Why I Photograph My Own Dogs First

Every studio needs someone who understands the assignment without needing it explained.

Avanti has held the title of Chief Inspiration Officer since the day he moved into the gardens. He arrived confident, composed, and immediately ready to show me how things should be done.

When I’m working on a new setup or dialing in lighting, my dogs are often my first models. It gives me the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and follow an idea wherever it wants to go. And more often than not, it goes somewhere completely different than I planned.

That day, I had a very specific image in mind.

Naturally, the dogs had other ideas.

White dog modeling calmly on studio stairs during lighting test

Pet photographer’s dogs practicing poses during studio session

Behind the Scenes in the Studio

I took Avanti out first so he could get a feel for the steps. Of course, he nailed it. A little encouragement, a couple of very special studio treats, and he took his place like he’d been doing this his whole life.

Then Ziggy made his entrance.

Puppy learning paws-up pose in pet photography studio

Ziggy knows “paws up” and takes his job very seriously. He immediately checks to see if he’s doing it right and looks to me for approval. He moved around the studio, curious and cautious, trying to piece together what I was asking.

The steps, however, gave him pause.

He stared at them. I offered a few gentle nudges and some encouragement. We paused. Thought about it. Meanwhile, Avanti sat nearby in his spot, calm and steady, radiating quiet I’ve got this energy.

This was the image I had in my head. We got very close.

But Ziggy wasn’t quite ready to commit to the stairs, so we pivoted.

And honestly, that’s where the fun lives.

Not every session comes together exactly as imagined. Sometimes the magic shows up in the trying, the learning, the watching it unfold. The apprentice doesn’t need to get it perfect. He just needs time, patience, and a really good example sitting a few feet away.

These behind-the-scenes moments are some of my favorites. They’re messy, funny, and full of heart. They’re also where many of my favorite images begin.

Models of the Garden Begins

This little moment marks the beginning of something I’m calling Models of the Garden.

It’s my excuse to introduce you to the photographers’ dogs, share test runs and experiments, and show what really happens between the idea in my head and the image on the wall. There will be near-misses, small wins, and the occasional reminder that the dogs are, in fact, running the studio.

If you enjoy photography, process, and seeing how images come together (and sometimes don’t), you might enjoy my newsletter, New Sniffs in the Garden. It’s an occasional note from me with studio stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and early peeks at what I’m dreaming up next.

No inbox overload. No salesy nonsense. Just photography, dogs, and the garden doing its thing.

You’re always welcome to join us.

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The Master and His Apprentice

Why I Photograph My Own Dogs First

Behind the Scenes in the Studio

Models of the Garden Begins

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