A New Creative Challenge (and Our First Theme: Action)

A photographer friend and I decided to start something new together: a monthly

photography challenge.

Each month, we’ll choose a theme, create an image inspired by it, and then each write a blog sharing our take. Same prompt, two photographers, two potentially very different interpretations.

Honestly, I loved this idea right away.

As a Minnesota dog photographer, it’s really easy to spend most of my time focused on client sessions, editing, emails, marketing, and all the behind-the-scenes work that comes with running a photography business. Sometimes creating just for creativity’s sake gets pushed aside.

This felt like a fun way to challenge ourselves and make space for that again.

Our first theme was Action.

My first thought? Well… I photograph dogs. Action should be easy, right?

Except action is about more than just movement.

To me, it’s about capturing energy. Anticipating the moment before it happens. Freezing that tiny fraction of a second you’d otherwise miss.

For this challenge, I photographed a Dalmatian playing in the river, which felt like the perfect fit. Water adds a whole extra layer of beauty. Splashes everywhere, constant movement, and absolutely no two moments looking the same.

And Dalmatians? They don’t exactly do anything halfway. They run hard, leap hard, play hard… and they photograph beautifully in motion.

Be sure to check out my fellow photographer’s take on this month’s theme here: https://aboutadogphoto.com/action-dog-photos-blurry/

One thing I love about dog photography, especially action-based or adventure sessions, is that you can’t really fake it. You have to pay attention. You’re watching body language, reading movement, and trying to predict what’s about to happen a split second before it does.

And sometimes… you miss.

Sometimes you get blur.

Sometimes you miss focus.

Sometimes you get a great splash and no dog.

But sometimes everything lines up.

And when it does, you capture something that feels alive.

That’s what action means to me.