pet photography workshop – Unleashed | fine art pet photography workshops

2017 pet photography workshops

Published on January 29, 2017January 29, 2017 by unleashedLeave a comment

Our DOG SHOTS workshop, scheduled for Saturday February 25th is now open for registration. This is our most basic workshop with emphasis on using the manual settings on your camera for great pet portraits.

Most of the attendees at DOG SHOTS are animal rescue volunteers and pet lovers who really want to move in to professional quality portraits. The only requirement is that you use a camera that has manual settings, like DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. It’s a great way to learn to use light and all the tricks for getting the dog to pose and look at the camera.

We meet at the Teresa Berg Photography studio in Dallas and then go to the nearby park. This workshop uses only natural light and reflectors (so NOT a lot of expensive equipment) and live dog models. We discuss different backgrounds, light, composition and how to set up your shots. It’s a great way to figure out if you want to be a professional pet photographer!

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Interested? The one day workshop is $295 and includes lunch. We even have a nearby hotel with great rates for those of you who might come in from out of town. Call the studio at 972-250-2415 with your questions or to sign up. We only take 10 attendees so everyone gets plenty of time to work hands on with Teresa and her assistant.

JULY 14-16, 2017 5th Annual STUDIO SHOOTERS UNLEASHED

Ready for more lighting, more posing, adding people to your portraits, or just want to experiment with lots of different lighting equipment before you make some major purchases? Then the 2017 STUDIO SHOOTERS UNLEASHED is the one for you.

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As more and more pet photographers are jumping in to the business, your lighting can really set you apart. And if you live in a part of the country with long winters, how do you survive when it’s just too miserable to shoot outdoors? So you’ve decided to learn studio lighting… But which lighting system is the best for what you want to shoot? Join us as we explore them all! Spend 3 days in a full-time professional studio (kind of a rarity these days) and see how we do it. From studio strobes to continuous lights to speedlights to ring lights to every kind of light modifiers we can think of. Come play with all the toys before you decide which is right for you! Live dog (and a few people) models and other photographers to shoot with — what could be more fun? We only take a small group, so make plans early. This class is $995 and includes snacks and lunches. We have a great group rate at the nearby Marriott. Call us to sign up and ask questions.

Unleashed pet photography workshops — Harper and the PUParazzi at Unleashed

Studio Shooters 2016 was a hit!

Published on July 12, 2016 by unleashedLeave a comment

We just wrapped up our fourth annual Studio Shooters pet photography workshop and had a great group of photographers sharing ideas and learning. We covered so many different techniques that I know they left with their heads spinning — but hopefully we de-mystified some of the behind the scenes work that goes in to photographing dogs in the studio.

With a variety of backgrounds (thank you, Intuition Backgrounds for donating one of their awesome designs as a door prize) and lighting systems, each attendee can now choose the system that fits their needs. Whether it’s a portable set up that travels to client’s homes or studio strobes that live in a permanent creative space — they all got experience and can now choose which system they will focus on. And now, without fear — they are UNLEASHED to be even more creative with light.

Thanks to everyone for their willingness to look at things in a different way and share.

pit bull portraits teresa berg

Four seats left to our Studio Shooters Workshop: July 8-10

Published on May 31, 2016 by unleashedLeave a comment

Our annual Studio Shooters workshop is right around the corner and we’ve got a great group of photographers flying in from around the country to explore creating light. In this world of “everybody’s a photographer” it’s more important than every to differentiate yourself from the crowd. Studio lighting doesn’t just happen in a studio –it applies to many lighting situations and is what will set you apart from all the hobbyists in your area. And that’s the name of the game. Setting yourself apart. One of my favorite quotes is from Steve Martin (the comedian) who says, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.”

For me, that meant developing skills that other photographers in my area didn’t have. Interesting and creative ways of using light. I want someone to look at my images and 1) feel an emotional response, and 2) wonder “how did she do that?”

This workshop is really special to me. It’s a treat to take the time and shoot creatively (and not just try to get what the client wants). I get to drag out all my favorite pieces of equipment and try new things while we all learn together what’s possible. It’s hands on from the start, and you’re learning with YOUR camera in your hands. We have a great list of dog models lined up (and even a few people to pose with their dogs) for us to use.

We’ll learn studio strobes, continuous light, video light, speedlites, natural light in the studio, ring lights, and every combination of the above that we feel like exploring. Many of our attendees are setting up their first studio and need to figure out what lighting system to buy for the amount of space they have available. So bring your questions and we’ll tailor our learning to the needs of the group. But you have to sign up! The tuition is $995 which includes lunches and snacks. Our negotiated hotel rate at the nearby Marriott is $72 per night (which includes breakfast) and rental cars are optional since once you get to the hotel, we car pool back and forth to the studio and there are 200 restaurants within walking distance (really!).

Either Dallas airport will work (DAL or DFW) as they are both about a 20 minute cab ride from the hotel. American or Southwest airlines is usually the best option since they are both based in Dallas and have lots of flights in and out. We start at 2pm on Friday, July 8th so that people can even fly in that morning. We finish around 4 on Sunday afternoon.

