The Photography Experience

with Heather Woodward MSc BTog CPAT-ka

 

Every dog is different, and some simply need a little more time, space and understanding.

If your dog is reactive, anxious or easily overwhelmed, you might feel nervous about booking a photography experience. You may have even thought it wasn’t possible.

I want you to know that it absolutely is. With patience, planning, and a background in animal behaviour, I create experiences that allow sensitive dogs to feel comfortable and safe, so that their true personalities can shine through.

  • A happy, brindle-colored dog with big ears, sticking out tongue, walking through a field of yellow and purple wildflowers.  This is a reactive dog.

    1st - Start the Conversation

    Get in touch with Heather via the form or email - quick and easy!

    Let Heather know where you are and if you have a preferred date or season in mind.

  • A brindle-coated dog sitting in a forest, looking to the side near a tree.  This is a reactive dog.

    2nd - Complimentary Consult Call

    Before the day itself, we’ll have a consultation call to talk through everything in detail. This is where you can share your dog’s story with me - their quirks, their triggers, what makes them feel safe, and what lights them up with joy.

    I’ll help you think about what to bring along, such as favourite treats, toys, or familiar items, and we’ll plan a time of day and location that sets them up for success. If your dog feels more comfortable with a friend or family member present, they’re more than welcome too.

    That preparation means that by the time the experience arrives, you won’t be left wondering “what if?” You’ll know that there’s a plan in place for your dog, and that I’m ready to adapt if things don’t go quite as expected.

  • A happy beagle dog sitting on a wooden pathway with string lights overhead in an outdoor setting.

    3rd - The Experience

    The experience itself unfolds gently.

    We begin by giving your dog space to settle and sniff the surroundings. Sometimes we walk together slowly, letting your dog lead the way, and I’ll capture candid, natural images as they relax into the environment. Other times, I’ll hang back at a distance and use a longer lens so your dog doesn’t feel crowded.

    If they need breaks, we stop. If they need reassurance, we pause for a cuddle or a game. If something unexpected happens—another dog appears, or a sudden noise unsettles them—we simply wait or change direction. There is no pressure to “get the shot” immediately. The truth is, the best images usually come in those in-between moments when a dog feels most themselves.

    Experiences are combination of action and portraiture, and although we will curate specific images, there is no expectation that your Dog has to behave a specific way - if they don’t feel something is comfortable or safe, we move on!

    Sometimes, despite all the preparation, a dog might still find the day overwhelming. That’s okay. If we need to stop early or reschedule, we do. I would much rather give your dog the chance to succeed on another day than push them through something that doesn’t feel right. Your dog’s wellbeing always comes first.

  • A framed photograph of a black and white dog with a red collar, set on a gray wall next to a green leafy plant.

    4th - The Reveal

    After the session, I’ll carefully curate the very best images of your dog and invite you to a personal Reveal. This is often my favourite part of the whole process—seeing your reaction when you notice the little details that feel so uniquely them.

    For owners of reactive or anxious dogs, this moment can be especially meaningful. You’ll see your dog not through the lens of worry, but as the beautiful, expressive companion you know at home. All captured in a way that celebrates who they are, not the challenges they face.

    During the Reveal, I’ll guide you through the images. There’s no pressure to make rushed decisions. We’ll talk together about which photographs resonate most deeply with you and how you imagine living with them in your home.

  • A photo of two dogs, one black and one brown with white, sitting outdoors on grass, with the black dog wearing a red bandana. The image is displayed in a round frame on a dark wall above a wooden sideboard with decorative objects and a small plant.

    5th - art production and delivery

    Once you’ve chosen your favourites, I’ll oversee every step of transforming those photographs into artwork. From hand-crafted wall pieces to fine art frames and print boxes, each product is made to a standard that reflects the love and care behind the images themselves.

    For many of my clients with reactive dogs, these finished pieces carry an extra layer of meaning. They aren’t just photographs; they are proof of what your dog was capable of, even in a situation you may have thought was impossible. Each frame or print becomes a daily reminder of their personality, and the bond you share.

    I work with trusted professional labs and framers who share my attention to detail, ensuring that your artwork isn’t just beautiful but built to last for years to come. I’ll also help you choose the best sizes, finishes and displays so that the photographs feel perfectly at home in your space.

    This final step is where your story comes full circle—your dog, captured just as they are, celebrated in a way that you can enjoy every single day.

Reactive dogs are just as deserving of being celebrated.

I love showing their humans just how beautiful and expressive they really are. If you’ve ever thought a photo session wasn’t possible for your dog, I want to show you that it can be—without stress, without pressure, and always with kindness at the centre of everything we do.

Together, we’ll create images that don’t just capture how your dog looks, but who they truly are, in a way that feels safe and comfortable for them.

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Experiences

 

 The luxury experience

  • Complimentary consultation

  • A full morning of photography with afternoon tea or light lunch

  • Same-day retouching and In Person image reveal and ordering consultation

  • 15 high resolution digital images

  • 1 40” x 30” Wall Art

  • 3 20” x 16” Wall Art

£4250.00

 The complete experience

  • Complimentary consultation

  • 1-2 hour dog photography experience at a location of your choice.

  • In Person image reveal and ordering consultation

  • 15 high resolution digital images

  • 1 8” x 10” matted print

£800.00

 The coffee table experience

  • Complimentary consultation

  • 1-2 hour dog photography experience at a location of your choice.

  • In Person image reveal and ordering consultation

  • The Premium Print Box
    10 8” x 10” matted prints in a beautiful wooden presentation box.

£650.00

 The outdoor experience

  • Complimentary consultation

  • 1-2 hour dog photography experience at a location of your choice.

  • In Person image reveal and ordering consultation

  • £100 credit towards Wall Art

£120.00

I have had such a brilliant time with Heather for a Photography experience with my dog.
My dog can be people and dog reactive, and throughout the whole process from booking, to the session we were both made to be incredibly comfortable with our needs met.

— Emma with Dita

 

My girl is dog reactive and when we have been out in the wild Heather is fully aware of what is going on around her so we can move to a safe distance. She is always so understanding and does everything she can to make owners and dogs comfortable.

— Emily with Cybi