Some dogs are happiest running around with a ball in their mouth. Others would much rather sit beside you and take everything in. And then there are the curious ones who think every new smell deserves their full attention!
I've photographed over 1,000 dogs in the last six and a half years, and they all have their own way of doing things. So I don't run every session the same way.
For the dogs who never stop moving
We've all met that dog with an endless supply of energy.
Asking them to sit still for too long usually isn't going to bring out their best side. I'd much rather let them run, chase their favourite toy or have a good play. That's when you get the big smiles and the flying ears.
And once they've burnt off some energy, they'll often settle for a quieter portrait too.
For the quiet, thoughtful ones
Not every dog wants to be the centre of attention, and that's completely fine.
Baron is a one-year-old field spaniel. His session was at sunrise at the lake behind the National Museum of Australia, on a Balloon Spectacular morning. Hot air balloons were drifting over the water, which was gorgeous, but it also meant there were people everywhere. It was hard for Baron to settle, and you can't exactly ask a crowd to go home.
So I took my time with him and gave him space. I try to let dogs be themselves and take the photos as they come, rather than forcing them into poses. We got there in the end. Baron is the black spaniel in the photo above, sitting with the other three dogs from that morning, with the balloons behind them.
Annabelle, Baron's owner, wrote to me afterwards:
"The time taken for nervous dogs like baron was so much appreciated aswell."
For dogs like Baron, a little head tilt or a relaxed expression is the photo. They don't need to be doing anything exciting.
For the dogs who love their people
You know those dogs who always want to be close? The ones who lean against your legs or follow you from room to room?
For these dogs, I love getting you in the photos too. Most of us have hundreds of photos of our dogs and hardly any with them.
You don't have to be fully in the frame. Sometimes a hand resting on your dog's back, or the way they look up at you, is enough to show your bond.
For the curious, independent explorers
And then we have the dogs who are far more interested in what's happening around them than in my camera.
My James was like this outdoors. Half the time he wouldn't pay attention to me at all, so I'd photograph him exploring and sniffing instead.
With curious dogs, I work with that curiosity. A dog looking off into the distance or nose-down in the grass can make a lovely portrait. And when I do need their attention, out come the weird noises, the treats and the squeaky toys.
Of course, most dogs are a bit of everything
Your energetic dog might also love a good cuddle. Your quiet dog might suddenly get the zoomies. And that independent explorer might decide they want to spend the rest of the session right beside you.
I come into every session with ideas, but I'm also watching how your dog responds and what they enjoy. We stay at the one location, but we don't stand in one spot. We walk around, try different spots, take a break when we need one, and sometimes try something completely different from what I'd planned.
It's about capturing your dog, just as they are
Before any session, we have a consultation, and that's where I get to hear all about your dog. What gets them excited? Are they a bit cheeky, a big cuddler or happiest doing their own thing?
Those little details help me plan a session that suits them. When you see your photos, I want you to think, "That's so them!"
If you've been thinking about having your dog photographed, I'd love to hear all about them. Let's have a chat.
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