Custard and Hunter's photo session at George Caley Reserve

Sometimes things just don't go to planned! And that's what happened at Custard and Hunter's photo session in Mount Annan.

Both dogs live with their family in Goulburn, so we picked a location half way between both of us for the session. But, come session afternoon, the location was not suitable for dogs and we needed to find a new location quick. Lucky for us there was a reserve not far from our original location in Mount Annan called George Caley Reserve.

Being a weekday afternoon, the reserve was completely deserted besides the occasional owner walking their dog past us. We began our session with some individual photos of Custard and Hunter in partial shade with the sun peaking through the trees to light up their coats. I then asked Kel, their pet parent, to pose them together for some group shots. 

After giving the dogs a little break, we moved to the fully shaded concrete pathway where Hunter had a quick run off lead and I snapped a few action images. I love taking photos down pathways as it's a great way to use leading lines in images. The path draws the eye straight to the subjects, who are usually front and center. After Hunter's run, we posed both dogs together for another group shot.

Custard is a little older that Hunter, and was more than happy to just chill when not being photographed. Whenever I have a session with an older and younger dog, I make sure to give the younger dog plenty of opportunities to run and burn off some energy. Our last little zoomie session was on a mowed patch of grass with the sun shining through the leaves. This is where I got Kel's favourite running image of Hunter, and I have to admit it is a favourite of mine too!

We ended the session with some posed images on the stone steps right before the road. Just like before, I began with individual photos of both dogs and finishing up with another group shot.

Kel chose my five digital file collection and an acrylic block of her favourite photo of Custard. This is what she had to say after the session: 

"I've been a long time admirer of Allira's work. And I was so blessed to have a session with her and my two dogs at a time when I was coming out of some health issues. Allira was wonderful to work with, nothing was too much trouble and the dogs enjoyed putting on their best faces for her. I am now saving up to do a session with my heart horse."