Stop Guessing.

Start Creating Images You're Actually Proud Of.

Master the craft of professional pet photography with structure, expert feedback, and training that actually moves the needle.

JOIN THE PACK

I See You, Frustrated Photographer.

You love dogs. You love photography. You've invested in decent gear, watched countless YouTube tutorials, and practiced until your memory card is full.

But right now? Maybe you feel stuck.

Some shots turn out okay, but most are a frustrating mix of missed focus, bad lighting, and "almost great" images.
You’ve spent hours watching tutorials, but you’re still guessing every time you pick up the camera.
Editing takes forever, and even then, your photos don’t have that polished, professional look.

And worst of all? You’ve started to wonder:

“Why can’t I make my photos look like the pros"
“Maybe I’m just not talented enough.”
“How much longer can I keep trying before I give up?”

Here's the truth:

It's not your talent and it's not your gear.

What's missing is a structured system that removes the guesswork and actually helps you improve.

What if, in just a few months, you could confidently capture professional-quality pet portraits, without second-guessing your camera settings or spending hours fixing mistakes in editing?

You Might Be Thinking...

Your Image "I can learn this on my own for free."

Your Image Reality: Free content gives you tips.

The Academy gives you a system. There's a big difference between collecting random information and following a path where your skills actually compound over time.

Your Image "I just need more practice."

Your Image Reality: Practice only helps when you know what to practice.

Without understanding what separates a professional image from a snapshot, you'll keep getting inconsistent results, just faster.

Your Image "I don't have the right gear."

Your Image Reality: Your camera isn't the problem.

Your technique, lighting, and editing skills are. And those can absolutely be mastered with the right guidance, on the gear you already own.

The question isn't whether you can become a great pet photographer.

The question is:

Are you ready to stop guessing and start mastering your craft with a proven system that actually works?

Welcome to the

Hair of the Dog Academy

Hair of the Dog Academy is a membership built for pet photographers who are done guessing and ready to actually improve. With a structured learning path, expert live coaching, and a community of photographers who get it, this is where good photographers become great ones.

JOIN THE ACADEMY TODAY

Cris Andrews

"This course is outstanding."

This course is outstanding. Having done real estate photography for over eleven years I feel pretty comfortable with my camera, however, this is also a new approach for me. I am learning a lot and am very appreciative of having found the course. Many, many thanks!

I am really enjoying the academy and have just finished all the Module 1, Technical Elements. Much different than shooting real estate. I never once worried about my ISO or shutter speed or any of the other settings I have been (trying) to learn about.

The Hair of the Dog Academy is the only structured system built specifically for pet photographers who are serious about creating professional-quality work.

Clear Path.
Real Feedback.
Consistent Results.

Most photographers never figure out why their images fall short — because nobody teaches them what to look for. The Academy changes that. You'll follow a clear progression from technical foundations through shooting mastery and into editing — with expert feedback at every stage so you're never guessing whether you're on the right track.

Here's What's Inside the Academy:

MODULE 1:

Technical Foundations

This is where everything clicks. If you've ever felt like you're just guessing at your camera settings or like you understand the concepts but can't seem to apply them when a dog is running straight at you this module fixes that for good.

You'll master:

Exposure, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO — so you're in control, not just hoping for the best
Focus techniques that actually work on fast-moving animals
Working with dogs safely — reading body language, building trust, and directing sessions confidently
Composition principles that create images with intention, not just luck
How to shoot manual — and why it's the single biggest game-changer for your consistency

MODULE 2:

Shooting Mastery

Now that you've got the fundamentals, it's time to take your sessions to the next level. This module is all about what happens on location — how to find great light, create variety, pose pets and people together, and direct a session so you walk away with images you're genuinely excited to deliver.

You'll learn:

Natural light, backlighting, and golden hour: how to find it, use it, and stop fighting it
Location scouting and how to make any spot look stunning
Posing pets and people together from one dog + one owner to full family chaos
Full session walk-throughs so you can see exactly how a professional session flows from start to finish
Cat photography, equine photography, and multi-pet sessions

MODULE 3:

Editing Mastery

A great image starts in camera, but editing is where it comes to life. This module walks you through the full post-processing workflow from import to final export, with pet-specific techniques you won't find in general Lightroom or Photoshop tutorials.

