
2021: Looking Back, Looking Forward
As 2021 draws to an end, it seemed like the perfect time to reflect on the year in Inspawration, for pet photography and pet photography education, things I’ve learnt, things I’ve discovered, and where the road will be taking us moving forward. It seems impossible that 12 months have passed. I guess I say this every year, but it seems like only a few weeks

Creating Perfect Autumn Pet Photos
You might have noticed your Instagram feed suddenly flooded with autumn dog, cat and horse photos. After all, there’s no better time than now, with abundance of colour that the onset of autumn in the Northern hemisphere has brought about, as the leaves shift from sunny, bright greens and yellows to deep, rich reds and firey oranges. It’s one of my favourite seasons to take

The October Challenge Pt. 2 – Candid Moments & Special Props
How are you guys doing? Did you enjoy part 1 of The October Photography Challenge? If you missed it, or you are new here (hello!) every month here on the blog and on my Instagram, I aim to host a pet photography challenge. The purpose is to help us all get outside our comfort zone and try something new! But this month I decided to

The October Challenge – Capturing Detail & Opening Out
It’s officially fall, which means it’s now time for…(drumroll please) The October Photography Challenge! Every month here on the blog and on Instagram, I host a pet photography challenge. Sometimes it will be about finding new creative expressions, sometimes it’s tackling your editing skills & sometimes we hone in on an exciting technique. And other times it’s just a cute theme… 🙂 But this month

What Lens Is Best for Pet Photography?
Equipment is a super hot topic in the photography space, and for good reason. Sometimes, it’s the one thing that can be the difference between achieving the exact shot in your mind’s eye and ending up with a…well…pretty rubbish photo. But while the discussion can often centre so much around which camera to buy, I always encourage my students to invest their time, energy &

Using Natural Lighting in Pet Photography
In pet photography, having an understanding and control over lighting is everything. It’s the foundation for the entire mood, feel and texture of your shot. It weaves the story you’re trying to tell and allows us to capture that magical essence we love about our animal companions. And while, of course, we can use our editing know-how to manually enhance this or draw out certain

My Photography Journey
When I was 18 I got my first dog, Mallei. I was obsessed…and that obsession spilled over into taking photos. Now, as a professional dog photographer, I know that was the starting point that launched my new career path journey & lifestyle (and my online pet photography school!). But back then, of course, I had one of those little 8 MP cameras, everything was on

August Editing Challenge & July Results!
Pet photography is all about taking beautiful pictures which show the personality of our subject, tell a story, or capture a perfect moment in time. By thinking about how you’re using light, expression, editing and more when creating your pet photos, the images will be more impactful and cohesive – that’s what the July challenge was all about! Click here to jump straight to the

A Pet Photography Kit List – What’s in My Bag?
Don’t you just love a ‘what’s in my camera bag?’… or is it just me getting sucked into a very specific YouTube hole? Anyway – I’m always obsessed with knowing what essential items & quirky personality pieces people carry with them. But it’s also super helpful to know what to take with you when you are heading out on a new adventure! Whether it’s a

Top Tips for Buying Secondhand Camera Equipment
It’s no secret that camera equipment can be pricey! Which is why many of my students often ask about secondhand camera equipment. With a lower price tag, it’s a much more accessible way to level up your photography skills and creative ability. But are you wondering if you should buy a secondhand camera? Do you want to know how to evaluate them properly? Or are

Inspawration Photography School: A Day in the Life of a Pet Photographer
Pet photographers – what do they actually do? What does a day in the life of a pet photographer actually look like? Running a pet photography business might be something you have always dreamed of…but what does it actually involve day to day? It’s a question I often get asked when I meet new people for the first time and tell them what I do,

Perfect Personality: July Photography Challenge!
Our job as photographers is not only about capturing beautiful images of pets that captivate our audience, but about telling a story, or showing our audience something about the dog, cat, horse or snake. I see so many photos of dogs sitting nicely, looking at the camera but I always feel like I want to know more about them. This challenge aims to push you to