Shooting Hunting Dogs (Pun Intended)

In photography, being in the right place at the right time is really important. On a recent vacation in Virginia with my husband Bob, I had the great fortune of accidentally running into a pack of gorgeous foxhounds (foxhound) that I got to shoot. I really wish there was a better synonym for photograph!

I didn’t really run into them.  But I was in my car, on my way to visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello plantation.  We were pulling out of our hotel driveway, and I looked out the side window and saw dozens of foxhounds calmly walking down a beautiful country road, with only one man walking ahead of them. They were obviously very well trained as they walked together in one manageable group.  We didn’t have time to stop – and I didn’t have a long lens on my camera – but I shot several images out of the car window and was thrilled just watch these beautiful creatures.

After our tour of Monticello (which was a fantastic experience on many levels,) we returned to our hotel and Bob asked the concierge who the dogs belonged to, and if his wife, (“a famous New York dog photographer”) could come over and photograph them.

A few hours later, I was at the Keswick Hunt Club(keswick). Politically and emotionally, I’m completely against hunting of any kind – including non-shooting fox hunting. But I let go of my soapbox long enough to get some great shots – and to learn a lot talking with the gracious hunt master.  It was clear that every one of the dogs was relaxed and comfortable in their spacious indoor/outdoor habitat.  And they walk to a huge field for exercise twice a day. The highlight was seeing a proud new mom with her tiny babies.  I hope you agree she is truly magnificent.�

The next morning we woke up early to walk with the dogs to their playing field.  Trying to photograph them there was an exercise in futility.  They just don’t slow down long enough to get a good shot.  But it was great fun and I hope to get back there again soon.