About 10 years ago, I started out photographing during fishing trips, capturing nature beautiful sunsets and an occasional catch.
All though the setup was basic, and had no clue what I was doing, I really got into it and started to learn.
100 of hours of youtube video's and a lot of trial and error later I started to get a grasp of what I was doing and started to learn how to use Photoshop.
And boy! A whole new world opened before my eyes, the possibilities where almost endless!


Fast forwarding a few years later I bought some studio equipement, rebuild a room as a studio and got into portrait photography .
A whole new genre to play with and loving it!
Starting out working on my portfolio, inviting friends over for a shoot of them or their dogs.
Getting great reactions of people around me and on social media got me really going at it and still going strong.

Now let me take you trough a tour of my dog photos I took in the last 2 years or so!
Please let me know if you like my stuff, and if you have any questions please leave a comment and I will get back to you:)

- Guus -

One of the first images I took in my studio.
A little rough and a little out of focus, but wanted to share this with you because you got to start somewhere right?
This is Guus, my parents second English bulldog and when taking this photo he was 11 years old blind, deaf and sweet as a dog can be.
Little did I know that Guus would pass away only a month or 2 later.
This image brings me so much joy reminding me of that gentle old bull which I grew up with.

- Mina -

Now this is a special one that got really a ton of exposure on social media. People loved the way this little dog seems to smile in front of the camera.
The reality is in fact that this little chihuahua was super intimidated by the studio and didn't look that comfortable at all.
But eventually she calmed down by taking my time, not rushing into it and comforting her with treats and patience.
This shot I took at the moment she was chewing on her treats and making funny faces while eating.
I used a wide angle lens and got really close using 2 grid-light from behind and 2 octa boxes from the front to get some good lightning.

- Henk -

This is Henk.
After Guus died, my parents wanted to buy a pup.
So they bought an Old English Bulldog and DAMN this little dog has an big attitude!
At 11 weeks old I invited my mom to bring Henk to the studio, because I couldn't wait to work with him.
As a pup supposed to do, he first messed up my studio and than took a nice pee in the middle of it;)
As he calmed down and realised he would get some cookies if he sat down on stool/sofa, I started to take some shots.
Quite pleased with the end results actually, and really like the matching background and the soft grey tones of his fur.
And look at those eyes!
Can't wait to do this all over again when he's a little older.
Using a kit lens at about 35mm and a medium aperture, 2 grid-lights at the back, a big octabox at the front and a reflector to fill in the shadows.
In Photoshop I added some colour gradient just enough to give it an edge.

- Don Dada -

Now this is some bad ass mofo!
High end breeder of this pitbull asked me to do some photo's of his price winning dog 'The Don'.
All though personally, I don't really like these super low pitbulls, but I had fun shooting this dog.
So big, muscular and super gentle!
Hope that by now people starting to realise these dogs don't have to be killers, they are as loving as every other breed!
Here I used a 2 lightning setup with 2 gridlights from the sides and a big reflector from the front.
In post I converted it to Black and White and did some basic dodge and burn.

- Dely -

This Labrador was so calm, friendly and very well trained.
Never took her eyes of her owner.
Listening and looking at any sign he gave her.
Easiest shoot I've ever done.
Trying to capture the look in her eyes, her intelligence and total faith in her owner as the leader of her pack.
And take a look at her fur! Shiny and healthy as a dog should be.
Used my kitlens at about 35mm and again 2 gridlights from the back, the big octabox from the top right and a reflector to fill up the shadows.
In Photoshop I did some basic dodge and burn, some sharpening and some colour toning.

- JayJay -

Awesome Old English Bull.
Totally fine with the studio equipment and very well behaved.
Enjoyed working with her and her owner as well.
Feeding her treats and taking shots, how easy can it be;)
Again using treats to shoot funny faces while she was eating.

I really hope u guys like the work I put out.
If you have any questions leave a comment!

For more work and bigger images, visit:
https://www.ricoterhaar-photography.com

Or check out my instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ricoterhaar_photography/