From Puppy Class to Distinguished Model: Amélie's Dog Photography Session in Wimbledon Common
Some dogs are beautiful. Some are hilarious. Some are naturals in front of the camera. And then, every now and then, you meet a dog who is all three. Amélie, a blue dapple mini dachshund with hilarious ears and a personality that sparkles through the lens, brought all of that and more to her photography session on Wimbledon Common.
With her sleek blue dapple coat and those showstopping eyes, Amélie has a way of stealing your attention without even trying. Her ears seem to have their own agenda, sometimes flying out sideways like a pair of wings, sometimes folding down into a look of serious concentration. She's tiny, confident, and full of character. But more than that, she's deeply connected to her humans in a way that's almost palpable.
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A Long-Awaited Dachshund
Amélie lives with Tal and Dasha, and to understand how much she means to them, you need to know a little about their story. Dasha grew up with dachshunds. She had four as a child and shared a deep bond with each of them. But for the last ten years, she hadn't had a dog of her own - not because she didn't want one, but because life just got in the way.
Then came Amélie. A gift, a decision, a leap - and suddenly, there was this little pup filling their home with laughter, routine, cuddles, and the joyful kind of chaos only a dachshund can deliver. She may be small, but she made a big impact.
From the very beginning, Amélie bonded with both of her humans. She loves to explore, to learn, and to stay close. There's no mistaking how loved she is - and how much she gives back in return.
The Session at Wimbledon Common
When Tal and Dasha booked a session to capture Amélie while she was still a young pup, we were all expecting her energy to be high and her expression to be hilarious. That was all good with them, they simply wanted to celebrate her. To create images that showed the way she sees the world - curious, bold, totally herself - and the way she fits into their lives so seamlessly.
Wimbledon Common gave us the perfect backdrop. With its ancient trees, soft golden light, and earthy trails, it felt like stepping into one of Amélie's adventures. And, as it turns out, she was more than ready for her starring role.
I'd first met Amélie at a puppy class, where I had to refrain from laughing out loud as to not disrupt the class, as I watched her with her tongue-lolling expressions and endless energy. So I showed up to her session expecting the same kind of chaos - but Amélie had clearly come with a purpose. She posed like a pro. She struck statuesque stands between twisted tree trunks and confidently placed paws where asked. She gave me soft glances, curious tilts of the head, and the kind of patience that's rare in young pups.
And through it all, Tal and Dasha watched her with so much pride.
A Moment of Connection
One of my favourite parts of any photography experience is showing clients the images afterwards. I love watching people’s expressions quietly, and hearing their comments on which images are their favourites and why.
For Tal, he picked out a particular photo and confidently declared it was his favourite. It was a shot of Amélie lying on a log, looking off to the side. What he hadn't realised was that in that photo, she was gazing straight into his eyes. I often find that clients, unbeknownst to them at the time, choose photographs where their dog is staring at them. I find the psychology of viewing sessions as interesting as dog behaviour and the photography itself.
Those are the moments that mean so much to me - the moments where people connect with that feeling of lovingly exchanging looks with their dog, and watching as they realise that in real time, as they see them frozen in a frame.
Photographing the World Through Their Eyes
Photographing dogs is never just about what they look like. It's about capturing how they see. How they connect. How they move through the world.
Amélie sees the world with wonder. She sniffs the ground, tests her paws on different textures, and looks up at her people with trust and affection. And when you get low enough to shoot from her level, you start to see things her way - from the softness of the moss to the wideness of the trail to the gentle watchfulness in her eyes.
That's what I try to reflect in every image. Not just "cute dog in pretty light", but who they are. And Amélie made that part so easy.
Why Puppy Sessions Matter
It's easy to think, "We'll do photos later." But puppies change so quickly. One day, they're clumsy and carefree. The next, they're striding out with confidence. Capturing who they are right now is a way of bottling up that fleeting chapter before it shifts again.
Tal and Dasha knew that. They wanted to capture Amélie as she was in that moment. Tiny. Adventurous. Loving. Occasionally absurd.
And because of that, their gallery isn't just a collection of nice images. It's a reflection of a season in their lives - one filled with exploring and adventure, endless cuddles, tiny pawprints, and one very beloved dachshund.
My Final Thoughts
This session reminded me of why I do what I do. Watching two people completely smitten with their dog, sharing in her joy and delight, and walking away with moments they didn't even realise they'd had - that's the heart of it.
Amélie may be small, but the space she takes up in Tal and Dasha's world is huge. And now, they have images that show exactly why.
“We had such a wonderful experience working with Amie! Not only is she incredibly talented at capturing stunning photos of dogs, but she also genuinely understands them. Her calm, caring presence made the whole session feel completely stress-free — for both our dachshund puppy and us. It was clear from the start that she deeply cares about animals, and that connection shines through in every photo.
Amie was great at guiding us through the process in a way that felt natural and easy. We absolutely loved working with her and are so grateful for the beautiful memories she captured. Highly recommend!”
- Dasha, from her 5* Google Review
