Dog Photography-How I got Started
I first became interested in dog photography about 10 years ago whilst walking Charlie our miniature schnauzer. I took a photograph of another dog chasing a ball, and I was instantly hooked. Charlie became my inspiration and I perfected my skills taking photographs of him. I then started a Facebook page called Barks in the Parks Dog Community @barksintheparks, featuring dogs that I met whilst walking Charlie, as well as dog related news content. I have also recently launched a second Facebook page called Pro Dog Tog @prodogtog which is my more focused professional dog photography page. It wasn't long before I was approached by a number of dog owners, eager to have photographs taken of their own beloved dogs.
I took the photo of Buddy below on Cooden Beach in East Sussex, using my Nikon D500 and trusty 300mm lens. I managed to capture him frolicking in the surf. When I look at this picture, I'm always reminded of a shark, as Buddy's fur behind his neck almost looks like gills. Again, it's all about timing, and being in the right place at the right time. It's not easy running along wet sand with a heavy camera and lens, trying to get 'the shot' but I love every minute of it!
Although I enjoy all kinds of photography, I now mainly specialise in dog photography. There is something magical about capturing a dog's personality and character in the blink of an eye at 1/8000th of a second. When I am in the zone, I instinctively know when I have that ‘special shot’ and, I will do whatever it takes to get it. On one occasion I ended up lying chest down on a wet sandy beach, to get as low as possible to include the sea in the background (see Finn below).
Dog photography can also be quite a hazardous, I once narrowly missed being kneecapped by two 35kg Labradors, play fighting and charging past me at top speed! Despite the potential risks, my happy place is being surrounded by a group of dogs having fun, with my camera in hand.
It is important to remember that dogs age much quicker than we do, and sadly do not live that long. Maisy is our third miniature schnauzer, having lost Charlie at 6 years and Eddie at 5 years. Despite being short lived, I have a particular love of the miniature schnauzer breed, (it must be the eyebrows and the beard), Maisy is our bearded lady, and is a crazy as a box of frogs. She loves nothing more than stealing my slipper, and charging around the garden triumphantly daring me to try and retrieve it! When Maisy plays fetch, she never lets the ball go! (see below).
‘When Maisy plays fetch, she never lets the ball go!’
I am really pleased with the photograph below of Maisy romping through the bluebells in the local woods. Everything was against me when I took this photograph, the evening light was fading fast, and I was struggling to get a descent shutter speed on my camera. I only managed 1/160 of a second at an aperture of f5.6 which is very slow, and my ISO was 1250. I was using a 300mm tele zoom lens, and Maisy was charging towards me at full speed. I managed to fire the shutter at just the right time to catch a shaft of light illuminating Maisy's eyes and face. You can see catch lights in both of Maisy's eyes, which if left unlit would have looked like black boot buttons.
I care passionately about the quality of my dog photography, and I will only show my best images to my clients. I use professional quality Nikon equipment, which is capable of capturing 10 frames a second, come rain or shine. To get an idea of the quality of my work, take some time to look at my website www.davidjamespage.zenfolio.com and view the Pro dog tog galleries. However, if you are looking for a static studio dog portraits, I am probably not the dog photographer you are looking for!
So if you have ever thought about arranging a FUN photo shoot with your four legged friend, get in touch (unlike some dogs I don’t bite) for a no obligation informal chat. We can discuss your needs and wishes.
Me and Maisy, my best friend
Time for a change?
I recently found myself without a job due to my contract ending unexpectedly. I will not go into detail, but having worked in the same profession for over 40 years it did come as something of a shock. I could simply find another contract and probably start work immediately (due to the current staff shortages in my former area of work). However, I have not really been enjoying my role as an enforcement officer, which can often be stressful and confrontational. Photography on the other hand remains a constant pleasure in my life, and helped me to get through a difficult 2020.
Albert Einstein is often quoted as defining Insanity as 'doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result'. Would it be insane for me to get back into my former role, which is usually a case of 'the same meat, different gravy'. I am now at a bit of a crossroads in my life, being far closer to the end of my working life than at the beginning. My options seem to be carrying on as before and expecting a different outcome (insanity?) or considering just packing it all in and taking early retirement (sounds a bit boring) or I could try to make at least some of my income from doing something I love, photographing other peoples dogs..
I think that I have probably just answered my own question... of course I should at least give professional dog photography a go. Unfortunately, I am pretty lousy at marketing myself, so I will have to try and push through my natural modesty and lack of self belief. Over the past 7 years of photographing dogs, I have perfected the art of active dog photography, (as opposed to studio dog photography, which does not appeal to me in the same way). I therefore consider myself to have ability and credibility to make it as a Pro Dog Tog. I realise that I may still have to make part of my income from contracting, but at least I will be able to enjoy part of my remaining working life.
So, it's exciting times ahead, I just need to get to grips with the marketing side of things, so if you have any tips or suggestions, please feel free to leave me a comment.
'Maisy the Moocher', our miniature schnauzer, frolicing on the beach at Rye Harbour, East Sussex.
Out of My Comfort Zone
During lockdown lots of people were furloughed and many people still find themselves at home. A friend of mine is currently still furloughed, and we were recently discussing how she could start her own online business. Sharon specialises in upscaling existing clothing, using trim, beading, and lace to create new individual garments. She has recently started a facebook page called 'it's just trimtastic' and Instagram itsjusttrimtastic21 facebook page and online fashion business. Sharon needed some photographs for online use, and I suggested that when I next visited London, that I arranged to visit her house for a photo shoot.
