Dahlie Dog Studios

09/04/2025

I love Connie and her amazing work, and it's been a privilege to work together at events back on the east coast. Every word of her post is true - it's an absolute blessing to do what we do, and I have made so many wonderful friends through this job. Getting to be a small part of your dog's journey through life is an absolute honor, and I hope to continue it for many more years to come!

The Life of a Pet Photographer

Being a pet photographer is so much more than a job—it’s a passion, a privilege, and a journey filled with joy, creativity, and connection. Every day, I get to meet incredible people and their amazing dogs, capturing moments that celebrate the love and bond they share. From the wagging tails to the soulful eyes, I have the honor of photographing dogs at their happiest—whether they’re chasing a ball, splashing in water, or simply basking in the love of their owners.

One of the best parts? The flexibility to create my own schedule and the endless opportunities to grow. Pet photography is a craft that demands skill, curiosity, and a willingness to keep learning. I’ve dabbled in it all—studio portraits, action shots at dog sporting events, outdoor sessions with flash, and even underwater photography. Each new challenge pushes me to expand my skills and see the world through a fresh lens. The learning never stops, and that’s what keeps this career so exciting!

It’s not always easy, though. Photographing dog sports means braving the elements for hours—rain, heat, or cold—followed by long editing sessions to perfect every shot. But the reward? Seeing the joy on a pet owner’s face when they receive a photo that captures their dog’s spirit makes every moment worth it. It’s a career that fills your heart and brings smiles to others.

Of course, there’s a bittersweet side. As pet photographers, we form deep connections with the dogs and their owners. Their short time with us makes every moment precious, and saying goodbye to a beloved furry friend we’ve photographed is never easy—it takes a piece of our heart. But loving them so fiercely is part of what makes this work so meaningful.

I feel truly blessed to walk this path, surrounded by wagging tails and wonderful people. Here’s to capturing more unforgettable moments, learning new techniques, and celebrating the magic of dogs for as long as I’m able. Thank you for trusting me to tell your pet’s story through my lens.

09/02/2025

✨ Basenji Club of America National Specialty ✨
🗓️ November 10–15 2025 ★ Tucson, Arizona 🌵
✨ https://nationalspecialty.basenji.org ✨

𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐢 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓!

During the week, I'll be taking candid photos throughout the entire event - that's conformation, rally, obedience, lure coursing, special exhibitions, club events and even a few personalized portrait sessions... 👀

https://photos.dahliedogstudios.com/gallery/27887704

The BCOA 2025 National Specialty is taking place at the Kino Sports Complex and Event Center in Tucson, Arizona. Please note: this is a tentative schedule.

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐯. 𝟏𝟎
Obedience / Rally
Valley Fever Presentation
Thyroid and DNA Testing

𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐯. 𝟏𝟏
African Stock Exhibition
Puppy Sweepstakes / Veteran Sweepstakes
Junior Showmanship / P*e Wees
Conformation: Non-Regular Classes
BCOA Annual Meeting
Top 20

𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐯. 𝟏𝟐
Judges Education
Conformation: Regular Classes
Thyroid and DNA Testing
Banquet / Auction / Awards

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐯. 𝟏𝟑
Conformation: Best of Breed

𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐯. 𝟏𝟒
Lure Coursing

𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐯. 𝟏𝟓
Agility

08/29/2025

✨ Meet one of the rarest and weirdest breeds in the dog world - the Norwegian Lundehund! 🇳🇴

With origins tracing back to the rugged cliffs of Norway, these remarkable little dogs were once used to climb sheer rock faces and retrieve puffins for their people. Their flexible joints, extra toes, and active tear ducts made them uniquely suited for the task - a great example of how human history worked hand in hand with the creation of our favorite breeds.

Today, Lundehunds are an endangered breed, with only a small population preserved by dedicated fanciers. This one, Moss, is my own personal pup who works to promote the breed and provide education to the general public. The deserts of Arizona are a world apart from the cliffs of Norway, but the breed traits he carries work surprisingly well with all the rocks and dirt! 🌵

08/26/2025

Happy National Dog Day from Dahlie Dog Studios! 🥳

Any excuse to celebrate my best friends! Here's Dahlie modeling in front of a green screen I was setting up today for... unrelated projects... 👀💚

08/18/2025

✨🦎 Not everything I photograph is canine related - here's a very cute Spiny Lizard from my own backyard here in Arizona. Whilst I've always loved dogs, it's not actually where my photography journey began. 📸✨

I got seriously into photography when I was just ten years old, armed with a Nikon D70 and a deep obsession with wildlife. I spent my early years roaming the British countryside, teaching myself to photograph the fleeting glimpses of critters on the move - a bird in flight, a butterfly on a flower, a fox peeking out from it's den. I loved every moment of it.

