Autumnal dog walking in North East England

The nights are drawing in...

And I love it!  This is absolutely my favourite season, especially on a day like today, with bright, crispy sunshine making the trees glow orangey-green against a bright blue sky.  It makes me want to get out and about with the dog.  More so than the green shoots of Spring, more than snowy Winter days.  The result is that Kasper, the original Hairy Dog, has been getting more time outside than usual.

Labrador against an autumnal backdrop

As a specialist dog photographer, weather like this is nothing but good news.  The light is nowhere near as harsh as it is in the height of the Summer - it's perfectly suited to creating beautiful outdoors dog portraiture.  The heat for the last few months has also made dog photography somewhat harder - dogs are too clever to go full pelt when it's that hot!

Snowy dog photoshoots are a lot of fun, but nothing beats a crispy Autumn shoot

Around this time of year I usually start advertising dog photography gift vouchers, and this year is no exception.  In fact, I'm pushing them hard this year, helped by a £75 coupon for advertising through Google Adwords (thanks Google!).  These vouchers really do seem to be hugely appreciated by the recipients - they are usually people who dote on their pets and who, like me, have a great love of the outdoors.  The whole concept of having a photoshoot whilst on a favourite dog walk appeals to most of my clients and the resulting photos are simply a reflection of the owner and dog's lifestyle.

Recently, I've been seeing a lot of vouchers coming in and a resurgence of visitor numbers through the website - I put this down to the change in the weather - perhaps owners who have been swithering about having a doggy photoshoot feel that the time is ripe as the leaves turn, the temperature drops and the light fades into a golden glow.

In other news, it now looks like Hairy Dog is becoming the 'go-to' photographer for local dog shows.  I'd actively avoided these shows for a long time due to worries that such shoots would dilute the high quality brand that is Hairy Dog.  Well, I needn't have worried - the last show proved that I can still pull out top quality photographs in a high-pressure situation, with queues of dogs waiting their turn.  Here are the most recent photos - dog show photography north east.  I'm back there ( The Dog House, Cold Hesseldon ) for a German Shepherd show later this month.  Can't wait!

Dog show photography in the north east by Hairy Dog Photography

As always, if you're interested in seeing high quality, creative photographs of dogs, please do 'like' the Hairy Dog Facebook page or call Jamie on 07866127732 to set up your own photoshoot, thanks!

Dog Walk Photography at Hawthorn Dene

Hairy Dog Photography, specialist pet portraiture in the north east, covering Durham, Newcastle, Darlington, Northumberland and Sunderland.  Please do just get in touch to organise a shoot or buy a gift voucher.

Just around this time of year, with the first few sunny days drying up the winter clag, the wild garlic coming through to carpet our woodlands, and the buds bursting into leaf on the trees, I start to see all the Hairy Dog Photography gift vouchers given as Christmas presents come back to me.

So before they all roll in, I like to get a few practice sessions in with my own hairy dog, Kasper.  Not that all the photography kit has been sitting idle since last Autumn - far from it!  Pet portraits happen all year round - especially sessions with my portable studio kit (which pops up in your living room) and sessions on the beach for hardy dogs and owners!  Weddings also keep me busy all Winter.  But keeping up with a lively dog on his favourite walk and getting pin sharp, beautiful photos is a very different skill to capturing a client's wedding.

A few weeks ago, sick of the local muddy footpaths and woods, Kasper and I escaped up to Hadrian's Wall and were rewarded with a crispy, hazy day with beautiful views in every direction.  The photo below shows the dog on a stile, with the stunning but low key view in the background.  I have it on my wall in a frame now - the dog needn't always be the centre of attention in a Hairy Dog photograph!

Environmental portraiture with beautiful landscape and dog.

Today's walk also involved the car but we kept it local and headed off to one of our favourite walks at Hawthorn Dene.  It was (mercifully) quite dry underfoot, and as always, it was a joy to see the greenery beginning to break through, although some long dead Autumn leaves were still hanging around...

It's always worth the effort on the rare days we see a spot of Spring sunshine and it beats trudging round Herrington Country Park, or the local mud-pits which once were fields!

Spring dog walk photography in the north east

A few dead leaves, backlit, during a pet portrait session near Sunderland

The last of the snowdrops at Hawthorn Dene, against a colourful backdrop

Action photography of a dog running through some woods in the north east

Dramatic pet portraits by Hairy Dog Photography.

Why wait until your dog is old and tired before booking your shoot, or buying a very good friend a Hairy Dog gift voucher?  Better to catch your pet in the prime of his life, at his most sparkling and engaging!  Do feel free to call or email with any questions - 07866127732 or 01915845442.  Email - jamie@hairydogphotography.co.uk