Our little family has been handed an absolute dream of an opportunity. We are moving to Canada. With a heavy heart we are saying goodbye to our family, our friends, our valued clients and our beautiful home in South Africa. 

I come from a family of globetrotters. I was 6 when I flew on an intercontinental flight for the very first time. In 2000 my parents upped their lives in Germany and moved us half way across the world to South Africa. I was just 10 years old. I have never known a different life, to live in one house, one city or one country your entire life. Suffice to say, moving around was my normal. I made friends, built relationships and careers in country after country ever since I became an independent adult, though one country stuck. One country remained home, until now.

How did I get started on my journey as a dog photographer and where is our new life taking us?

Having been in the photography business for more than half a decade, I have only ever learned the absolute basics during my bachelor of Arts studies in Germany many years ago. However, even in the world of the arts we should always strive to continue to learn and grow in our profession. 

This year I decided to invest into a program to further my knowledge. A program that is specifically oriented towards dog photography. 

For the first time ever we managed to get international dog photography master Claudio Piccoli down to our little neck of the woods in sunny South Africa to do a photography workshop. What a privilege and absolute pleasure it was to have had the opportunity to host this event last month.

Claudio Piccoli has been one of my idols in dog photography ever since I started taking up this passion of dog photography. This past year he has been my mentor, motivator and friend and I finally had the opportunity to meet and work with him in this beautiful country I now call home.

There is a special spot in my heart for all animals needing rescue. All of my pets come from shelters. We adopted Toffee from the Garden Route SPCA and later my crazy four legged friend, Sheila from Outdshoorn Dogs in Need (ODIN). And just very recently we had little Oliver join our home. I like to volunteer my time to photograph the animals in the shelter’s care to help them find their forever homes.

This year I decided to do something special for another local rescue close to my heart: Border Collie Rescue SA, who is celebrating their 25th anniversary next year!