Coloured Powder Group Session Information
My coloured powder photos have gained enormous traction since the moment they were released, going viral all over the world. They’re available both as part of an individual photo shoot, or available as powder-only sessions for groups of five to ten participants.
You can pre-register for upcoming group powder sessions here.
Pre-Registration - Group Powder events
I just had a powder shoot done with Jess with my two dogs. It was such an amazing and fun morning. She was great with the animals and patient as we worked the dogs to warm up. Jess never stopped until she got the perfect pictures of my pups. I would definitely recommend Jess for any of your photo desires. Her imagination is limitless.
- Sandra Holland
The set up
During these sessions, I set up my mobile studio in an indoor, dirt-floored arena! I supply a large backdrop and studio lighting, and come armed with a camera specifically designed for photographing action. With this set up, the detail which I am able to capture is unsurpassed.
I supply an assortment of coloured powder from which you and the other group attendees can select the colour for their dog(s). There are 10 colours to choose from, and we will use one colour per dog.
I supply a single jump. If other props are desired, they must be supplied by the participant(s).
the process
This is captured in-camera and is not a digital effect simply stamped onto a photo after the fact. We apply powder to your dog and let ‘r rip!
This is a group event for a reason. To keep this session running smoothly, I ask that everyone come prepared to both handle their own dog and help with their friends’.
There are normally two people involved per dog: the helper (who places powder on the dog before each repetition) and the handler (who calls their dog through the obstacle and rewards). It’s just that simple!
Dogs should ideally have good independent obstacle performance for these shots, as handlers will be ~15 feet away as I take photographs. We normally need approximately 5-10 successful repetitions until I am confident that we have captured exactly what I want.
Pricing
A group session consists of the following:
A photographic session with Jess Bell Photography
One bag of coloured powder for your dog.
Professional image editing.
One digital file (watermarked, 2048 px on long edge), delivered by email.
$200 print credit on purchases of wall art (16x24” or larger) from the session.
$300 registration fee + 39.00 HST = $339.00 total registration due at time of booking.
Other fees will be invoiced after event and prior to delivery of images.
Additional dog(s) or event(s) per handler: $120 each (includes digital image)
Arena rental fees & mileage extra, if applicable.
Group session participants received a $200 print credit on all pieces of wall art 16x24” or larger from the session (stretched canvas, metal prints) from my standard price list.
Group powder sessions are public events by default, and I will attempt to fill each session to the maximum number of participants. If you desire to organize a private event for you and your friends only, contact me for rates. A small premium will apply.
Every single purchased image is painstakingly and professionally hand-edited to achieve my signature look. Simple photographs become works of art worthy of hanging on your walls.
What do I need to know?
YOUR DOGS WILL GET DIRTY (as will you!) Consider the lingering colour as a memento of our awesome shoot! Wear dark-coloured clothes that you don’t mind getting stained. Try to keep yourself and your dog as dry as possible during the shoot.
Pigment tends to linger on dogs for a few days (or even weeks) afterwards. Please be mindful of this if you perform in any conformation, obedience or rally events with your dogs. CKC/AKC does not allow dyed dogs to compete. I do not recommend scheduling a photo shoot in the month prior to a competition.
From my experience, I recommend to NOT bathe your dogs before or immediately after the shoot. Bathing before will remove oil from your dog’s coat that would act as a buffer to the pigment, and bathing immediately after seems to make the pigment hold more fast. Reds seem to fade faster than greens, and lingering colour is most evident on white fur.
After we’re done working with each dog, I recommend you towel them off thoroughly, brush, then repeat. Finish up your clean up with a high-velocity dryer to blow out any remaining powder. Make sure there is no more loose powder before bathing your dogs.
Unless previously discussed, I will be the one to select the photo to create the final image. I examine each image for clarity, details, form and more, and know what works best when creating these images. You will see shots from the back of my camera as you work, and we can discuss potential selections at that time. I reserve the right to make small tweaks to photos to ensure the subjects look their best.
The coloured powder I use is non-toxic and safe to use with your dogs. However, like all powder, it’s best to avoid inhaling it. We take every precaution to avoid this (shooting outdoors with lots of ventilation, only ever cuing forward momentum, keeping powder behind the head at all times).
You can find more information here in my FAQ blog post on the subject.
What about other sports other than agility?
I welcome people from other sports to attend these powder sessions. Disc! IPO! You can even just play fetch with your dog! As long as we can find a way to use the powder safely, I welcome us doing so!
HOW DO I BOOK?
SCHEDULING
I normally schedule sessions 2-3 months in advance. Booking early is recommended. Contact me to discuss availability.
Generally I ask that clients try to organize interested parties themselves so you’re mostly working with people you know during the session. Note that I reserve the right to fill in any gaps in attendance with other clients, if possible. A small fee will be charged if you request a private shoot with fewer than the maximum of 10 participants. If you’re interested in a group session but cannot locate anyone else, let me know and I may be able to put a group together.
PAYMENT
A deposit from each attendee is due at the time of booking to hold the date in my calendar. Outstanding fees, including add-on charges, will be invoiced after the session. The finished images will only be released to you once payment has been received in full.
CONTRACT
A signed contract must be completed prior to our session. This serves as a release for you and your animal(s).
Behind the scenes - all hands on deck!
As you can see from these behind the scene photographs, this is an involved and very fun process for everyone. For group sessions, I ask that everyone come willing to help out with everyone else’s dogs and be ready to get a little dirty. It’s all part of the process!
