Featured in Professional Photographer Magazine: Behind the Scenes

Every few years, a little park off the beaten path outside Atlanta bursts into a sea of yellow wildflowers — and when that happens, I try to take advantage of every beautiful evening to photograph dogs in the wildflowers. As a dog photographer based in Georgia, I live for these short, magical weeks when the rain aligns to prevent the meadow from being mowed down and the flowers bloom. It’s when I photograph some of my favorite portraits: dogs surrounded by evening sunlight filtering through the trees, bright happy color, and the kind of joy that only exists outdoors with dogs living their best lives.

This fall, Professional Photographer Magazine featured me in their “Background” section, highlighting my approach to photographing dogs in these fleeting wildflower blooms. Seeing my work and story in the pages of a national publication felt surreal — and deeply validating for every muddy-paw print and squeaky-toy moment that got me here.

Behind the Scenes of a Dog Photo Shoot in the Wildflowers

Most of my sessions take place in natural light, at dog-friendly locations where dogs can be themselves. That often means trading comfort for creativity — belly down in the wet grass, balancing a long camera lens, juggling leashes, and working quickly to catch that perfect head tilt. I’m also often out in the wilds with just my client & their dogs, which means I might be holding one pup while photographing the other!

In the feature, I shared one of my favorite truths about this work:

“Being a pet photographer requires a lot of flexibility — leash in one hand, camera in the other, squeaker in my mouth.”

That line pretty much sums it up. Every session is equal parts patience, improvisation, and trust. Dogs don’t fake emotion — and that’s what I love most. Whether I’m photographing a labrador in a Georgia field or a senior pug on a front porch, I aim to create artwork that feels alive and real.

Why This Feature Matters

To be recognized by Professional Photographer Magazine — the official publication of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) — means more than just a spotlight. It’s a nod to every pet photographer who believes our work is art.

Pet photography is often underestimated, but it demands both technical precision and emotional awareness.

It’s not just about the perfect shot; it’s about trust & connection — between the dog, the artist behind the camera, and the family who will one day look at that photo and feel their dog’s presence all over again.

Being featured in Professional Photographer Magazine allows me to represent a growing community of pet photographers who take pride in creating museum-quality artwork of the animals we love most. I believe that you deserve to have artwork of your dogs that honors the relationship that you share artwork that values them as the family they are.

Atlanta dog photographer Courtney Bryson featured in Professional Photographer Magazine’s October 2025 issue showing a yellow lab in a wildflower field and behind-the-scenes pet photography setup.

Ready to Create Your Own Artwork?

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your dog photographed like this — surrounded by natural light, relaxed, and full of joy — I’d love to create that for you.

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