Pet Photography Workshop
Unlock Your Skills In One Inspiring Weekend
Join us in Bracebridge, August 22–24, for a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn to photograph dogs with confidence, connect with other photographers, and leave with skills you can use right away.
Only 9 Spots Available
Great pet photography isn’t about shortcuts.
It’s about slowing down, observing, and creating images that reflect the true personality of the pets you’re photographing.
This workshop is built for photographers who want to grow.
Over three days, you’ll work with real dogs, learn in a small group, and get personal coaching in a supportive, practical environment.
Photography sessions will take place outdoors using natural light.
Who This Workshop Is For?
This is for you if:
You want to add pets to your portfolio or refine your current skills.
You learn best by doing and value hands-on coaching.
You enjoy connecting with other photographers in a supportive setting.
This weekend is about learning through experience and enjoying the process!
What You’ll Learn
We’ll focus on clear, actionable skills you can put to use immediately:
Camera Settings for Pets: Discuss focus techniques and tricks for capturing movement.
Reading and Working with Dogs: Build trust, keep pets engaged, and create natural expressions.
Composition and Storytelling: Learn how to create images with depth and connection.
Natural Light Photography: Work with real-world natural light.
Editing That Matters: Straightforward Lightroom techniques to bring out the best in your photos.
Real-Time Feedback: Shoot, review, and adjust with direct coaching so your skills grow quickly.
The Weekend Itinerary
MEETING LOCATION
Tru by Hilton
320 Taylor Road, Bracebridge, Ontario, P1L 1K1
Friday, August 22 (5–8 PM)
5 PM - Welcome and Introductions
Gear Overview and Camera Settings for Pets
Understanding Dog Behaviour and Safe Handling
Workshop Overview and Q&A
Saturday, August 23 (9 AM–7 PM)
Morning: Full Demo of a Dog Photography Session by Jesse and Susan
Lunch Break
Afternoon into Evening: Small group dog photography sessions,
break out sessions with rotating dog models.
Evening: Recap of the days events discussing wins and challenges.
Dinner Break
Sunday, August 24 (9 AM–3 PM)
Morning shoot: Working with different natural light, new dogs, and getting a second opportunity to put your new skills to the test.
Lunch Break
Final Image Review and Workflow discussion, including Lightroom editing techniques.
Closing Q&A and Next Steps.
*Itinerary may change slightly based on weather or dog model schedules. Will discuss full itinerary on opening night.
Limited Spots
We’re capping this workshop at 9 participants to keep it focused and personal.
If you’ve been wanting to learn how to photograph pets in a hands-on, practical way…now’s the time!
Your Investment
$795 CAD
($745 Early Bird if you register by August 14th)
What’s Included:
3 Days of Guided, Hands-On Training
Real Dog Models Brought to the Location
Small Group Size (Limited to 9 Photographers)
Personalized Feedback and Coaching
Editing Tips and Workflow Guidance You Can Use Immediately
Seats are already filling, register now to save your spot!
What’s Not Included
We like to keep things clear so there are no surprises:
Meals and Accommodations not included
Transportation to and from the workshop location not included
Personal photography gear not included
Gear Recommendations
To get the most out of this workshop, we recommend:
A DSLR or Mirrorless Camera (Any Brand)
A versatile zoom lens (24–70mm or 24–105mm) for portraits and lifestyle shots
A telephoto lens (70–200mm or similar) for action and distance
Extra batteries and memory cards
A laptop (optional, for image editing and review on the last day)
Comfortable outdoor clothing and footwear
If you don’t have all of this gear, don’t worry. We’ll help you make the most of what you have!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’m not a professional photographer. Is this workshop for me?
Yes. Whether you’re a hobbyist or experienced photographer, you’ll learn skills that match your level and build from there. A basic understanding of your camera gear will be ideal to get the most out of this workshop.
Q: How many participants will there be?
We’re limiting this workshop to 9 photographers so everyone gets personal attention.
Q: Will there be classroom time?
Yes, we’ll have a private meeting room at the Tru Hilton Hotel in Bracebridge. Some of the weekend will be in class education and the rest of the weekend is hands-on shooting, reviewing, and learning in real-world conditions.
Q: Is lodging included?
Lodging is not included. We recommend booking at least two nights in the area. (Friday and Saturday night)
Q: What happens if it rains?
We photograph in real-world conditions. If it rains, we’ll adapt. This is part of the learning experience.
Q: Will there be hiking involved?
Be prepared to walk on uneven ground as we’ll be visiting a local forested area. No major hiking will be involved.
Q: What if I don’t have professional gear?
We’ll help you get the best results from the gear you have and recommend what’s worth upgrading later. However, it is recommended to have a DSLR or Mirrorless camera with a couple lens options. We suggest a 24-70mm or 70-200mm (or similar) and any other lenses you may own. See the gear recommendations above.
Q: Will there be some editing time?
Yes, on the last day we’ll save some time to discuss some editing techniques using Lightroom. Bring your laptop and follow along if you wish.
