Well Dressed Dogs A celebration of canine couture Daniel Aulsebrook & Heather Lighton
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About the Authors. Heather Lighton and Dan Aulsebrook run the boutique dog photography studio Dog Photog (dogphotog.com.au), in Melbourne, Australia. They say: ‘We don’t just photograph dogs, we pour our total creative selves into finding the inner personality of every dog.’ Heather is a photographer with a background in fine arts, graphic design and styling. She shoots fashion, lifestyle and portraiture, and her photo books are stocked internationally. Heather is also an exhibited artist and has twice participated in the Tokyo Art Book Fair. She is an animal lover and advocate, and is the creative force behind Dog Photog. Dan has a Bachelor of Arts (Photography) from RMIT in Melbourne, and received a scholarship to study at Parsons in Paris. He enjoys photographing architecture and also dogs. He is the lighting and Photoshop whiz behind Dog Photog. Dan’s work has appeared in numerous architecture magazines and design sites. Heather and Dan live with rescue chihuahua Honey Del Rey – their in-house model and muse – and usually another foster dog or two, and spend every spare minute thinking about ways to photograph dogs. They say: ‘Dog Photog has completely taken over our lives – in a good way!’
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We really love dogs. In fact, it’s probably more accurate to say we are OBSESSED with all dogs: big dogs, little dogs, curly-haired dogs, three-legged dogs, sleepy dogs, ‘I can’t stop running in circles’ dogs. Honestly, we can’t walk down the street without frequently stopping for pats and chats with the dogs (and humans) we encounter. Way back in 2014 BD (Before Dog Photog), we were both working as ‘human photographers’, Heather shooting portraiture and fashion while Dan focused on architecture and lifestyle. We wondered (a) why there weren’t more photos of dogs that incorporated fun fashion and design elements, and (b) whether it was possible to combine these passions. Luckily, we had two rescue whippets at home – Herb and Neato – to test our ideas on, as well as a revolving door of beautiful foster dogs. Our new venture, Dog Photog, went live with a pop-up Christmas portrait session. It was a strange assortment of curtains and tinsel but, after years of thinking and talking, it was happening. Over the past nine years our shoots have become more elaborate and Heather now makes all the props and costumes. In Well-Dressed Dogs, we have gathered some of our favourite themes and models to share the joy and cuteness of these sartorial pooches we’ve been lucky enough to photograph. Heather & Dan
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STUDENT COUNCIL INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 5
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My mum let me get highlights and lowlights. Toddy INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 6
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I’d like to be a bad boy … just once.
Massimo INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 9
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I take my student librarian role very seriously. Manny INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 10
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Top of the class … again.
Yuki INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 13
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School-photo day is totally uncool.
Roy INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 14
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Did I become Head Prefect because I’m incredibly good-looking? Quite possibly.
Bruce INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 17
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Voted ‘longest snoot at school’ for the fifth year running. Cosmos INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 18
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Yes, I did my homework. And, yes, I ate it. Luna INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 21
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My electives this year are stick-chewing and holedigging. Pinchy INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 22
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L
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L’ARTISTE
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I’m all about that joie de vivre.
Bucky INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 26
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Is ‘petit garçon’ French for ‘big ears’? Edgar INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 29
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J’adore performance, visual art and experimental music. Freddie INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 30
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It was just a little croissant, and it was just sitting there … Maisy INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 33
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Les enfants terribles.
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Mon Dieu!
Wally INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 37
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Even side-eye is better when French.
Toby INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 38
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My early work explored the rare paw-print technique. Freddie INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 41
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Vive les crêpes!
Mojo INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 42
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P INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 44
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HOWDY, PARTNER! INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 45
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Like a rhinestone cowgirl.
Honey INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 46
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Hand over all them treatos and no one gets hurt. Hugo INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 49
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Nobody calls me Mad Dog.
Banjo INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 50
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I’m not lookin’ for no trouble. Just cuddles. Scottie Puppin INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 53
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Outlaws beware, there’s an ankle-biter on the loose! Harry INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 54
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I might have added one too many studs.
Ted INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 57
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Home is where I hang my hat.
Hudson INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 58
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A duel at dawn? You betcha!
