{"id":40709,"date":"2025-07-03T08:10:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T08:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/muse.international\/?p=40709"},"modified":"2025-07-04T04:25:51","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T04:25:51","slug":"sarah-bellwald-on-capturing-the-heart-of-pet-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/muse.international\/index\/sarah-bellwald-on-capturing-the-heart-of-pet-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"Sarah Bellwald on Capturing the Heart of Pet Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarah Bellwald, a Swiss photographer, specializes in capturing dogs and their owners in natural settings. Inspired by her own dog Cameo since 2020, she transformed a personal passion into a professional focus, evolving her style and approach to tell heartfelt stories through her lens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q1. Congratulations on winning in the MUSE Photography Awards! Can you share a little about yourself, what inspired you to pursue photography, and how has your journey evolved since your first shot?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am Sarah Bellwald from Switzerland, and I specialize in photographing dogs and people with their dogs in natural settings. I\u2019ve been taking pictures since I was 14\u2014starting with people, landscapes, and our pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, dog photography is my profession, and my own dog, Cameo, was my biggest inspiration. When he joined our family in 2020, I wanted to capture our moments together in photos. That desire sparked a deep passion for dog photography. Since then, my style and process have evolved significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back then, I mostly used automatic mode\u2014but now, nothing is left to chance. Image editing has also become essential. My first photos, taken with an analog camera, were unedited; today, post-processing is an integral part of my work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q2. Can you share the story or inspiration behind your award-winning piece? How does winning this award make you feel about your journey in photography?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My award-winning photo was taken during a fall session with a client. The dog, Kimani, was very relaxed, and the autumn morning in the forest was incredibly peaceful. I aimed to capture both the dog\u2019s personality and the mood of the forest in one image. For me, the result radiates calm and serenity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q3. How do you decide which photo to submit for a competition?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I choose images that evoke emotions or tell a strong story. I often trust my gut feeling\u2014if a photo stays on my mind for a long time, it has potential for a competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q4. What first made you pick up a camera?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wanted to capture memories so I could revisit those beautiful moments later through photos. We had young kittens at home, and since they grew so quickly and were absolutely adorable, I wanted to document every stage of their development. Photography has always been deeply tied to emotions for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q5. What\u2019s your favorite type of photography, and why do you love it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dog photography\u2014without a doubt! My heart beats for capturing dogs and their humans in nature. As a dog owner, I spend a lot of time outdoors, and nature means a lot to me. Dogs also love being outside, where they show their true character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some are full of energy, others relaxed, some curious, independent, or deeply connected to their human companions. Some love to play or run through the snow\u2014there are so many different personalities. I find the beauty of dogs fascinating: no two are alike, and each deserves to be photographed with their unique character and traits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs are humans\u2019 best friends and loyal companions. I love capturing the bond between a dog and its owner, creating moments that last forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Moment of Peace in the Autumn Forest<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Explore the journey of Greg McDonald<\/a>, the Silver Winner of the 2025 MUSE Photography Awards. He crafts cinematic stories blending character, composition, and color, drawing on the surreal drama of 1950s and \u201960s sci-fi and horror B-movies.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sarah Bellwald, a Swiss photographer, specializes in capturing dogs and their owners in natural settings. 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