Pippa and Sadie's photo session at Rouse Hill Regional Park

I met Jess, Pippa and Sadie's pet parent, a few years ago for a photo session of her two ponies. And, when she booked her two dogs in as a part of my International Dog Day photo session experience, I was so excited to meet them.

Jess opted to have our session at Rouse Hill Regional Park. I love this park for many reasons, mainly because of the variety it offers and how quiet it is during the week. Pippa is an ex-racing Greyhound and shares her life with Sadie her energetic Bernese Mountain Dog cross Poodle sister. Jess was a bit worried about both girls sitting still long enough for their session, but with my years of experience photographing all types of dogs they were a walk in the park.

We began our session in a grassy area with the sun shining through the tree behind both girls. I begin most sessions with individual photos of each dog, then a group image. This is a good way for me to get to know each dog and the best way to get their attention. Both girls did an amazing job of posing, even for their group image. We then popped long leads on and took some action shots. Most dogs love running after a ball, as it let's them burn some energy and I get to capture some hilarious facial expressions.

As the sun was getting lower in the sky, we repositioned to the sealed path and again took individual photos of both girls with the sun giving us a subtle sun flare in the background. This is my favourite type of light, and of course I had to get a shot of both girls together again in the setting sun.

Our last location for the evening was in the long grass along one of the pathways with the sun just setting in the background. Rouse Hill Regional Park has a lot of open sky which helps light up my subjects, even in the setting sun.

Jess chose a ten digital file package, and selected the first group image of the girls to be printed as an 8" x 12" acrylic block.