A teenager from Northumberland has secured the top spot in the RSPCA's People's Choice awards - meaning her image of two leaping dogs had the most votes from the public.
Sophie Green, aged 18, from Cramlington, Northumberland, won with her image 'Leap Frogs' which captures Cockapoo Mabel and Spaniel Pepper in action leaping over a fence at Blyth beach.
The public vote category of the RSPCA's Young Photographer Awards received a whopping 5,700 votes and Sophie beat 13 other images to claim the top spot.
As well as winning the People's Choice category, the Cramlington teenager also came runner-up in the RSPCA's Young Photographer Awards in December last year with a portfolio of images capturing dogs taking part in agility, as well as a cheeky photo of Pepper peeking through the branches of a tree searching for her ball.
Sophie said: "I never expected to win! There were so many great photos shortlisted so to win is incredible. It's so nice knowing my hard work has paid off and that so many people have liked and appreciated my photo. I'm just over the moon and my mum is so happy she immediately called my grandma and my dad too. This has inspired me to carry on doing photography in my spare time and maybe even to have a photography business on the side!"
Sophie, who has been taking pictures since she was 12, added: "I've always had a love for animals and nature, especially dogs and the woods. I think dogs are so amazing and they each have their own character, their coats are all different and beautiful, and I also love to take photos of birds as I enjoy the challenge of trying to get action shots of them flying."
As winner of the People's Choice category, Sophie will receive £100 worth of Amazon vouchers and an RSPCA Young Photographer Awards trophy.
RSPCA photographer and awards judge, Andrew Forsyth, said: "Sophie is a very worthy winner. We loved her portfolio featuring dogs in action during the competition in December so to see her winning the People's Choice Awards is fantastic. Keep up the good work Sophie!"
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the RSPCA and as it celebrates such an important milestone, the charity is preparing for this year's Young Photographer Awards which will launch on Tuesday, 7 May and is set to be bigger and better than ever.
Andrew added: "We hope Sophie's success has inspired other young people to enter the competition. We'd urge all budding young photographers to please keep an eye out for the opening of submissions to the competition this year, or you can register your interest now at YPA24@rspca.org.uk and we'll send you full information when we launch.
"Reaching our 200th-year is a significant achievement and events like the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards - which shows not only young people's outstanding photography skills but also a deep love and respect for the animal kingdom - makes us incredibly hopeful that every animal will be protected and cared for over the next 200 years as well."
Entries for the main RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2024 will open on Tuesday, 7 May and will be judged by a panel of photographic experts including RSPCA president Chris Packham. For more information visit: https://young.rspca.org.uk/ypa/home
This year the RSPCA celebrates its 200th birthday. To mark this special anniversary the animal welfare charity wants to inspire one million people to join their movement to improve animals' lives. To find out how you can join their million-strong movement for animals visit www.rspca.org.uk/200.
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