Introducing:
An ALL NEW...
Hair of the Dog Academy
The most comprehensive pet photography education platform on the planet has just had an extreme makeover! Check it out in the quick video below!
CLICK.
That’s it. You KNOW you’ve got it.
This is the best image that you’ve captured yet.
This is why you continue to pick up the camera - to create more images like this. Images that make your heart sing.
The truth is, this pet photography thing LIGHTS YOU UP!
But maybe there are also times this dream seems totally out of reach.
If you are like most of my students, you’ve experienced….
Feeling frustrated and stuck because you aren’t improving as quickly as you had hoped.
A constant questioning of whether you are talented enough at photography or business.
Doubt that anyone will ever pay the prices you need to charge to be profitable.
Completely overwhelmed, feeling as if you have hit the very bottom of YouTube but still haven’t found the right answers.
Chances are, you’ve already asked yourself how long will this take?
How long can I keep this up?
How many more hours can you keep searching on YouTube for the next piece of the puzzle?
What if there was an easier way?
The fact that you are feeling this frustration means that you have big goals. You have the dream.
Whether that dream is to create animal imagery that makes your heart sing or if it’s to use this passion to start a part-time business or even trade in that 9 to 5 for a career that makes you jump out of bed each and every morning.
You wouldn’t have this dream if you didn’t have the ability to achieve it.
What if you….
- Found confidence in your photography and editing skills.
- Created work that continues to improve month after month.
- Became unapologetic about offering pet photography to your market.
- Discovered how to build your business that supports your lifestyle.
- Knew without a shadow of a doubt that your pricing was profitable.
- Surrounded yourself with other people with the same goals and dreams.
This is a community dedicated to helping pet photographers like you maximize your potential - by improving your craft and helping you make money doing what you truly love.
Results like this could be yours...
So let’s get down to business.
Here’s what’s waiting for you inside…
PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPORT
Fundamentals with Ragamuffin Pet Photography
Are you struggling to consistently shoot in manual mode? What about capturing consistently in-focus action images? Caitlin McColl from Ragamuffin Pet Photography has created this foundation course to take you from a complete pet photography novice to being comfortable and confident with your camera in a variety of situations.
Pet Photography EDU with Kim Hartz
If you're looking to improve your craft, start here! Created by Master Photographer Kim Hartz, this is a full-blown course on the art of pet photography. You'll learn about animal behavior and working with dogs, how to pose pets and their people, and go deep into lighting with both strobes and natural light, inside the studio and out.
Behind the Lens - Pets and People
What goes through your head when owners ask to be photographed with their dog? If it’s anything other then, “OMG YES! OF COURSE!”, you NEED this class. Master Photographer Nicole Begley takes you through working with a variety of pet and people combinations. From one owner and two dogs, to a couple and two dogs, to a full-blown family shoot with two boys and an excitable doodle, this course has got you covered.
Behind the Lens - An Urban Adventure
Follow along on an actual urban photography session, with Master Photographer Nicole Begley showing you how to create beautiful images from backdrops you'd normally just pass by. Learn how to create variety in a session and then watch Nicole edit the images to perfection, as she talks you through the process.
Behind the Lens - Mini-Session in a Park
Join Master Photographer Nicole Begley as she walks you through a session at a local park. Discover what backgrounds to look for and what to avoid, how to manage multiple dogs, and tricks for capturing action photos. You'll also find tutorials for editing the images from this session.
Behind the Lens - An Equine Adventure
Horses are quite literally a different animal than dogs - and photographing them requires a different approach. Join Master Photographer, Nicole Begley, on an equine session to learn how to create variety, pose horse and human, and elicit expressions from your equine subject.
EDITING SUPPORT
Post-Processing for Pet Photographers
Lightroom Edition
Lightroom is a powerful ally in any photography business, yet the majority of photographers aren't using it properly. We'll show you how to leverage this incredible tool to its full potential so you can manage your portfolio with ease and edit your images in minutes instead of hours.
Post-Processing for Pet Photographers
Photoshop Edition
Photoshop is a beast and one of the biggest challenges for new photographers is knowing what’s important to learn – and what isn’t. We’ll show you exactly what you need to know for pet photography editing – and nothing that you don’t.
Post-Processing for Pet Photographers
Swipe Nicole’s Workflow
Watch over the shoulder of a veteran pet photographer as she takes you through every step of her personal workflow including import into Lightroom and super speedy culling, exporting for sales and creating files that automatically update in your catalog, renaming Lightroom files quickly and easily and creating different export settings. You can’t get information like this unless you pay to work one on one with a professional photography coach.
Post-Processing for Pet Photographers
Wacom Training
As a bonus for Post-Processing for Pet Photographer, you’ll receive a special bonus video series that walks you through all the benefits of using a tablet. We’ll show you how to choose the right one for you and how to install, use, and program custom functions. Most photographers can’t imagine ever being without their tablet once they have one!
