INTERVIEW WITH DOG PHOTOGRAPHER MEGAN WILLIAMS

How did you get into photography?

I have now been a photographer for over 6 years, and it all started with me taking photos of my working cocker spaniel, Woody. I spent all my time following him around with the camera, practicing his poses and action shots. Later, this became my profession and I have now photographed thousands of dogs and other animals, as I specialize in animal photography. I also now have a Cockapoo called Wilma, and since I live in the Cotswolds countryside, I spend most of my time outdoors with them, in the mud, and enjoying the views.

What camera is best?

You don't need fancy equipment; most of us always have a camera anyway when we have our phone in our pocket; you can capture great memories with it that you can look back on later. In addition, a phone is light and easy to carry when you go for a walk.

How do you get dogs to pose?

Dogs should enjoy it; if they are happy, so are you. They won't do anything for nothing, so I would always recommend bringing some treats or their favorite toy so you can reward them after they have posed for a photo. Then you can ask them to sit and hold the reward over their head so they look straight into the camera. My dogs quickly learned that they only have to sit where I tell them, and they can enjoy a tasty snack.

For most shots, I would recommend getting down to the dogs' eye level. This may mean sitting in the mud, but the pictures look so much better when taken from their height. At first, the dogs may be excited and not sit still because the owner is acting unusually and crouching down to them, but eventually they will listen to the "Stay" command, and you can walk a few steps away to take the perfect shot.

If they are a little fidgety and find it too exciting to be photographed, that's fine too; it's good that they are so happy. You can bring a friend to hold the leash from one side so they can't run away. Often, dogs will also stand still for a second longer if they are a little off the ground. Not too high so they don't jump down and get hurt, but on a fallen log or a bench, that can be a great prop for a photo and increases the chances of getting a shot before the dogs run off to play. But you can also just embrace action shots; some dogs prefer to run around like lightning, which can be just as entertaining in retrospect.

How do I take a good action shot of my dog?

The easiest way is to have the dog run straight towards you. You can simply command them to "Stay!" and then call them, or have a friend lead them on a leash so they can run to you from a distance. Sometimes it helps if they run next to you because they want a toy. You need a fast shutter speed and should take as many shots at once as possible. This means you will get a combination of different strides or a few with the dog's tongue hanging out, and among all these shots, the perfect picture should be. It might take a bit of practice until everything is perfect, but I'm sure the dog won't mind running around and having fun.

How do I best photograph my dog if it has black fur?

Especially with darker dogs, it can be difficult to photograph them in bright sunlight without losing all the details of their fur. The dog should always face the sun so that no shadow falls on its face and it is not half in sunlight and half in shadow. If you are still having problems on really bright days, find a large tree and stand in its shade. This means it is still bright day, but there are no bright areas on the dog, and you can see its eyes and face perfectly.

Which Muck Boots are your favorites?

I would say my favorite are the Arctic Sport II for women; there's nothing worse than having cold toes during a long walk, but that's guaranteed not to happen in these boots. They are not bulky or heavy but fit nicely around the calves and are the most comfortable boots I own! So when I'm out on photo shoots, walking through muddy fields and streams, it feels like I'm wearing my cozy slippers at home. I also have a pair of Arctic Weekend boots, which are similar but not quite as high-cut, if someone prefers that. What I also love about the boots is that no matter what socks I'm wearing, they don't slip down, which can be uncomfortable. When you work outdoors all day, the right clothing is so important. If the shoes are perfect, it means that photo shoots don't have to be interrupted.

Favorite places in the Cotswolds for dog walks?

Some of my favorite places to visit with the dogs are Westonbirt Arboretum, Cirencester Park, Lower Slaughter, Castle Combe, and many more. There are so many beautiful places where dogs are welcome. In summer, I would suggest the Cotswold Lavender Farm, where you can walk with the dogs in purple fields; at the beginning of the year, the Rococo Gardens in Painswick are recommended, which are then covered like a veil by snowdrops, also very suitable for dogs. Of course, every good hike must end with lunch at a pub or tea and cake at a café, which are plentiful here.