You'll learn:

Nicole's complete workflow — from culling to delivery, the exact system she uses every single session
Lightroom 101 and Photoshop 101 — no fluff, just what you actually need for pet photography
Leash removal, fur retouching, and eye enhancement — the pet-specific edits that take your images from good to wow
Color management and creating a consistent, signature editing style
Group shots, composites, and advanced techniques for when you're ready to push your work further

Plus

We're Ready to Help with Live Support:

Homework Reviews

Submit your work and get personalized feedback from industry experts, so you always know exactly what to improve and how to get there.

Portfolio Reviews

Step back and look at the big picture. We'll help you build a cohesive, polished portfolio that attracts clients and reflects your unique style.

Live Editing Sessions

Watch and learn as experienced photographers edit in real time, sharing game-changing techniques that give your images that professional polish.

Access to a Thriving Community

Connect with photographers who actually get it. Get feedback, find accountability partners, and never feel like you're figuring this out alone.

Join Hair of the Dog Academy today and take the first step toward creating pet photos you're genuinely proud of.

JOIN THE ACADEMY NOW

When You Join as an Annual or Lifetime Member, You Get These Incredible Bonuses:

Bonus #1

Master Model Calls

You can only learn so much photographing your own dog. This bonus gives you a proven system for finding dogs to practice with — so you can apply what you're learning, build your portfolio, and get comfortable working with all kinds of canine personalities.

Bonus #2

Guest Artist Craft Lessons

Some of the best pet photographers in the world share their shooting techniques exclusively inside the Academy. Every guest artist brings a different style, perspective, and approach — so you're constantly learning new ways to see and create.

Bonus #3

Guest Artist Editing Examples

See how the pros actually edit their images. These behind-the-scenes walkthroughs show you the exact decisions, tools, and techniques top photographers use to take a raw file to a finished piece — so you can learn new techniques to apply to your work.

Bonus #4

Off-Camera Flash with Kim Hartz

Artificial light doesn't have to be intimidating. Kim Hartz walks you through everything you need to understand off-camera flash — equipment, settings, setup, and how to use it on location with pets. Once you get this, a whole new world of creative possibilities opens up.

Bonus #5

Studio Photography with Kim Hartz

Weather-proof your photography business. Kim's studio training covers lighting setups, posing pets and people in a studio environment, choosing props, and creating stunning black-background images. Whether you have a dedicated studio space or you're setting one up in your living room — this is your guide.

When You Join as an Annual or Lifetime Member, You Get These Incredible Bonuses:

Bonus #1

Master Model Calls

Bonus #2

Guest Artist Craft Lessons

Bonus #3

Guest Artist Editing Examples

Bonus #4

Off-Camera Flash with Kim Hartz

Bonus #5

Studio Photography with Kim Hartz

And for our Lifetime members:

Hair of the Dog Posing Cards — Mailed to Your Home!

Never freeze up mid-session again. These 50 physical posing cards are your creative companion on every shoot — giving you a wealth of ideas at your fingertips so you always know what to try next. Mailed worldwide.

Rachel McCready

"She shows the dirty, tricky, funny and beautiful side of dog photography."

I love Hair of the Dog Academy because Nicole speaks my language. She shows the dirty, tricky, funny, and beautiful side of dog photography. She shoots in real places—spots that look just like the parks and paths many of us have access to—and shows how to make them look magical. That’s something I’ve really taken to heart. I’ve learned to see the magic in a small park or an otherwise unremarkable location.

I'm Nicole.

Master photographer. Former zoological animal trainer. Travel addict. Chocolate + espresso martini connoisseur.

I've helped thousands of photographers stop spinning their wheels and start creating work they're genuinely proud of — not by telling them to "find their creative voice," but by giving them a real, structured system that actually works.

You might be thinking: "Okay, this sounds great. Just tell me what it costs!"

Fair. Let's put it in perspective first.

A single specialized pet photography workshop runs $3,500 to $8,000 — before travel. A private day with me is $2,500. And that's just a few hours.

Going it alone? You'll likely:

Spend hundreds of hours testing techniques with no guarantee of progress
Pay for multiple smaller courses that aren't specific to pet photography
Waste months — maybe years — frustrated because you don't have a clear roadmap

Over 1,000 pet photographers have already used this system to stop spinning their wheels and start creating work they're proud of. I've also photographed hundreds and hundreds of dogs — I know what it takes to get great images, and I know how to teach it.

