Thursday 28 March 2013

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!

specialist pet portraiture near hexham
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!

Photography of a dog in the woods by hairy dog photography
Spring dog walk photography in the north east

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

snowdrops at hawthorn dene during a specialist pet portrait session
The last of the snowdrops at Hawthorn Dene, against a colourful backdrop

Specialist dog action photography at hawthorn dene
Action photography of a dog running through some woods in the north east

Specialist action photography of pets by hairy dog photography
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