That foundation of research, patience and good timing is the same one I bring into every dog event I cover today. The skills are surprisingly transferable from wildlife to dog sports - tracking a bird across the sky feels oddly similar to capturing a dog leaping off the dock.

You'll still find me creeping up on lizards when I have the chance though. The wildlife here in Arizona is incredible.

08/11/2025

One of my favorite parts of being a professional dog photographer is the sheer variety of dogs I get to meet - hundreds of breeds, each with their own charm. These days, it’s rare for me to encounter one I haven’t photographed before, so it’s always a special treat when I do. Even better is seeing that dog in their element, where their personality truly shines.

Meet Karajol, a young male Kyrgyz Taigan – a rare and remarkable sighthound from the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Bred for endurance at high altitudes, Taigans are skilled hunters, capable of following scent trails, retrieving game, and even working in partnership with trained birds of prey like golden eagles.

Thank you so much to Ryker for bringing out your special boy for a puppy bump fun run with the Copper State Basenji Club! 🐇💨

08/10/2025

✨ https://photos.dahliedogstudios.com/gallery/27887620 ✨

Photos from the Copper State Basenji Club FastCAT, Lure Coursing and CAT events are NOW AVAILABLE! 🐇💨

📷 These galleries are some of my favorite coursing photos that I've taken, and it was an absolute joy to watch so many dogs having the time of their life out on the trial field! It's always an honor to be invited to capture these events, and I am delighted to see so many new titles and PBs! 🏆

⚡ Instant Digital Downloads
Take your dog’s best moments home TODAY! Every image is delivered in full resolution, ready to download immediately after purchase. Save more with bundle packs: from Sit (5 photos at 10% off) to Take a Bow (25 photos at a massive 50% off). Perfect for capturing every angle of your dog’s big day, combining shots of multiple dogs, or keeping the whole story from start to finish.

🖼 Wall-Worthy Prints & Art
Turn your favorite image into a conversation piece with our handcrafted prints, canvases, and metal prints from Bayphoto. They are made in the USA with rich, true-to-life color and sharp detail, ready to display in your home with joy or give as a sweet gift to a breeder or co-owner.

🎁 Keepsakes & Gifts That Last
Magnets for the fridge, ornaments for the holidays, luggage tags for your travel bags, and even flashlight keychains for late-night walks: they can all personalized with your favorite moments.

Thanks you so much for coming out to Pinetop-Lakeside to support this wonderful crew of passionate people, and I hope you and your dogs had a great time together!

Laura Greenwood / Dahlie Dog Studios

08/08/2025

✨ Check out Archie the German Shorthaired Pointer locked in on that trash bunny! It was amazing to watch the dogs having a blast out on the trial field, and I'm so excited to share the photo galleries in just a couple of days! 🐇💨

📸 Quick photos update! How's it going now? A few days ago I captured the action with the Copper State Basenji Club FastCAT, Lure Coursing and CAT events. Here's how things are looking right now:

✅ CAT - photos done!
🔄 FastCAT - finishing up...
❎ Lure Coursing - today's work?

All of the photos from the event are expected to be available this Sunday. To know the moment that the galleries go live, register your email at the link below to get a notification right in your inbox:

https://photos.dahliedogstudios.com/gallery/27887620

08/04/2025

Huge thanks to the Copper State Basenji Club for hosting such a wonderful set of trials and tests this weekend. It was my absolute pleasure to capture photos of every single run on both Friday and Saturday, and I am super excited to share the photos with you all in the coming days! If you haven't already registered your email, click the link below and get a notification as soon as the gallery is live! 📷🎉

https://photos.dahliedogstudios.com/gallery/27887620

The crew at CSBC are some of the best to spend your time with, and it was absolutely delightful to see so many dogs having an amazing time there too! It was an honor to watch these dogs do what comes so naturally to them.

Thank you so much to CSBC for inviting me to photograph your trials! 💜✨

⚠️ Unfortunately due to an injury overnight on Saturday evening, I had to head home from the trial rather than stay for Sunday too. It was a big disappointment and I'm incredibly sorry to have missed out, and apologize to anyone who was disappointed. I'm pleased to say that I'll still be able to edit and upload photos as planned, but I'll need to take a two week break from taking more photos while my hand heals up!

