Richmond Pet Photography: Underwater Dogs at Paws to Swim
I met Brady last summer at Paws to Swim, a canine swim facility in Rockville, a small town just North of Richmond, Virginia. With 1 outdoor and 3 heated indoor pools we had plenty of options for our underwater shoot.
As this golden boy likes to dock dive, we chose to use their outdoor 40’ competition-length dock diving pool to capture some jumping action along with expressive underwater images.
And just like the Tom he was named after,
this Brady showed up and delivered!
A typical Golden, Brady is a natural swimmer and tennis ball obsessed. He had no hesitation at all to stick his face underwater to chase after it. (In fact, I find that most dogs, regardless of breed, are more than willing to search for their favorite toy or follow a tasty treat underwater.)
Some dogs hold their breath while others like to blow bubbles out of their nose. Brady is a confident eyes-wide-open breath-holder.
Click on any photo below to view the full image.
To keep spirits high and encourage the behavior we want, I always reward your pup during our session. Treats always seem to do the trick if their toy wont so it’s a good idea to come a little hungry. Brady was rewarded with his favorite thing; multiple games of fetch with the tennis ball.
I love that underwater photos provide a unique perspective on a rarely-seen side of your pup’s personality. I also really enjoy the look on the parent’s face and hearing “I had NO idea she would do that!”
Creating these images is more involved than just sticking an iPhone 10 under the water and snapping away. Aside from the necessary lighting, extra gear, and dog behavior knowledge, the safety and comfort of your pup is paramount.
I will not force a dog’s face under the water; instead I use a handful of tricks and rewards to make a game out of it and encourage your dog’s cooperation. I take my time, bring along my wonderful assistant (aka husband, dogs LOVE him), and take lots of breaks if needed. While dogs and other animals naturally know how to hold their breath, you can breathe a bit easier knowing I’m Pet CPR and First Aid Certified.
Paws to Swim Canine Pools has two Richmond locations; Rockville and Patterson Avenue in Henrico.
Outdoor sessions are seasonal (pool opens in April) and fill up fast! Luckily, both locations offer year round indoor options and I’m currently booking private underwater dog photoshoots at both locations. If you’d like to learn more or book a session for your pup, click here!
Stay tuned for the next blog post featuring underwater dog adventures at the Patterson location.
Follow me on Instagram & Facebook for more #underwaterdogs
@kristenmurrayphotography
