What happens at a real life adventure dog photo shoot in Guildford?

If you are wondering whether my adventure dog photo shoot is right for you and your dog, then you’re in the right place.

Come along and see how this fun dog photo shoot with this beautiful German Pointer unfolded last summer.

Everyone, meet Mouse* aka the Teddymouse or, as she likes to be called, the Mighty Huntress (no one apart from her believes the last one) who came all the way from Germany for her adventure dog photo shoot.

*I never publish your dog’s name or nickname without your permission!

Before the photo shoot: the consultation call

We don’t just go and meet up somewhere around Guildford and hope for the best on the day of your adventure dog photo shoot. First we talk!

The consultation call is when I find out what you are looking for and we discuss how I can achieve this for you.

We will discuss at which locations we will have the best chance of getting the photos you want. I am based in Guildford and cover Surrey Hampshire and Sussex. And sometimes even further afield. Just ask me!

And if you are not sure about how to style your dogs or yourself, we can talk outfits and colours, and what (not) to bring to your photo shoot. Spoiler alert: if you are thinking three piece suite and evening gown, then this might not be the right photo shoot for you (unless we are trashing your wedding outfits)…because it is all about the fun. For your dog AND you!

A little bit about how I work at your adventure dog photo shoot

We will start our adventure dog photo shoot by me saying hello to your dog. If you allow, I will bring dog bikkies. I will have the camera in hand and will be clicking away probably before we even have left the car park. Don’t worry, your shoot time has not started yet.

We humans will have met at least on the phone or online, but that doesn’t really work for dogs. So I will give your dog a few minutes to get used to me and to my funny box making funny noises.

This will only take a few minutes. I don’t have to be the best of friends with your dog before we shoot, though I am usually fully accepted into the pack by the end of it. Once your dog is no longer worried by me with my camera we can start.

…until someone decides to get in the water…and then remembers they hate getting wet! And rather not be a Mighty Huntress after all. 😀

Your adventure dog photo shoot begins

I am not only there to take the photos, I am also there to make sure we get the best background and lighting for your photos, too. I am your photographer/director so to speak.

I (the director) will ask you to head this or that direction and sometimes I’ll ask you to wait for me (the photographer) to get to the best spot to take your photo from. All this is necessary so we get the photos you are looking to get from your adventure dog photo shoot.

Sometimes (rather rarely actually) I might ask you to go again or repeat a play if I think we can get an alternative angle on a photo that we already captured.

What I won’t do is tell you to turn half and inch left, contort into an unnatural poster pose or say cheese. The smiles will come naturally! And so do the natural poses.

Most of the time, you’ll just be out to play, work or for a walk with your dog. Depending on what you’ve chosen for your photos.

This photo shoot is about documenting the bond between you and your dog, and your dog’s natural fabulousness, of course!

While the first part of our adventure dog photo shoot is mostly me documenting your interaction with your furry family member, once your dog has accepted me fully, we will get those gaze-into-the-camera photos. 

We do these last because your dog will look at me differently when I am someone who is now accepted part of your pack rather than the brand new stranger

While Mouse and her mum are looking very serious practicing  Catch-the-Treato! or Pretend-to-be-an-Alligator! her dad captured me in a respectable photographer position.

During your photo shoot you might also find me lying flat on the ground or knee deep in the water if that’s what it takes to get your photo…and very often you’ll find me bounced at by your dog.
There is a good reason why I wear mostly dull coloured clothes for my adventure dog photo shoots. 😀

Thanks to Mouse’s  dad for allowing me to use his rather cool photo of me at work in this blog.

At the end of your adventure dog photo shoot, you will feel relaxed, and your dog will have had a funny and stimulating experience. The pup will probably go straight to sleep. They’ve had a marvellous time.

If you would like to see an example of a cute Border Terrier puppy photo shoot, please click here: Puppy Photo Shoot in Surrey.

Love and wouff,