CLIENT
- Hipoint Kennels
- Greydove Kennel
BRIEF
Specialising in pet photography and advertising for dog kennels, showcasing a unique blend of photographic artistry and graphic design.
OBJECTIVES
- Capturing the distinct personality of pets, with a focus on dogs.
- Merging creativity with technical expertise in photography.
- Enhancing images through a detailed editing process.
- Applying pet photography skills to professional graphic design, especially in advertising.
EQUIPMENT
- Canon 5D Mark II
- Versatile EF 24-70mm f/2.8L
- Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L
- Portable Greenscreen and Studio setup on location
SOFTWARE
- Topaz software for vivid digital enhancements.
- DXO Software for raw file editing.
- Adobe Photoshop for meticulous manual editing and compositing.
Armed with a Canon 5D Mark II and a diverse range of lenses, my journey in photography from 2008 to 2018 marks a deep engagement with pet photography. My method marries innovative digital techniques with patience and understanding of animal behaviour, creating technically sound and emotionally resonant images.
A standout in this selection is a photo manipulated using Topaz software, which captivated audiences on Instagram. This piece, crafted through painstaking manual editing and finalised in Photoshop, was celebrated for its acrylic-digital art style. Importantly, this was achieved without the use of AI, instead relying on dedicated and meticulous effort.
I included a rendition of my cat Garfield, styled as a character from a French painting, showcasing the breadth of creativity possible in photo manipulation.
My professional background includes co-founding ilikethatshot.com, where we specialise in dog photography. This venture encompassed capturing beloved family pets, documenting the dynamism of dog shows, and creating targeted advertising for dog kennels. This experience gave me a comprehensive understanding of capturing an animal’s essence and producing visually compelling content that resonates with diverse audiences.
The transition to creating digital and print advertisements for dog kennels, such as those for Hipoint, presented a unique set of challenges. This process went beyond photography; it involved establishing a rapport with each animal, using green screen technology to capture the perfect pose during extensive five-hour sessions. The success of these shoots anchors in the ability to forge a connection, maintain patience, and employ various techniques to keep the dogs focused.
