This past weekend was the Boston leg of Cowbelly’s Traveling Workshop, run by premier pet photog Cowbelly aka Jamie of Seattle, WA. I think I signed up for this workshop back in February so August seemed like a LIFETIME away. Tricks of the pet photography trade just couldn’t come soon enough. But I had already “officially” launched the biz and it was either wait and sink, or just jump in and swim. I have learned a ton on my own just these last few months, but didn’t really realize it until after the workshop, which was great because I’m a gigantic gutless baby that needs to be reaffirmed every 30 seconds. The workshop also filled in a lot of gaps and made me aware of areas that need major tightening up or retooling. There are always going to be things to learn and re-learn, but after this workshop I feel that much more well-rounded and informed and confident.
Thatcher enjoying non-stop butt rubs
But I think the best part was meeting fellow aspiring pet photographers in the Boston area. To be honest I had no idea how being in a roomful of potential “competitors” would work, if we would sort of circle our wagons, stare each other down and growl. And of course there was absolutely none of that. I feel like I have PEERS now, not competition. It makes this business all the more enriching — I very much look forward to meeting up regularly to practice and bounce ideas off one another!
So without further ado, here are some shots of a few canines that were nice enough to model for us during the interactive part of the workshop.
On the red carpet
This is Thatcher the English Bulldog and yes she’s out of focus! I was practicing shooting from the ankles for the first time – the no-look grab shot that requires focusing and visualizing the composition without actually looking through the viewfinder. I have never ever seriously considered shooting this way before with my DSLR, because all attempts have yielded crap photos. And frankly, I also thought it was a rather hack way to photograph. If you shot like this while at a client’s, wouldn’t they be all WTF, I want my money back?
But I’m sold on this method now. I have had issues with dogs or cats trotting over to me when I start to crouch low for an eye-level shot, or more irritatingly, everytime I’d bring the camera up to my face they would turn away. Now with the no-look technique they won’t know what I’m up to, heh heh. There have been so many instances when I’m walking around the ‘hood and I’ll see a cute, utterly photographable dog and not take a photo because I don’t want to be intrusive…shooting from the ankle will help me capture the moment without being all up in your face.
And this method does yield some really cool angles and compositions. I just really need more practice! I couldn’t resist posting the above photo anyway because it looks as if Thatcher is the English Bulldog version of Angelina Jolie on the red carpet.
Me ‘n Thatcher are BFFs! For a second anyway. We were all trying to be BFFs with her.
Thatcher cooling down in the lobby of the Liberty Hotel.
Here is Marley, the chocolate poodle benefiting slightly from my new-found no-look technique.
Here is Remi the puggle as the Mayor of Boston.
He does get around in the city because I’ve photographed him before! It was at the Pawsh Boutique grand opening event back in April. Remi was just a puppy then.
Marley and Buddy the black Lab on the Esplanade. Buddy is hunting down an invisible squirrel.
And Marley with our intrepid leader Jamie.
Thank you Jamie for coming all the way to Boston to share what you know with us. I hope to connect with my fellow pet photogs again soon!!
So when all you pet photographers get in a room together, you don’t sniff each other’s butts? :-p
Wow, great post Li. Looks like you gals had a ton of fun. Only in the past year have I learned how to not look at others photographers by me as competitors. I now actively seek them out to talk, meet for drinks, share ideas, get critques, etc. Best thing I ever did.
You look like you were in good hands with Jamie. Congrats on the new business. I wish you all the best and hope to meet you in the future.
I had a blast! You got some great shots… I love the self portrait of you and Thatcher. :)
Thatcher is adorable and reminds me of my Izzy :)
I wish someone would come to State College, PA and teach!
I’m glad you had a great time. I love shooting from the hip, knee or ankle! And so far, no one has looked at me like I’m nuts. At least not after they see the pictures! ;)
I agree with April – that shot of you and Thatcher is adorable!
Sounds like you had a great time! I must admit, I’m a little bit jealous that you got to meet, work with, and learn from Jamie. But who wouldn’t be? I love your new “shoot from the ankle” style. I’ll have to give it a try sometime! :)
I love the photo of Thatcher with her tongue sticking out! It looks like a heart, or a flower petal!
I’m sort of glad you’re a ‘giant gutless baby’–was it?– who needs to be reaffirmed every 30 seconds because I thought it might get tedious hearing how much I loved your latest photos. Guess not. My favorite is the BW one of Thatcher with all the photogs surrounding her and she is just working it! The down-to-earth diva! And the photogs are all, like, ‘what’s my f-stop’ serious and concentrating. Hilarious. And the Marley shots. The ankle shooting, sort of like kinnearing but for a different reason? You seem to pick things up rather quickly.
That sounds like an utterly amazing workshop. I’ve never thought of actively “not looking”, but you got some fantastic results with it! And you’re dead on. Some animals seem to know instinctively when you’re even thinking about photographing them! I’ll have to practice this technique. Thanks for sharing.
I LOVE this post! Ah, that first black and white of Thatcher surrounded by the puparrazzi just cracks me up! Hopefully you’ll run into her again, she was a dream to work with! Thanks so much for coming Li and for letting me use you as a ‘what to do’ branding example. Keep up the fantastic work. :-)
so jealous that I couldn’t meet everyone and hang with the pups ;(. Hopefully something else can be orchestrated and we can all meet ‘again’. I would so love to talk shop with other dog/cat photogs…I feel so alone here in Pittsburgh…but maybe that’s a good thing. lol! lovely images as usual!
Hey, Love the post! Keep it up, I will definatley be coming back soon!! =)