Tag: Pet Photography

Up for an Award

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I am very pleased to say that for the third year running I have reached the Final of the fiercely contested Guild of Photographers Image of the Year Competition.

The Guild is a highly respected UK based association for photographers which has members from overseas as well. Each year it runs an on-line monthly photographic competition, judged by internationally respected judges with awards given to the best entries.

During 2017, the competition has attracted around 1200 entries per month from the most talented of photographers.

It has just been announced that from all the entries across the year, the Guild’s Judges have selected JUST 12 images in various genres to go forward to the annual Image of the Year Final. Those selected really are the best of the best, and  I have been selected as a finalist in the Pet Genre.

Guild Director Lesley Thirsk said “One of the Guild’s aims is to drive standards and creativity amongst photographers. Our monthly competition certainly does that, for the standard of the entries we see each month is quite staggering. To have an image recognised by the Guild in the monthly competition is difficult enough, so to have an image selected as being one of the best in a category for the end of year Final is without doubt an incredible achievement, and shows just how talented photographer, name is”
I love photography and put a lot of effort into developing my skills. One way I do that is to enter the Guild’s competition. It drives forward photography standards month after month and so it helps me push myself. The standards are really high and to have one of my images shortlisted in the overall final again is a real honour.

The final outcome will be announced at a lavish Awards night in a magnificent Jacobean mansion in Cheshire on 3rd February 2018.

To find out more about the Guild of Photographers and their competition visit their website (www.photoguild.co.uk), and to find out more about me visit my website at www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk.

Advertisements

Last Minute Xmas Ideas…

Hopefully, you will all be far more organised than I am and have all your Xmas shopping done.

If you are not and you are still looking for ideas then I still have a few GIFT VOUCHERS available for my Pet Portraits. They make a great gift for a family member, a friend, yourself or even use your pet as an excuse to get one.

The voucher includes a 1 hr Photographic session and a Complimentary 9″x6″ or 8″x6″ Glass Desk Framed image for the SPECIAL PRICE of only £30 normally £95.

img_20161205_0001

Don’t forget to get your pooch something tasty for Christmas but be sure it’s safe for them to eat. Kongs are great ideas, you can fill them with all sorts of tasty things to give variety and they can be frozen to make it last even longer. My dogs love these as both a toy and a treat.

newstomp_0273

I hope you all have a wonderful Xmas and New Year.

Equine Art – Cotswold Preview

 

Cotswold Preview Front

Having spent the first part of my working life working with horses and loving every minute of it, it is no surprise that photographing them is a real joy for me. This is a side of the business I am just expanding, following my true passions and was lucky enough to be included in the June Issue of Cotswold Preview Magazine, in their Equestrian Art Special Feature.

Untitled-2

Untitled-3

My Image, bottom right was taken on a Wedding Pre-shoot. It was a lovely evening capturing the couple to be but also the horses and the connection and bonds they have with their owners.

As the article states I have many years of experience of working with horse and I feel this gives me a distinct advantage for equine photography, understanding their habits, how to get them to look attentive, what is likely to spook them, how they should stand when they are really connecting with the owner.

I can come to your home, yard or meet you somewhere you like to ride.. for more information visit my website. www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk

A quote I  love is “When you are on a great horse, you have the best seat you will ever have” – Winston Churchill.

Newstomp_0021

Thank you for reading my post.

Crufts Super Stars 2016

Crufts 2016 has just finished. Although I was unable to attend this year I watched as much of the coverage on Channel 4 as possible. The Agility Finals on Sunday were particularly exciting.  My ambition is to one day qualify in agility to compete there. Its is always good to have a dream…..

As you know my true passion is photographing dogs, that’s not to say I don’t enjoy photographing other subjects I do, but from as far back as I can remember having a dog of my own was a dream. I now have three! I am lucky to be able to combine my love of dogs and photography together.

So I am thrilled to be able to say along my journey of dog photography I have captured a few of the winners at this years Crufts!

The first ever commissioned job I had was photographing a litter of Border Collies in 2009. Nothing like a challenge. Eight feisty pups all eager to do everything but what we wanted them to do!  We had to resort to having them held for individual pictures. Who would have thought that I would be photographing a superstar!

Congratulations to this beautiful girl Scandal.

Digital Photographer_0440

Open Large Agility Winner 2016 to add to her numerous outstanding awards.

 Digital Photographer_0431

Scandal with her Litter siblings 2009, boy did we have fun getting this shot. I wonder what the other pups have got up to?

Digital Photographer_0439

Those of you that follow my blog know that I recently got two Mini American Shepherds.

Earlier in the year the breeder  of my dogs and her friend came to see me to get some photos done in the Studio. It was quite a crazy session with all three dogs. They are a breed I have never captured before and certainly a breed that would win my heart over. The Lagotto Romagnolo.

The name of the breed reveals its origins; the expansive marshes of the Romagne district of Italy, where Lagotto (Italian dialect for curly coated duck retriever) were valued for their ability to retrieve ducks from water. The draining of the marshes in the early 1900s led to the decline of duck hunting and there was less demand for dogs to work to their traditional purpose. However, an alternative use was soon found for him: his natural scenting ability made him ideal as a truffle hunter and in his native land that is now seen as his primary purpose. – See more at: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=2158
The breed gained KC recognition last year with Crufts 2016 being the very first time they were able to be shown in their own class and go for the group.
Digital Photographer_0433

I had no idea that the dogs had qualified for Crufts. So hugely impressed when I found out that Mum on the right won the Veteran Bitch Class at 12 years of age!

