Houndvision: A Dog Photography Workshop
In the world of photography, there exists a special niche that focuses solely on the most common furry companions who share our lives – DOGS! What is most exciting about this for me is not just working with dogs but the unique group of passionate individuals that have a shared love for art and our canine companions. These are my people. My kindred spirits.
Running a photography business is an ongoing journey of learning and growth. Even with experience, there's always more to discover. In January of this year, I seized an opportunity to learn from the experts. A three-day intensive, on-location workshop with three of the best in the BIZ!
Enter
“Houndvision: A Dog Photography Workshop for Wild Hearts”,
led by Business Guru and Mentor Nicole Begley (Hair of the Dog Academy and Freedom Focus Formula) and the unstoppable dog photography duo Kaylee Greer and Sam Haddix (Dog Breath Photography). Drawing from their wealth of experience, these seasoned professionals shared their wisdom, offering insights into the nuances of capturing emotion in an image and how to navigate running a successful business. They addressed doubts and insecurities and nurtured each and every photographer's unique vision and style without judgment.
And what better place to hone this craft than amidst the sun-kissed shores and vibrant landscapes of Florida?
The three magical days were spent learning, lounging, laughing, and loving the two resident pups Joshua and Junie in the Tiki House on the shores of Anna Maria Island. The house was nestled amidst lush vegetation, with a view of the sparkling Gulf of Mexico. The outdoor patio and tiki hut equipped with a tv allowed us to soak up knowledge and sun at the same time all while listening to the sound of waves crashing on the shore.
Each day of the workshop included an unforgettable adventure into the wilds of Florida with opportunities to photograph dogs against diverse backdrops, from the bustling streets of downtown St. Petersburg to the serene wilderness of Emerson Point Preserve and the sprawling landscapes of Myakka State Park.
DAY ONE
The morning after I arrived in Florida I was buzzed with excitement and was fully awake by 4:30 AM! What does one do in this situation you might ask.
You walk on the beach and watch the sunrise of course!
Following the rising of the sun and full bellies we got down to business. A day filled with as much information as we could cram into our brains. We discussed composition, lenses, and camera settings and the all important tips and tricks for handling canine models.
Learning about lighting techniques with Kaylee Greer and staying warm with a Junie blanket!
The workshop kicked off amidst the lively streets of downtown St. Petersburg. Officially recognized as a town since 1892, St. Pete is known as the “Sunshine City”. It holds the Guinness World Record for the most consecutive sunny days (768 of them between 1967 and 1969). The waterfront park stretches for 11km and is known for its nightlife and the St. Petersburg Pier (showcasing greenspace, splash pad, observation decks for spotting dolphins, restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, several art installations and a small museum). It was alive with energy!
In our little group of three students to one instructor, we set out to capture pups in their finest form. Miss Kaylee Greer was our lead on day one. Her boundless energy and excitement for the tiniest piece of beauty was infectious. We explored giant Banyan trees, colourful adirondack chairs, and the stunning fading light of a Florida evening. Most importantly, we learned that if you are going to be late, get the shot first!! LOL!
Let me first introduce Tucker, the one year old lab/pitbull mix who spends his days with his mom Sarah and dog sibling Adele. Sarah and Tucker were the ultimate duo. This guy was impressively composed for the tremendously stimulating environment and his young age.
Fun Facts: Banyan trees are native to India and the first one was imported to Florida in 1925 as a gift to Thomas Edison at his Fort Myers home. These trees grow DOWN! Once the vines reach the ground, they take root as a new trunk.
Tucker nestled in the roots of a Banyan tree
Tucker lit up by the setting sun on the St. Petersburg pier
The sun set on the first action-packed day and we headed back to the house for a delicious Mexican-inspired meal prepared by our private chef.
(And for those who know, will know that we don’t need any more ‘Cilantro’!)
DAY TWO
The morning of day two was an editing extravaganza! We uploaded our images from the previous day and prepped a few images to show the group. This was one of my favourite parts of the workshop. I enjoy seeing how each photographer offers a different interpretation, showcasing the endless possibilities photographing the same subject. We also discussed how to choose locations.
Everyone in full editing mode!!
After lunch we head out to our second shoot location.
