Sarah Bellwald on Capturing the Heart of Pet Photography

My award-winning photo was taken during a fall session with a client. The dog, Kimani, was very relaxed, and the autumn morning in the forest was incredibly peaceful. I aimed to capture both the dog’s personality and the mood of the forest in one image. For me, the result radiates calm and serenity.

I choose images that evoke emotions or tell a strong story. I often trust my gut feeling—if a photo stays on my mind for a long time, it has potential for a competition.

I wanted to capture memories so I could revisit those beautiful moments later through photos. We had young kittens at home, and since they grew so quickly and were absolutely adorable, I wanted to document every stage of their development. Photography has always been deeply tied to emotions for me.

Dog photography—without a doubt! My heart beats for capturing dogs and their humans in nature. As a dog owner, I spend a lot of time outdoors, and nature means a lot to me. Dogs also love being outside, where they show their true character.

Some are full of energy, others relaxed, some curious, independent, or deeply connected to their human companions. Some love to play or run through the snow—there are so many different personalities. I find the beauty of dogs fascinating: no two are alike, and each deserves to be photographed with their unique character and traits.

Dogs are humans’ best friends and loyal companions. I love capturing the bond between a dog and its owner, creating moments that last forever.

I prefer working with a 70-200mm zoom lens or a fast prime lens. My camera settings vary depending on lighting conditions, but a fast shutter speed is essential to capture a dog’s movement sharply. My favorite feature is animal eye autofocus, which helps me keep focus even when the dog is moving quickly.

I want people to see their dog exactly as they are. The dog’s soul and personality should be tangible in the image. A great dog photo evokes emotions—it can be beautiful, adorable, funny, or majestic.

The challenge was waiting patiently for the dog to rest her head on the tree trunk. At first, she was a bit restless, so it was important to stay calm, take my time, and press the shutter at just the right moment.

Myself—driven by a constant desire to improve, learn new things, and evolve. When I look back at how I photographed in the beginning compared to today, I see tremendous progress. I have continuously educated myself, learned from other photographers, and find exchanges with like-minded people extremely valuable.

Photographing with other talented photographers is always motivating, as we share tips and support each other.

Submit the images that mean the most to you. Pay attention to technical execution, but also ensure the emotions come through strongly. Stay true to yourself.

Take as many pictures as possible. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Practice makes perfect, and patience is key, especially in animal photography. Don’t get discouraged if your first 100 images don’t turn out as expected. Keep practicing, connect with like-minded people, support each other, and invest in learning.

Editing can’t turn a poorly taken photo into an amazing one, but it can enhance a well-photographed image, intensifying its impact and optimizing colors, contrast, and details. When photographing dogs, I often retouch small elements from their fur—like tiny twigs or leaves that got stuck while they were playing.

Artificial intelligence helps me streamline certain workflows and save time. However, I’m not worried that AI will replace my work. My photography is about the bond between humans and their dogs—about emotions—and AI cannot replace those emotional moments. I see AI as a tool that offers new creative possibilities.

I photograph dogs and their humans in the most beautiful landscapes around the world.