Photos are a great way to remember the special moment and loved ones, so why wouldn’t you include your four-legged best friend in these captured pieces of time?
“More and more people really see their dog as a family member and have a very close bond with them,” explains pet photographer Peter Hollmann. “So I think it’s only natural that people want to have lasting memories of their pets.”
Moving from Sydney to Canberra five months ago, photographer Peter and his wife Luise wasted no time in setting up Peter Hollmann’s Pet Photography – a premiere photographer studio that specialises in taking photos of man’s best friend.
Peter’s creative roots started from his family, but after spending ten years in the IT industry he opted for a career change to his lifelong passion of photography. After practising and endless hours of watching tutorials, Peter was led to pet photography thanks to his Golden Retriever Daisy and his Whippet Dash.
“She is extremely cute and funny and I just love taking photos of her,” Peter says of Daisy. “It started off with just taking pictures of her at home, at the dog park and on holidays. It is such a joy to watch my dogs have a great time and to capture that moment with my camera… Dash and Daisy also know how to pose for the camera and are always with me when I’m out exploring new locations for my photo shoots.”
After a mentoring session with one of Australia’s best pet photographers, Peter started his business and never looked back. Now, after relocating from Sydney, Peter sees a unique opportunity – especially after Canberra was voted the most dog-friendly city in Australia in 2015.
“Canberra is such an animal loving city…Coupled with all the beautiful parks and reserves it just makes for a pet photographer’s paradise!” says Peter. Sparking this idea, Peter has put together a special Canberra based dog photobook to showcase the beauty of Canberra and the pampered pooches living here.
“Most dogs love nothing more than to be outside and explore new places with their owners and I am hoping to capture this beautiful bond in my book,” says Peter. “I’ve researched a variety of parks and reserves across Canberra which make for beautiful imagery and I can help clients choose a location that best captures their dog’s personality”.
With so many beautiful places to shoot, and wonderful dogs to snap photos of, has there been any particular pooches that have been the star of the camera?
“I’ve met some awesome dogs but my favourite so far would have to be Ms Patsy Stone, a Tri-Colour Border Collie,” says Peter. “Patsy had her photo shoot recently and she was a real dream to work with; So much focus and drive! She really made me laugh with her passion for her tennis ball which lead to some fantastic shots.”
If you would love to have your best friend photographed like Ms Patsy Stone, you’ll have to be faster than a Greyhound! While the photo book project has had an amazing response – with all 50 designated places being filled in the first three days – Peter currently has a waiting list of dogs to take photos of if spots open up during shooting over the next four months.
Registering your interest through Peter Hollmann’s website is a great way to get involved in the photo book, but if you are looking for a personal photo session than Peter has you covered as well with his specialised outdoor, on-location and natural light photography sessions.
If you’d like to know more, check out Peter’s website or contact him at peter@peterhollman.com to snap up a session today!
Feature image of Buddy the Japanese Spitz by Peter Hollmann
Courtney Hope | Author 