Okay, let me start by saying this was the most fun contest ever! We are going to make the Pet Theme an annual event for sure! Your images were fantastic! Some of them had Brian and I laughing so hard. We got to meet a Lola, Strider, Daisy, a crazy kitten called Punk!, Maggie, George, a Contemplative Kita, a rabbit named Delilah, a hamster named Rook and even a few chickens, plus a couple hundred more of your cute pets!!! We loved them ALL! A HUGE thank you to all that submitted!
These Five Finalists were picked because they captured the pet’s personality in a unique way. If you thought voting was tough with the Water Contest, wait till you see these Five Finalists! (See below for voting details!)
Finalist #1, His Name is Strider, by Christine Solomon!
This shot is CLASSIC!!! I couldn’t stop laughing! Look at that tongue! It kills me! The photographer also did a great job in how they composed the shot. Notice how the image is framed tight, the dog’s face almost fills the whole frame. I think the choice of making this image b/w was also smart because it drew my attention to the tongue that much more. This is the first of five fantastic shots!
Finalist #2, Na-Pali, by Deena Souza!
If the first one didn’t make you fall out of your chair laughing, this one right after will!
You may recognize Deena’s name because she was a Finalist in our Water Themed Contest. Her image was Summer Reunion (the kids all stacked up on each other like a totem pool in the pool.) When I first saw Deena’s blog, I noticed her Pet Images. They are fantastic. So I have to say that I’m so glad she got up the courage to submit again. This image is all about being in the right place at the right time, AND some strategic thinking! Deena said in her email that she put a pretzel in between the shoes. So smart!!! Look at that tongue! And again, Deena’s composition is great. I love that we only see two sexy legs and the sexy shoes. Doesn’t that just add to the humor of this shot? And then to have a black lab with the black and white shoes, wow Deena, you nailed it! Thank you for submitting again! Wonderful shot!
Finalist #3, Lynxie Jinx, by Kelly!
This image is super sweet. Meet Lynxie Jinx.
It’s as if the photographer has frozen a moment in time, a quiet moment. The sense of sound is so poignant in this image. You can almost hear Lynxie Jinx purring. I also love, love, love the lighting in this image. I love how you see the light spill in through the door’s crack and softly illuminate the molding. I love the back light too. The lighting isn’t harsh anywhere, but soft. And the soft blur on the carpet, soft lighting, white washed walls, all lend to me feeling like I want to cuddle with this little one! Incredible job on your composition Kelly! I’m so glad you took a risk and decided to submit this!
Finalist #4, Maxine, by Jennifer!
What a wonderful shot! When we asked you to send us images that revealed your pet’s personality, I felt like Maxine’s image hit that on the mark! Can’t you see this baby being the biggest pushover to a couple kids! They’ve got glasses on her, and who knows what else. In fact, I’m hoping Jennifer gets on here and gives us some background to what Maxine is doing in this shot. The whole thing is just so funny. The composition works well too. Having Maxine centered with the flotation device sticking up on either side of her…perfect! When my kids saw this photo, they both started cracking up. That’s what this image does, it sparks pure joy and laughter! Great job Jennifer!
Finalist #5, Baxter and Lucy, by Beth Berry!
Beth wrote about how these two Beagles have split personalities. They are tearing up everything when she’s not looking, but the moment she pulls her camera out…they give her their angel faces. 
You’ve got to love it! I love the composition with the use of color in this image. So inspiring. To bring a mustard colored chair outside and plop it in the middle of greens as a prop, what a fantastic idea. I went over to Beth’s blog and found that she is Speech Therapist by day and aspiring photographer by night. I’d say her aspirations are going to take her somewhere for sure! Wouldn’t you!
And there you have it! The Five Finalists for our first ever, Pet Photo Contest!
Prizes for the Winner and the Random Voter Winners!!______________________________________________________________________________________
Don’t forget to vote before you leave! You could be picked as a Random Voter and win a gift card to Starbucks or a copy of Adobe’s Lightroom! 
Yep, that’s right! You heard me say it correct! (but FYI, remember to check back when I post the Random Voter Winners so you know that you’ve won and can claim your prize! )
In our last photo contest, we had over 440 votes by the cut off time! It was amazing! You all spread the word, and the votes came flooding in the last 48 hrs! If we clear 500 votes on this contest, we are going to pick a Random Voter (not necessarily #500, but a RANDOM Voter) to win a copy of Adobe’s Lightroom software again!! And then we’ll keep going and pick two more Random Voters who win a $25 customized, cool looking Starbucks card!
Deadline for all voting is this Wednesday night, 5 1/2 days from now, 10/8, at midnight PST!! That means we have to clear 500 votes by that time for a Random Voter to be picked and win Lightroom!
Prize for being the Winner of the Five Finalists!!!
The winner of the Five Finalists can choose between a $100 Gift Certificate to a Favorite Online Pet Store, or their own copy of Adobe’s Lightroom Software! Sound good!