We arranged to meet last weekend, and I took my trusty Fuji XE1 with 18-55mm zoom lens. Upon arrival, I set about rearranging the room in order to place the photo shoot adjacent to the bay window, where the sunlight was shining through the diffused net curtains. Sharon set up her tailors dummy, and had a number of tops and products that she wanted me to photograph, as well was some shoes and complete outfits that she was to model for the shoot. Despite not having a lot of available space to work, I was able to create a pleasing background complete with freshly cut flowers. Fortunately the sun shone throughout the shoot, and the light lit the clothing perfectly.
Whilst this is not my usual subject to photograph, I really enjoyed the experience and it was great to catch up with my good friend. I am really proud of the photographs taken on the day, and they look great on Sharon's online store.
Dog walking with the boys and Ruby
Yesterday I was invited for a walk with my neighbour's Steve, Jayne and their two larger than life Labradors Bentley (The Governor) and Royce, The morning started off misty and generally uninspiring, and not really good light for action photography. We are still missing Eddie our miniature schnauzer, and it seemed strange for Laura and myself to be going for a 'dog-less' dog walk. We drove to a location called Butt's Brow high up on the South Downs near Polegate, in East Sussex. The usually amazing views from the top were obscured by the mist and fine rain, but at least it was a lot cooler for the dogs after days of a heatwave.
We set off on the walk and the dogs started to get stuck in to each other, play fighting and generally doing crazy stuff that dogs do. We came across a stagnant pool of green water, in a dipped circle of concrete (which may at one point have been used as a water supply for livestock). Ruby (a six month old Labrador puppy), dived into the middle of the green slimey stagnant water, and managed to fish out an old beer bottle. She was very proud of her find, and ran around with the foul smelling water pouring out of the bottle... We eventually managed to retrieve the empty bottle and disposed of it safely.
The boys also managed to get wet and have a drink from the water, which would almost certainly make any human being very ill. I'm always amazed by what dogs will attempt to eat and drink!
It's a shame that we did not get to see the views of Eastbourne, far away Hastings, and Brighton's off shore wind farm, but that will have to wait for another visit. Like all good things, time flies when you're having fun, and soon the walk was heading back towards the car.
The boys and Ruby all had a lot of fun and so had we. I still miss not having my little side-kick Eddie around as it's hard being a dog photographer, without a dog... I'm sure that we will eventually make room for a new dog in our lives and our hearts, but for now I have to get my doggy fix from our friends and neighbours....
Bentley and Royce (below) are a lot of fun to spend time with.
Ruby managed to find an old beer bottle at the bottom of a stagnant pool of water:
She made sure she emptied every last drop of the green foul smelling liquid before we safely disposed of the bottle...
We met some other great dogs on the walk including Derrick the Beagle, who enjoyed running around with Ruby...
Ruby chasing after an un-named dog who just appeared from nowhere....
Ruby and the boys managed to find time to snaffle some ripe blackberries for a quick snack...
Ruby making the most of the walk, looking around for her next playmate...
Heading back to the car after a fun walk on the beautiful South Downs..
Losing Eddie (Our Miniature Schnauzer)
We recently had to say goodbye to Eddie, our miniature Schnauzer. For such a small dog, Eddie had a larger than life personality. Anyone who has ever owned a dog will tell you what a bond you form over the years that they spend with you. Sadly Eddie did not make it to 5 years old, having suffered acute kidney failure, which is rare in a dog so young. We tried everything to save Eddie and even took him to TV Super vet's Fitzpatrick Referrals.
Eddie was my muse, and a major inspiration for getting into dog photography. He was such a fun little dog, and he helped our family get through the lockdown, by making us laugh and he was always up for a cuddle and a belly rub! As a photographer I am lucky that I have so many great photographs of Eddie to remind me what a fun dog he was. Loosing Eddie made me realise how important it is to keep a photographic record of who or what it is you really care about. For many people photographs of their dogs are stored on mobile phones and never get printed. If the phone break, gets lost or stolen these memories are lost forever.
Our family is devastated by the loss of Eddie, and I have lost my best friend and companion. The house is too quiet without him, and I miss the sound of him shaking his collar, and his musty popcorn smell, and even his doggy breath. We will eventually get another dog, that will probably be another Schnauzer (it's the beard and eyebrows that does it for me), but we will never forget our black and silver furry friend,
Rest in Peace little man!
He was very photogenic, and always knew how to strike a pose!
He was also a very handsome boy, and seemed to enjoy having his photograph taken.
No other dog has a bottom quite like a Schnauzer's!
I really miss the little guy, but he will always be my boy!
Eddie was always ready for a belly rub, and lots of fussing
Eddie was never a big fan of getting his hair cut!
Eddie was a pleasure to photograph, and I always seemed to be able to get great shots of him, like this one of him being chased by Alfie the Cockapoo.
I began to take things more seriously 5 years ago, when I was invited to be the official event photographer at the London Landlord Accreditation Schemes, annual networking event at The Taj Hotel in St James.
Last year I shot the LLAS Event, and I was then approached by Mountain Warehouse to photograph their Summer Party at the London Physic Gardens in Chelsea. This was a wonderful event, attended by over 300 people, and it was my first opportunity to photograph such an event.
Then in total contrast, I was asked to photograph a funeral which I accepted with some trepidation. I did not know what to expect, but it turned out to be one of the most moving and gratifying days photography I have so far undertaken.To finish of a successful year, I was contacted once again by Mountain Warehouse, to photograph their Christmas event and the launch of their new London HQ in Victoria. it was another well attended event, and I enjoyed the experience tremendously.
Going forward, I am now looking forward to photographing more events in 2025, as well as developing my people, portrait and dog photography skills. I have also recently invested a considerable sum in new professional Canon photography equipment, and can't wait to shoot with it!