Dog Photographer Profile: ANGELA HUBBARD

Ottawa Dog Blog had the chance to interview photographer, Angela Hubbard from Beyond Bellies. Angela is new to Ottawa, having just moved here from Vancouver.

Name: Angela Hubbard | BEYOND BELLIES PHOTOGRAPHY
Location: Ottawa, ON
Website: http://www.beyondbellies.com
Camera(s): canon 5d – canon 1d mark II

How would you classify or explain your style of dog photography?
I like to call it ‘phot-DOG-graphy’ I have been very blessed for the past 15 years to have a wonderful photography career photographing people. All kids of people from celebrities, rock stars, weddings, portraits, which has now brought my career path to two of my most challenging subjects ever – children and dogs. My career and style started when I started shooting rock concerts for Rolling Stone and capturing artists in their element, while I was in my element. There was something with our 2 passions & energies mixing, something that just ‘clicked’ that was magical. This same energy has moved from rock stars to dogs… as every concert is different… so is every dog. You work with your subject, you know when it’s the right time, play in that energy and when they it’s done.. it’s done.

How did you get into doing dog-related photography?
When I was a kid, we always had dogs in my household. My mom wouldn’t have it any other way. She is THE dog walker! Also, being the 4th of 5 children our dog kept us active, my sister and brother were both artists and I stole their cameras and would take photos of our beagle, Snoopy. Funny how it all happened at such a young age, If I only knew then, it would be my life now.

When did you first realize you are a photographer?
One day in the summer of 1978 (?), I picked up my sister’s 110 camera at my cottage and took a photo of her. The second the shutter clicked, I knew that this was just it. weird huh?! I still have that photo.

Could you tell us some more about your work?
I let my images speak for themselves
I have 3 websites:

Keeping updates on all my sites is a full time job so I have a blog which I update frequently which is called ‘the adventures of fotochick‘ which combines all my jobs, adventures, things I like, my travels and my photos of recent shoots… this is my favorite page. If you have an RSS feeder you can plug this link into your reader and every time I update my page you can see where I have gone. Technology is brilliant isn’t it?!

Which one item of equipment would you say is the most important to you?
Canon 1D Mark II – this is my baby and my favorite camera ever!

What is it that inspires you to take the style of pictures you do?
LOVE. I can have an idea, but the weather might not be quite right, or the location may change, but with my subjects I always get the love that shines through.

What famous photographers have influenced you, and how?
My sister, without her knowledge and her teaching me how to use have 35mm camera, I wouldn’t be here today. She’s famous in my eyes.

Are you a self taught photographer or did you have a mentor that showed you the ropes?
I am self taught. I took a few courses at a local photography school in Vancouver, because I was told that was what I was suppose to do.. so I did it.. but dropped out. I kind of did things backwards… I realized that you have to go to school to learn the rules to break them, but I was already doing that, and what they taught me in school confused me, so I kind of went back to doing it my way. I did have a very special mentor, my boyfriend in 1996 – in my eyes, he was the most amazing artist and I learned everything about who I am today, both spiritually, mentally and photographically from him.

How do you decide on locations & subjects?
My subjects find me. I very rarely advertise. I find my clients find me through word of mouth, or by seeing an image I took in a home or a magazine or online. I photograph such a variety of things, I ask them what they like. simple, right?!

What makes you choose to shot something in B&W over color?
With digital, I shoot everything in color and then when I process each image on my computer, that is when I decided to use actions of filters and that’s why I choose weather or not to convert it. Once I see the final product, or if my client asks me to make an image b/w.

In general, during a session, how many pics would you say you take to find “the right one”?
As I stated above: With me, there is something with mine and my clients passions & energies that mix. This same energy has moved from rock stars, to weddings to dogs… as every wedding is different… so is every dog. You work with your subject, you know when it’s the right time, play in that energy and when they it’s done.. it’s done.

Do you rely on lighting (natural, or artificial), or do you rely on dark-room/computer manipulation?
I like natural light, over studio lights. Some people like a controlled environment, I like big fields, natural sun, being outside… but that’s just my thing.

What do you do for fun (besides photography)?
hahahahahaha – funny you ask me this question. Last month – after 15 years of globe trotting, photographing (almost) everyone AND their kids AND pets.. decided I was coming to come back to my hometown of Ottawa, with my dog Whiskey and get back to my roots. I missed my family and wanted to be closer to my loved ones and hopefully find MY prince charming and start MY family. I have been so blessed to see it for over 500 weddings, thought I’d like to live the dream too (fingers crossed).

What advice would you give someone who wanted to take a great photo of their dog?
Dogs are unconditional. They are filled with love.

Do you have a dog(s)? if yes, what kind, please brag about your pooch here
OMG!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE my dog. His name is Whiskey and he can be seen in his very own section of my website under my pooch. He is a Bichon-Frise/poodle mix. He was born in Langley, BC on May 6th, 2006 you can see him here on my blog.