AI Can Stage Models. I Work With Real Dogs (and Their Humans).

When Exanimo, a vegan fashion brand designing clothes for both dogs and their owners, invited me to shoot their new collection in Barcelona, I knew it wasn’t going to be your typical studio session.
The models? Half human, half four-legged — and let’s just say only one of those groups listened to instructions.

Some dogs wanted to play, others ran off with accessories, and one even decided the backdrop was the perfect spot for a nap. But out of that chaos came some of the most authentic and joyful images I’ve ever captured.

Here’s what it really took:

• Patience Under Pressure

  
  Imagine trying to photograph a dog who thinks every prop is a chew toy, while the clock is ticking. Instead of forcing the moment, I laughed, waited, and used those “imperfect” seconds. Turns out, the playful chewing made for one of the campaign’s most memorable shots.

  
  

  

  
  

• Timing Mastery

  
  Dogs don’t hold a pose. One gave us the perfect “blue steel” face for exactly 0.7 seconds. Blink, and it was gone. My job? Anticipate, breathe, and shoot faster than instinct. Those split-second wins became the heart of the campaign.

• Creative Direction (for two species at once)

  
  Humans respond to clear guidance. Dogs? Not so much. I had to coax one pug with snacks, encourage the owner to relax, and somehow make them look stylish together. By blending playfulness with direction, we turned chaos into connection.

  
  

  

  
  

• Vision Beyond Perfection

  
  If you expect robotic obedience from dogs, you’ll leave frustrated. I embraced the quirks — the tilted ears, the tongue sticking out, the misaligned poses. Those little imperfections gave the images their soul and made the brand’s message stand out.

The result? A campaign that wasn’t about “perfect fashion photos” but about the bond between people and their dogs — authentic, funny, and deeply human (and canine).

Because real photography isn’t about controlling every detail. It’s about embracing life’s unpredictability — even if it’s covered in fur.