08/02/2025

This weekend I will be photographing some amazing AKC sports here in Arizona, and wanted to share a quick “crash course” for each one! Today’s featured sport is the Coursing Ability Test - don’t forget to check out photos from this weekend’s events at the link below.

https://photos.dahliedogstudios.com/gallery/27887620

🏁 CAT (Coursing Ability Test)

✨ What is it & how does work? ✨

First introduced by the AKC in 2011, this sport has dogs chase a lure individually over a 300 or 600‑yard course. The dogs are scored on a pass or fail only - they just need to finish within a specific time limit (a few minutes) and have enthusiasm for the lure!

✨ Who can take part? ✨

All dogs that are at least a year old can take part if they have AKC registration. This includes mixed breeds via Canine Partners and PAL programs, and breeds still being recognized in the Misc. and FSS groups. Dogs in this sport run one at a time for safety reasons.

✨ Breed or height rules? ✨

Dogs that are brachycephalic, seniors, or under 12″ at the withers run a 300‑yard course. All other dogs run the full 600‑yards, typically ending up back at the starting line after running a big loop.

✨ AKC titles? ✨

Titles are based on how many passing scores your dog has accumulated throughout their life. CA is achieved after 3 passes, CAA (Coursing Ability Advanced) at 10 passes, and CAX (Coursing Excellent) at 25. If you keep running beyond that, you can achieve CAX2, CAX3 and many more after that with each subsequent 25 runs!

✨ Want to learn more about lure coursing events like the CAT? ✨

https://www.akc.org/sports/coursing

08/01/2025

This weekend I will be photographing some amazing AKC sports here in Arizona, and wanted to share a quick “crash course” for each one! Today’s featured sport is Lure Coursing - don’t forget to check out photos from this weekend’s events at the link below.

https://photos.dahliedogstudios.com/gallery/27887620

🏆 AKC Coursing Trial

✨ What is it & how does work? ✨

Coursing is a sport dating back to the Ancient Greeks, but it was officially recognized by the AKC in July 1991. Designed for purebred sighthounds, dogs chase a mechanical lure across a field of around 600 yards, navigating turns to simulate prey like rabbits. Judges score on the dog’s overall ability: how they follow the lure, plus factors like their speed, agility & endurance. There are different levels, but once a dog has proven that it can focus on the lure, you may see dogs running against each other in an official trial.

✨ Who can take part? ✨

Lure coursing is only for sighthound breeds. This includes AKC recognized breeds like greyhounds, salukis, whippets and basenjis plus breeds in the Misc. and FSS groups like Norrbottenspets and Thai Ridgeback. All dogs must be at least a year old, with spayed and neutered dogs eligible to participate. Dogs with disqualifications found in the AKC Breed Standards are ineligible to enter lure coursing trials and tests.

✨ Breed or height rules? ✨

Only the sighthound breeds can participate in true lure coursing. Dogs will typically run with others like them to see who is the best of the breed, and dogs of various breeds with similar height categories will run together at the end to crown the “Best In Field” winner of that trial.

✨ AKC title? ✨

Like some other AKC sports, dogs will start at the lowest level and work their way up the title progression. Here's how your dog earns titles along the way:

Junior Courser (JC) - To get started, your dog runs solo, showing enthusiasm and no interruptions. Two judges at separate events (can be same day) must each pass the dog.

Qualified Courser (QC) - Next, your dog must prove it can run safely with another dog. A judge watches for clean chasing, lure focus, and no interference. Once certified, your dog can compete in Open Stakes.

Senior Courser (SC) - Now eligible to compete, your dog earns the SC title after four qualifying runs at licensed trials under at least three different judges, always running with another hound.

Master Courser (MC) - For true veterans of the field, the MC title is earned after SC plus 25 more qualifying runs in Open, Veteran, or Specials Stakes - always with competition.

Field Champion (FC) - The prestigious FC title requires 15 points from trial wins, including two major wins under different judges, with at least one earned running against the same breed. A major is a first-place win that awards a specific number of points based on the number of hounds of that breed competing.

Lure Courser Excellent (LCX) - Dogs that are already Field Champions can earn LCX titles by accruing 45 more points in Specials or Veterans Stakes. Each time they earn another 45pts, they level up: LCX II, LCX III, and so on!

✨ Want to learn more about lure coursing, and other events like CAT and FastCAT? ✨

https://www.akc.org/sports/coursing