Wind, White Fur, and Brass Hardware: Shooting for Arctic Mist

The wind was relentless. Sand lifting off the dunes, fur whipping sideways, the ocean throwing light in every direction. Not exactly the calm, controlled conditions you’d plan for a product shoot.

But standing on that Sunshine Coast beach, watching a White Shepherd stride through the chaos wearing one of Arctic Mist’s signature collars, I knew we were getting something better than “controlled.” We were getting real.

This is the story of my first dedicated brand collaboration as a Sunshine Coast pet photographer, two separate shoots, two very different dogs, and the kind of imagery that only happens when you let the animals lead.

The brand

Arctic Mist is a Brisbane-based luxury dog accessories label, handmade by founder Sasha in Brisbane. Her collars and leads feature premium brass hardware and beautifully woven fabrics across collections like the St Tropez, Monte Carlo, and Luxury Velvet ranges. The kind of products that deserve imagery to match.

It started with a DM. I reached out to Sasha ahead of a trip to the Sunshine Coast, and she was immediately open to collaborating. She shipped a selection of her pieces to my location, collars and leads in multiple colourways, along with her branded packaging and product guides. We planned the shoots remotely from there.

The approach

Every brand shoot starts with understanding the story behind the product. I put together a mood board and colour palette to align the creative direction with Arctic Mist’s identity: warm, earthy tones, brass accents, coastal light. Styling is everything in product photography, and the vision was clear from the start. Deep red against white fur, warm copper against blue sky.

I sourced two local model teams through community networks. For the first shoot: Bazzil, a stunning White Shepherd, and his human Carlie Wacker. For the second: Valentine, a Schnauzer with serious presence, and her human Tanaya. Two completely different dogs, two different energies, but both on the same stretch of Sunshine Coast beach, keeping the visual story cohesive.

Bazzil modelled four colourways across two collections: the Mocha Mousse from the Monte Carlo range, plus the Caramel Latte, Storm Blue, and Red from the St Tropez collection. That bright white coat was the perfect canvas, and every detail of the woven fabric and brass hardware stood out beautifully against his fur.

Valentine wore the Caramel Latte and Storm Blue St Tropez sets, bringing a completely different look. Dark wiry fur against those warm and cool tones, standing on the sand like she owned the place. Together they showed exactly how the same brand translates across breeds.

The shoots

That wind, though. Properly windy. But it worked entirely in our favour. Movement in the fur, energy on the beach, natural light bouncing off the water. It gave the images a sense of life that a calm studio shoot simply wouldn’t have captured.

We had an assistant on the rocks with a reflector, bouncing golden-hour light back onto the dogs while they worked the coastline. It’s those small details, the right light at the right angle, that turn a good shot into something a brand can build a campaign around.

Both dogs were absolute professionals. Patient, photogenic, and completely unfazed by the conditions. That’s the thing about working with dogs. You can’t force a great shot. You read the animal, work at their pace, and let the moments happen.

Growing up around dogs my whole life taught me that long before I picked up a camera.

The results

The final images captured exactly what Arctic Mist needed: editorial lifestyle photography that shows the accessories in context, on real dogs, in a real setting. Warm, natural, and ready for web, social, and campaign use.

Sasha has since used the images across her website and social channels. One of the Bazzil shots now serves as the hero image on arcticmistdogs.com, and another featured in a product launch teaser reel announcing a new collection to her subscribers. When your first brand collaboration leads to your photography becoming the face of the brand online, that’s a partnership that worked.

See Arctic Mist’s post featuring our shoot on Instagram.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is commercial pet photography?

Commercial pet photography creates professional imagery of pets wearing, using, or interacting with products for brands to use across their website, social media, and marketing materials. It combines product photography skills with animal handling experience.

How do you source dog models for brand shoots?

Dog models are sourced through community networks and local pet communities. The key is matching the right dog to the brand's aesthetic, whether that's breed, coat colour, temperament, or energy level.

Can you photograph products from pet brands Australia-wide?

Yes. Products can be shipped to the shoot location, and shoots are planned remotely. This collaboration with Brisbane-based Arctic Mist was photographed on the Sunshine Coast, with all planning done via DM and email.

What do brands receive after a commercial pet photography shoot?

Brands receive a set of edited, high-resolution images ready for web, social media, and print use. The exact deliverables depend on the package, but typically include a mix of lifestyle shots, detail close-ups, and editorial portraits.