"PET PHOTOGRAPHY AND PHOTOSHOP: THE DREAM TEAM"

Join Belinda Richards as she takes you through her creative process from conception to finished masterpiece.

We will start by learning about Belinda’s creative thought process and how it has developed over the years. Discussing from initial idea to full realization you will be taken through the creative journey and how it is the dogs themselves that inspire and provoke the art.

Moving on to the studio Belinda will show you how she captures and lights her subjects and show you the tricks she uses to capture the expressions that form the basis of her composites. We will also be shooting the supporting elements of the image demonstrating the lighting techniques she uses to ensure a consistent result.

Finally we will sit down while Belinda teaches you how she composites her subject and the elements together using a bit of Photoshop magic to create the final vision. She will share her favorite Photoshop tips and tricks and editing practices.

This will be a hands on Masterclass with all files shot provided to students so they can complete the final piece. As students will not finish during class time images can be submitted to Belinda for critique after the class through a private Facebook group.

What you will learn:

• Best practices when photographing pets
• How to shoot for composites
• Lighting in studio for composites
• Composition
• Belinda’s go to Photoshop tricks
• Masking fur!
• Removing objects from their backgrounds
• Creating/shooting your own Backgrounds
• Adding Lighting & Shadows
• Dodging and Burning
• Advanced Editing techniques
• Blending techniques

Named as the Pet/Animal photographer of the year by the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers in August 2019, Belinda Richards has quickly proved that pet photography is more than just photos of cute dogs. As the founder and Creative Director of Frog Dog Studios Belinda has quickly become known for capturing animals unique expressions, poses and personality. Her sense of humor, subtle social conscious and mastery of Photoshop is seen throughout her digital composite works which aim to make simple statements on modern society through the personification of animals. 

Belinda started her photographic journey in 2010 at the age of 30 by heading back to school. Completing her Diploma of Photo Imaging (Photographic Imaging College) and then her Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) (with Distinctions Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) 5 years later. Upon completion, like a significant percentage of art students, she went and got a "real job". 

The majority of Belinda's working life has been with animals. Starting an awarding winning pet grooming business straight out of home was just the start. Throughout her studies and upon completion Belinda worked in animal welfare for various local councils and organizations. 

The decision to begin Frog Dog Studios in mid 2016 came out of love for animals, a passion to create art and fatigue of the animal welfare industry. February 2017 saw the doors of Frog Dog Studios open in Yarraville Victoria. By July she had quit her "real job" to work in her dream business full time. A logical step for a business owner who has spent her entire working life with animals and studying fine art photography. 

Since then Belinda has continued to develop her photographic skills winning numerous awards across multiple international competitions including the 2019 AIPP Australian Pet/Animal Photographer of the Year ,2019 Epson Al PP Victorian Pet/Animal Photographer of the Year and most unexpectedly the Nikon NZIPP International Photographer of the Year. 

Belinda's love of the craft see's her handing every step of the creative process from capture to print ensuring each step is executed expertly to perfection. This coupled with her history of working with animals sees her intuitively capture her subjects like no other, creating fine art portraits that communicate, connect and emote. 

Belinda currently lives in Yarraville, Victoria and continues to run Frog Dog Studios with her husband, two rescue dogs and rescue cat.