Award-winning pet photographer Belinda Richards is known for her extraordinary ability to capture the souls of the animals that she photographs. From whimsical cats to growing puppies, she has an uncanny ability to draw the best out of people's pets. Combined with her technical photography skills, this makes her finished work a cherished piece of art for any pet lover.
Aside from her photography, Richards is also a skilled teacher. This is precisely why it made perfect sense to harness her expertise in a class on My Modern Met Academy called Introduction to Pet Photography, which takes anyone through the process of taking a studio portrait of their pet. Since working with live animals takes a whole other set of considerations, Richards not only goes over technical aspects of camera settings and lighting but also explores animal safety and how to keep animals engaged and interested during the shoot.
While Richards works from her Melbourne-based Frog Dog Studios, she's taking her knowledge on the road. This spring, she'll teach workshops across the United States and the UK. We had the chance to chat with Richards about her love for teaching and her passion for photographing animals. Read on for My Modern Met's exclusive interview, and if you can't make a workshop in person, you can still sign up for Introduction to Pet Photography. As an on-demand, online course, you can start the lessons anytime you'd like and watch at your leisure.
Where did your passion for animals, specifically dogs, come from?
My passion for animals, and dogs in particular, has been with me for as long as I can remember. At 21, I started a mobile pet grooming business, which eventually led me to working in animal welfare and compliance. I then decided to attend art school at RMIT in Melbourne to gain my Bachelor of Fine Arts. It was a natural progression to bring these two loves together.
I’ve always been drawn to their personalities, their quirks, and the deep emotional bonds they form with people. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate not just their companionship but also the unique way they express emotions—something that translates beautifully into photography. Capturing their spirit and character in a way that tells a story is what keeps me inspired every day.
What is your favorite part of photographing people's pets?
The challenge and reward of capturing a pet’s true personality is what I love most. Each animal is different, and I enjoy finding ways to bring out their unique character and turning them into a work of art. Whether I am documenting a pup's first 12 months of life or capturing that perfect expression for a simple wall piece, seeing my clients' emotional reactions when they see their pet immortalized in a way they’ve never seen before is incredibly fulfilling.
There is also the absolute joy of playing with dogs and cats all day!
You've been doing more teaching. What inspired this change?
Teaching has been a natural evolution of my career. As I refined my craft and won international awards, I found more photographers reaching out with questions about studio lighting, composition, and especially my composite work. Having started my journey in the pet industry through grooming and animal welfare, I understand the unique challenges of working with animals, and I wanted to bridge the gap between technical photography skills and the ability to bring out the essence of each pet. I realized that sharing my knowledge could help elevate the industry and inspire other photographers to push creative boundaries. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing another artist have that “aha” moment—when a new technique clicks, they overcome a creative block, or they create something they never thought possible.
What are the most common questions/issues you're seeing from other pet photographers while teaching?
A lot of pet photographers struggle with two main things: controlling lighting in a studio setting and keeping animals engaged for a session. Studio pet photography requires a balance of technical skill and patience—understanding how to shape light for different fur types while also keeping the animal comfortable and cooperative.
With composite workshops, photographers often struggle with planning and executing their vision cohesively, from concept to final artwork. That’s why I emphasize creative thinking, pre-planning, and the value of trial and error. I think technical skills are the easiest to learn. Training your brain to think creatively and then having the patience to make a plan seems to be the hardest skill to grasp.
What do you most enjoy about helping others improve their pet photography?
I love seeing photographers grow in both skill and confidence. There’s a moment when they realize they can create something far beyond what they thought they were capable of, and that’s priceless. Watching them go from hesitant and unsure to creating stunning, polished work is incredibly fulfilling. Whether it’s a beginner mastering their first studio setup or an advanced photographer refining their compositing techniques, seeing their progress and watching their creativity flourish is a joy. Beyond the technical aspects, I enjoy fostering a mindset of artistic curiosity and problem-solving, which I believe is essential for any photographer to continue evolving and excelling in both their craft and business.
What do you have coming up next, and where can people keep up with your teaching opportunities?
I have several exciting workshops lined up! In March 2025, I’ll be hosting a two-day intensive workshop in Las Vegas for beginner to intermediate studio pet photographers, followed by another two-day event in Bath, Pennsylvania, focused on creative concept development and compositing. Before that, I’ll be in Scotland in February for a workshop in Falkirk, as well as presenting at The Photography & Video Show at Excel in London.
Photographers can stay updated on my workshops and educational content through my Facebook group, Pixels & Paws: Mastering Studio Pet Photography, or by following me on my website and social media channels. I also have a posing guide to help pet photographers get the most out of a session which can be downloaded free via my website.