All of the images from the 15 hour marathon event “Shooting dogs from Dawn Until Dusk” are now featured on the gallery at www.facebook.com/PawsPetPhotography Please contact me directly to purchase any of the images, all of the money raised is going directly to the Dogs Trust charity.

Just a quick update to thank everyone for their participation in the Dawn until Dusk charity event that took place on Wednesday.  We are hoping to have the images ready by next week at the latest, so all the stars of the day and funny moments can be seen by everyone.  Thanks also to the help from Vicky of the Dogs Trust for her hard work supporting the event and to the brilliant actress Jane McGarry too for supporting us as Queens Park in Glasgow.

The dawn until dusk dog shoot has been planned for approximately 2 years though it finally comes to fruition tomorrow.  As a young boy, i can always remember cycling along a disused railway track nearby home and stopping for a rest at one of the bridges.  It was only then that I heard what sounded like whimpering cries.  I had no idea what the actual noise was yet decided to investigate further and left my bicycle and climbed down the banking to the stream below.  The sounds and apparent cries grew stronger and stronger as I made my own tracking being guided by the cries.  At the edge of the stream I found what appeared to be an old sack that had been tied at one end.  I fortunately managed to untie the sack and inside discovered three hungry, wet puppies that had obviously been dumped in the sack and thrown down the banking towards the stream !  The look on their faces will remain with me to this day as I huddled them into my pullover and made my way back to my bicycle.  After donating my last kit-kat biscuit to them that I had with me they were snuggled into my pullover and with their three heads popping out, I cycled back home.  I wasn’t allowed to keep them! Though they were safely transported to one of the dog rehoming centres the next morning.  How anyone can commit acts like this is beyond me, though unfortunately it happens all too often.

Tomorrow, you’ll be able to follow the exact timings via Twitter and Facebook courtesy of the Dogs Trust, so keep an eye on the sites of www.facebook.com/PawsPetPhotography and www.twitter.com/PawsPhotography for any variations from the stated timings.

We have also decided to add in one or two prizes that will be decided after the event as shown below: Earliest Riser Dog, Best Groomed Dog, Cuddliest Dog, Pick of the Rescue Dogs, Waggiest Tail, Dog I want to Take Home   Look forward to meeting you all tomorrow, Paul Walker

Route for Shooting the Dogs from Dawn until Dusk Dogs Trust Charity on 25 August 2010
Ayr Rozelle Park Dawn-8:30,
Ayr Belleisle Park 8:30 – 9:30
Ayr Beach 9:30-10:30
Prestwick Beach/Troon Beach 10:30 – 12:00
Bellahouston, House For An Art Lover 1:00-2:00
Pollok Country Park (2.1 miles) 2:00-3:00
Police Dog Training Centre (in Pollok Park) 3:00-4:00
Queens Park 4:00-5:30
Glasgow Green 6:30-Dusk

Updates will be provided courtesy of the Dogs Trust via Facebook/Twitter.
Coverage of the event by STV is now uncertain, yet fingers crossed that they can still fit the event into their schedule.  Look forward to seeing you and your dog(s) at one of these locations.

Great to spend an afternoon with Ozzy and family to capture those later stages of puppy power.  Often young dogs haven’t quite mastered the art of running gracefully as their muscularity and growth is still in development.  What they lack in elegance though at this stage they make up for in comedy and cuteness.  We also managed to capture the dog’s first encounter with the sea.  You wonder the questions in the dog’s mind as the sea encroaches upon its toes!

Black coated retriever puppy dog

Black Coated Retriever dog

Ayrshire family portrait photography

dog paddling

running puppy image

I receive many requests from photographers around the world asking questions on the lenses I use, techniques and other pet photography related information.  For those not able to attend one of the future workshops, you may find some useful information in these Pet Photography Blurbs that will appear within this blog section from time to time.

I’m often asked questioned on the environments that I use and why I choose particular environments for specific pet shoots.  Often it may be a case of matching a pet to the right environment, perhaps considering the safety, contrasting colours, light quality, size of dog or grouping.  There is no right answer, just many choices – for example, an environment may come alive at 8 am in the morning, only to be lacking in the same light quality at 2 pm in the afternoon.  The month of June may be great when the greenery and wild growing weeds are at their fullest on some stretches yet poor in the winter unless you are seeking a more barren type of shot with the frozen ground and stunted growth.  In other words, there is no one glove fits all.  It is up to the creative mind to seek out these environments and match them to the recipe that you have been given, i.e. disobedient dog/white coloured dog/or specific type of requested shot.  So often the environment choices for any shoot may be limited and it can then be a case of working with what you have available.

