I know it is difficult for people to accept change. If they see it is for their best interest and bottom line they will be on board quickly.

About ten years ago I did my first Specialty. It was with Cavaliers and they were not as into the shots with the judge images. Coming from commercial photography, I had a different approach to the process. I charged each person for shooting their dog/dogs. Those that waited to the end and wanted a judge in the shot, I just grouped that in with the sitting/creation/shooting fee. No one questioned the process. I also had some other ideas that I tried.
I shot a Boston specialty and it went over like a lead balloon. Possibly too early for digital change or my shooting!!!

I see two major obstacles. Advertising seem to all look alike when they are the standard show with the judge shots and all the stuff the show has around.
I personally dislike the look and thought that if a few people would advertise with a different look, the trend would catch on. The photographer could take a nice portrait of the judge. A nice type of signage for the show location,date, etc could be included and the dog could be photographed to the best of its presentation. For instance a Pom on the table with four big people does not give the dog the best presentation- right?

The second problem is companies like Booth who hire many photographers and their shots are ring to ring shots. I totally understand the need for those win pictures, I have purchased them myself. But if the customers are offered an image that they would hang on the wall and not just in a scrapbook, would that not make our business better off?


I have been into the horse shows longer than dog shows. In the marketing of my breed over the last thirty years, I have seen amazing changes in the photography for advertising. If I am shopping for a stallion (stud dog) I want to see the animal. You can list all the wins and put that in wonderful layout but show me the dog (horse). I think you get it.

As long as we are brainstorming right now, what if there was a show, with Tony, Julie and Jim in a vendor space with their set ups. The owner or handler could pick one or more of the photographers to photograph the dog during the show.
(Would it not be wonderful to have constant business rather than all at the end)

Or what if we went to a show and only one photographer will shoot a couple of win shots and you walk away from the show with a CD that you paid for before you had your dog photographed.

Or you could go to the show, have the dog photographed, view images on a screen and order what you want then and there. CD provided with images purchased.