Post-Processing for Pet Photographers
Create a No-Fail Backup Strategy
Data loss happens, but it doesn’t have to happen to you. Inside this special in-depth training to help you create a backup solution that works for you. We’ll discuss how to make sure you’re covered and walk you through the details of each of our systems. The aim of this special bonus training is to make data loss a minor inconvenience when it happens, not a major catastrophe!
Guest Artist Trainings
Are you interested in learning how different artists edit their images? Now you can as we bring some of the best pet photographers from around the globe into the Academy so that they can share a little bit about their creative process. You'll learn from industry leaders through lessons like Creating Panoramic Images in Photoshop with Craig Turner-Bullock, Editing Studio Backdrops with Terran Bayer, and Moody Portraits with Haron Haghuis, just to name a few!
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Business Essentials
Every business needs a plan. The beauty of being self-employed is the ability to build a business that works for YOU—one that supports the life YOU want to live, on your terms, in your own way. This course will help you create that plan, build your brand, and map out all the elements that go into the customer experience. We'll also dive deeply into search engine optimization and creating a website that converts, with real-life examples of website reviews.
Pricing and Sales
This is where many photographers stumble and fall. Having your pricing dialed in is a make-it-or-break-it business essential. It's also the most common place where talented photographers get stuck and bury their heads in the sand – because all those numbers get too overwhelming. But I promise you, this stuff is easy once you have someone to break it down for you! You'll discover the art and science of pricing, and how to bring them together to create real profit.
Marketing
Marketing isn't just about creating a website and posting on social media. A comprehensive marketing strategy has many components, and while they don't need to be expensive or time-consuming, they do need to be well planned and executed. We'll cover what you need to do to position your business correctly, and cover a range of effective marketing opportunities that you can implement right away.
Marketing Templates
Are you struggling to create your marketing collateral? Scratching your head at what to include in your client inquiry guide, session preparation guide or product guide? Losing hours (and dollars) trying to find templates that you like AND that will all work together?!?
Your Academy membership now includes fully customizable Photoshop templates - with copy written by a professional copywriter! You'll quickly have all of your client education and marketing pieces finished, in a cohesive and well-written set. (Dang, that's gonna feel good!)
Email Marketing Masterclass
Email marketing is THE MOST VALUABLE marketing strategy for pet photographers, in my humble opinion. Stop telling yourself that you aren't ready for a list, you don't know what to write, or you don't want to annoy your subscribers - and instead, step into a plan that allows you to grow your business while serving your subscribers.
I'm Nicole. Master photographer, zoological animal trainer turned pet photographer, travel addict, and chocolate martini connoisseur.
I’ve helped thousands of photographers become more confident in their craft and earn real money as professional pet photographers all while maintaining the balance needed to enjoy the journey.
I used to help photographers by creating individual courses focused on the different pillars of success - craft-focused courses, editing courses, and business courses. If you were to individually purchase all of the classes included in the Hair of the Dog Academy it would cost over $6,000 - and the courses wouldn’t come with the support that you have in the Academy.
But now I’ve bundled all of these courses together in the Hair of the Dog Academy, added live support opportunities, and can offer it for a fraction of that cost. In fact, you can have access to all of this for less than the cost of dinner and a martini.
Over the past few years, I’ve seen so many pet photographers struggle - from gaining confidence with shooting to mastering post-processing, as well as navigating the choppy waters of starting a business and attracting qualified clients. Many of them giving up before they even have the chance to really get started.
This means if you never get this figured out, you’ll never go on to fulfill your photography dreams - whether that is helping more dogs find homes through impactful photography or retiring from your current 9 to 5 job.
It’s for that reason that I want to make this available to as many people as possible so that I can help you get to where you’re going even faster.
So tell me….are you in?
Which membership is right for me?
I've been told I'm crazy for offering the Academy at such a low rate as the business content alone could be sold for $2,000 - but my mission is to elevate the pet photography industry and I wanted to make this affordable for everyone.
***Prefer a one-time payment for LIFETIME access? This is available here for $1997.
Your peers LOVE the Academy
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Zero Risk! I get it! This may be an investment for you, especially if your business isn't yet as profitable as you'd like. I also understand that you've probably seen big promises from online training in the past, and you might be a little skeptical as to whether or not this is the real deal.
That's why I'm offering a 14-day money-back guarantee.
That's right, not only are there NO COMMITMENTS and you can cancel anytime from right inside the Academy Portal - but if you jump into the Academy and decide that it's not the right fit for you - I'll give you your money back.
