Joanie Wood- Captivating pet portraits are her specialty!

In a club filled with amazingly talented photographers, it is never easy to choose who to highlight next, but in the case of Joanie Wood, a perusal of her website at Southpawpix.com makes it clear she has a distinctive and engaging style that makes her chosen genre of pet photography really grab the viewer.

She was gracious enough to share some of her time to put into words the story of her journey into this photographic genre.

Could you tell our readers a little bit about yourself and what sparked your passion for photographing pets specifically? Was there a particular moment or animal that inspired you?

After 38 years as a nonprofit fundraiser, I am now finally able to find time to enjoy photography. When I was picking colleges I wanted to go to photography school but my mother was having none of that … so I worked in politics and with nonprofits in DC before moving to Placitas. I’m thrilled to be able to use the creative side of my brain for photography after decades of data analysis and marketing. I’m always surprised that in all of my years working with nonprofits, I never worked with any animal groups. I mostly worked on women’s reproductive health issues and civil liberties causes, so really heavy stuff. Pet photography is SO MUCH MORE FUN.

 

Pet photography can be quite unique. What are some of the biggest challenges you face when working with animal subjects compared to human models?

I really love dogs – and cats and baby goats! Even if they can’t hold a sit we find a way to get a shot. We usually have dogs leashed anyway (and then we photoshop out the leash) so they aren’t running around crazy. Safety first!  What I do find challenging sometimes are the humans. More often than not, they try to get the dog to look at ~ them ~ instead of the camera. I’ve learned to ask them to stay quiet and let me make noises to get the pup’s attention. I have the best noisemakers!

 

Conversely, what do you find most rewarding about photographing pets? What keeps you coming back to this specific genre?

People just love their pets so much, and although everyone thinks they are a great photographer, I really think folks want – and need – a few really stunning photos of their pups. And for me, it’s such a charge to take what can be a chaotic photo shoot and then show the owners some (hopefully) stunning photos. My goal is to get at least one spectacular photo, although more is good too.

Every photographer has their own style. How would you describe your approach to pet portraiture? Are you drawn to studio setups, natural light, capturing action shots, or a blend of these?

I like to capture pets in the landscape. I take “Big Sky” photos with the dog close to my lens and a wide angle to capture our beautiful landscape. I do other poses too for variety. They are all taken in natural light and periodically with OCF. (If I’m trying to get a beautiful sunset with the dog close by, we need supplemental light or the dog is just a silhouette.)

Can you walk us through your typical process for a pet portrait session? From the initial consultation to the final delivery of images, what does a client typically experience?

For a pet portrait session, I first like to learn a bit about the pup. Are they reactive or super shy? Do they love the water? What color is their fur and how big are they? And a bit about the owners. Are they a sunrise or sunset family? Are there multiple pets? How adventurous are they? Are they able to help with the shoot? Then, we can start picking a location. I’m creating a “location guide” that will go on my website using my photos in this year’s ELCC Portfolio Group. I hope that will give some great location options to consider. Then it might take us a few tries to get our session scheduled depending on the sky and weather but we usually meet at the location and spend about two hours exploring and taking photos. It takes a bit for the pups to get used to me, the camera and the location so I like to let them explore a bit before we start. Then, after the session, I usually send at least one photo within a day or so and share a gallery within two weeks. Then we review them together and decide which photos and how to print.

What are some key pieces of equipment that you find essential for your pet photography work? 

My Canon R5 has a flip screen. It’s a godsend! It means that I don’t have to lay on the ground to see through the viewfinder – with dog photos we want to be on their level so imagine getting as low as a dachshund! (Maybe that’s why I love shooting Great Danes!) But also the flip means that I don’t have a weird black lens in front of my face and I can interact with the dogs as we shoot. My noisemakers are key too. I have tons of bird callers and squeakers but I can also make the oddest noises to get their attention and a great head tilt. I usually use my wide lens (RF 15-35mm f2/8) for those big sky shots, my zoom (RF70-200 f/2.8) or my prime 85mm or 50mm for great bokeh. For rescue photos, I only use the 50mm coz I need to be super close and it’s my least expensive lens if they get a little rambunctious.

Capturing the personality of an animal is crucial in a portrait. What techniques do you use to bring out their unique character in your photographs? Do you have any tricks for getting them to relax or show their true selves?

I sometimes think I communicate with animals better than people. The best compliment I can get is that I really captured their personality. I like to talk to them and play before we even begin a photoshoot. And if it’s okay with their owner, I come with treats. But really I’m always just going for engagement with the camera and a great head cock. I think understanding their body language and knowing when they are stressed is key.  If they aren’t happy, it will show in the photo. I’ll stop a photo shoot if the dog is agitated and rethink the shoot so they can be more relaxed.

For aspiring photographers who are interested in getting into pet portraiture, what advice would you give them? 

I’m in my third (and final) year of a program offered by Unleashed Education. They are based in Australia and New Zealand but all of their trainings are either recorded or by zoom. For their certificate program, you complete 12 assignments each year that push you to try new poses – such as night time photos, using OCF, color harmony, action, etc. – and compete with pet photographers from around the world. I think they have the best pet training out there. Pet photography does require different skills that you might not even think of. Rescue photos are also a great way to get invaluable experience.

Beyond the technical aspects, what do you believe makes a truly exceptional pet portrait? What are you aiming to capture in each image?

When I look at a pet photo, first and foremost I look at perspective. You just have to be low, on the dog’s level. Second, is engagement with the camera and storytelling. The best photos make you feel something. Then, the rules are the same as with any photo – good composition, correct exposure, catch light in the eyes, color balance, level, catching fur rim light, high or low key, etc.

Looking ahead, are there any specific projects or styles within pet photography that you’re excited to explore further?

I want to do a “Dogs of New Mexico” book and include the stunning locations that are unique to the high desert. I’m always looking for cool locations. Next up is the Nuclear Museum coz you can take pups out by the planes. How cool is that!

Finally, where can our readers find more of your work and potentially book a session for their own beloved companions?

My website is SouthPawPix.com. There you can see samples of my work as well as information about booking a session. And soon a location guide!