Digital Photographer_0435
Doesn’t she look well for her age!  Almost puppy like here.
Her Grandaugher, (below & right in group above) the puppy  for the breed. You don’t get much cuter than this!
Digital Photographer_0434
A huge congratulations to their owner.
Finally I had the pleasure of doing some photography at Devon Dogs at the end of January (Blog to follow soon) and got to meet and photograph this gorgeous Cocker  and her owner Tash Poddubecki. They had a great time at Crufts and came first in the Medium Final Jumping.. so well done to them.
Digital Photographer_0437
Digital Photographer_0436
That concludes my claim to meeting up and photographing doggy superstars!  Thank you for reading my post. http://www.meltaylorphotgraphy.co.uk

Gold Award

Really excited to have achieved a Gold Award this month in the Societies Monthly International Competition. Such a happy little dog and we had great fun in the studio getting her to stay in the basket and also get the head tilt.

Mel_Taylor_Pet Portrait_February_UK_16_101065Flogo

She came with a couple of her collie friends and the image I entered into the Monochrome category got a Highly Commended.

Mel_Taylor_Monochrome_Feburary_UK_16_101065logo

 

Thank you for reading my post http://www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk

More Publications in Dogs Today

I was fortunate enough to be featured yet again in Dogs Today Magazines October, November and December editions.

October

Dogs Today October Front 2015

Octobers edition yet again full of interesting articles and featured an image of my Mini American Shepherd in The best dog photographers in the World section. The image was taken in a local bluebell wood. I had a gap between client shoots so decided to have a play with my dogs. Buzz is training to be an agility dog so this image of him jumping is great. However, getting him at to stay and wait while I got to the other side of the log and on the floor took a little bit of doing!

Dogs Today October 2015 image

I particularly like the articles they do on breeds, the October issue was all about Corgis. Some great info on the breed and some lovely images too.

November

November Cover 2015

Now that’s a cute pup on the font cover!  Who could resist him?

This months magazine published an image of my Working Sheep dog. Take on a lazy summers evening. She just loves jumping up on the hay bales.

November 2015 image

The Dog Crush article in this magazine was all about the Newfoundland.  They give you facts about the breed. For cleanliness apparently 75% of their respondents said if you cant stand the dribble then you are not a proper Newfie owner and they apparently shed a lot of hair and they are huge dogs! Probably not the dog for me based on that information.

December

December 2015 Cover

Now this cover was a definite eye catcher for me. Not only because of those stunning blue eyes but because its another Mini American Shepherd and a very handsome one at that!

This issue published an image very dear to me indeed. It is an image I have in a 30″ frame on my wall. I just love having large images. This gorgeous lurcher is sadly no longer with me. The image was taken on my very first digital SLR camera. I love the softness of the daisy’s and the rim lighting of the evening sun on her.  When you loose a dog its like loosing one of the family and a big gap is left.  We miss her but at least get to see her every day.

Decmeber 2015 image

The step by step guide in this months magazine had an interesting article on Food etiquette. Some sound advice.

Thank you for reading my post. If you are interested in booking a shoot then please look at my website. www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk

Dashing Dash

Was it only four months ago that I shared some images of my lovely new Mini American Shepherd – Dash… how did he grow so quickly… cruel how we are cheated so quickly from all that gorgeous puppy awesomeness!

digital photographer_0017

As puppies go he has been a star. Only a little whimper for the first few night and very quickly house trained. He has become best buddies with my other Shepherd, Buzz and even Maya my collie likes him a little. Buzz is still trying to gain her affections but doesn’t realise that trying to plant kisses on her every morning will not win her over!

digital photographer_0070

Dash is not backwards at coming forward, he enjoyed his two puppy socialisation classes where we realised that bouncy puppies are not something that he is keen on and he can have a little temper when confronted by bounciness! Can’t say I would be too happy if a stranger came running up to me and started jumping all over me.

We have gone through the weird ear phase but they have now settled down but he has had a few different looks.

Digital Photographer_0111

Digital Photographer_0112

Digital Photographer_0181

He has been a joy to train and once we get over the initial excitement that training involves food, and food is something that Dash is very keen on and is very vocal about letting me know this at feed time!

We have already started our agility training. Lots of fun games at the moment and just working with poles on the ground and learning our left from right and he has a fantastic wait which will be a great help once we start competing.

Digital Photographer_0138

Apart from his agility he loves to snooze, more so now that the weather has turned wet and nasty. Getting up in the morning is hard, we would rather snuggle into Maya’s bed than go out for a walk and getting our feet wet is not something we like to do and will avoid going out to do what little pups need to do until physically taken!  He will then tiptoe around and walk like John Wayne!

Digital Photographer_0201

So we continue our journey together learning new things every day, having lots of kisses and cuddles and he has grown into quite a Dashing young fella.

Digital Photographer_0200

Thank you for reading my post.  www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk