1st to 8th may 2026
Scottish pet photography retreat
Join us for our 3rd dog photography retreat in the Scotland!
We explore on-location and studio photography, and how to take your pet photography to the next level.
This retreat is all about honing your craft, sharing inspiration, and connecting with fellow dog photographers to create unforgettable memories and lasting friendships.
We’ll be staying in a traditional Scottish lodge, tucked away in secluded countryside. We’ll explore stunning locations featuring mountains, forests, castles and lochs, providing a breathtaking backdrop for our photography sessions.
Don’t miss this extraordinary week of creativity, connection, and natural beauty in Scotland!
Kristen and Ewan are natural teachers, and they made the entire experience comfortable and enjoyable. They were patient, understanding, and always encouraged questions, never making me feel unsure. Beyond the learning, the retreat offered an incredible opportunity to build lifelong friendships with fellow photographers who share a love for dogs and photography.
And of course, it was set against the breathtaking backdrop of Scotland! The scenery was unmatched, and the house we stayed in was absolutely stunning. This retreat is an absolute must for anyone passionate about dog photography !
Kristen Murray is a traveling outdoorsy canine photographer with a deep passion for capturing dogs in their element and the extraordinary bond they share with their humans.
Elke Vogelsang is a commercial and editorial photographer specialising in pet portraiture. Every pet has a personality and Elke's images are a homage to these wonderful family members.
Woofventures is not just about learning in a formal environment. We LOVE everything dog photography and we are there to share our knowledge and experience with you.
Whether you need one of us to sit with you at the computer to help with some editing, taking Ruckus off to experiment on a technique or just have us sit with you to chat all things dog photography. We are open, friendly and more than happy to spend time with you – that’s Woofventures secret sauce.
We are keeping the spaces limited to 9 students, meaning even in class environment it will still be a small group When it comes to shoots there will be 3 students per instructor, with you getting a chance to shoot with each instructor during the retreat.
To the total surprise of his mum and dad, Ruckus was an absolute star at our 2025 retreat as part VIP guest, part welcome committee, and 100% snuggler. Naturally, he’s already booked for next year.
Oh, and did we mention he moonlights as a model?
Woofventures was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Kristen and Ewan are incredible instructors who provided me with invaluable insights, both in refining my craft and improving the way I run my business.
Their combined expertise—Kristen’s mastery of outdoor adventure photography and Ewan’s vast studio knowledge—gave me a well-rounded education in dog photography. What I learned has completely transformed my workflow and approach , from start to finish.
While we are still busy working on and tweaking the content this is what to expect from a typical day.
We will have a day off mid-week to give you time to unwind. This is your chance to explore a little more of Perthshire whether that is going for a hike through Glen Tilt or a shopping spree at the House of Bruar followed by a visit to the Falls of Bruar.
If you prefer you can spend the day unwinding in and around the house which sits on the banks of the River Tilt and surrounded by natural beauty.
Forest Lodge is a traditional hunting lodge tucked away in the heart of Glen Tilt, one of Perthshire’s most scenic and unspoiled glens. Accessible only by an eight-mile private road beginning at the historic Blair Castle in Blair Atholl, the lodge offers a secluded escape surrounded by the natural beauty of Highland Perthshire. With its rugged hills, ancient woodland, and the winding Tilt Water, Glen Tilt provides a breathtaking backdrop for our dog photography adventure in the heart of the Highlands.
The lodge was renovated to the highest standard in 2021 while retaining its traditional features and feel. It offers a mixture of private king rooms with en-suites and twin bedrooms with shared bathrooms. The location is ideal if you want to walk in the beautiful surroundings or cold plunge in the River Tilt to invigorate you for a day of learning.
There may not be hairy coos this time round but we do have wild horses, deer and a host of other Scottish wildlife waiting to be spotted. We can’t wait to roam, wander, and soak up every inch of this breathtaking landscape!
We’re thrilled to have permission to shoot at the iconic Blair Castle — home to the Atholl family for over 750 years. The castle has witnessed centuries of Scottish history, from clan battles to royal visits, and has been expanded and adapted through the ages. It’s a rare opportunity to capture such a historic and beautiful setting.
Early bird rates, available until the 19th September 2025. Prices in USD.
Application fee of $100 is required at time of application. The $100 will be deducted from the cost of your place or if we can’t offer you a space it will be refunded. If you are offered a place and decide not to take it up the $100 is non-refundable.
A $900 deposit is required at time of being accept onto the retreat. With the balance being required 2 weeks later. If you have any questions about pricing or payment schedule please reach out to us.
A payment plan is available for an additional $200. $900 deposit at the time of booking and the balance by February 15th 2026.
The Woofventures retreat was amazing! Kristen and Ewan created incredible opportunities for us to photograph of the most wonderful dogs in absolutely fabulous locations. And when we weren't off with pups in the Highlands of Scotland, we stayed at the most luxurious country house, ate yummy food and got to play with even more pups in the studio.
I appreciated the time they took to work with each of us individually and help us with camera settings, posing the dogs, working with clients, lighting - whichever skills we were trying to focus on…. My husband even tagged along and he just loved hanging out at Muckrach House, visiting Aviemore and enjoying the Scotch.
The retreat is for photographers who are already confident in using their cameras and have experience working with dogs.
We are definitely for you if you are keen to learn, have an open mind and ready to push your photography and business to the next level!
You can arrive at the house between 8pm and 10pm on Friday 1st or in the morning on Saturday 2nd.
All meals will be provided from the 2nd
Dietary needs such as gluten free, vegetarian or vegan will be catered for just make sure you tell us in advance.
Scotland is famous for having all four seasons in one day, we can’t promise you what the weather will be. We will be out shooting even if it’s raining, only the most severe weather will shoots be cancelled.
Just remember to pack your rain gear and embrace the wilds of Scotland!
You will need a DSLR/Mirrorless camera as well as lenses in the following range – 24-70mm and 70-200mm. Primes that fit into this range are also acceptable i.e. 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 105mm, 135mm. If you aren’t sure give us a shout.
A laptop with Lightroom and Photoshop will also be required.
All lighting equipment will be provided during the week but if you already shoot on location using flash and you would like to bring your own OCF gear you are more than welcome to.
Yes, if space allows. We have a limited number of private king rooms with private ensuite available for an additional fee.
Educational content is solely for students during the retreat. Guests are welcome to relax at the lodge, explore the surrounding glen or local area.
If you and your guest shoot together, please contact us and we can work something out.
If the retreat is cancelled you will be giving a full refund, however we cannot be held liable for any other costs incurred such as travel or accommodation you have booked. Where possible make sure your travel and accommodation is refundable.
If you can no longer attend the retreat at any point we can only offer you a refund (minus the $100 application fee) if we can find someone to fill your space.
If you apply to the retreat and are successful your $100 will be subtracted from the total cost. If you decide not to take the place your $100 is not refundable.
If you apply and are unsuccessful your $100 will be refunded.
Commercial Photography Workshop
What You’ll Learn:
Claire is the founder of Wildflowers & Pixels, a brand and website design business that she started in 2015. Since then, she has worked with over 600 small businesses from around the world, many of them pet businesses.
