Since I started photography, I have been on many great adventures of learning, creating, exploring and self-discovery. Recently I had the honor of photographing the 2022 English Springer Spaniel National Field Trial Amateur Championship in Clarkston, Utah. I was so excited when Kim with Chile Dog Photography, who is the official photographer for the event, asked me to join her to take the Purina ProPlan® Portraits of all the dogs at the event.
Of course, I said yes, while jumping up and down with excitement on the inside. Even though I didn’t know what to expect when Kim first asked me to join her. I have never done an event like this before.
As the photographers we are often there before the event starts and there long after the event ends when the sun goes down. Then we go home, stay up all nightand edit the photos. Lucky for me Kim did all the editing and I got to take the pictures.
My morning started at 4:30 a.m. with a nice drive in the dark to a place called Clarkston, Utah. Yup, my first time there to this hidden town in the middle of nowhere.
Kim and I scouted out our location to take the pictures as the sun was coming up over the mountain to warm the temperature up to the mid 30’s. I’m so glad I brought my winter gear and snow boots.
The English Springer Spaniels in the field trials for the National Amateur Championship are incredibly well-trained dogs. My obnoxious outrageous shenanigans that I usually use during photo shoots to get dogs attention did not work with these well-trained dogs. Thank goodness Kim was there to help me, she is a pro at these events and photographing/working with this breed. The key to getting their ears up and alert was quick movement of something being tossed in the air, (yes, this did include pheasants), because that is what they are trained to find and retrieve.
After two long days of being outdoors in freezing temperatures before the sun came up and after the sunset, I successfully photographed about 85 English Springer Spaniels. I loved every minute!! I got to work with Kim, who I admire, take the Purina ProPlan®Portraits, learned new photography techniques, and meet many amazing people.
This was an incredible experience! Special thanks to Kim Kuhlman with Chile Dog Photography for asking me to join her in this amazing event.
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