I’m very lucky to have a wonderful friendship with two very talented Pet Photographers – Kelly Wolfe and Carol Howell.
Last night we decided to pack up our cameras, two assistants, Carol’s lighting equipment and my fabulous model, my main girl Nixie Lix. We headed out to Ruapuke Beach which is near Raglan, about an hour from Hamilton.

The road to the beach is clearly sign-posted, but be aware that it is gravel for the last 3-5kms and a bit holey!  My poor little Swift took a few knocks but she’s getting a wash today.
The carpark is right on the beach and you walk down to this …

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All pet photographers know you pay your model – one pose, one frisbee throw for Nixie.

We timed our arrival perfectly, the light was becoming golden and muted and the beach is at the perfect angle for a wonderful West Coast sunset.

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Kelly Wolfe (Kelly Wolfe Photography) doing her thing with Nixie in the water.

Carol (Carol Howell Petography) bought along her amazing portable lighting and I tried it out for the first time.  You know what’s going on this girls Christmas list now don’t you?!  I promise to be a very very good person this year Santa!  Just being able to bring out Nixie’s eyes made me dance on the beach, more than once.

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And then as the sun went down further, our model got more and more playtime and we let her do her thing whilst we took more and more photographs. There is something so simple and wonderful about how happy she is running and jumping and splashing. Simple and fun – definitely words to live by in 2015!

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Ruapuke Beach is just stunning, a west coast beach not an hour from Hamilton.
If you are up for the drive, it would make a most wonderful back drop for a Pet Photography Session – and I am ready and raring to go back.