Award-Winning Photos by Ellen Zangla Photography

Award-Winning Pet Photography, Wildlife Photography, and More

Each year, I submit photos to state, national, and international photography competitions. Competing pushes me creatively and helps me grow as a photographer. It sounds cliché, but it’s true. Over the years, my work has been recognized with honors at some of the highest levels of competition.

Highlights include:

Representing PPA’s Team USA in the 2025 and 2026 World Photographic Cup
Earning multiple medals in PPA’s International Photographic Competition
Being named Photographer of the Year multiple times by my state photography association
Earning the Certified Professional Photographer, Master Photographer, Master Craftsman, and Master of Animal Imagery degrees

In the following galleries, you’ll find some of my favorite award-winning pet photographs. I’ve also included award-winning work from wildlife, landscapes, and other genres I photograph.

High-speed action shot of a dog chasing a ball in the fall

Black dog leaping into a pool to catch a toy in Northern VA.

Older dog joyfuly leaping over a log in Northern Virginia.

Two Siberian Huskies playing in the snow in Loudoun County.

Redbone Coonhound puppy looking out the back of a truck window outside in Northern Virginia.

Adorable Basset Hound puppy sitting outside in Loudoun County in the leaves.

English Bulldog sitting in front of a purple wall in Loudoun County, VA.

Woman sitting outside with her service dog in her lap in Maryland.

Gray cat lying on a yellow couch during an indoor photo shoot in Leesburg, VA.

Two adorable black and white kittens sitting ext to each other on a chair during an indoor photo shoot in Loudoun County, VA.

Wolf pack interacting in the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Two young polar bear cubs playing in the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Three very young coastal brown bear cubs on the beach with their mother in Lake Clark, AK.

Landscape photographed from above after a fire in Jasper, Canada.

Three colorful jellyfish in the Baltimore Aquarium.

More Award-Winning Photography

Award-winning pet photos

Beagle looking out the window of an antique truck In Loudoun County, VA.

Black dog jumping in pool with mouth wide open to catch toy in Northern VA.

Two dogs in a convertible wearing goggles and bandanas

Silver Lab puppy sitting outside on a chair in front of a field in Loudoun County.

Dog leaping high while playing in the snow in Northern Virginia.

Two kittens sitting on a chair together in Leesburg Virginia.

Studio portrait of a beautiful, scruffy puppy lying on a couch in Northern VA.

English Cream Golden Retriever looking out the back of an antique truck window in Loudoun County.

Mixed breed puppy sitting on outdoor steps

Brown dog with two different color eyes bounding through the snow in Loudoun County, VA.

Orange tabby cat lying on a table outdoors

Silhouette of dog dock diving in Northern Virginia.

Mixed breed dog standing on a boulder in front of a field of tall grasses in Loudoun County, VA.

Two cats lying together on a chest during an indoor photo shoot in Northern Virginia.

Adorable dog photographed in a studio on a white background in Northern VA.

Two Yorkies looking out the back of an antique truck in Loudoun County, VA

Bengal cat standing on a boulder outside during a photo shoot in Louodun County, VA.

Dog leaping with mouth wide open to catch a ball in Northern Virginia.

Two Boston Terriers with head tilts sitting outside together in Northern VA.

Beagle standing outside on an apple crate in front of a field in Loudoun County.

Border Collie sitting in the bluebells in Loudoun County Virginia.

Two black kittens lying together on a table

Studio dog portrait of a Husky mix holding his leash in his mouth in Northern Virginia.

Adorable black and white puppy sitting inside with her dog bowl in Northern VA.

Adorable kitten sitting on a tricycle seat during an indoor photo shoot in Leesburg, VA.

White dog with two different colored eyes photographed inside in Northern VA.

Gorgeous black and white dog lying on a chair for a studio portrait.

Dog sitting on a wall at the beach at sunrise.

Artistic rendering of a brown dog with one brown eye and one blue eye in front of a lake and the mountains.

Award-winning wolf and bear photos

Wolf pack walking in the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Two polar bear cubs with their mother in the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Coastal brown bear running through the water looking directly at the camera in Lake Clark, AK.

Lone wolf howling in the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Two polar bears playing in the snow while waiting for the ice to freeze on the Hudson Bay.

Coastal brown bear standing with arms crossed over chest in Lake Clark, AK.

Three wolves playing in the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Two coastal brown bear cubs playing on the beach in Lake Clark, AK.

Wolf pack walking through the snow in Manitoba, Canada.

Two polar bear cubs with their mother walking in the snow on the Hudson Bay in Canada.

Wolf standing on the top of a snow mound at sunset looking directly at the camera in Manitoba, Canada.

Coastal brown bear running down a stream trying to catch a salmon in Katmai, Alaska.

Coastal brown bear cub playing with a water pump in Lake Clark, AK.

Award-winning wildlife and nature photos

Fox standing with groundhog in her mouth in Loudoun County, VA.

Barred owl eating a lizard while sitting in a tree in the Outer Banks, NC.

Eagle about to take off from a piece of driftwood in Lake Clark, AK.

Fox parent "yelling" at its kit in Northern VA.

Fox standing with possum in her mouth in Northern VA.

Two snow monkeys sitting together on a branch.

Harrier flying with wings spread in the Outer Banks, NC.

Roseate spoonbill crane standing on a branch with a beautiful sky behind him.

Seven sandhill cranes flying with a beautiful sky in Wisconsin.

Heron flying with one wing tip dipped in the water at Huntley Meadows.

Two cattle herons in flight in South Carolina.

Two sea otters floating in the water in Katmai Bay, AK.

Three sea otters in Katmai National Park, AK.

Wolverine descending a tree in the snow in Manitoba. Canada.

Other award-winning work

Three horses racing in Morven Park in Leesburg, VA.

Polocrosse players passing a ball in Northern VA.

Happy boy laughing while getting a haircut in Leesburg, VA.

Polocrosse rider about to score in Northern VA.

Roofless church in Siena, Italy, photographed while lying down and looking up.

Woman bringing laundry in to her house in Siena, Italy.

Old woman sitting outside a cafe in Tuscany, Italy.

House and cypress trees in fog in Tuscany, Italy.

White's Ferry crossing the Potomac in the fog in Leesburg, VA.

Ready to create photos that deserve a place in your home?

Awards are wonderful, but the photos that matter most are the ones of your own pet. Their lives move far too quickly. I’d love to help you create photographs you’ll enjoy every day in your home.

Schedule your free consultation

If one of my wildlife or nature photographs caught your eye, fine art prints are available as well. Just reach out—I’d be happy to help you find the right piece for your home.

SEE MORE PET PHOTO GALLERIES

Dog Portraits · Dogs in Action · Puppies · Pets and Their Humans · Cats & Kittens

Based in Hamilton, VA. Serving Loudoun County, Northern Virginia, and the DC Metro area.