Tag: Pets

Published in Dogs Today

Dogs Today is my favorite Dog Magazine. It is full of useful articles, breed information, health advise and interesteding Dog articles.

I am pleased to say that one of my images was published in the September 2017 issue. In the section for “The Best Dog Photos in the world”.

The image of three lovely Lagotto Romagnolo dogs that came for a session at my home studio a while ago. Photographing multiple dogs is always a challenge, depending on the level of obedience they have of course. These dogs were very good, although getting them to all look in the direction of the camera at the same time was a challenge!

The Lagotto is a small to medium sized dog distinguished by his curly and water resistant coat. The Romagnolo Lagotto is a Venetian/Romagnan dialect word meaning “duck dog”.

A lively Lagotto pup will usually grow up to be a sensible, happy, affectionate, agile little dog.  They are very trainable, they are known for truffleing, retrieving waterfowl and they also makes an excellent family companion pet and are good alert dog.

The Logotto is a working type of dog, and were often kept centuries ago by peasant marshmen to look after the house and warn off intruders. They are not a yappy dog but can be very vocal when strangers are around the home. (ref http://www.lagottoromagnoloclubofgb.co.uk)

Mum on the right featured in an earlier post of mine as did this photo as she did very well at Crufts 2016 and won the Veteran Bitch Class at 12 years of age!

The September issue has lots of interesting articles and you can get copies easily on line. https://dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/

My favorite reads were Send in the emergency dogs, Britains foodbanks now for pets, and The dog crush was about Whippets, one of my favoritebreeds.

Thank you for reading my post.

 

Still Here!

Wow hadn’t realised how long it was since I last blogged. The School holidays came, the agility season started, Weddings, Newborns, dogs, horses, holidays, training camps it has just been busy, busy.

I will endeavour to get back into blogging and share some lovely images.

Here are a few from the summer.

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Thank you for reading my post…. please feel free to drop by my website www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk

Want a great holiday with your hounds?

If you are a dog owner like me that would rather not put the dogs in kennels but take them with you  on holiday or just want a break away with the dogs then you wont find better than Bowerland Holiday Cottages. I can’t recommend them enough and you need to book early to avoid disappointment!

A dog haven in the Devonshire countryside just outside of Okehampton.

I was asked to do some photography for the website whilst doing some training with my younger dog. It was my first visit and I was fortunate enough to stay in the lovely Annex.

There are two cottages to choose from. The Annex and the Old Dairy. They are both dog friendly, very comfortable and each have enclosed gardens.

The Old Dairy is a charming cosy cottage all on the ground floor and suitable for multiple dogs.. a maximum of six are allowed!  So that is a huge benefit!

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There is a large enclosed and private garden with private gated entrance.

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The Annex is where I stayed and suitable for a maximum of 2 dogs. It is large and airy and has everything in it you would need for your stay. I didn’t want to come home! My visit was in January and it was lovely and warm. It like the Old Diary is well equipped with everything you need and more!  The additional touches are lovely and a reflection on how lovely the owners are. You would never know that either of the accommodation allow dogs, they are spotless and bowls, a towel and treats for the dogs are a lovely touch.

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The Annex also has its own enclosed, gated garden. It is not a big as that in the Old Diary but plenty of room for two dogs and just a few steps  away have a large paddock that is kept exclusively for those staying in the cottages to use and there is a gate at the far end which leads to the most gorgeous woods!

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The Paddock is gated and fully enclosed and very well sheltered on all sides. Plenty of room for playing and training or just lazing around in the sun.

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There are lovely walks all around. My favourite  for this visit was the woods but I have been back since then and Meldon Reservoir is well worth a visit. (see below) The moors are only a stones throw away.

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If like me you want to do a little more with your dogs than just take in the lovely scenery around then you are right on the door step for Devon Dogs, which provides training for everyone and all abilities. Agility, Obedience, Life skills, puppy classes, 1:2:1 sessions, class lessons, you name it they do it and all the staff are knowledgeable and very enthusiastic. There is a huge indoor barn to so it really is an all year round venue.

The perfect place for a doggy holiday.

Oh, and did I mention, kids can go too!

For more details

Bowerland Holidays visit  – bowerlandcottageholidays.co.uk

Devon Dogs visit – devondogs.co.uk

Thank you for reading my post meltaylorphotography.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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

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

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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.
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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!

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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!
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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.
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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.

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

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

Dogs Today Magazine

The new year has got off to a good start for me with the Awards at the guild and some press coverage with the Oxford Times, Witney Gazette and Oxford mail.

I have also been fortunate to have had some more images published in Dogs Today Magazine in “The Best Dog Photographs in the world” section.

