awards & Features
The work of Samantha Dawn has been recognized through international photography competitions, publications, features and awards celebrating the timeless artistry of the horse.
Every accolade is meaningful, but the greatest honor has always been the opportunity to keep creating images that remind people why they fell in love with the horse in the first place.
recognized beyond the frame....
// Awards
🏆 2026 Awards & Features
1st place - Black & White - 35awards (International)
Top 100 Great Photographers - 35awards (International)
GOLD - Nature/Pets - for "Contortionist" - TIFA TokyoFotoAwards (International)
Best Horses Photographer - 35awards (International)
Best Horses Photographer - 35awards (International)
COVER - 35awards 10th Catalog Cover for All Awarded Photographs in Competition. (International)
FEATURE - VoyageKC Interview - READ HERE
🏆 2025 Awards & Features
Top 100 Great Photographers of 2025 - 35Awards (International)
Top 35 USA Photographers 2025 - 35awards (international)
Top 1% – Conceptual Minimalism Contest, 35awards (International)
GOLD – Black & White Photography – Dramatic for “Contortionist,” London Photography Awards (International)
GOLD – Minimalist Photography – Black & White for “Contortionist,” London Photography Awards (International)
BRONZE – “Enchantment,” Animals Category, 1839 Awards (International)
Nominee – “Contortionist,” Domestic Animals & Fine Art, Exposure One Awards (International)
FINALIST – Pets/Animals, OneEyeland World's Top 10 Women Photographers (International)
GOLD – Black & White Dramatic, MUSE Photography Awards (International)
Top 1% – Rare Frame Contest, 35awards (International)
Best Pet Portrait & Best Pet Portrait Photographer – 35awards (International)
🏆 2024 Awards & Features
People’s Choice Winner – “Orange Glow,” Viewbug.com
Top 100 Greatest Photographers 2024 - 35Awards (international)
Top 35 USA Photographers - 35Awards (international)
WINNER - Pets - 35Awards (international)
Winner – “Heaven On Earth” Photo Challenge, Viewbug.com
People’s Choice Winner – “Sunset Colors,” Viewbug.com
Winner – Studio Masters Competition (UK)
3-page Interview/Feature – Sidelines Magazine (USA)
Finalist – Equine Category, International Pet Photography Awards - Silver w/ Distinction, Silver (x3), Bronze w/ Distinction
Honorable Mention – Wildlife & Animals, Chromatic Awards
Featured – 3 Bag Covers, Bluebonnet Equine Feeds (USA)
Cover – The Vanner Magazine (USA)
🏆 2023 Awards & Features
Winner – Still Photography, Equus Film & Arts Fest (USA)
Winner – Action Photography, Equus Film & Arts Fest
Honorable Mention – Action Photography, Equus Film & Arts Fest
Honorable Mention – Wildlife & Animals, Chromatic Awards
Cover + 7-page Interview – Kentaur Magazine (Sweden)
Cover – Saddle Up Magazine (Canada)
Cover – Snap’d Magazine (USA)
🏆 Earlier Honors
Cover – The Welsh Review (2022, USA)
Guest – The Leadline Podcast (2022, USA)
Full Spread – Ridsport Magazine (2020, Sweden)
Cover – The Vanner Magazine (2020, USA)
Cover – Gypsy Breed Connection Magazine (2019, USA)
// Notable Events/Features
• Exclusive Photographer for KD Performance Horses, Iron Feathered Cobs, Aussie Flare Performance Horses, Fat Bottom Horses, Rancho La Curva, M Sport Horses
• Exclusive Photographer for Indian Creek Racing Productions 3 Day Barrel Race 2026: The Perfect Pairing
• Photograph of Adios Pantalones on the cover of Speedhorse Magazine Stallion Breeding Report
• Photographs featured on the side of Aussie Flare Performance Horses Aqua Tread machine
• Official Photographer – 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026 Gypsy Iowa Classic.
• Official Photographer – 2024, 2025 Gypsy Horse Registry of America Championship.
• Photographed – Adios Pantalones, the Winningest Barrel Racing Stallion in History.
• Photographed - Trusted Company, the last living daughter of Secretariat (2023)
• Photographs featured on three Bluebonnet Equine Feeds bag covers (2023)
• Commissioned by Portuguese Equestrian Tourism – Alentejo, Portugal (2022)
• Photographed – Several Nashville Country Music Artists
• Photographed - GG Kiss Me Kate - Winningest Gypsy Vanner Mare (2020)
• Event Photographer – Feathered Horse Classic Nationals – Texas (2019)
• Event Photographer – Feathered Horse Classic – Oregon (2019)
• Event Photographer – Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo PRCA - Wyoming (2018)
