Gundog photoshoots

For me I photograph all types of dog from chihuahuas to great danes, but I have a real soft spot for my gundogs. I own 2 working cocker spaniels myself and they really do get under your skin.

I have recently been photographing some working tests. These photographs are from the London Working Spaniel Society test. The photography was challenging as I could not get too close and interrupt the competition but at distance there were alot of trees blocking my view.

gundog photography
gundog lead
Gundog dummy
Spaniel working test

Gundogs make a splash

With the summer weather well and truly in full swing and the temperatures soaring. So, what better time to share my latest shoot to cool you down.

I popped down to Kent to photograph a water training day with my friends at Family Dog Services.

Photographing dogs in action doing what they enjoy is definitely a favourite for me. I’m sure you will agree that these dogs were having a ball.

One thing that can always be a struggle with water photos is getting in the right place to snap them. I started perched on a fallen tree which helpfully fell into the pond. However, I just wasn’t at the right level I wanted to be at.

Photographer in Suffolk
Lens change and stand on edge in my boots
Pet photographer in Suffolk
How it started

Try again…..

Unfortunately this still wasn’t cutting it for me and I felt I wasn’t doing my beloved gundogs proud.

I feel this is a new level of dedication to the cause.

So I ended up going in to the water above my knee in an extremely froggy reservoir. There was one aim – DON’T DROP THE CAMERA!

Nikon camera
I ended up above the knee with soggy jeans
Dog jumping in to water
Splash!

The dogs were all doing great and I loved the different methods of entry to the water.

Gundog in water
Some were more elegant than others

Labrador gundog

Some dogs took a more thoughtful approach to whether or not to go retrieve the dummy, but it offered opportunity for a snap or two.

Pet portrait Suffolk
Suffolk photographer

This wonderful lady and her gorgeous dog travel all the way from Belgium for training in the UK so definitely deserve a special mention. Check out her amazing leggings from Foxy Pheasant.

To finish off a post about gundogs, it seems only right that I include my dogs too.

Cocker spaniels in Suffolk

First their is Nuka my little blonde pocket rocket.

Spaniel photos

There is then her older brother Red, who is more of a model than a gundog but I don’t care.

Around the circle

I am part of an amazing group of pet photographers from around the globe that participate in this weekly blog circle. Simply click on the link and go on a journey from blog post to blog post until you end up back here.

Next up is Carol Mudra

Carol Mudra of Apawture Studios Pet Photography based in Milan, Italy shares how she takes puppies from full speed energy to fine art in a mere 1/200th of a second, in the studio!

11 Replies to “Gundog photoshoots”

  1. I totally understand the dilemma of staying out of the way while photographing dogs in trials. You did a fantastic job of capturing the action well. I have done trials, and it is grueling work. Loved the photos!

  2. Amazing! I’ve never had the opportunity to watch ‘gun dogs’ but I think we would probably call them ‘hunting dogs’ – lovely captures – and the action shots are fantastic!

  3. Well done, I bet that was a fun day! I repeat the same mantra to myself whenever I go in the water…”don’t drop the camera, don’t drop the camera!”. I love the image of the spaniel and the people from the waist down – those images always feel like you and the dog are in on a secret that nobody else knows about, it’s very intimate.

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