Charlotte’s Prime 10 Images of 2024

What a 12 months! We kicked issues off by filming content material for Empower, the third course in our Unleashed Challenges sequence, ending simply earlier than I took a dramatic tumble off my horse in March, spraining my ankle and breaking my tailbone. By April, I used to be hobbling round simply in time for our ultimate Unleashed Workshop (take a look at the recap right here), held in gorgeous Arrowtown, New Zealand, proper earlier than the Autumn Pageant. I’ll miss working workshops there, however in 2025 we’ll be off to someplace new!

In June, I co-hosted Barkjavik, the subsequent evolution of our “barka” worldwide pet images retreats. In contrast to our workshops since 2016, this was a ten-day images tour alongside Iceland’s south coast, with every day shoots and stays in a number of places.

Afterwards, I headed to Scotland and England for a few weeks and spent a really pleasant birthday touring Welsh castles, with my fellow history-loving pet photographer good friend Sarah. 

I had a couple of weeks again residence earlier than heading off for 10 days of snowboarding in Queenstown, New Zealand with mates in August – which I managed to get by with out additional damage. In September I had long-planned shoulder surgical procedure, which has resulted in a fairly gradual however regular restoration. 

The second half of our 12 months in Unleashed was taken up with working the Worldwide Pet Pictures Awards for the second time, and wrapping up three Unleashed Challenges programs. 

This 12 months, private shoots had been few and much between, and since I now not tackle non-public purchasers, my Prime 10 pictures all got here from workshops and retreats – although we did sneak in a couple of private shoots organised across the workshops themselves.

I entered the IPPA once more, because the suggestions from our knowledgeable judging panel is invaluable. I used to be thrilled to earn a few Silver Distinctions, however what happy me most was the consistency of my scores. All 22 pictures I entered scored between 76 and 86, which I’m fairly proud of, particularly given many had been captured whereas instructing!

2025 is already shaping as much as be one other hectic 12 months, however I’m decided to carve out extra time for private tasks this time, so I’ve extra pictures to select from for my very own canine’s annual calendar challenge, and in addition for getting into in competitors. Want me luck!

Let’s check out my favorite ten pictures from 2024!

Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 135mm ƒ/1.8L, ISO 1000, 1/800 sec, ƒ/1.8 

Kyro

We all the time have the finest fashions after we run our workshops in Arrowtown, New Zealand. There’s simply one thing in regards to the canine tradition in that a part of the world that produces well-adjusted canine and house owners with a way of journey, all the time so joyful to work as a staff and do no matter we have to get the shot! At workshops, we usually do a 15 minute demo in the beginning of every shoot. Sadly it was raining after we began, however that did make for some fairly atmospheric photographs of gorgeous Kyro, a white German Shepherd.

My authentic edit on this picture performed on the autumn tones, including heat. However I felt the climate circumstances (there are seen raindrops) would possibly go well with a darker, moodier edit, so I transformed the picture to black and white, and performed round with it additional. I truly posted each variations in our Premium Members Fb group, and the enter given there helped me to refine it much more, ending up with this ultimate model.

Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 135mm ƒ/1.8L, ISO 640, 1/1000 sec, ƒ/1.8

Benson

After Unleashed Workshop, the Unleashed staff spent an additional week in Arrowtown photographing canine, indulging in superb meals (each home-cooked and at native eating places) and attending the Autumn Pageant. I additionally managed to get in fairly a couple of walks alongside the river and delicate hikes, caring for my recently-sprained ankle!

One in all our shoots took us to the gorgeous Shotover River, with its icy blue waters framed by the colourful autumn foliage of the canyon. No Prime 10 submit is full and not using a picture of Arrowtown’s star mannequin, Benson, who by no means fails to steal the present. As our go-to mannequin every time we go to, he makes it practically unimaginable to choose a favorite shot – he’s effortlessly photogenic, instinctively hanging the right pose and nailing his angles each time.

This time, I went with an motion shot that completely captures his pleasure as he trots again towards us throughout the river pebbles and shallow water.

This picture scored an 83 within the IPPA, leading to a Silver award.

Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 24mm ƒ/1.8 Macro, ISO 250, 1/800 sec, ƒ/2

Kash

One other post-workshop enjoyable shoot passed off at St Bathans, an unbelievable and other-worldly location that includes a dramatic panorama formed by Nineteenth-century gold mining. Hydraulic sluicing carved out what’s now the gorgeous Blue Lake, its vivid blue waters surrounded by stark white clay cliffs – a reminder of the world’s mining previous. Not that you may see a lot of the situation from this picture, however Kash right here is perched excessive up on a clay cliff, in opposition to the attractive sundown that we had been fortunate sufficient to witness that day!

He had lots to say, and I like how his tail stands tall like a waving flag, completely balancing his head as he sings towards the fiery skies. His dad was initially within the shot to maintain him secure and in place, however eradicating him added a phenomenal sense of solitude to the scene.

Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 135mm ƒ/1.8L, ISO 1250, 1/320 sec, ƒ/2.2 (multi picture panorama)

Icelandic Sheepdog

I first visited Iceland in October 2023 to run Type Lab Retreat, spending two weeks immersed in its gorgeous landscapes – take a look at the recap right here. This 12 months, we headed again! 

This time, it was to run a distinct sort of pet images retreat, Barkjavik, alongside Craig Turner-Bullock, Nicole Begley, Kaylee Greer, and Sam Haddix. Returning in June was a complete new expertise – summer season in Iceland is an fascinating expertise but in addition considerably magical, with the solar barely dipping beneath the horizon and a seemingly by no means ending twilight.

We organised a number of location-scouting shoots for simply us instructors earlier than the picture tour started. This shot, taken at Jökulsárlón (glacier lagoon), completely captures the surreal fantastic thing about Iceland’s infinite summer season nights. The Icelandic Sheepdog was a perfect topic for this location, matching the otherworldly surroundings whereas standing out due to the complementary tones of his coat. Big due to Sam for stepping in to deal with the canine and serving to convey my imaginative and prescient to life!

This picture scored an 83 within the IPPA, leading to a Silver award.

Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 24mm ƒ/1.8 Macro, ISO 250, 1/1000 sec, ƒ/1.8

Rökkvi

This subsequent location-scouting shoot for Barkjavik was a dream come true for me. We initially meant to start the shoot at Stokksnes, a surprising coastal headland identified for its dramatic black sand seashores, windswept dunes, and the hanging Vestrahorn mountain backdrop. Nevertheless, the infamous Iceland wind had manifested, making it unimaginable to shoot within the dunes until we wish to get utterly sandblasted!

Fortunately, close by is Vestrahorn’s Viking Village! This reproduction Viking settlement, initially constructed as a film set (you may see it in The Witcher: Blood Origin), options rustic picket longhouses, turf-roofed buildings, and village pathways. There’s even a duplicate Viking longboat, which is the place I captured a few of my favourite photographs of our mannequin, Rökkvi, a Border Collie combine. With the wind including the right contact of windswept fur and a raised ear, he actually regarded like just a little adventurer!

I entered this picture within the IPPA, and scored 84 which resulted in a Silver award.

Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 135mm ƒ/1.8L, ISO 400, 1/1000 sec, ƒ/4

Orka and Kraftur

We’d shot at Reynisfjara throughout Type Lab Retreat, but it surely’s the sort of place you may all the time come again to and the temper will likely be totally different, because the climate and circumstances are so changeable. Reynisfjara is healthier often called Iceland’s well-known black sand seaside, and options dramatic basalt columns, thundering Atlantic waves, and towering sea stacks. This time, I turned away from the standard views and shot in a westwards route in direction of a rocky outcrop known as Dyrhólaey, with these two gorgeous (and tremendous effectively skilled) German Shepherds, Orka and Kraftur, taking centre stage.

I like how they stand out amongst the monotone panorama and sky. I put a variety of work into their fur look and texture on this picture, and I feel it pays off!

This picture scored 80 within the IPPA, and earned a Silver award.

Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 50mm ƒ/1.2L, ISO 100, 1/2500 sec, ƒ/1.2 (multi picture sew)

Móri

In spite of everything the situation scouting shoots, Barkjavik started in its namesake, Reykjavik, and naturally we needed to shoot at Hallgrímskirkja, an iconic landmark church identified for its distinctive design impressed by Iceland’s basalt lava flows. It’s one of many nation’s tallest buildings and stands as a strong image of Icelandic heritage and creativity.

