Thursday 12 April 2012

DOGS - A gorgeous German Magazine

DOGS is a beautiful magazine produced by a small dedicated team of people in Hamburg, Germany. In my opinion DOGS is one of, if not THE best Dog Magazine in the world!!! I just wish it was also published in English, as my German is worse than my French, therefore pretty much non existent!


Last year while I was working in Provence I was visited and interviewed by the editor of DOGS magazine Germany, Thomas Niederste-Werbeck. A wonderful feature on my work as a photographer was not the only outcome of this visit, I now have a great friendship and working relationship with Thomas and the team at DOGS. Over the past 6 months I have visited Germany to create a number of cover images for the Magazine as well as a couple of feature articles......


This image was chosen from my collection of images, an image I have always loved but it has never been used, it was great to see it used on the cover of the 5th Anniversary issue.


Lotte, a gorgeous Kelpie Cross from just outside Dusseldorf.
The first of the 'readers' dogs I photographed for a cover.




Lulu, a fun loving Boston Terrier from Hamburg


Indira & Charlie, two beautiful cuddly and affectionate Newfoundlands from another little village near Dusseldorf.



Charlie reminded me so much of my old boy Henry, who was the love of my life for 7 and a half years.

I also photographed an article on 'Small Dogs' which was a lot of fun; Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Boston Terriers, Papillons, Coton du Tulears, a Miniature Poodle and a Miniature Pinscher....some of the dogs were photographed in France and the others were photographed in Germany.


Lulu & Georgina, Boston Terriers from Germany


Alice, a Chihuahua from France


Chipie, a Miniature Pinscher from France


Lulu & Georgina at play

In late December 2011, Andy and I flew to Orlando, Florida to photograph the Eukanuba World Challenge Dog Show. This is a unique show where winning Dogs from Countries Worldwide meet to compete for the ultimate position of Champion World Dog. It was a challenging but fun project to shoot, very different to what I have photographed before, but DOGS were pleased, so I was happy :)


The Overall Winner 'Reckon' an Australian Shepherd from the USA


The stunning Afghan 'Colin' from Germany


'Suni' a beautiful Saluki representing Switzerland


A Dobermann from Argentina struts his stuff


A last minute groom for 'Reckon'


Opening Ceremony


A final groom before entering the ring


The handsome Staffordshire Bull Terrier representing New Zealand


'Colin' strides around the ring

I'm loving working with the team at DOGS, and look forward to sharing more images created for the magazine with you in the future.










So proud!!

I'm really proud of the blog which was posted by Amy Azzarito (thank you Amy) on designsponge.com
I just want to thank everyone who has supported me and for all the lovely comments that are arriving on the blog, I hope you enjoy the books?

Merci Beaucoup x

http://www.designsponge.com/2012/04/the-french-dog-the-french-cat.html

Thursday 5 April 2012

An update on my latest book projects!

There are no excuses for the lack of Blogging other than it really has been an incredibly busy past 6 months! 




My latest Book 'The French Cat' was released Worldwide in October, I am humbled at how well the book has been received and would like to offer a HUGE thank you to all you wonderful people out there that have posted such kind feedback on Facebook and to me personally. It was such a fantastic project to create, a much more personal journey than any of my previous books and it is very exciting to see it finally in print.


'The French Dog' a companion Book to 'The French Cat' has now also been completed and will be released in certain territories in May this year but some of you will have to wait until an October release! Like the Cat Book, I have traveled France and befriended many adorable canines, but unlike the tranquility and sereneness of the Cat Book, the Dog Book is a lot more Boisterous and full of life; a bit like our furry canine companions! If you liked 'The French Cat' you won't be disappointed with 'The French Dog'.



Aslan strides along the banks of the Loire


Duke and Elvis pose outside a door at Château de Beauregard


Simba at play in front of the Louvre


Andy takes Kizzie for a stroll through our little village


Flash strikes a pose at the fountain on Place de la Concorde


Napoleon and Mistral wait patiently while their owners visits the local Boulangerie


Bailey retrieves her ball on the Champs de Mars


Tchipie waits to greet guests at Château de Varenne

Along with working on the French Dog images over the past few months I have also been completing the imagery for 'Lunch in Provence' which is due for release worldwide in October, though some territories may get it a bit earlier, so kept a look out. 'Lunch in Provence' is a Lifestyle book that gives the viewer a taste of Life in Provence and the flavours that can be experienced when visiting this exquisite part of France. I am thrilled with the final design of this book and can't wait to see it printed and on the shelves. It has been a wonderful and exciting new subject for me to capture; it was quite daunting to start with but by the time I finished I was a lot more comfortable with approaching people in the streets of Provence and asking if they minded me taking their photograph...... working with people is definitely more nerve racking than working with animals, but I loved every minute of creating the images for 'Lunch in Provence' and I really hope the book is well received, especially due to the labour of love involved to create it.


Villefranche sur Mer


Lunch with Friends, Aix en Provence


A traveling couple of New Zealand enjoy a picnic with a view


Dinner at Château des Alpilles, St Remy de Provence


Café la Place, Eygalieré


Looking across the vines up to Les Baux de Provence


Jean-André Charial, the wonderfully talented Chef behind the exquisite dishes I photographed for 'Lunch in Provence' and owner of Maisons des Baumanière.

http://www.maisonsdebaumaniere.com/


Lunch at Oustau de Baumanierè, Les Baux de Provence

None of my Book projects would come about if it wasn't for the support and encouragement of my longtime publishers PQ Blackwell. Andy and I were lucky to be able to share some of our special time at Oustau de Baumanierè with Geoff Blackwell and Ruth Hobday, we all left with very satisfied taste buds and many happy memories of a wonderful couple of days.


A Work Lunch at Oustau de Baumanierè
Geoff Blackwell, Andy McKenna (my gorgeous Husband), Ruth Hobday and Me!


Followed by Dinner!!!


Charlize, Andy and my daughter, gives instructions to one of my 'French Dog' subjects when we took a stroll up to the village of Les Baux de Provence to walk off Lunch.


Charlize enjoying her own delicacies at Oustau!