Behind the Scenes: How I Created My “Puppies in Socks” Award-Winning Pet Portrait
Have you ever seen a photo so cute it made your heart paws? One of my all-time favourite and most paws-itively received pet portraits is my “Puppies in Socks” photo — a whimsical concept brought to life with love, planning, and a tail or two.
As a Brisbane-based pet photographer, I’m always inspired by unique, nostalgic visuals. This idea sparked after I stumbled upon a quirky vintage gem called The Retronaut Guide to Keeping Pets at an op shop. The book is filled with curious old photos of animals doing the most unexpected things — think monkeys painting, owls knitting, even horses playing baseball! But it was two particular images that tugged on my creative leash: one of rats in socks on a clothesline, another of Cocker Spaniel puppies hanging out (quite literally!) beside their mum. The concept of animals in socks was simply too delightful to ignore.
Safety First – Always! 🛡️
Before a single paw was placed in a sock, I spent time carefully planning the setup with safety as my top priority. Using sturdy rope, pastel ankle socks, and large cardboard backgrounds, I built a mock clothesline with light stands and reinforced the base with weights to prevent tipping. To test the strength of the setup, we used cans of food inside the socks. After a few adjustments and some pawsitive results, the line held strong.
The Perfect Models 🐾
Lucky for me, the breeder we got our Italian Greyhound Audrey from had two upcoming litters — one of which included our future boy Zoë! The puppies were five weeks old when we did the shoot, just old enough to open their eyes and start exploring the world (and my camera lens!).
With the couch as a base and a soft cushion underneath the setup for safety, we pegged each puppy-filled sock one at a time. A second sock with cans was clipped beside each puppy to keep the line even — this helped later when merging the images together. We discovered the best method for getting the puppies into the socks was to unroll the sock into a hand, gently place the puppy inside, and roll it back up. It was snug, safe, and completely adorable.
A Moment to Remember 💘
I’ll never forget placing Zoë into the sock — he looked up at me with those soulful eyes, and that was it. My heart melted, and I knew he was the one. I asked the breeder if I could choose him specifically, and while she couldn’t promise anything at the time, I was thrilled when he eventually became part of our family. 💕
The Final Shot 📷
Once we had individual images of all six pups, I edited the photos in Photoshop to create the illusion of one long clothesline. Although the shoot was done with a pink backdrop, I switched it to a soft pastel greenish-yellow for the final composition. This choice not only helped the puppies pop but also caught the eye of the judges — earning me two silver awards at the State and National level with the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP). 🥈🐕✨
Why Concept Shoots Matter 🎨
This photo isn’t just adorable — it’s an example of creative storytelling through pet photography. At ME Pet Photography, I strive to create unique, everlasting memories of your beloved companions, whether they have fur, feathers, or scales. This shoot represents everything I love: creativity, connection, and care.
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