All of that experience, distilled into one structured membership. For a fraction of what a single workshop costs.

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN ME SPEAK AT:

Which Membership Is Right for You?

I've been told I'm crazy for offering the Academy at this price, but my mission is to elevate the pet photography industry, and I want this accessible to everyone.

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP

$47/month

Monthly Payment

Full access to all three Academy modules (Technical Foundations, Shooting Mastery, Editing Mastery)
Full access to live coaching calls and homework reviews
Access to the community
Cancel anytime, no commitment

BECOME A MONTHLY MEMBER

YEARLY MEMBERSHIP

$370/year

LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

$697

One-Time Payment, Forever

Everything in Annual — forever, with no renewals
12 months of feedback and coaching
Every new lesson, update, and bonus added to the Academy — automatically
Hair of the Dog Posing Cards mailed to your home (worldwide)
Pay once. Access the content forever!

BECOME A LIFETIME MEMBER

Join Hair of the Dog Academy 100% Risk-Free

Try It for 7 Days!

I get it — committing to something new can feel like a big deal. What if you join and realize you're actually destined to be a landscape photographer instead? (Kidding... mostly.)

That's why I'm offering a no-questions-asked, 7-day, 100% money-back guarantee.

Jump in, explore the training, start improving your pet photography — and if you decide it's not for you, just email us within 7 days and we'll refund every penny. No hassle. No awkward breakups. No dramatic farewell speeches.

So go ahead, give it a shot. You've got nothing to lose and a whole lot of stunning pet portraits to gain.

Suzanne Pallottelli

"I realized I needed support and was very lucky to find HOD."

I dreamed of being a dog photographer for a long time. When I finally had the time to pursue it as a second career, I felt lost, stuck, and alone for over a year—until I found Hair of the Dog Academy. Joining has been truly life-changing. I’ve learned so many new skills, like editing, shooting in manual, and setting up my business. I love that I can turn to the community and office hours for support and inspiration whenever I need it. Now my business is finally getting off the ground—and I’m loving it. I’m so grateful. Thank you, Nicole and team, for everything you do!

The Academy is for you if:

✔ You're serious about improving your pet photography — not just watching videos and hoping something sticks

✔ You want to understand what actually separates professional images from amateur ones

✔ You're willing to take imperfect action and put in the work

✔ You want to connect with like-minded photographers who are chasing the same goals

The Academy is NOT for you if:

🅧 You expect results without actually doing the work

🅧 You plan to binge everything in 48 hours and bounce — mastery takes time

🅧 You need to cut others down to feel good about your own work

So, Let's Recap!

Here's Everything You Get When You Join Hair of the Dog Academy:

ALL MEMBERS GET:

Module 1: Technical Foundations — Master your camera, settings, and pet-specific shooting techniques
Module 2: Shooting Mastery — Light, location, posing, and full session walk-throughs
Module 3: Editing Mastery — From culling to delivery, with pet-specific Lightroom and Photoshop training
Monthly Homework Reviews — Personalized feedback that actually moves the needle
Portfolio Reviews — Build a cohesive body of work you're proud to show
Live Editing Sessions — Watch the pros work and steal their best tricks
Access to a Thriving Community — So you never have to figure this out alone

ANNUAL + LIFETIME MEMBERS ALSO GET:

Master Model Calls
Guest Artist Craft Lessons
Guest Artist Editing Examples
Off-Camera Flash with Kim Hartz
Studio Photography with Kim Hartz

Lifetime Members Also Get

Hair of the Dog Posing Cards mailed to your home — all 50, worldwide
Every future update and lesson added to the Academy, automatically, forever
12 months of coaching and homework reviews

Results like this could be yours...

Wow! Look at You!

You Made It All the Way to the Bottom of This Page!

If you're still reading, there's a reason.

There's a part of you that knows this is exactly what you've been looking for. So why not jump in and test it out? Seven days, risk-free, no commitment required.

What do you have to lose?

JUMP IN TODAY

Frequently Asked Questions

___

Got Questions?

We Have Answers!

I'm just getting started am I too new for this?

Is the Academy still helpful if I'm not a beginner?

Will I get personalized support?

How long do I have access to the material?

Can I upgrade my membership later?

Can I cancel at any time?

JOIN THE HAIR OF THE DOG ACADEMY TODAY!

Still have questions?

We’re standing by at Hair of the Dog HQ with your answers!