Recently, pet photographer Craig Bullock won the title of New Zealand Portrait Photographer of the Year, the first time in the 80-year history of NZIPP that the award has been given to images of non-humans. Now that’s saying something!
Craig’s shots are breathtaking. He’s also authored several books including Quake Dogs and Quake Cats. He reveals: his preferred gear and lens choices, how he plans his pet shots and selects locations, how he poses and directs pets, shooting with one hand, understanding the body language of animals, post-production techniques and heaps more.
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Show Notes
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Useful Link
How to photograph pets with multi award-winning photographer Craig Bullock
Craig is a multi-award winning professional dog photographer based in New Zealand
He regularly travels to the world capturing working with commercial and private clients to capture their dream images in his unique style
In 2018 he won the title of New Zealand Portrait Photographer of the Year, the first time in the 80-year history of NZIPP that the award has been given to images of non-humans.
He regularly works with animal charities and also the photographer/author of three bestselling books, Quake Dogs (which spent 10 weeks at #1 on the NZ Bestsellers list), Quake Cats and A Dog’s Life.
You’ll discover:
- How Craig got his break in photography
- Growing up in Guernsey
- His first photography shoot
- Working full time in a lab and growing his business part-time
- Publishing his books
- Craigs prefered gear and lens choices
- How Craig plans his pet shots and selects locations
- How Craig poses and directs pets
- Shooting with one hand
- Medium format mirrorless vs full frame DSLR
- The importance of understanding the body language of animals
- Why you need to get down low to get a great shot.
- Post-production techniques and heaps more.
This interview was recorded before the recent Christchurch shootings and that’s why we don’t make any references to it.
BIO
I’m Craig, crazy cat daddy, puppy parent, patisserie addict AND I have the best job in the world! I’m a professional Dog Photographer. Based in Christchurch, New Zealand and travelling the world. I work with clients, both commercial and private to capture their dream images of pets in bright and glorious Technicolor! I’ve been capturing the uniqueness of Dogs since 2001 (saying that makes me feel very old).
I’m an accredited Master of Photography and Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography. In 2018 I won the title of New Zealand Portrait Photographer of the Year, the first time in the 80-year history of NZIPP that the award has been given to images of non-humans. I am also the current Canterbury/Westland Regional Photographer of the Year, a winner at the Kennel Club (UK) Dog Photographer of the Year and a finalist in Team New Zealand for the World Photographic Cup. I’m also an official ambassador for Fujifilm.
I love working with charities to help with adoption photography, I believe a great image can save a life. I’m absolutely thrilled to have taken on the role of ambassador for the amazing Kotuku Foundation, Assistance Animals Aotearoa. The KFAAA provide assistance dogs to people who need them all across New Zealand, the work they do is inspirational and I’m honoured to be a small part of the team. My latest personal project #DogIsLove is a celebration of love and diversity and received such an incredible response when I launched it that I’ve turned it into an ongoing fundraising project and hope to create many more images for the series.
I work with any pets, but 99% of the time it’s dogs. Although I’d probably decline the opportunity to photograph a pet spider, yikes. Despite what you see on my page, I assure you that the dogs I work with are not well trained professional models, they are your normal, every day, well-loved furry family members. What you don’t see is the work that goes on behind the scenes to create the images, so trust me, no dog is impossible to get an awesome photograph of!
Later in 2019 I will be launching a series of training tools for professional and aspiring Dog Photographers, as well as running more workshops both in New Zealand and overseas.
Not wanting to continue bragging, but I’m also the photographer/author of three bestselling books, Quake Dogs (which spent 10 weeks at #1 on the NZ Bestsellers list), Quake Cats and A Dog’s Life.
Social Media links
Website: http://www.furtography.co.nz/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/furtographynz/
twitter: https://twitter.com/furtography
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FURtographyNZ/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIfR9oj8-R7DQdii2h9qSsw
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-turner-bullock-1094a0b8/
Products/workshops: Commercial and private pet photography
Workshops and online training coming later in 2019
