Wild at Heart: An Afternoon with Oakley

"He's going to need a minute," Madison whispered as Oakley froze at the entrance to Williamstown Gardens, his ears pricked forward and body tense. I nodded and lowered my camera, giving the tri-coloured pup the space he clearly needed. As a vet nurse, Madison understood her dog's body language better than most, and I watched with admiration as she quietly sat on a nearby bench, not pulling or coaxing but simply waiting.

It's these first moments that often tell me everything I need to know about a session. The way Madison instinctively knew to let Oakley set the pace spoke volumes about their relationship – one built on trust and understanding rather than control.

After a few minutes of careful observation, Oakley's tail gave a tentative wag. His nose twitched with interest as new scents beckoned him deeper into the gardens. Madison glanced at me with a smile that said, "We're ready now."

The light filtered through the native trees, creating dappled patterns across the path as we made our way further into the quieter sections of the park. Working with anxious dogs is something of a specialty at Ragamuffin. We never rush these sessions, and with Oakley, patience was particularly important. Madison had warned me beforehand about his nervousness in new environments.

"He wasn't always like this," Madison shared, while we scouted out a quite spot to let Oakley run on the long leash. "He was really good until he hit puberty, and then he became anxious and reactive to everything."

When Madison first met Oakley, she'd thought she was bringing home a Border Collie x Kelpie pup. When she later ran a DNA test, it revealed a surprising heritage.

"Half dingo," she laughed, watching as Oakley suddenly took off after a butterfly, his movements fluid and purposeful. "Explains a lot about his personality."

I adjusted my camera settings quickly, capturing that moment of pure joy as he bounded across an open stretch of grass. His dingo ancestry was unmistakable in the way he moved – part domestic dog, part wild spirit.

Throughout our session, Madison remained constantly vigilant, her eyes scanning the surroundings for potential triggers that might upset Oakley. Whenever other dogs appeared in the distance, she would calmly redirect our path, giving him the space he needed to feel secure.

"Being a vet nurse helps,"" she admitted, "but mostly it's just about knowing him. He tells me what he needs if I pay attention."

As the session progressed, I noticed Oakley relaxing more, his initial wariness giving way to curiosity and even playfulness. This is always my favourite part of photographing anxious pets – witnessing that gradual unfurling of their true personality as they forget about the camera and simply enjoy being with their human in a beautiful setting.

"You know what's funny?" Madison said as she pulled out another treat from her pocket. "He absolutely loves fish-flavoured treats, but won't touch fresh fish. Hates the texture apparently!"

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As the sun lowered towards the horizon, we walked over to the nearby beach for the final part of our session. The change in scenery brought out a new energy in Oakley. He immediately scrambled up to the highest rocks on the shoreline, surveying the ocean below like a king overlooking his domain. The setting sunlight caught his tri-coloured coat perfectly, highlighting the wild intelligence in his eyes.

"He loves to climb," Madison explained. "And run. Basically anything that lets him burn energy and explore."

As she sat by the water's edge, Oakley eventually settling beside Madison. I hung back, using my zoom lens to give them space while still capturing these intimate moments.

The resulting images were exactly what I aim for in every session – natural, heartfelt portraits that reveal the unique personality of each pet and the special relationship they share with their human. With Oakley, that meant capturing both his wild spirit when running free and his gentle trust when returning to Madison's side.

As we wrapped up, Madison thanked me for my patience. "I wasn't sure how today would go," she confessed. "But you made it so easy for both of us."

That's the thing about photographing pets like Oakley – they teach us to slow down, to be present, and to celebrate the small victories. For a dog with anxiety, simply relaxing enough to play in a new environment is huge. And capturing that journey, from cautious beginnings to confident exploration, makes for photographs with real depth and meaning.

I packed away my gear as Madison and Oakley headed back to the car, his tail now wagging contentedly, a far cry from the frozen pup who'd arrived a couple of hours earlier. Another successful session in the books – not just because of the beautiful images captured, but because of the story they told of a special bond between a woman and her not-quite-domestic, not-quite-wild companion.

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Your Dog's Story Deserves to Be Told

Every silly expression, loving gaze, and playful moment tells part of your journey together. At Ragamuffin Pet Photography, our mission is to transform these fleeting connections into lasting keepsakes.

Our relaxed, dog-centered sessions work beautifully for every personality—from social butterflies to shy souls. The result? Printed keepsakes that bring back not just our session, but years of morning cuddles, excited greetings, and quiet companionship.

Ready to turn your invisible bond into something you can see and touch forever? Limited sessions are available each month. Get in touch to book your storytelling experience today.

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