“You Had Me At Woof!” Review -Brenda Kieso

I recently had the pleasure of attending Megan Murray’s, “You Had Me At Woof!” workshop dedicated to capturing stunning dog portraits, and it exceeded all expectations. Safety was paramount throughout the workshop, with Megan emphasizing the importance of creating a comfortable and secure environment for both the dogs and the photographers. She provided valuable insights on safety, dog behavior, posing, and incorporating pets in your family portraiture.

Safely photographing dogs requires a combination of patience, respect for the animal, and photography skills. First and foremost, it's essential to approach the dog calmly and gain their trust before attempting to capture their image. Megan does this at her consultation appointment, whenever possible. She discussed how to make the dogs comfortable and how to keep the dog from becoming frightened by the equipment. She also discussed ensuring proper lighting to highlight the dog's features and using a fast shutter speed to capture their playful or serene moments effectively.

Megan also taught us how to recognize the dog's body language and signals. Understanding dog behavior played a pivotal role in being a successful pet photographer. Megan shared invaluable insights into canine body language and attention getting ideas, allowing her to anticipate the dogs’ actions and capture candid, heartwarming moments with our models, Shiner, Chance and Penny.

One of my favorite aspects of the workshop was the focus on posing, and of course, the models she provided!  Megan demonstrated how to position dogs in ways that highlight their unique features as well as how to work with different energy levels and personalities. She demonstrated various angles and simple, effective lighting setups, resulting in a diverse range of portraits that truly captured each dog's character. Whether it was a playful puppy or a wise old dog, the workshop equipped its participants with the skills to showcase each dog’s individuality through photography.

In conclusion, “You Had Me At Woof!” was a fantastic learning opportunity. Megan’s fun and engaging approach to teaching kept all participants enthralled. Her emphasis on safety, posing techniques, and understanding dog behavior made it an exceptional experience for photographers of all skill levels. We left the workshop with not only a newfound appreciation for the art of pet photography but also a set of valuable skills that will enhance our ability to capture our four-legged friends through the lens and add pet photography to family sessions whenever possible. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone passionate about both photography and dogs.