Badger's Story: The Most Memorable Dog Photography Session at Crosby Beach

When I first spoke to Badger’s human about a dog photography session on Crosby Beach for this beautiful dog, I was extremely excited because she is from the exact same neck of the woods that I am.

She told me all about Badger, a Romanian Rescue shepherd dog, older gentleman and a well-loved figure in her local community. I heard all about how Badger was a fairly relaxed old boy, but had his moments of excitement still when he absolutely loved to chase a ball.

Why Crosby Beach Was the Perfect Location for Badger's Dog Photography Session

During our pre-session consultation call, Badger’s human told me that she thought the beach would be a good option to photograph Badger. Known for its sweeping views, wide sandy stretches at low tide, and famous for the iconic Another Place sculptures by Antony Gormley, Crosby Beach offers a unique blend of natural beauty and artistic intrigue.

I thought Crosby Beach definitely had the space for a dog photography session, I just hoped that I could get the variety needed from such an open flat expanse of sand but I definitely rose to the challenge. And I didn’t just want to rehash all the same images of the well-loved and very well-photographed Gormley sculptures, because this session was all about Badger. But of course I had to pay homage to the instalment in one shot - if my maths is correct (uh oh, careful Frankie), Another Place by Antony Gormley celebrates its 25th anniversary on July 1st this year. 

Crosby Beach is a favourite dog walking destination for dog lovers on Merseyside, and many a local dog owner uses it as an exercise ground for their pups. I was just hoping that it wouldn’t be too busy during our session, but was fairly confident given that the weather hadn’t gotten all that warm yet back in March.

Turns out, I needn’t have worried whatsoever. Crosby Beach proved to be the ideal backdrop for Badger’s dog photography session and then some. Especially when the sun decided to cooperate, and then some.

For a dog like Badger, who enjoys a mix of relaxation and moments of excitement, this location was perfect. The wide-open space gave Badger the freedom to roam and explore, while the tranquil setting on an ice-cold March afternoon (sorry everyone!) provided a calm and quiet environment for us to capture his natural personality at he pootled about.

It was a very stimulating atmosphere for Badger to feel at ease and have fun as well as provide several points of interest for him to pose: the dunes, the rocks and the odd washed up tree trunk. Because the world simply does not have enough dog on a log photographs and I will die on that hill.

Crosby Beach’s open, scenic views created a beautiful contrast for the portraits, showcasing Badger’s relaxed yet playful side. The natural light and wide open spaces allowed us to capture him in his element, whether he was chasing after his favorite ball or simply plodding along on the sand.

The Session: Capturing Badger’s Personality

From the moment we arrived at Crosby Beach, Badger was in his element. Badger came accompanied by not only his lovely human, but his fan club of her friends who look after him if she’s away. I have endless gratitude for Badger’s Fans who helped handle him like a pro in order for me to get the very best shots of him that I could. 

Badger’s relaxed demeanor was evident from the moment I met him as he took in the sights and sounds around him, but there were moments when his playful side took over, especially when it came to his favorite activity: chasing a ball!

The session itself was a blend of calm moments, dramatic locations (well, they look a lot more dramatic through my lens in all honesty) and bursts of energy. Badger was incredibly easygoing, allowing me to capture those quiet, tender moments where he gazed thoughtfully at the horizon, lovingly at his human, or more often longingly at the next snack. But then, as soon as the ball was thrown, he was off, his joyful energy lighting up the beach.

One of my favorite moments from the session was when I captured Badger mid-chase, the wind blowing his hair all over the shop, and I caught the perfect shot of him in motion, his eyes full of excitement in pursuit of his ball. It’s moments like these that really bring out a dog’s true personality. The natural surroundings of Crosby Beach and the absolute killer sunset only enhanced the experience, adding a special element to the images we created together.

The Images: Highlighting Badger’s Charm

The photography session with Badger at Crosby Beach resulted in a collection of images that truly capture his unique personality. From the serene moments of him soaking in the coastal breeze to the playful shots of him chasing after his ball like the one above, every image told a story of Badger’s relaxed yet spirited nature.

‘Salty Sea Dog’ takes Gold with The Society of Photographers’s Monthly Image Competition for March.

But perhaps the most striking image of all is ‘Salty Sea Dog.’ We taught Badger to pose on a rock in just one minute, and although the wave breakers in the background didn’t seem like much at first, I found the perfect spot to shoot through rocks in the foreground, framing Badger perfectly. The sky that day? Could have been the main character were it not for Badger himself: the light and cloud formation were absolutely perfect. This image has already won Gold in The Society of Photographer's Monthly Image Competition and Bronzes in The BIPP Monthly Image Competition and The Guild of Photographers’ Image of the Month Competition, and it’s easy to see why. The composition, the light, and Badger’s serene pose make it an unforgettable shot.

The Viewing: Choosing the Perfect Way to Display Badger’s Portraits

After the session, it was time for the image reveal. We held the viewing over Zoom, as I had travelled back to my home in Cumbria, which is always a great way for clients to experience the magic of their portraits from the comfort of their home. When we went through the images, Badger’s Human was absolutely thrilled with the results — his personality truly shone through in every shot.

With so many beautiful images to choose from, she wanted to know the best way to display them. I suggested the Legacy Print Box, which is perfect for showcasing multiple images in a beautiful, cohesive and personalised way.

This custom box allows you to display a selection of fine art prints in a stylish and elegant format, and each print is carefully curated to match the overall session. The box can be tailored to suit the individual dog’s personality, the colours prevalent in the images and style, and as a special touch, I customised my logo to include Badger’s name. Each of the images also comes with the digital version, perfectly sized for social media. 

Badger’s Human loved the idea of the Legacy Print Box, not only because it offered a beautiful way to display Badger’s portraits, but also because the prints are a super size (10x12”) and truly showcase the fine details of the images. It was a wonderful way to preserve and present the memories from Badger’s special session, and I’m so glad they chose this bespoke option to treasure the moments forever.

Client Feedback: A Thrilled Response to the Images

Badger’s Human was over the moon with the images, expressing how delighted they were with the final results. She shared how thrilled she was to finally open the box on Easter Sunday, and couldn’t wait to show off the stunning portraits. It means so much that she was so pleased with the outcome and I really hope she lets me join the Badger Fan Club now!