Cathy Dooley’s dog portrait workshop on Saturday 3 October 2026 was a full house – ten photographers, a studio full of lights, umbrellas and softboxes, and some very patient four-legged models on the posing box. The morning started with the theory session and moved into hands-on shooting, with Cathy guiding everyone on lighting, posing and keeping a dog’s attention.
This was training with a purpose. On 14 November 2026 F-Stop members are going to help a rescue organisation at a venue near the Hennops River, and this workshop is where we learned how to handle and photograph dogs in the studio.
Thank you to Cathy, to everyone who took part, and to the dogs.
The day in pictures
Photographs by Belinda Ueckermann, and by Andrew Mayes of Edenvale Photographic Club, who kindly shared his pictures from the day.
About the workshop
Cathy’s hands-on workshop teaches how to create beautiful, expressive dog portraits, and it suits all skill levels.
- When: Saturday 3 October 2026, from 8:30 – a theory session followed by practical shooting
- Where: Cathy’s studio
- Cost: R350.00 for both sessions
- Numbers: limited to 10 people – and every place was taken
The workshop was run under the Dogtown Fundraising Project in Edenvale – photography with a purpose. They raise funds through the sale of high-quality pet portraits to support displaced and vulnerable dogs at the Edenvale SPCA and other rescue organisations in need.
Let’s capture pawsitive change.