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Summertime photo sessions with your dog should be fun and memorable. However, as a photographer who specializes in pet photography, I know that safety and comfort are just as important as capturing that perfect shot. When you’re choosing a photographer for your dog’s summer photo session, consider whether they're mindful of these crucial aspects that ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for your furry friend. 1.      Timing your photo session wisely: The right timing can make all the difference. Early mornings or late evenings offer cooler temperatures and softer lighting, making them ideal for any photo session. IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER: always schedule your sessions during these cooler times and remain flexible, ready to reschedule if the day turns out hotter than expected to keep the dogs safe and comfortable? 2.      Choosing a safe location: It is essential to choose locations that are safe for your dog, avoiding hot surfaces that could harm their paws and opting for shady or grassy spots instead. IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER: Making a point to personally scout and select locations ahead of time, ensuring they are free from potential hazards and offer enough shade and cool areas for breaks? 3.      Hydration and breaks: Ensuring your dog stays hydrated throughout the session is a priority. IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER: Always bring along a portable water bowl and fresh water? And is your photographer scheduling regular breaks and closely monitoring your dog for any signs of heat stress or dehydration, adjusting the pace of the session as needed? 4.      Appropriate summer gear: Accessories like dog-safe sunscreen and protective booties are recommended to protect against the sun and hot surfaces. IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER: Choose all props and accessories for safety and comfort and ensure that they are non-restrictive, breathable, and checked regularly throughout the session to prevent any discomfort? 5.      Keeping the photo session fun and safe: Using treats, toys, and continuous praise keeps the atmosphere light and enjoyable for your dog. IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER: always paying attention to your dog’s mood and energy levels, ready to adapt our activities to ensure they are comfortable and enjoying the experience? 6.      Emergency preparedness: It is all fun till it is not. IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER: carrying a well-equipped first aid kit specifically for dogs, prepared for any situation that might arise, and is your photographer also trained in pet first aid and prepared to handle emergencies promptly and effectively, ensuring your dog’s safety at all times? 7.      Post-Session Care: The session is over, and you are on your back home. IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER: following up with you to ensure your dog has recovered well from the session and is your photographer offering you guidance on how your dog should rest and recover from the day’s activities? 8.      Respect for the dog’s limits: Every dog is different regarding the level of activity. It is crucial to recognize when the dog is tired or stressed. IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER: ensuring that the sessions are kept short and sweet, respecting the dog’s limits, and avoiding any unnecessary stress? 9.      Tailored session planning: Every dog is unique, which means every photo session should be tailored to fit the individual dog’s needs and preferences. IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER: Take the time to understand your dog’s personality and comfort levels before the session to customize the activities and maximize their comfort and enjoyment by sending a questionnaire to fill out? Conclusion: As a pet photographer, the priority is not only to capture beautiful moments but to ensure they are done safely and joyfully. When choosing a photographer for your dog’s summer photos, make sure they consider all these aspects to provide a positive experience for you and your pet. If you can answer YES to all these questions, congratulations on choosing the right photographer. CALL TO ACTION: This summer let’s celebrate our furry friends with a fun photo-sharing contest! I am keeping the details under wraps for now, but trust me, it’s something you and your pup will love. Any comment on this blog post will get automatically 5 votes when you participate in the contest. The contest will be held in June!

