dotty the labrador Retriever - dog photography in Mid Devon

I had the absolute pleasure of photographing Dotty, an 18 month old Fox Red Labrador Retriever, for a dog photography session at Shobrook Park, in Mid Devon near to Exeter.

Dotty is in training to do field trial competitions, although her owner enjoys the training side more than the thought of competing at the moment.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Dotty, so happy in her job of retrieving her dummy from the water or the land.

So, how did Dotty get in front of my camera? I had put a call out for a dog, keen to retrieve from water, as I needed some water action photographs. Dotty’s owner answered my call and was very pleased to put Dotty through her paces for me.

I was warned that Dotty is very enthusiastic and very keen, sometimes too much so but she loves to work and be busy.

It was a hot, sunny evening in the middle of summer, we got to the park just in the later afternoon before the sun had really started to go down, it was beautiful and Dotty performed so well, retrieving every dummy thrown without hesitation.

Even having a well trained dog doesn’t stop the nerves kicking in for being photographed, Dotty’s owner admitted to me after the shoot.

I never expect anything from a client’s dog in their photoshoots, I never ask more of them than they already know how to do. There is no point causing stress and anxiety in an animal for a photograph, that is just not me. I always want a dog to be relaxed, comfortable and happy. Ideally doing what they do everyday so they are photographed in a way that resinates with their owners.

Dotty did not put a paw wrong and the proof is in the photographs. Fully attentive to her owner and fully engrossed with the task in hand. The result was a fantastic set of photographs that I am super pleased with and her owner blown away by. She kept saying “ I can’t believe how Dotty looks like she knows what she is doing”…which of course she does 😁.

I am happiest when I am asked to photograph a dog, in their favourite location, on a favourite walk, training for field trials, playing at the beach, basically where ever you and your dog go to have fun. If you are interested in a ‘no pressure’ photo shoot for your dog. Contact me here and learn more here. Fx