I have got a little behind with my blogs as I have been away doing some dog training. So thought I would do a little catch up here for January and February.

January 2016

January 2016 cover

 

Love the front cover on this months edition. I have a real soft spot for Lurchers. Up until recently I have always had one, always rescues and have loved each of them. They are such lovely natured dogs and don’t need the exercise that everyone thinks they do. They make great pet dogs.

Some great issues addressed this month, Puzzle the Muzzle, Aiding homeless, raising awareness with the missing dog calendar and much more.

The image published for me this month was taken on the Ridgeway whilst out on a walk. The little dog is a cross breed terrier, very very sweet and it was definitely the ears that did it for me on this one!

January 2016

Often the owners don’t want to be in the image, but this is a good compromise. It gives the sense of closeness with the owner but with the focus on the dog.

February 2016

Feb 2016 cover

A Valentines theme for this edition..some great images in this magazine. The magazine had an image of a dog with a Red heart balloon and that inspired me to do a few images of my dogs with a similar theme and also had someone book a session to get the same.

Another image for me in the  “The Best Dog Photographs in the world” section. This time one in keeping with the weather we have been having recently. I like most dog owners at present are fed up of the rain, puddles and mud… nothing like a good shake to get dry!

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The Magazine has some great articles, New life for lab Beagles, Recovering Greyhounds and the dog crush this month is all about Labradoodles.

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

 

Awarded Photographers Bar

As some of you that follow my blog or Facebook page will know that on Saturday 6th February I headed off to the Guild of Photographers Annual Award dinner. Held at the magnificent Crew Hall in Crewe. It was my first time as I only joined the Guild at the beginning of 2015. A lovely setting for a Black tie event, lovely food, a great way to catch up with fellow photographers and very well organised.

I was thrilled to gain two awards on the night from the highly respected Guild of Photographers.

I was awarded membership of the Guild’s ‘Photographer’s Bar’ & Top 20 Photographer of the Year in the Open Category.

The Photographers Bar

The Photographers Bar is a distinction that is very difficult to achieve, as it recognises an exceptional level of professional skill in photography. Fewer than 100 other photographers have achieved the Photographers Bar in the three years since its inception. During this time, over 30,000 images have been entered for assessment by photographers across the UK and from overseas.

Submitting and having images assessed every month for a year and reaching the required standards to become a member of the Photographers Bar is very, very demanding.

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The Awards were presented by Lesley Thirsk, Director of the Guild of Photographers

I was also given an award for being in the ‘Top 20 Photographers of the Year’ in the Guild’s Open category, coming in 14th position. This was secured as a result of the high judging scores achieved for my pet portraits in the Guild’s monthly competitions throughout 2015.  The Open category includes the follow genres so is a big category to do well in.  Pets, Sport, Wildlife, Nature, Macro, Landscape, Fashion, Digital Art and more.

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All the images I submitted into the Open Category were Dog Portraits, which is the side of the business I am very passionate about. So was thrilled to have my work recognised.

I had two images short listed in the top 10 images for Pet Photographer of the year but unfortunately was not the winner this year.  Its always good to have a goal to work toward!  I will be chasing that title this year!

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Here are a few more of the images that I entered this year.

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!

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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.

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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

Exciting News

Some exciting news for me. Two of my images have been short-listed for the Image of the Year with the Guild of Photographers!

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 with awards being given each month to the very best of the entries.

Around 10,000 entries were taken into the Image of the Month Competition throughout 2015, the Judges have selected just 10 images in each genre to be short listed as Finalists in the Image of the Year Competition. I have been selected as a finalist in the Pet genre with the attached images.

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“H” was an absolutely  gentle and adorable Lurcher. Having had 4 Lurchers myself over the years I did have a big soft spot for him! Sadly he was a little to big to hide in my pocket!  He is devoted to his owner as you can see from his expression.

His owners bid for the Complimentary photographic session and 20″x16″ Wall Art of the image of their choice from the session that I donated to the local pre-school for the Auction at the Enchanted ball held earlier in the year. The auction was helping to raise funds for them much needed relocation of the wonderful Little Ducks pre-school that both my boys attended.

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 10 in a category for the end of year Final is a quite remarkable achievement, and shows just how talented a photographer Mel Taylor is”.

During January the Judges will assess the final few images in print format and choose their overall winners and runners-up.

The final results will then be announced the Awards evening at the fabulous Crewe Hall in Cheshire on Saturday 6th February, 2015.

So not only is it exciting I get to buy a new frock too!  There are lots of stunning entries this year and I am thrilled to be short-listed.

Here are a few more images from “H’s” session.

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Many thanks for reading my post.

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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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