In today’s digital age, where the charm of film photography is often downgraded to the realms of nostalgia, it’s easy to forget that some subjects have been captivating hearts long before the camera was even a concept. This brings me to a fascinating parallel between the ancient and the contemporary – the Saluki. Often, we admire film photography as an art form that echoes back to older times, yet the Saluki’s legacy in human culture predates even the earliest forms of photography by millennia. Why writing about the Saluki you wonder? Because we find a bridge between the ancient word and our modern pursuits of capturing beauty and history. The Saluki, with its elegant form, was already immortalized in art and carvings long before film made its mark. These dogs were esteemed companions of pharaohs and hunters and celebrated across ancient civilizations. One of the earliest references to the Saluki, can be found in carvings from the Sumerian empire, dating back to 7000 BC. Also, the breed was often depicted in hieroglyphics and found mummified alongside their owners, indicating their high status in Egyptian society. Knowledge that can help every photographer when it comes to a photo session. It is knowledge that goes beyond dog behavior (what is a key knowledge for any photographer) and can make THE DIFFERENCE in the result of our photo session and clients experience. So, how is this king of knowledge transforms your photographic experience and why do I put so much importance into knowledge beyond the craft of photography? Because it matters when we are offering a high quality and experience driven business. It matters when we are offering more then only some digitals as a result of our experience, and it matters if we want clients to feel understood and cared about. These are examples that are representing knowledge about the Saluki and how we can take this knowledge into account when we are working with this breed, but it also shows the importance of diving deep into dog knowledge no matter what breed we are talking about. 1) Capturing Essence Beyond Appearance Knowing the history allows photographers to capture the essence of the Saluki beyond its physical appearance. The Saluki isn’t just a dog; it’s a piece of living history. This knowledge can inspire more thoughtful compositions that reflect the breed’s noble and ancient heritage. 2) Storytelling Through Imagery Photography is as much about storytelling as it is about capturing images. Understanding the Saluki’s background – its revered status in ancient cultures, its role as a hunter, and its depiction in ancient art – can help photographers tell a richer story through their images. 3) Building a Connection. Recognizing the Saluki’s storied past can inform the way a photographer approaches a session, from the setting they choose to the way they interact with the pet. 4) Lighting techniques Inspired be the Saluki’s desert origins, photographers can experiment with natural lighting techniques that mimic the harsh, dramatic sunlight of its homeland. 5) Color and Texture Awareness of the environments the Saluki historically inhabited can influence the choice of color palettes and textures in the backdrop and setting, creating a visually rich context. 6) Action Shots Knowing that the Saluki is one of the oldest hunting breeds, photographers might emphasize its speed and agility in action shots that pay homage to its hunting prowess. It always is worth a journey through the history of a breed. Photographers who invest in this deeper understanding bring to their work a dimension of storytelling that transcends the visual. This approach can transform each photograph from a simple portrait into a piece of art that shows the essence of every breed. In conclusion, the practice of photographing with knowledge that extends beyond the technical aspects of the craft of photography is a tribute to the subjects we capture. To the Saluki breed à we owe a debt of gratitude. These noble hounds have not only graced our lenses with their elegance but have also enriched our art with their remarkable history. Thank you, Salukis, for being not just subjects of our photographs but ambassadors of a rich heritage that continues to inspire and captivate.

In this series, I will explore different breeds, showing the challenges each of them brings to a photo session. The simple answer to the question above is YES!  – but let’s dive deeper into this. How does this knowledge enhance our work as photographers, and why is it essential not to limit our focus solely to the craft of photography? How does it amplify our outcomes, especially in dog photography? Understanding canine behavior is a crucial element, but what additional knowledge should dog photographers possess? Before meeting with clients and their pets, what can give us an edge? Imagine asking clients a simple question like “What breed is your dog?” This is not just curiosity; it’s about thoroughly preparing us to be able to deliver the most exceptional photography experience possible. Insights like physical characteristics, temperaments, and even historical backgrounds that define a breed can guide a photographer in choosing the right environment, lighting, and approach, ultimately leading to more authentic, expressive, and captivating images. This is especially true for breeds with distinct features and personalities, such as “the ELO”. As a photographer and proud owner of an (already 12 years old) ELO dog – a unique breed known for its friendly disposition and distinctive coat – I've discovered firsthand the profound impact that breed-specific knowledge can have regarding photography. But what is an ELO for a breed? The ELO: Originated in Germany in the late 1980s was developed by Marita and Heinz Szobries to create a family-friendly dog that exhibits a good temperament, health, and intelligence. The development of the ELO involved careful selection and breeding of several dog breeds, primarily the Eurasier, the Bobtail (Old English Sheepdog), and the Chow-Chow. The name ELO is derived from the first letter of the Eurasier, the last letter of the bobtail, and the middle vowel of the chow-chow. The goal was to combine the calm and friendly nature of the Eurasier, the intelligence of the Bobtail, and the appearance and loyalty of the Chow Chow. Despite its recognition and popularity in Germany, the ELO remains relatively unknown outside of its home country. Pros of the ELO: Gentle and friendly: My Elo has been a testament to the breed’s reputation for being incredibly friendly and gentle, especially with children and other pets. Intelligence and trainability: The intelligence of the Elo is remarkable – unfortunately I must say this characteristic is not showing so much in my dog – as he is very stubborn😊 Robust health: One of the reasons I chose an Elo was their breeder's focus on health and longevity. And yes, our old man is showing some slowing down, but he is still a happy dog. Cons of the ELO: Grooming needs: The maintenance of Elo’s coat, particularly during shedding season, demands regular grooming sessions. Availability: Their rarity means that one must often navigate waiting lists and extensive research to find a reputable breeder. Photographing an Elo, particularly one with a unique coat like fluffy fur, white body, and black head, presents both challenges and opportunities that require a nuanced understanding of photography and breed characteristics. Here’s how these specific features can impact a photo session, along with the importance of breed characteristics in capturing stunning images. Photographic Challenges you can expect if you are photographing an ELO or similar-looking dog breeds: High Contrast: The contrast between the white body and the black head can pose exposure challenges. Cameras might struggle to capture detail in both the bright white and deep black areas simultaneously. This leads to either the white areas being overexposed or the black areas losing detail in the shadows. This requires careful management of lighting and exposure settings. Soft diffused lighting can help reduce harsh shadows. Overcast days provide nature-diffused light, while in the studio – a softbox or diffuser is essential. I always try not to overexpose because managing getting some details back in post-production is much easier than struggling with overexposure. Fur texture: Dogs with fluffy fur add complexity to lighting arrangements. The texture of the fur can either absorb or reflect light, affecting how the fur’s color and detail appear in photos. Fluffy fur also moves with the wind, which can be both a dynamic element in an image and a challenge to capture clearly without blurring. Color balance and saturation: capturing the true colors of the mostly 3-colored coat, especially when dealing with both very light and very dark areas, demands attention to color balance and saturation settings in your camera. Also trying to choose locations that complement the coat colors for contrast would be helpful. Natural settings with green or earth tones can make the white fur stand out while providing a neutral background for the black head for example. Weather: Given Elo’s thick, fluffy coat, consider the weather conditions before planning a photo session. Cooler, overcast days might be more comfortable for the dog and can provide even lighting, while hot, sunny days could lead to discomfort. How this knowledge can help you as a photographer: Understanding the nuances of different breeds can significantly elevate the quality of pet photography. This knowledge isn’t just a tool, it’s a lens through which photographers can more accurately plan and execute their sessions, ensuring that the unique qualities of each breed are showcased to their fullest potential. Session planning: Awareness of a breed’s temperament and energy level helps design a session that is tailored to the dog’s comfort and interests. An energetic breed might benefit from a session in a spacious outdoor setting where they can move freely, whereas a more reserved dog might do better in a quiet, familiar location. Lighting: Knowledge of a breed’s coat and texture influences decisions about lighting and exposure settings. Engagement and Interaction: recognizing the social and interactive preferences of a breed enables photographers to engage with them more effectively during the session. This can lead to more authentic and expressive captures, showcasing the dog’s true personality. Post-processing techniques: tailoring editing techniques to enhance the breed’s features accurately, whether it’s adjusting the contrast to capture the fur or color correction to emphasize their unique coat colors, can significantly impact the final image. In conclusion: A deep understanding of dog breeds enriches the photographer’s toolkit, enabling more thoughtful session planning, tailored interaction strategies, and technical adjustments that align with the subject’s specific needs. This breed-specific approach not only enhances the aesthetic quality of the images but also ensures a positive and comfortable experience for all participants. For photographers passionate about capturing the essence of each dog, investing time in learning about different breeds, from their physical characteristics to their behavioral traits, is not just beneficial – it’s essential.

As a dedicated dog photographer with years of experience, the safety and comfort of my models and owners are the highest priority and show me that are key to the best results of a photo session. Working with dogs I’ve learned to recognize and respect the subtle signs of their feelings, which often go unnoticed. One such experience unfolded during a photo session where the dog I was taking pictures of showed signs of discomfort. Signs that I would have never noticed with less knowledge and years of dog photography. This observation led me to a fascinating realization about canine behavior. We all know that humans have a dominance of the left hemisphere of the brain (in most people) if we are right-handed, then 90% of the left hemisphere is primarily responsible for our language skills, including understanding speech, speech production, reading, and writing. For lefties, it’s still 70% of the left part of the brain for those aspects of human communication. The cerebral duality, however, is not unique to humans. The canine brain, though different in size and some functional aspects, also exhibits a hemispheric division. Talk to the tail – ‘cause the hand ain’t listening! Despite a whole bucket of TikTok’s and Reels which want to make us believe, some dogs can talk – they just can’t. But that doesn’t mean they can’t communicate. On the contrary: their vocabulary is even quite extensive. And here comes the interesting part. Not only does the tail play a decisive role in a dog’s communication – but as does the human brain, the dog brain also observes the so-called concept of lateralization: Different sides of the brain are on average more or less responsible for certain aspects of a dog’s neurological processes. Latest research suggests that certain cognitive and motor processes are predominantly controlled by a certain side of the brain and differences in how the left and right hemispheres process stimuli like sights, sounds, and smells. Tails of joy: Waging sadness, wagging happiness! What’s different though in dogs is how the brain converts all the electrical nerve signals of the hemispheres into something, which can be registered by other consciousnesses, meaning, by other dogs or us humans. While we primarily speak, a dog’s toolset of communication instruments is way more diverse and even more subtle. And the tail does play a decisive role. What is tail wagging? Tail wagging in dogs is much more than just a sign of happiness. It is a complex form of communication. Your dog can express a range of emotions and intentions through various tail movements. However, in this blog post, I am focused on the meaning of the direction of the tail wagging. A groundbreaking study by the Italian neuroscientist Dr. Giorgio Vallortigara and his team (published in “Current Biology) sheds light on this- and revealed something fascinating: the direction of a dog’s tail wagging can indicate its emotional state. Wagging more to the right is usually associated with positive feelings, while a left-biased wag suggests negative emotions. So, is there any connection between the brain and the direction dogs wag their tail? The study investigated the reaction of dogs to various stimuli (owner, unfamiliar human, cat encounter, and approaching of an unfamiliar dominant dog) and how these influenced the direction of their tail wagging. This study played a significant role in understanding the connection between the tail-wagging predominant direction, correlating brain hemisphere activation, and emotional response in dogs. When a dog feels positive emotions like happiness or excitement, the left hemisphere of the brain, associated with positive responses becomes usually more active. This activation causes the dog to wag its tail rather more to the right side. In contrast, when a dog experiences negative emotions such as anxiety, fear, or aggression, the right hemisphere of the brain, which is linked to negative emotions, becomes usually more active. This results in a left-biased tail wag. As professional dog photographers, we should all have at first the safety and comfort of our models in mind. A deep understanding of the way dogs communicate, especially in – from the dog’s perspective – unusual and unfamiliar photography sessions, significantly benefits daily interaction with our models and enhances a dog photographer’s work. It can offer insights into their emotions and help us lead to more effective and empathic interactions. We can interpret their comfort level and avoid any aggressive encounters, giving them some space to get comfortable. We can quickly adapt our approach, avoiding distress situations by reading these subtle cues. It is not only about technical knowledge that we need to bring with us as skills; it is about creating a connection with the model, ensuring their comfort, and capturing the essence of their positive emotions. All of these contribute to getting the best results and stories from our session and making it an existing yet positive experience – for our furry loved ones. P.S. I have not forgotten all the breeds I am working with, which have short or no tails. Dogs communicate through a variety of other body language signals and behaviors such as ear position, facial expressions, body posture, and vocalization. It’s important to become familiar with the full range of their body language and vocal cues to understand their emotions and needs effectively. And, of course, assessing all those signals in the correct context. References: Vallortigara, G. & Versace, E(2013). “Current Biology Vol 17” Seeing Left- or Right-Asymmetric Tail Wagging Produces Different Emotional Responses in Dogs