Hello, thanks for dropping by,
A little catch up with all things pet photography based here.
It was a tough year for so many, however I feel lucky as I was able to hang on to a few regular photographic jobs and the government grant was a huge help.
Newton Abbot racecourse were fantastic, I was retained as their official photographer as soon as they were back racing. Strangely quiet but lovely to see the horses in work again.
The joy of getting back to Stockland Lovell Manor a few times last year to photograph their riding camps was a huge boost for my mental wellbeing too. If you own a horse or pony (I am not bias), you fancy a holiday with your bestie beastie, head to Stockland Lovell Manor for great lessons, fantastic food, cosy accommodation and just good quality time with your horse.
I got to photograph all the lovely camp goers with their horses but I was unable to go indoors or sell onsite, so I missed the social interaction. On the plus side it was just fantastic to see so many happy, friendly faces. If you didn’t make it last year, I really hope to see you there this year. There is still a few spaces on camps so act now.
Go to Stockland Lovell Manor Camps 2021
I still might not be able to do my viewings on site this year, Covid vaccination role out pending!
I managed a few private shoots, in between lockdowns and tier structures too.
I received this lovely testimonial today from an Autumn shoot last year, I wanted to share and give you ideas for possible future portrait sessions with me and your horse or dog.
“I arranged a photoshoot with Fiona because my veteran horse has been retired for a few years, and I am aware that my time with him is now limited. Fiona was very understanding of the situation and what I wanted to achieve - photographs of me and him together, with him loose in a 3 acre field, no head collar or bridle, might not have been the easiest thing! She was hugely helpful with everything, even down to the details of what sort of thing to wear.
The session itself was really enjoyable and Fiona was endlessly patient, whilst we convinced Charlie that he didn't have to eat all the time and did actually look very handsome with his ears forward. All the photos are beautiful and my main issue was picking which ones to have printed. Fiona has a lovely eye and captured many different moods and tones in my relationship with my horse, which was exactly what I wanted. He did stop eating grass, and put his ears forward, and stay with me to have his photo taken whilst completely free to wander around.
I've bought three of the prints and will be buying more later. They definitely need to be hung up and be seen as artwork, rather than be kept in digital format on a computer screen. I think the three of us, me, Charlie and Fiona, created some very special images that I will treasure for years to come. Helen, North Devon
Thank you Helen, getting testimonials like that make my heart sing!
So new ideas unfolding thanks to the lovely Sue Beckman.....
New for 2021 at Stockland Lovell Manor
I had a very special shoot with Sue Beckman last year too, we organised a shoot with Chloe and Ted after the camp had finished. Teresa held back her stables and Sue Morgan from Stockland Lovell came out to help as attention grabber or ‘wrangler’ as I like to call her. Sue Beckman commandeered help too so we had both horses out on the course at the same time. It was lovely to capture some special images with Sue and her horses at a place she calls her second home.
In light of the success of this, I would love to offer this kind of shoot to camp goers this year. Message me for more details.
My photo competition winner from 2020 is waiting in the wings - a fabulous Blenheim King Charles Cavalier. I am super excited about photographing her. I will keep you all posted on how that goes.
Take care, stay safe and I really look forward to seeing you all this year. Fiona xx
Photos below - Helen & Charlie
And - Sue & Ted