Great to catch up with the Bear of London recently whilst photographing in the big capital. This gorgeous dog was named “Bear” and lived 8 floors up with his owners in this London apartment.  The shot below was taken on the balcony followed by a few more images inside before heading out to his garden run.  Still can’t believe the heat on that day – i think we were all in need of refreshments after finishing the session.

Just a short note to say that I was delighted to be awarded the Scottish Master Pet Photographer of the Year Award for a third year in succession.  I’m hoping to really give the galleries a make-over soon to showcase some of the new award winning images that have been captured over the last 12 months or so.  Thank you for all your kind comments received through the website and in person.

On Wednesday 25th August 2010, I shall be embarking on one of my biggest challenges in the world of pet photography. No, it is not the photography of my own Schnauzer dog “Millie,” nor is it entering into a fenced off area with tame lions and tigers ! Yes from 05:33 until 20:32, I will be covering as wide an area as possible on my bicycle armed with my trusty camera, a bag of tricks and a stash of chocolate biscuits for myself. The aim to photograph as many dogs as possible from dawn until dusk. Okay, I may well meet a cat or two in various neighbourhoods, and they will be shot as well. Who knows I may even shoot the dog owners themselves if I find them not “picking up” after their dog!

On a serious note, I have the utmost respect for the Dogs Trust and their dedicated staff having seen closely the tremendous work that they have done over the years with the rehoming and rehabilitation of many dogs. This project has been in my head for many months and only now has been the right time for me to bring it to fruition.

I have no idea how many dogs will be captured throughout this memorable day but rest assured wherever you be hiding pooches, I shall find you! We’ll also be accompanied during part of the day by a well known BBC celebrity in Scottish circles, who will lend a helping hand ! All monies raised will go directly to the Dogs Trust.

Donations can be made in advance of the event by sponsoring me via this web page. Donations may also be made on the day to the Dogs Trust Team that will be supporting me on my travels. Plus ALL monies raised from the direct sales of any professional reprints will also go directly to the Dogs Trust.

For all those donating, there is an opportunity to win a professional dog photography shoot and large framed print by simply guessing the TOTAL number of DOGS that I manage to photograph between the hours as specified above. Whoever is the nearest to the total will win the prize. The prize winner’s shoot will take place either in Ayrshire or in your neck of the woods the next time I am on my travels to that area. Thank you in advance for your support and you’ll no doubt see images from the event in due course!

The event is listed at http://www.justgiving.com/shoot-the-dog

Many thanks in anticipation, Paul Walker

I am pleased to announce that a new workshop date has been to 2011 for other photographers, whether a hobbyist, semi-professional or experienced professional.  Based in Atlanta over the course of 2 days, with the  help on the hosting side from fellow pet photographer Leesia Teh the workshop is going to be action packed with tricks, tips and great advice for shooting pet portraits with a difference.  Further details are shown on the training page.

It seems too long since the last post. I’m not sure where the time has gone but there have been many exciting pet related things happening in the background and some quirky new images taken of late that will at some point make it on to the website. Next month we’ll be hosting the two training workshops, one in Scotland and then a further two day workshop in Italy being held from the studio of Anna Bussolotto based in Padova, Italy. Unfortunately the Scotland pet course is fully booked though there are one or two places left on the Italian pet workshop. If you are interested in this event then please contact me via the website or by phoning.

Labradoodles, I keep seeing them everywhere and then had the please of photographing two within a relatively short space of time recently. They are often a challenge, since the dark coated Labradoodles with their curly coats and facial fur often makes the presence of eyes hard to find. The lighting is also critical when photographing such dogs. I say dogs, but am often tempted to say “teddy bears” as their loving nature and boucning walk does amuse me. People often say they make great pets and after photographing Danyr and Dixie recently I have to agree with such statements.

Labradoodle dog image

Dog Photographer

Labradoodle Dogs