed, with an appropriate professional level of craft and technique. It exhibits a good standard of professional practice – what a professional is expected to produce day-to-day.
Bronze
70-74
75-79 Bronze Distinction
Very high standard of professional practice, craft, skill and technique.
Exceeds the normal level expected of professional practice.
A Bronze Distinction award displays all the requirements of a Bronze Award but also displays attributes of a Silver Award in some areas.
Silver
80-84
85-89 Silver Distinction
Excellent level of imagination and creativity.
Excellent visual communication, interpretation of subject and/or emotion.
Excellent level of technique, craft and production.
A Silver Distinction award displays all the requirements of a Silver Award but also displays attributes of a Gold Award in some areas.
Gold
90-94
Outstanding level of imagination and creativity.
Outstanding visual communication, interpretation of subject and/or emotion.
Originality of thought/concept.
Outstanding mastery across all areas of technique, craft and production.
Platinum
95-100
Exceptional level of vision, creativity and innovation.
Exceptional level of visual communication and interpretation of the subject.
High level of originality.
Invokes an emotional response.
Is memorable.
Exceptional mastery in all areas of creative and technical execution.
Winners
Category Winner
The top ten highest scoring images in each category will be the category finalists. A panel of no less than five judges will vote to determine each category winner.Â
Overall Winner
Finalists are the five entrants with the highest cumulative score from their top five entries from across any categories. The overall International Pet Photographer of the Year will be determined through a closed judging via Zoom by a panel of five judges.
Accreditation
We've created the International Pet Photography Accreditation Program to celebrate and honour the high-quality work of photographers in this genre. We aim to inspire and motivate you to remain committed to your craft through entering the awards, earning recognition for your achievements.
Every time you enter the International Pet Photography Awards, your ten highest scoring entries automatically gain accreditation points. Your points are equivalent to your score, e.g. if an image scores 84 you will receive 84 points towards your accreditation distinctions of honour.
Category winners receive 100 bonus points and the overall winner receives 250 bonus points.
Points accumulate until the requirements for an accreditation level has been met. Once met, you have officially obtained the next accreditation level and will be presented with a digital badge, certificate and medal.
Associate
1500 points
Expert
2500 points
5 Silver Awards
1 Gold or Platinum Award
Complete IPPA Pet Handling and Safety Course (coming in 2025)
Master
3500 points
10 Silver Awards
3 Gold or Platinum Awards
Complete IPPA Pet Handling and Safety Course (coming in 2025)
Grand Master
4500 points
20 Silver Awards
5 Gold or Platinum Awards
Complete IPPA Pet Handling and Safety Course (coming in 2025)
How Accreditation Works
- Enter your images and receive valuable feedback from the judges
- Each year, your top 10 scores from awarded images (Bronze or higher) are converted directly into points
- Earn bonus points for category (100 points) or overall (250 points) wins
- Reach accreditation levels when point and accreditation conditions are met, which for higher levels means you will need a certain number of Gold and Silver awards, and completion of the upcoming IPPA Pet Handling and Safety Course (available 2025)
- Keep tabs on current points in the Awards Portal