Louie INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 61
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Are you even a cowboy if you don’t wear a heck-load of fringing? Sammy INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 62
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C
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COUTURE
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Why, yes, this is vintage Givenchy.
Mochi INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 66
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Jackie Kennedy was right: pearls are always appropriate. Sadie INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 69
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This piece is from my faux-fur collection for dogs who crave a little extra … fur.
Baxter INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 70
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Sweetie, darling, sweetie.
Lola INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 73
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I don’t follow trends – I create them.
Prince INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 74
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It’s all about proportion. If you wear ruffles up top, wear nothing below.
Greta INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 77
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Coco Chanel always said that before you leave the house you should remove one thing. I chose my pants. Evee INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 78
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Florals for spring, you say? Groundbreaking.
Angel INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 81
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I am in mourning … for your outfit.
Louis INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 82
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GROOVY, BABY! INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 85
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Sunshine is my favourite accessory. Florence INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 86
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Put your ear up if you believe in peace, love and park time. Atlas INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 89
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I reject materialism … but also really love hats and fine silks. Huey INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 90
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I like to view life through brown-andgreen-coloured glasses. Fozzie INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 93
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Bad vibes don’t go with my outfit.
Muffy INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 94
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It’s hard to be hip when you’re the most serious dog on the scene. Woody INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 97
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Is it still flower power if you dig up all the flowers and eat the dirt? Lara INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 98
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I’m worried that the flowers on my tie are too much. Pugsley INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 101
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Good vibes and tummy rubs only.
Myfanwy INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 102
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SCOUT’S HONOUR INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 105
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So, you’re saying I make a fire with the stick, not eat the stick? Neato INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 106
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Only serious scouts need apply.
Pippa INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 109
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Can you be a sock thief and a good boy? I think so. Nanook INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 110
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Camping? I’ve made a HUGE mistake. Alfie INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 113
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What comes after the prestigious ‘Good Boy’ badge? Chester INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 114
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First female scout leader. Break that grass ceiling. Rudy INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 117
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I didn’t chop this wood, but I did pee on it. Pablo INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 118
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I still don’t understand why the tents don’t have orthopedic beds.
Kevin INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 121
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Do these hats come in a smaller size?
Delilah INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 122
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NAUGHTY OR NICE? INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 125
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Up early with Christmasmorning hair to get my presents. Mr Bingley INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 126
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Naughty or nice? Like it matters when you are this cute. Bill INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 129
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Merry Christmas. I ate the turkey. Maggie INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 130
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What’s even cuter than reindeer? Rein-dogs! Kyju INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 133
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Channelling all my Christmastree energy. Yeji INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 134
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I was so worried about missing out on Christmas dinner that I gave myself three new wrinkles. Slim INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 137
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Who’re you calling Pudding?
Aggie INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 138
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This year, Santa, I’d like new parents, please. Bella INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 141
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Why, yes, I DO love presents!
Todo INT_WellDressedDogs.indd 142
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An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Australia • Brazil • Canada • France • Germany • Holland • India • Italy • Japan • Mexico • New Zealand • Poland • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • United Kingdom • United States of America HarperCollins acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which we live and work, and pays respect to Elders past and present. First published in Australia in 2023 by HarperCollinsPublishers Australia Pty Limited Gadigal Country Level 19, 201 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000 ABN 36 009 913 517 harpercollins.com.au Copyright © Daniel Aulsebrook and Heather Lighton 2023 The right of Daniel Aulsebrook and Heather Lighton to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of Australia ISBN 978 1 4607 6419 0 Publisher: Mark Campbell Publishing Director: Brigitta Doyle Designer: Mietta Yans, HarperCollins Design Studio Front and back cover images: Dog Photog Colour reproduction by Splitting Image Colour Studio, Wantirna, Victoria Printed and bound in China by 1010 Printing on 128gsm matt art 87654321
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Banjo’s caption on page 50, ‘Nobody calls me Mad Dog’, was inspired by Buford Tannen’s character in Back to the Future III (screenplay by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale). Angel’s caption on page 81, ‘Florals for spring, you say? Groundbreaking’, was inspired by Miranda Priestly’s character in The Devil Wears Prada (novel by Lauren Weisberger, screenplay by Aline Brosh McKenna).
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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