Dahlie Dog Studios

11/14/2025

It is a BEAUTIFUL day for some coursing out at Picture Rocks Park in Tucson, Arizona! The Basenji Club of America National Specialty will be running a variety of levels throughout the day, and I'll be there to capture all the action. Good luck to everyone running their hounds today! 🐇💨✨

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

11/13/2025

It's the final day of conformation at the Basenji Club of America National Specialty 2025! What a phenomenal week it has been, and an honor to be ringside for such an amazing display of basenjis! 📸

The quality of every entry has been an absolute pleasure to watch in the ring. Check out some of the awards on offer from the last few days: best of luck to anyone entered for Best of Breed today! 🎉

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

11/10/2025

Celebrating the Basenji Club of America National Specialty! 🎉

Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1944, the Basenji is a small, short-haired hunting dog from Africa known for its elegance, intelligence, and unmistakable charm. 🌍

Short-backed and lightly built, the Basenji appears high on the leg for its length, with a wrinkled head proudly carried on an arched neck and a high-set, tightly curled tail. This breed moves with smooth, effortless agility, often compared to a trotting racehorse. 🏇

The Basenji is a hunter of both sight and scent, combining speed and sharp awareness with a unique quiet confidence. While the breed is known for it's lack of bark, it’s far from silent; they are definitely known for their distinctive vocalizations and expressive nature! 📢

Coming to Tucson AZ to see the events? Check out the official BCOA website for all the details and schedules of the week:
📅 https://nationalspecialty.basenji.org

Looking for photos from the events? Dahlie Dog Studios will have you covered ringside and out in the field, with candids from the events available via the link below!
📷 https://photos.dahliedogstudios.com/gallery/27887704

11/10/2025

Today's the day! I can't wait to see so many incredible basenjis in one place - it's going to be an amazing week! 🥰

Welcome to the Sonoran Desert and the Basenji Club of America’s National Specialty Show week! Our National host, the Copper State Basenji Club, looks forward to celebrating all things Basenji with you this week!

The week kicks off with our talented Basenjis in Rally and Obedience at 11 a.m. This is followed in the afternoon by the Valley Fever presentation at 1:30 p.m., then the first of the two Thyroid Testing and DNA Collection clinics at 3:30 p.m. (don’t forget your completed forms), and the day wraps up with the welcome party at 6 p.m. All events today, EXCEPT for Rally and Obedience, will be located at the Event Center; Rally and Obedience are happening on the Main Field. As always, check the National website, for the complete schedule details: https://nationalspecialty.basenji.org/schedule/.

Set-up on the Main Field may begin at 8 a.m.

Also, if anyone is interested in signing up for lure coursing on Friday, our National Specialty Show Chair, Theresa Tuttle, will have forms available.

10/26/2025

💚 Meet Domino!

When her owner had reached out about a personalized photography session, she told me that she didn’t have any professional photos with her best friend.

Sage knew that she needed to work with someone who understood how to keep things relaxed, friendly, and most importantly safe for everyone involved - that's because Domino is a strongly reactive dog.

As both a handler and a photographer, I know that every dog has their own comfort zone; my job is to meet them there, and help them feel comfortable in front of my camera.

Every dog can be a model, and every bond deserves to be cherished . I am honored to share that with a little patience, teamwork, and a whole lot understanding, we captured these beautiful portraits of Sage and Domino together.

No matter what the circumstances, I am confident that we can always find a way to create beautiful photos that honor the story between you and your best friend.

To Sage, thank you so much for trusting me with this special session, and it was such a pleasure to hang out with you both.

10/07/2025

Anywhere, any time, this little dog loves to model. We captured Poesi in New Mexico’s desert glow, lit by the warm hues of sunset across the rocky landscape. Golden hour is a special time for any photographer, and I would love to do more sessions like this! ☀️

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! 🐇💨