Triple Trouble - adventures at The Ashridge Estate in Berkhamsted

So where do you start with a dog photoshoot for three dogs at the same time?  My advice… have a big breakfast and come armed with lots of energy! 

Arran, Leo and Max were the three musketeers during my recent dog photo shoot at the beautiful Ashridge Estate in Berkhamsted. The dog friendly estate is an impressive 5000 acres and provides a wide variety of landscapes, including beech and oak woodlands, commons and chalk downlands and is located about an hour’s drive from North London. 

We were all raring to go, so we started with a series of action shots to capitalise on the dog’s excitement and their high energy levels.  From running to hiding, to recall, to ball throwing, we covered a lot of ground (literally) and I was later told they all went home and slept for six hours solid! We then walked in the woods searching for more fun and distractions which provided a variety of settings and backdrops for their dog portraits.

Prior to meeting Arran, Max, and Leo, I received a thorough briefing on their different personalities and some insightful background into their histories and how they came to be such a magnificent trio. This proved really helpful and something that I always run through with clients before any dog photoshoot.

Beautiful Arran, a 5 year old Gordon Setter, produced some classic action faces and understood what was expected from a professional dog model, producing poses which he rocked like a superstar throughout the shoot. 

Leo, a 5-6 year old brown Staffie is a gorgeous happy dog, whom I was told was mostly motivated by human love and attention, and after that by balls and treats, and really…. who can blame him! This was clear to see and we had a brilliant time with Leo giving his best smiles and even a wink for the camera.

Finally, little Max, a 6 year old white West Highland Terrier completed this classic trio.  What he lacked for in size, he certainly made up for with his personality and presence.  He loved the camera and strutted his four little white legs until we got the perfect shots for his portraits.  

Whilst the shoot took place this October in glorious autumnal sunshine, it’s definitely worth visiting the Ashridge Estate Bluebell Woods in springtime.  Check on Instagram and their website to see if the bluebells have bloomed before you visit. It’s such a short season, running from March to May you can miss out and be disappointed! (And yes ….it happened to me, but thankfully not for a dog photoshoot you will be pleased to hear!)

Getting out of London for dog photoshoots is always an exciting part of my job and it’s a great way to rejuvenate the creative juices, keeping me on my toes and pushing me forward to create the best contemporary dog photography and dog portraits.

It's fair to say - a great morning was had by all, producing an unforgettable set of portraits that are now at the printers and soon to be adorning the walls. Not only were the dogs wonderful to spend time with, but their lovely owners helped make this a special morning for me. 

I think I have just about recovered… and now I can’t wait for the next challenge.