Emerson Point Preserve, nestled on the picturesque coast of Palmetto, Florida on the north shore of the Manatee River, encompasses over 365 acres of land that offers a diverse range of ecosystems, including mangrove forests, salt marshes, and lush hammocks. Visitors are treated to a network of winding trails that meander through these scenic landscapes, providing opportunities for birdwatching and of course, hiking with your canine pal. Additionally, the preserve offers stunning views of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, opened in 1987.
Day two was spent with dog models Riot and Kiwi and Mr. Sam Haddix, instructor extraordinaire.
Riot is a 5 year old female “Field Golden Retriever”. You might be asking yourself, what is a “Field” golden? Compared to “show” Goldens, the field version is bred primarily for activities like hunting and retrieving. They are often leaner, with a more athletic build and a higher energy level. Riot definitely showed off her athletic prowess and ability to sit and stay in just about any position her Mom asked her to. And to top it off, Riot is a ribbon-winning disc catching and dock diving champ!
Riot on the shore of Emerson Point
Riot perched on a mangrove tree
Our second model of the day was 6 year old female Catahoula Leopard dog Kiwi. Catahoulas originated in Louisiana and were bred to drive feral hogs and cattle and work mostly in swamps and forests. Kiwi was a little more timid than her spicy teammate but a super sweetheart once she got to know you. My favourite things about this girlie were her beautiful markings and her giant smile!
Kiwi taking in the view……and the “Sunshine Skyway Bridge” in the background
Kiwi smiles for the camera
Sam is a technical genius and an expert at lighting so as the light faded on this day, we busted out the strobes and coloured gels and experimented with some super trippy lighting techniques……GROOVY!
Fully covered in sand and sea water, we headed back to the house to clean up. This was followed by the most excellent dinner at the Beach Bistro (thanks to Nicole for her exemplary problem-solving skills). Their “Surfside Tasting Experience” was phenomenal. If you are ever in the area, you have to check it out: https://www.beachbistro.com/
DAY THREE
Day three started off with another amazing breakfast while we excitedly worked on our images from the previous day. This was followed by website and image reviews and the four stages of Business.
And never far away, were Josh and Junie soaking up the Florida sun.
Our final shoot location of the workshop was the wild “Myakka River State Park”. This park was opened in 1942 and covers an incredible 37,000 acres of wetlands, prairies, and pinelands. If you google this park, you will be shocked at some of the photos that show up……masses of alligators!!! But fear not, we were in an area of the park that does not have any water and no canine models were in danger. In fact, there were LOTS of dogs walking the trails while we were there. The park is also known for camping, fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, and rare bird watching.
Following the lead of Nicole Begley we set off on a walk with three special furry friends: Opal and Onyx, Australian cattle dogs aged 9 and 2, and their tiny friend Skippy, an 11 year old wire-haired dachshund, named for his peanut-butter coloured hair!
Opal and Onyx posing for the many cameras
I never expected anything less from Australian cattle dogs. They were a dream to photograph. Very well trained and athletic. Opal LOVES her ball and she didn’t let you forget it. She would follow us around and drop it at our feet until we threw it again.
Opal showing off her favourite toy.
Onyx showing off her posing skills
As we were heading back to the car we took advantage of the most amazing fallen tree. I channeled my inner Nicole, as she is the queen of silhouettes, and snapped this beauty of Opal.
The coolest part was that Nicole was taking a photo at the same time only a few feet behind me. It’s amazing how one moment can create two different visions in the minds of different artists!
Skippy was the chill older gentleman that observed all the Cattle dog chaos from the sidelines but he also had his moment to shine.
Skippy watching his Mom
On the ride home we stopped to pick up some delicious Thai food.
While we were eating, Kaylee was busy working on a little something extra to add to our skills…..a nighttime photoshoot with the absolutely amazing dog model Junie. She is undeniably pretty in pink:)
We spent the remainder of the evening eating and sharing stories while chilling in the hot tub. A much needed soak after spending three days rolling on the ground!
In the end, the dog photography workshop on Anna Maria Island wasn't just about capturing stunning images; it was about celebrating the unbreakable bond between humans and dogs and the profound joy that they bring into each other's lives. And for me, it was an experience that I will cherish forever; a reminder of the beauty that lies within every tail wag from a loyal companion.
Thank you to all of the other attendees for being welcoming, supportive, friendly, and a ton of fun, and to Nicole, Kaylee, and Sam for creating the most amazing experience of my photography career to date!
Love, Missy