The Fine Art of Herding Furry Tornadoes: A Masterclass in Studio Chaos
To say these two have energy is to say the sun is a bit warm. They possessed the kind of vibrating, molecular restlessness usually reserved for a five year old child who has been systematically stuffed full of fizzy pop and Smarties. It was a whirlwind of a dog photography session and frankly, I loved every chaotic second of it.
According to the dictionary, chaos is defined as a state of total confusion, utter disorder, or a complete lack of organization. It is a word used by scientists to describe the universe, and by parents to describe a toddler's bedroom.
However, I am convinced the lexicographers at Oxford had a different muse entirely when they penned that definition: a photoshoot at Trident Studio, Plymouth featuring two specific English Springer Spaniels named Inka and Lottie.
To say these two have energy is to say the sun is a bit warm. They possessed the kind of vibrating, molecular restlessness usually reserved for a five year old child who has been systematically stuffed full of fizzy pop and Smarties. It was a whirlwind of a dog photography session and frankly, I loved every chaotic second of it.
The Grand Inquisitors of the Studio Floor
The moment both Springers crossed the threshold, they did not politely look for the camera. Instead, they immediately undertook a highly urgent, deeply spiritual mission to sniff every single square inch of available floor space.
The Scene: Heads down, bums triumphantly up, and tails wagging with such furious velocity they threatened to alter the local weather patterns.
It was a furry tornado whipping into every corner of the room. Once the perimeter was thoroughly inspected and deemed safe from imaginary intruders, it was time to get down to business. Or at least, our version of it.
Tag Team Wrestling (With Added Fur)
Coaxing Inka and Lottie into position was less like traditional pet photography and something more akin to refereeing a high stakes tag team wrestling match. They took turns on the studio floor, trading places with the chaotic energy of Olympic sprinters.
Thankfully, the match was masterfully refereed by their owners, who utilized a combination of patience, treats, and what I assume was mild sorcery.
In the end, it was the fleeting, beautiful little moments of calm that we captured. Amidst the whirlwind, the camera caught those soulful, bright eyes and magnificent ears in perfect stillness. And let me be completely honest, I was absolutely delighted with the results.
Looking for Pet Photography in Plymouth?
If you have a furry whirlwind of your own and want to capture their unique personality (chaos and all!), get in touch with MJC-Photography. We specialize in turning high energy into timeless portraits.
The Indignity of Editing and the Joy of Staying Dry
Photographing dancers is a precarious business, mostly because one tends to become so mesmerized by the sheer, improbable elegance of the human form in motion that one forgets to actually, you know, take the picture. It is a genuine occupational hazard.
Interestingly, despite the leaps and bounds, my inner portrait artist seems to have taken the wheel. My personal favourite from the session is a stark, black-and-white headshot. It captures a quiet intensity that all the movement in the world can’t quite replicate.
There is something inherently noble about the landscape photographer, standing knee-deep in a freezing bog at four in the morning, waiting for a sunrise that, nine times out of ten, is obscured by a sky the colour of dirty dishwater. I have spent a significant portion of my life in such pursuits. However, since opening my new residency at Trident Studio, I have discovered a profound, almost unseemly sense of smugness that comes from being indoors.
While the British weather outside has been performing its best impression of the Old Testament, mostly "The Great Flood" portion, I have been safely ensconced in the warm, dry embrace of the studio. It is a revelation. Over the last few weeks, my shutter button has been pressed with the sort of frantic frequency usually reserved for a teenager in a particularly juicy group chat.
Portrait Photography: Making Stars and Facing Backlogs
The primary cause of this mechanical exhaustion has been a delightful parade of talented young actors. We’ve been crafting the kind of professional headshots that I hope will soon be staring down from billboards or at least convincing a casting director that this person is precisely what their next period drama is missing.
I’ve taken to muttering the phrase "MJC, Photographer to the Stars!" under my breath. It has a certain melodic quality to it, don’t you think?
The downside of all this "stardom," of course, is the editing. I am currently staring down a backlog of post-processing that would make a Hollywood production office weep with exhaustion. Every hour spent in the glow of the studio lights results in several more spent in the much less glamorous glow of a computer monitor, meticulously adjusting the stray hairs of future Oscar winners.
The Art of Motion: Dancing with Erica Mulkern
Despite the looming mountain of digital files, I couldn't resist a "busman's holiday" this past Friday. Long before this business venture began, I had booked a session with the breathtakingly talented Erica Mulkern.
Photographing dancers is a precarious business, mostly because one tends to become so mesmerized by the sheer, improbable elegance of the human form in motion that one forgets to actually, you know, take the picture. It is a genuine occupational hazard.
Interestingly, despite the leaps and bounds, my inner portrait artist seems to have taken the wheel. My personal favourite from the session is a stark, black-and-white headshot. It captures a quiet intensity that all the movement in the world can’t quite replicate.
Ready for Your Close-Up?
But enough of this. The editing suite calls, and it is a jealous mistress.
If you are looking for high-quality acting headshots or creative portrait photography that might just catch the eye of the next big casting director, and if you’d like to personally contribute to my mounting workload, I’d love to hear from you.
You can reach out right here or visit me over at mjc-photography.com. I promise to stay indoors for the duration of our session.
A close up, black and white portrait of a woman looking directly at the camera with a serene expression. She is wearing a dark, sequined dress and elegant drop earrings. Her hand is delicately raised to her neck, showing two rings on her fingers. The lighting is dramatic, with soft shadows and light patterns across her face and neck.
A professional studio portrait of dancer Erica Mulkern seated on the floor, wearing a delicate blue ballet costume with puffed sleeves. Her ballet pointe shoes are positioned prominently in the foreground, showing signs of wear, while she looks toward the camera with a focused expression.