In June 2013, I had the amazing opportunity to meet up with a group of fellow pet photographers while on a working holiday in the States. Part 1 of the experience can be found here.

The next day, we said goodbye to Sara Riddle and Sarah Beth then headed out to do some more shooting with Merrick. We’d spotted a field of daisies down the road so made a beeline for there. Merrick was in fine form and with a quick impromptu training session from his mum…

Was soon holding handful of daisies in his mouth for us, like it was no big thing! It’s really great to see such a fantastic doggy-human relationship in action.

We couldn’t get over what a good model Merrick was and how patient he was with all of us wanting his attention. I wish he’d have a few quiet words with my Luna. I think he was mesmerised by Kaylee’s fire engine red locks here!

And here!

We played around shooting with some backlight and discussing backlighting techniques. Gotta love a bit of natural sun flare.

And as always, Merrick was happy to fetch the ball over and over, and over and OVER for us as we played around with shooting some action.

Right on sunset, we headed back to the edge of the golf course and messed around with some more backlighting.

And silhouettes of course.

Kaylee and Sarah M were both kind enough to send through a bunch of candid shots they took took at the get together, thanks for letting me share them girls! I love this one of me shooting Illona’s superstar scruffy Merrick.

And the day before, photographing Finn.

An alternate view of us all lined up shooting some action. I always tell my mentoring students – get down low! Here’s at least 5 pros here illustrating the point.

I’m not quite sure what was going on here! Sara Riddle, Sarah McGraw (looking a bit devastated), myself and Holly.

I love this one of us trekking through the ferns in the forest. It really was such a pretty place to shoot

Canon shooters in action, those white lenses are unmistakable – Holly, Illona and Sarah M.

In the midst of a deep and meaningful discussion quite obviously – Sara, Holly and Sarah M.

From the previous day’s shooting with Roxie – Sarah Beth having the honour of holding Roxie until we were ready for her to race down the road so we could capture some action shots.

Kaylee and Finn having a smooch session in between shots.

And what get-together of animal lovers would be complete without a group horse ride to take in some of the local scenery? Kaylee of course took along her SLR camera while we made do with camera phones, so I’ve included some of her shots as well as the one below from Sarah. Lucky the horses were quiet!

I found the western saddles a bit different, I usually ride in english (dressage or all-purpose) or Australian stock saddles. The big horn on the front was a bit weird!