Crufts, a Workshop and The Photography Show… Oh My
I’ve just wrapped up a very quick trip to Birmingham and when I say quick, I mean blink and you’d miss it. And when I say just wrapped up, I mean I got home a week ago but the jet lag kicked my butt so hard this time around I have basically been a bit useless since!
But anyway there was no sightseeing. No cute cafés. No wandering the streets to see what I could find.
Well… almost none.
I did finally get to tick something off the list and make it to Crufts. Even if it was brief, it was one of those moments where you stop and go, okay, this is pretty cool.
Then it was straight back into work mode.
This trip was all about teaching, connecting, and getting in front of a room full of photographers who love this industry as much as I do.
And honestly, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
The Workshop: Pixels, Poses, Paws and Profit
Before the chaos of the show, I hosted my Pixels, Poses, Paws and Profit workshop and it was such a good one.
The group was incredible. Every single person showed up enthusiastic, engaged, and genuinely keen to learn. That energy makes all the difference. When you have a room full of photographers who are not only focused on improving their own work but are also cheering each other on, it creates something really special.
It is always so great to see photographers lifting one another up and helping each other reach that next level.
We covered posing with intention, creating simple and repeatable lighting setups, and how to turn strong images into artwork that actually sells. But more than that, we worked on understanding the why behind it all and who our ideal clients are. That shift in thinking is where the real growth happens.
We were also lucky enough to work with three incredible models. Alfie the Lab, Toffee the Bengal cat, and Meekah the Alaskan Malamute. Each of them brought something completely different to the table and gave everyone the chance to adapt, think on their feet, and create something unique.
These smaller workshops will always be my favourite. You get to go deeper, answer real questions, and watch those lightbulb moments happen in real time.
The Photography and Video Show: Controlled Chaos in the Best Way
Then came The Photography and Video Show, which is always a whirlwind.
Live demos, stage presentations, cables everywhere, dogs on set, and people watching you work in real time. It is equal parts chaos and adrenaline.
I presented sessions on photographing dogs in the studio, editing an image from start to finish and breaking down my go to lighting setups and showing exactly how I approach a shoot. There is no hiding in this environment. People see the decisions, the adjustments, and the little pivots that happen along the way.
That is exactly why I love it.
Because the reality is, working with animals is never perfectly controlled. It is unpredictable, a little chaotic, and sometimes downright ridiculous. But when you understand your light, your posing, and your process, you can create something incredible anyway.
One of the highlights for me was also connecting with vendors and suppliers throughout the show. It is always great to put faces to names and strengthen those relationships in person. A big thank you to the kind folks at Aj’s who absolutely saved me after I left some of my gear in an Uber. They stepped in and lent me what I needed without hesitation, and I am very grateful.
What I Took Away From It
Every time I run a workshop or step onto a stage, I walk away just as inspired as the people in the room.
This trip was a good reminder that simple setups, done well, will always beat overcomplicated ones. Confidence comes from understanding your process, not guessing. And there is real power in being surrounded by people who genuinely care about improving and supporting one another.
Birmingham, you were short, busy, and a little chaotic, but incredibly rewarding.
Next stop…Shutterfest in 6 days!
