About
Heather Woodward BTog CPAT-ka
Hi, I’m Heather, and I specialise in something many people think is impossible…
Photographing reactive, anxious and sensitive dogs in a way that feels safe, calm and true to who they are.
My passion for working with animals started long before I ever picked up a camera.
For over a decade, I worked as a zookeeper and animal trainer, caring for and training a wide variety of species.
That experience taught me patience, observation, and the importance of meeting each animal exactly where they are—skills that now shape the way I approach every dog I photograph.
If you’ve been worried that your dog is “too much” for a photography session, I want you to know that you’re not alone—and that it really is possible. Marty taught me that reactive dogs deserve to be celebrated just as much as any other. And that’s exactly what I’d love to do for you.
Why I Photograph Reactive Dogs:
It wasn’t until our first dog, Marty, came into our lives that I truly understood what it meant to live with and love a reactive dog.
Marty was wonderful, loving, and full of personality, but he also struggled in ways that made everyday life challenging. He was anxious and reactive, easily unsettled by vehicles, dogs, or changes in the environment.
Living with him gave me an intimate understanding of what it’s like to care for a dog who doesn’t fit neatly into the box of “easy.”
Marty changed the course of my life. Through him, I learned even more about behaviour, body language, and how to create calm, positive experiences for dogs who find the world overwhelming.
More than that, he taught me empathy for their humans—because I know first-hand the mixture of love, pride, worry, overwhelm and hope that comes with sharing your life with a reactive dog.
I want to give other owners of reactive and anxious dogs something many thought was impossible: a photography experience where their dog could feel safe and comfortable, and images that showed not the struggles, but the joy, spirit, and beauty of their best friend.
Marty has my eternal love and gratitude for everything he gave us - even the tears, stress and heartache.
Marty - ? 2014 - July 2025
Poppy
Poppy is our 4 year old Belgian Malinois.
She tries her hardest to be the best girl all of the time, inside she is a goofy, clever, snuggly girl.
Her favourite thing is a Kong, and she rocks some of the prettiest muzzles in all the land.
She does find life hard though, and continues Marty’s legacy of lessons about Reactive Dogs.
She is adjusting ‘well’ to being an only dog, and without her, I’m not sure we would be half-way coping with losing Marty.
I’m fully insured, trained in dog first aid, and constantly learning more about behaviour, training and welfare so I can keep offering the best experience possible. But at the heart of it all is a promise: your dog’s wellbeing comes first. Always.
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MTog with That Photography Spot
1-2-1 development day with Jessica McGovern of That Photography Spot.
BTog panel and refinement processABMA Conference Content Advisor duties
Aggression in Dogs Conference
FDSA: Living & Working with High Drive Dogs Conferences
ZATS: Errorless Learning -
MTog with That Photography Spot
Achieved BTog
The Retreat (5 days) with Jessica McGovern of That Photography Spot.
STog panel and refinement processCanine First Aid
Nominated for Animal Stars Award
ABTC/BIAZA Animal Trainer Course/Certification (10 month duration)
ABTWG: Training Conference
FDSA: Breed Specific Behaviour - How Real is it?
FDSA: Sound sensitivity - it’s time to Party!
FDSA: Read the Room - Awareness and Development of Context Cues -
MTog with That Photography Spot
The Retreat (5 days) with Jessica McGovern of That Photography Spot.
Pet Photographer of the Year 2025/2026First Aid [Human]
Woman Who Solopreneur Finalist
Nominated for Animal Stars Award
BIAZA registered Animal Trainer
EAZA: Animal Training Seminar