Ellen Zangla’s photo of wolves playing at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge was selected to be part of the Team USA entry in the World Photographic Cup.
Professional pet photographer and frequent Churchill Wild guest Ellen Zangla has been selected to represent Team USA at the 2026 World Photographic Cup!
We caught up with Ellen last week while she was on a photography trip in Yellowstone National Park to get the details on this prestigious honour. Her image of a wolf pack taken at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge was chosen as one of three images to represent the United States in the wildlife category.
“I’m pretty happy with it,” said Ellen. “It is very prestigious. There are teams from all over the world that participate in the World Photographic Cup. Each country chooses three images from 10 different categories. Mine was one of the three for wildlife.”
The World Photographic Cup is essentially the Olympics of photography. Teams from nations across the globe select their finest images to compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals. For a photographer from Loudoun County, Virginia, who specializes in capturing the personalities of dogs and cats, having her work selected to represent her country is a monumental achievement.
This is actually the second time Ellen has achieved this distinction. “I was on the team last year as well, for an image I took of grizzly bear cubs in Lake Clark in Alaska,” said Ellen. “But I thought that the wolf image had a good chance to be chosen this year because it’s so unique.”
Ellen Zangla’s image of a grizzly bear mom and three cubs was selected for Team USA last year.
It was a bit of an ironic situation when we spoke. Ellen was in one of the most famous parks in America waiting for winter to arrive, yet she was dreaming of the deep freeze of northern Manitoba.
“They haven’t had snow here in weeks,” said Ellen. “It is crazy. It obviously makes it a lot harder to find wildlife.”
While she was tracking bison and frost-covered coyotes in the snowless American West, the news transported her right back to the frozen Hudson Bay coast. The image itself captures a moment of pure Arctic magic. It was taken during a Cloud Wolves of the Kaska Coast safari at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Ellen describes that adventure as her “Best. Trip. Ever.”
Ellen Zangla (left) and 2021 Young Wilderness Photographer of the Year Meline Ellwanger on Ellen’s “Best. Trip. Ever.” at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.
“We were out on the ice basically all day,” Ellen recalled. “The wolves were everywhere. It was awesome.”
That specific trip seems to have been written in the stars. On a Tuesday night at the lodge, Ellen had a dream that a huge grey wolf was running right toward her. The very next day, the dream became reality on the sea ice of Hudson Bay. A pack of wolves appeared and began to mingle before turning to approach the group.
“It was surreal,” said Ellen. “The wolves were close, and they look right at you. It’s a relationship, you are photographing a moment with them.”
Polar bear waking up at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Ellen Zangla photo.
Ellen is no stranger to reading animal behaviour. As the owner of Ellen Zangla Photography, she has built a reputation for capturing the unique spirits of pets. She has 77 five-star Google reviews and just celebrated her busiest year in business. She brings that same patience and empathy to the wild. Whether she’s photographing a Golden Retriever or a wild wolf, her philosophy remains the same.
“I never want to stress a dog for a shot,” said Ellen. “If they show signs of stress, you have to respect that. And that is what I really cherish about Churchill Wild. The care they have for the wildlife is immense.”
Ellen is a photographer who prefers the “hardcore” experiences. She wants to be on the ground with the animals. She is willing to stand outside when it is minus 40 degrees.
“If you are into photography and if you are willing to stand outside when it is minus 40, this is my language,” she said. “Cold weather photography is the best. Because of what you get to see. I like the frozen landscapes.”
Ellen’s resilience was put to the test when she visited Seal River Heritage Lodge in November 2024 for a Polar Bear Photo Safari. That trip proved that sometimes the best moments are the ones you do not plan for. When a storm grounded flights and stranded the guests at the lodge for two extra days due to ice and fog, Ellen did not complain. She grabbed her camera.
Arctic fox tiptoes by napping polar bear at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Ellen Zangla photo.
“On the final night, I was the last one up, just standing at the window in the lodge looking out, watching the Arctic foxes play,” said Ellen. “You just have to take a deep breath and think about where you are in the world. The fact that I got to witness that was pretty astonishing.”
This March, Ellen is returning to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge for the Cloud Wolves of the Kaska Coast safari. It will be her fifth departure with Churchill Wild. She has become part of the family at the lodges. She loves the fact that the staff make her feel at home, even down to remembering her morning almond milk latte, which is just microwaved milk with regular coffee.
Wolf relaxing at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Ellen Zangla photo.
When she returns to Nanuk, she will be looking for those wolves again. She knows that wildlife is unpredictable, especially in such a vast area, but for Ellen, the experience is always worth it. You can’t control what we see,” she said. “But everything under your control is awesome. The staff are friendly, kind, polite, and genuinely caring.”
We are incredibly proud to see Ellen’s work recognised on the world stage. To have an image from Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge represent the United States in the World Photographic Cup is an honour for her and a thrill for us.
Congratulations, Ellen! We look forward to seeing you back on the ice at Nanuk. Stay warm until you get here!
About Ellen Zangla
Professional pet photographer Ellen Zangla with one of her favourites!
Ellen Zangla has been a professional pet photographer in Loudoun County, Virginia, since 2009. She specializes in dog photography, cat photography, and family photography that includes dogs, cats, or other pets.
Ellen has won numerous awards for her pet and wildlife photography. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband, son, two dogs, and four cats.
Follow Ellen Zangla on Facebook here
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Watch on YouTube: What it’s Like to Work with Pet Photographer Ellen Zangla
Read 5-Star Google Reviews for Ellen Zangla Photography
Website: Ellen Zangla Photography
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
