Sponsored By
Hosted By
Does Your Dog or Cat Have
Main Character Energy?
Enter your dog or cat in the Pooch
Playoffs™. The ONLY competition
where big personalities, floppy ears
and dramatic whiskers go head-to-
head for the crown (and prizes!).
Raise your paw 🐾 if you’re ready for fun!
No payment is collected when you click the button.
This simply tells us you’re interested so we can contact
you, share details and schedule your pet’s photo session.
Raise Your Paw if You’re
Ready for Fun!
Professional Pet Portrait Session
with Once Upon A Time Photography
Chance to Win a goodie bag of fun A portion of
proceeds benefits Kitty City of New Mexico
What Are the Pooch Playoffs™?
Pooch Playoffs™ is a fun, March-Madness-style competition… but for pets. 🐕🐈
Your dog (or cat!) gets their own
photo session with
Once Upon A Time Photography.
We’ll create an epic portrait, feature them in our Pooch Playoffs bracket. Friends, family and the community can vote to help them advance round by round until we crown the Top Dog (or Cat!)
A.k.a the Ulti-mutt Champion of Alamogordo.
The winner will then go on to the National Worldwide Pooch Playoffs competition.
Along the way, we’re also raising money for Kitty City of New Mexico, a local organization helping animals in our community.
Your Pet’s Game Plan (It’s Easy!)
Step 1 – Tell Us You Want In
Fill out the short form below to apply... No payment is required today. From there, we’ll reach out to you with all the details to schedule your pet’s session.
Step 2 – Schedule Your Pet’s Photo Session
We’ll give you a quick call within 48 hours to go over how it works, answer questions and pick a session time.
Step 3 – Cheer Them On in the Brackets
After your session, we’ll choose a favorite image of your pet to enter in the competition. When voting begins on March 21, 2026, you’ll get a special link to share so your friends and family can vote for your pet through each round.
Step 4 – Winners, Prizes & Artwork
As rounds progress, pets move closer to winning a goodie bag of fun, other sponsor goodies and potential recognition beyond Alamogordo.
What Your Pet Gets When They Enter the Pooch Playoffs
Spoiler: It’s a paws-down good time.
A professional pet portrait session
A feature in our Pooch Playoffs bracket
The opportunity to purchase custom wall art of your pet
A fun experience and memories that last long after the competition ends
The warm fuzzy feeling of helping support Kitty City of New Mexico
No payment is collected when you click the button.
This simply tells us you’re interested so we can contact you,
share details, and schedule your pet’s photo session.
Your Superstar Can Win These Fetch-Worthy Awards
Grand Prize: a trophy, basket of fun, and bragging rights for a year
Runner-Up & Category Prizes: a metal and a medium basket of fun
Additional sponsor gifts from , , and others may also be included.
Mark Your Calendars,
It’s Game Time.
Raise your paw if you’re ready!
Photo Sessions Run: now until March 15, 2026
Voting Begins: March 21, 2026
Final Round / Winners Announced:March 30, 2026
Spots are limited so we can give each pet the attention they deserve. Once we fill the bracket, entries will close.
Pooch Playoffs isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s also about giving back.
This year,Once Upon A Time Photography is proud to partner with Kitty City of New Mexico, a local organization that was conceived as a cage less, safe, indoor environment for our cats. We are a no-kill facility where every feline guest is examined by a veterinarian, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered.
A portion of each entry fee will be donated directly to Kitty City of New Mexico, so your pet’s moment in the spotlight also helps other animals in need.
Once Upon A Time Photography has raised $2,300 for local non-profits.
Pooch Playoffs™ photographers nationwide, including our studio, have helped raise more than $188,415 for animal-specific charities since 2023.
Perfect If…
Your pet is fully ready for their “paws-parazzi” moment
Your dog or cat is part of the family
You’ve always thought, “My pet is seriously the cutest”
You’ve wanted professional photography but needed the perfect excuse
You’d love artwork of your pet that makes you smile every time you walk past it
You like the idea of helping other animals while celebrating your own
Why Once Upon A Time Photography?
Several pet families have trusted us with their pet portraits. Take a look:
This was such a fun event I wanted to come back this year to enter my other dog to compete.
The images that were created were so beautiful and I have them hanging up in my home!
I thought I was just getting photos taken but Felicia did so much more and served us very well!
We’re experienced at working with shy, wiggly, high-energy and older pets.
We’ll guide you on how to prepare and what to bring so your pet feels safe and comfortable.
Do I pay anything when I click the button?
No payment is collected today. All you’re doing is raising your hand and letting us know you’re interested in learning more..
We’ll follow up to walk you through the details and book your pet’s photo session.
What’s a “bracket”?
Think of it like a friendly NCAA March Madness Basketball tournament but instead, it is a pet photography tournament.
Your pet goes head-to-head with other contestants in voting rounds.
Winners advance until we crown the Local Champion. The Local Champion goes on to National / Worldwide brackets.
It’s simple, fun and ridiculously cute.
How does voting work?
After all sessions are photographed, we’ll release the official bracket.
Friends, family, and the community can vote for their favorite pets in each round. The pet with the most votes moves on!
What do I get when I enter?
You receive a professional pet portrait session, a gift included with your entry and a chance for your pet to advance through the bracket and win fun prizes.
What if my pet is shy or wiggly?
Totally fine!
We specialize in photographing pets with big personalities, big feelings, and big wiggles. We’ll guide your pet with patience, treats, and lots of encouragement.
Can cats enter too?
Yes! Cats are welcome.
❓ How does the charity part work?
A portion of the entry fee is donated to Kitty City of New Mexico, our local partner. YMarch 21, 2026our pet gets an unforgettable experience and another pet gets the help they need.