The Artful Business of Professional Dog Photography

When she’s not taking street style snaps at Paris Fashion Week or shooting campaigns for refined fashion labels, Heather Lighton is turning her lens onto some smaller, hairier subjects. The Melbourne-based photographer has found a way to combine her two passions in life—dogs and photography—and roll them into one neat little project, Dog Photog, which she runs with her partner Daniel Aulsebrook. Specialising exclusively in professional canine portraiture, the Dog Photog studio has collaborated with graphic artist Alice Oehr on props and popped up at places like ACCA, Third Drawer Down, The Good Copy, and has travelled to Sydney. We caught up with Heather to ask her about what it's really like to work with animals and how to get the perfect shot of a disobedient dog.

The Creators Project: What do you love about dogs so much?

Heather Lighton: There is something special and cute about every dog. Every dog is different and getting to know them is such a pleasure. I can't pinpoint why I love dogs so much because I think I love everything about them.

How did Dog Photog go from being an idea into an actual business?

In a hurry! It had been talked about for years, then one day I booked a venue for two weeks in advance and had to make it happen!

What’s the most challenging thing about working with animals?

Most dogs don't get what is going on. They either think we are there to play with them or torture them! I always spend some time at the start chilling with the dog and working out where its head is at before we start.

How do you get your subjects to behave if they’re not really feeling it?

It all comes down to the dogs. Some dogs will behave for treats and others just go too crazy for them. It's really just patience and pats.

Technically, are there any differences between shooting humans and dogs?

I guess it depends on what your aesthetic is. I tend to shoot dogs the same way I approach most of my other work. I like things to be flat and clean and have good colour and geometry. I pretty much light dogs like people but mix things up for poodle types—especially black ones.

Is there such a thing as an unphotogenic dog? Could even Quasimodo look good in front of Dog Photog’s lens?

I have only photographed one dog I thought was truly ugly. I felt sorry for him because he was clearly inbred and it looked a struggle for him just to be alive.

How do you come up with the Dog Photog themes?

Sometimes it's easy, like, “Oh, Christmas is coming!” Other times it's just what's happening around me or someone I meet that inspires a theme.

If you were a dog what breed would you be?

Right now I'm suffering from really bad hay fever and can't breathe well, so maybe a pug. Plus they are a bit nuts like me.

Dog Photog is doing a Dog Meet as part of MPavilion on February 7, 2016. You can find out more about Dog Photog here and follow them on Instagram here, or check out Heather Lighton's other photography work.

Related:

Pooch Portraits Capture the Daily Delights of Dog Ownership

A Drone and a Robot Dog Are Best Friends

Depressing Photos of Dogs Waiting for Their Owners to Return