Móri, together with his snowy white fur and regal presence, was the best mannequin for this location, completely suited to a high-key picture. The overcast sky was a bonus! The positioning was bustling with folks through the shoot, so I spent fairly a little bit of time in post-processing, merging pictures to increase the church’s view and meticulously eradicating all these pesky people from the background.

Price it? I feel so, and the judges agreed after I entered this within the IPPA and acquired a ultimate rating of 84 – a Silver award.

Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 50mm ƒ/1.2L, ISO 125, 1/1250 sec, ƒ/1.8 (multi picture sew)

Icelandic Horse

One of many highlights of Barkjavik was photographing Icelandic Horses amidst the gorgeous countryside – and it very practically didn’t occur! Gale power winds began up the day earlier than, so for some time there it regarded like we weren’t going to be going forward with the shoot. However these sorts of circumstances are pretty regular for the resilient Icelandic folks, and the horses stay outdoor year-round so it was simply one other day for them!

We moved the shoot to a extra sheltered valley, a hidden sanctuary of moss-covered rocks and a cascading waterfall. The handlers introduced a small herd of horses on horseback from the farm the place we stayed. They ran the herd backwards and forwards throughout the stream in entrance of the waterfall, making a scene straight out of a dream. Amongst all the photographs I captured, this one stands out – an intimate second with only one horse from the herd, given their likelihood to steal the highlight and embody the spirit of this very particular breed of horse.

Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 50mm ƒ/1.2L, ISO 1250, 1/640 sec, ƒ/1.8

Shelter Love

This 12 months, we launched our third Unleashed Challenges course Empower, that includes a problem known as Dogumentary. Craig and I like to leap into these challenges after we can, so for this one, I headed to my native pet shelter, Peninsula Animal Assist. I’ve been working with them for over a decade now, and whereas I now not {photograph} adoptables, I nonetheless seize rehomed canine for his or her annual calendar and shoot their Santa Paws occasion every year.

I visited on a Saturday, their busiest day of the week, and frolicked for a few hours taking candid photographs of the shelter staff and the canine and cats ready for houses. Bryony is a devoted volunteer shelter employee, giving up her Saturdays to have a tendency the canine within the shelter. She has a stunning approach with the canine and I felt privileged to have the ability to seize her at work, forging connections with these misplaced souls.

This canine was particularly timid, being very cautious of me hanging round outdoors the pen, however slinking up slowly to Bryony whereas she was cleansing the water bowl, for a sneaky pat.

In addition to making a behind the scenes video for the Empower course of my time photographing at PAA, I additionally entered this within the Documentary class of the IPPA and it was truly my highest scoring entry with 86 factors, awarded a Silver Distinction. Earlier within the 12 months I entered a montage together with this picture and eight others within the Australian Photographic Prize, and scored 81 and a Silver.

Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 135mm ƒ/1.8L, ISO 640, 1/1000 sec, ƒ/1.8

Fletcher, Opal and Enzo

What would a Prime 10 submit be with out my very own furry terrors – Fletcher, Opal and Enzo the Australian Shepherds.

I put a variety of work into Unleashed this 12 months, and with numerous accidents, didn’t have a lot time left over for photographing my very own canine like I normally do, so my choices for his or her annual wall calendar had been restricted! I did handle to scrape collectively sufficient pictures although and you’ll test them out right here. I plan on addressing that subsequent 12 months – I’ve some behind the scenes movies to create for our problem programs!

This was a picture I shortly grabbed one afternoon on my entrance patio as my canine had been partaking in one in every of their favorite video games – teamwork makes the dream work! These guys are tremendous shut, they actually do love one another and better of all, they love to hang around and play collectively too, every with their particular function in no matter recreation they’re enjoying.

You may take a look at all the photographs from their 2024 calendar on Fb right here.

And there you will have it – a glimpse into what I’ve been as much as this 12 months and some of my private favourites from 2024. What about you? We’d like to see your favourites – share them with us in our Fb neighborhood!

If you would like to seek out out extra about Charlotte Reeves, you may take a look at her About web page right here, or discover out extra about Unleashed Schooling right here.