We’re big dog lovers here at Cool As Leicester and we’ve got a treat in store for one lucky follower as you can win a photo session for your pooch with award-winning Leicestershire dog photographer, Nigel Ord-Smith worth over £450.
If you follow us on social media you’ve probably spotted our little rascal, Frank. My beloved Jack Russell, work from home companion and general all round best boy. We took him along to Nigel Ord-Smith’s countryside photo studio for a session and had a great time. Having followed Nigel on social media his photographs really speak for themselves with breeds large and small captured beautifully in both indoor and outdoor settings. His work was also recently highlighted by winning Pet Portrait Photographer of the Year and also Portrait Photographer of the Year, and Photographer of the Year at the British Institute of Professional Photography Midland Region awards, for this incredible photo of Conker the Chow Chow.
Dogs are such wonderful beings in our lives and being able to capture their unique traits through photography is something to be treasured. Now, if you’re thinking you’re not sure whether your dog would take to being photographed, you might well be surprised. We booked Frank in for a session as part of Nigel’s charity Dogathon where he pledged to photograph 100 different dogs and give the proceeds to charity. Frank is wonderful, but impeccably well behaved he is not. Don’t get me wrong, he’ll sit when he wants a treat and he knows how to be a good boy, but following commands from a stranger holding a camera – this was always going to be tricky.
From the moment you arrive at Nigel’s studio in Marston Trussell both you as the owner and the dog are put immediately at ease. Greeted by Nigel’s own dog, Molly, at the door, the barn studio is set in beautiful grounds with various photo backdrop options available. Treats, squeaky toys, whistles and every attention grabbing item are all on hand to make sure every different dog can be catered for. Starting off inside you’ll do a range of different shots before heading outside to the fields. If your dog isn’t great off the lead that’s no problem either as these are things than can be edited out following the session.
If you have more than one dog in your life you can also book in for a double or group session with the furry friends all photographed together. Now, we do have 2 other Jack Russells who were waiting in the car whilst Frank had his moment in the spotlight and even the troublesome terriers didn’t put Nigel off offering to do a group photo. I think we’ll save that terrier hurricane until next time though! Here’s a group who were much more well behaved…
Once outside the studio you’ll be throwing balls, jumping on hay bales and having a great time with your pooch as Nigel puts you at ease to enjoy the session as he captures the images. The variety of backdrops of course mean that you have a wonderful selection of images to choose from after the session. You’ll book back in for a return visit (with or without doggo) and choose your favourite portraits to have framed and to treasure.
If you’re a dog lover just take a look through Nigel’s Facebook page or online image gallery to really see the wonderful breadth of his work. You can find out more about the sessions and the studio by visiting the website and keep an eye on Facebook for the latest news and offers.
The studio is based in Marston Trussell, just past Market Harborough.
“Whoever said diamonds are a girls best friend never owned a dog”
WIN WIN WIN
We have teamed up with Nigel Ord-Smith Photography to offer one Cool As reader the opportunity to have their best furry friend photographed in the studio. Following the session you’ll receive your favourite print in a 16 inch wall frame, with a combined value over £450. We also have some runner up prizes of a photo session and a desk frame worth over £100.
To enter all you need to do is head to our COMPETITION ENTRY PAGE.
Entries will close at 5pm on Friday 16 August. By entering you consent to be contacted by Nigel Ord-Smith Photography if you are selected as the winner of the prize.