Call the studio for more information or email me: Teresa AT Teresaberg.com

dog portrait - Mae- the beagle

Make 2016 a year of growth

Published on February 17, 2016February 22, 2016 by unleashedLeave a comment

teresa berg for Unleashed workshops

Is it time to grow your skills? We all know that in order to be successful we can’t just copy our competitors. We have to set ourselves apart from the crowd. What makes your photography different from everyone else in your market area? Is it your lighting? Your use of locations or backgrounds? Is it the types of pets that you photograph? Your products?

I can guarantee that since we’ve been teaching pet photography (2009) we have seen lots of trends fall by the wayside. And every market area is different. There are also a lot more photographers specializing in pets. In short, if your skills don’t set you apart you won’t last. So how are your skills?

We all know that our clients buy what they see — so show them the type of photography you want to shoot. Do it well and stand your ground. Use those techniques creatively and consistently and YOU will be the trendsetter the others are copying. But before you become the trendsetter, you have really know the game. You need to master manual shooting, and know what your equipment can do. Our belief is that you can’t call yourself a professional if you only know one trick! So if this is your slow time of year, use this time to create a new slant on something and perfect what you do. Take a workshop, shoot in an unexpected place, visit some museums, shoot with a friend — in other words, invest in yourself.

Why not develop a LOOK BOOK like fashion photographers use to illustrate a brand? Even if all the shots in your look book are the same dog, why not get down to it and really explore your style. Create a book or an album of all the variations (and depth) of your style and show it to a prospective client. If you ONLY want to shoot on seamless paper in a studio setting then really explore what you can create.

This little pep talk is only the beginning. We’re going to be sharing more this year, both with online video and via our facebook page — and through workshops. We’ll post details here, first. Online learning is great, but workshops build community and give us both friendship and a safe way to learn and grow. Learn with us and we’ll all get better, together.

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Portfolio Shooting in Minneapolis

Published on August 11, 2015August 11, 2015 by unleashed1 Comment

We held our first Portfolio Shooting Day in Minneapolis last week — and had a GREAT time. Even on a hot day in August we were able to set up lots of fun shots, try new lighting techniques and really focus on composition and working with our live dog models. The small group setting was perfect for lots of hands-on experimentation and our online image critique helped lock in the learning. Thanks to all who participated –and to our great models — we hope some of you will want to do the Studio Shooters Workshop next July and have fun in the studio (and air conditioning) for a change!

Interested in a Portfolio Shooting Day in YOUR area? Email us (see the contact page) or post your comments — we’ll see if we have enough interest and let you know!

Unleashed – 2014 Alexandria, VA – Registration is Open!

Published on May 12, 2014May 13, 2014 by unleashedLeave a comment

We’re super psyched about this year’s Virginia Unleashed! Join us in lovely Alexandria, VA for what promises to be a sensory overload of shooting opportunities. We’re smack dab in the middle of Old Town at the uber dog-friendly Hotel Monaco.

The days are long and packed with shooting and tons of business information. We work hard and long so come well rested!

Dates: Oct. 4-6, 2014

Where: Old Town, Alexandria, VA (DCA is the closest airport)

Cost: $1395 (see Agenda tabs for more info on what’s included!)

Email us through our contact page here for more info or, if you’re ready to jump in – you can register here on Square Market and we will send you your registration packet! Hotel links will be available in the registration packet. See you in Virginia and come ready to be Unleashed!

pbgv, pet photography workshops, pet photography, dog photography — Spring in Alexandria

Unleashed Dallas Student Images

Published on February 23, 2014 by unleashedLeave a comment

We had spectacular weather and a motivated hard working group in Dallas this past January. Student files are still coming in from the workshop but we wanted to share some images that our students captured of our wonderful dog models.

If you’re interested in attending an Unleashed Workshop please check back here for our latest dates (Spring/Early summer is trending for VA 2014).

Thanks again to our attendees as well as our dog models and their handler Robin Terrell of Good Dog Fetch, who works tirelessly to help us get these great images!

Our heartfelt thanks

Published on January 21, 2014 by unleashed1 Comment

Our 2014 Dallas Unleashed Pet photography workshop photographers

Just wanted to officially say THANKS to a great group of photographers that arrived from all over North America to share and learn and shoot with us this past weekend. You guys were AWESOME!

Dear Santa. All I want for Christmas is… a trip to Dallas?

Published on August 29, 2013August 29, 2013 by unleashedLeave a comment

That’s right! We’re planning Unleashed for January 2014 in Dallas. If you’re on the east coast and you can wait until June, we’ll still be teaching in Virginia. But for those of you that don’t mind escaping the snow for a few days in Big D, how about late January? Average temps are in the 40s and 50s with plenty of sunshine and beautiful opportunities for some crisp outdoor photography. Three full days with two instructors –business, marketing and shooting (both indoors and out), with live models. We’ll have more information as soon as the hotel and schedules are confirmed.

Unleashed Pet photography workshops Dallas — Outdoor pet portraits in January are fun in Dallas!

Two Seats Left for Studio Shooting with Teresa Berg!

Published on July 15, 2013July 15, 2013 by unleashed2 Comments

Our August Studio Shooters Workshop is almost sold out! Since this is a hands-on-in-the-studio workshop, we’re purposely keeping the group small. Lots of different dog (and people) models and lots of individual shooting time that way. This is going to be a great portfolio-building workshop — and (selfishly) a chance for me to really put the new studio through it’s paces! We’ve got strobes, monolights, continuous lights, video light, and a ton of different light modifiers and at least 10 different umbrellas to play with, so variety is the name of the game. Come play with us?