Question: How do you vote?
Answer: Just click on the pink word “Comments” at the end of this blog post, and then post a comment that says which of the Five Finalists you vote for. And add few words about why you like their image the most. Remember, your comments and feedback give to the Five Finalists more than any prize from us. Please be kind, encouraging, and share all that you can with these wonderful Five Finalists! Your feedback on their images is priceless! That’s why we do the Random Voter Awards, because we appreciate your voting and feedback so much. So spread the word to family and friends! And ask them to vote!
Please vote only one time for one image. Thanks!
Next Question: What is the theme for October’s Photo Contest? And when is the Deadline?
Answer: The theme is Inspirational Objects. You must send an image that inspires you in some way. See the blog post to understand what I mean. Deadline is Sunday, October 26th at midnight! Send your images to contest@merakoh.com.
Enjoy! VOTE AWAY!!!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
To see our day job , visit here.
For more fun photo exercises, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese , our 101 Kits for starting or expanding a business in photography, click on the words of your choice!
#5 – Cutest thing ever! Accept for my dog
A mom always thinks so!
#3…they are all great pictures, but this one photographically speaks to me. I am not even a pet person really. But it is just a “moment” to me!!! Great job!
I love #2 – great shot, it’s my pick. Also love the beagles in #5.
#3. Reminds me of coming around a corner and finding my husbands cat waiting for him outside a door. I like that it is monochromatic.
#1…it’s just beautiful, I would hang that on the wall with my family pics!
I like man’s best friend in #1. Awesome Picture!
I am voting for image #1! It is a great image that captures the dogs uniquiness and personality! I also love this photo black and white!
I vote for #5 What a great picture, I used to have a beagle and all it used to do was eat and destroy stuff, so I can relate, good job
I liked #4 & #5 the best, but I have to go with the beagles on the yellow chair outside. I had a beagle mix as a kid, and all it did was eat, it couldn’t even make it up onto the furniture, much less pose like these two. those are two good lookin’ dogs. Well done!!!
LOOK at that tongue! So sharp #1 for sure!
we’re almost there!!! Keep voting!
This was a hard one I kept going between #1 and #3…I have to go with #3 got to lve those beautiful blue eyes…Good job to all
I love #4 Maxine, it melts my heart and brings a huge smile to my face…the things that our furry family members will put up with to make us happy.
If only she could speak, I wonder what she would say, “Okay, okay, I’ll do it…but only because I love you unconditionally”.
Sweet Maxine, they are very lucky to have such a sweet fur child.
#3. I love the composition, the light, and mostly the serenity without losing a sense of playfulness. That image just makes me feel great!
Wow, so tough, so many qualities to have to choose between! I’ll go with #1 – because the timing to capture that amazing tongue and it also reflects his/her personality without any embellishment. I love all of them – beautiful job all of you!!
Thanks everyone for all the great comments, I can’t even express how wonderful it is for all of the encouragement. I have to say though, I laughed really hard at the comment about how clean the floor/walls were, that’s all thanks to my husband. I sent that comment to him, so he feels like he’s won now
My vote is for #1 but I was impressed with all of them. Great job, y’all!
They were all really great photos, but I have to say #3 really caught my eyes the most.
Finalist #5
OMG these are the cutest beagles ever! Love the color. Great job.
#2–Best of show.
I vote for #1.
#3 – so simple
how can i resist the snuggling puppies of #5? total yin-yang positioning. you know they’re going to get into something naughty!
I just am in love with #1
Everything about it is just wonderful.
The crop is well done.
only 30 votes and we would have had our chance at Lightroom! MAN!
Defenetily No 2!!!
I like the shoes (just kidding)
#4 – Maxine deserves her owner to win because maybe then there will be better things to do than subject Maxine to more of this – although she does look like she is enjoying herself. It is hard to vote when they are all so great – I loved the cat picture – how long did you have to wait outside that door?? And I love the composition of the black dog with the zebra shoes – #1 is an awesome action shot – the beagles are darling in the chair – I’m pretty sure this must be a common occurance for them to sit together in that chair – but are they in the right position for their namts??/Inquiring minds want to know???
#3 Lynxie Jinx — a great pet shot without being america’s-funniest-whatever-ish.
#1 is my pick. What perfect timing to press the shutter release! Love the close crop!
#1!!! Love it!
#2 NaPali – very fun! Deene does a great job!
#3- all are good, but this photographer did not interfere, capturing the natural element
After a long debate with myself, I have decided to vote for #3. I don’t even like cats but this definitely makes me want to have one! The shot is so clean…I love it!
My vote is for #2! The pup is adorable and the legs are HOT!!! Fabulous shot!
Got to be #5! No question about it!
#5 without a doubt! The colors are so vivid and those pups are just too precious for words! Love it.
I love #2 by Deene Souza! this is such a fun shoot in its entirety but that image says so much about the dog and his love for those sexy legs doesn’t it?! This is the perfect contest for this image!