So let’s recap what you get when you become a member of Hair of the Dog Academy…
Fundamentals with Ragamuffin Pet Photography
Pet Photography EDU with Kim Hartz
Behind the Lens - Pets and People
Behind the Lens - An Urban Adventure
Behind the Lens - Mini-Session in a Park
Behind the Lens - An Equine Adventure
Post-Processing for Pet Photographers - Lightroom Edition
Post-Processing for Pet Photographers - Photoshop Edition
Post-Processing for Pet Photographers - Swipe Nicole’s Workflow
Post-Processing for Pet Photographers - Wacom Tablet Training
Post-Processing for Pet Photographers - No-Fail Backup Solutions
Guest Artist Trainings
Business Essentials
Pricing and Sales
Marketing Masterclass
Marketing Templates
Email Marketing Workshop
Instagram for Pet Photographers
Office Hours
1:1 Laser Coaching
Critique Corner
Shooting Challenges
Some of the intangible benefits that the Hair of the Dog Academy members uncover include:
✔ Confidence in creating photographic art that you love.
✔ The knowledge to create systems in your business so that you can work smarter, not harder.
✔ Mastery of your post-processing skills and workflow.
✔ Connection with people just like yourself - driven and passionate pet photographers.
✔ A true understanding of the pillars of business.
✔ A business run from ease and alignment rather than frustration.
✔ Proficiency in posing and creating variety in your sessions.
✔ A redefined definition of success - and a business and life built on YOUR terms.
Now it’s time for you to make a choice….
Take a moment and go through the list below.
How many questions can you answer yes to? Do you wish that you could confidently answer differently?
Here’s the thing, if you do nothing differently…nothing changes.
Are you stumbling around Lightroom and Photoshop and not getting the results you desire?
We can give you a clear understanding of how to use these programs in an effective and efficient way - so you are creating the imagery you want, in less time than ever.
Are you struggling to find the light, whether in-studio or on-location?
Lighting is one of the most important pieces of photography, and we are sharing our secrets for on-location and studio in Behind the Lens and Pet Photography EDU.
Do you have a business but struggle to earn a four-figure average sale?
We believe that if you have technically proficient work then you should be able to command regular four-figure sales - the Academy will show you how.
Are you yearning to create a signature style but you can’t find a way to learn different techniques?
We’ve lined up some of the world’s leading pet photographers to share their shooting and editing knowledge, with new instructors being added all of the time. This is how a style is created, by learning bits and pieces from lots of different sources - then mix them up and you have some magic.
Maybe you are overwhelmed by the sheer number of details and the number of decisions that need to be made when starting a business?
Paper or Plastic? When you are starting a business you have those questions coming at you every single day…and they are much more difficult to answer. We are giving you a done for your roadmap for launching your business.
Are you hustling to get a steady stream of qualified clients into your business but your calendar is still too empty?
Sharing images on social media and relying on SEO aren’t very effective ways to drive business, at least on their own. Let’s explore additional strategies to help you find your target clients.
The Academy is for you if:
✔ You are serious about improving your pet photography craft.
✔ You are willing to take imperfect action.
✔ You’re looking to connect with like-minded people going after the same goals.
This may not be for you if:
✖ You expect everything to change just by watching videos and not taking action.
✖ You plan to binge on all you can in 30 days and then leave, results take time.
✖ You feel the need to cut others down to feel better about yourself.
Worried you don’t have the time or money?
I want to ask you what your dream is worth? Where are your priorities? If this isn’t enough of a priority in your life to dedicate a few hours a week and a couple of dollars a month (less than the cost of a night at the movies) towards achieving your goals - then maybe now isn’t the right time. However, you’ve been given this passion for a reason and you wouldn’t have this dream if you didn’t have the ability to achieve it - you just need a road map and some support. That’s why we’re here.
So what will it be? If you are finally ready to feel confident calling yourself a pet photographer - now is your chance. Click the button below and let’s get to work!
But hurry - because this open enrollment period closes soon…
The Hair of the Dog Academy has impacted me, it's actually made me who I am now. It helped not only my business grow, but helped me grow as a business owner. Not only that, I've recently had my highest sale to date... $6,170! The Academy has been able to teach me how to adjust the pricing to be able to live the life that I want, which involves spending time with my son and not working everyday. Now that I've built the business that I want, I can book as few as 2 to 3 sessions a month and that is more than enough income for what I need at this stage of my life.
Tiffany Wilson
Tiffany Wilson Pet Photography
Frequently Asked Questions
Still Have Questions?
We Have Answers
What's the difference between monthly and yearly?
Can I cancel at any time?
What's the investment?
How do I access the material?
Can I upgrade my membership later?
How long do I have access to the material?
Will I get personalized support from Nicole Begley?
Is the private community group mandatory?
I haven't started my business yet or I'm an enthusiastic amateur. Should I sign up?
I'm based outside of the United States. Is this membership still applicable to me?
Wow! Look at you!
You made it all the way to the bottom of this page!
If you are still reading this, there is a reason.
There is some piece of you that knows that this is what you have been looking for.
So why not jump in and test it out? There is no commitment and you can cancel at any time.
What do you have to lose?
JUMP IN TODAY
Still have questions?
We’re standing by at Hair of the Dog HQ with your answers!
