About

This blog is dedicated to the art of Schutzhund photography and to promoting the Dog Sport (Schutzhund). Within this blog, BJ Spanos hopes to encourage experienced and novice photographers in their efforts to photograph Schutzhund dogs and handlers, share ideas and tips on how to photograph these magnificent dogs.

Who is BJ Spanos? BJ is a Schutzhund (IPO) photographer and a professional photographer of dogs, cats and other critters. She got her start by watching her husband, Peter, train our female German Shepherd, Ira von Lachtewasser (Kira) and our male German Shepherd Leroy v. Rietnisse (Eli).  She began taking pictures with a small Canon point and shoot and soon graduated to a Canon Rebel XT with some serious lens (50 x 200 mm and 100 x 400 mm).  BJ has taken thousands of pictures of dogs at our Schutzhund club (Greater Atlanta Schutzhund Association) and at various local, regional and national trials. BJ and Peter also have published an award-winning book, The Sport of Schutzhund: A Photographic Essay.

BJ recently launched BJ Spanos Ink Photography, a professional photography studio, specializing in:

• Dog Sports – Photographing Dogs in Action – Playing, Competing, Training
• Smug Mutts – Creating Memorable Photos and Artwork of Your Pet at Reasonable Prices
• Fine Art – Photographs, Collages, Custom Photo Editing, Hand-Made Cards and Books

BJ also is the founder and principal of BJ Spanos Ink, a professional services firm that helps clients create clear, concise, credible and convincing business and marketing communications. She has extensive experience developing and implementing communications strategies and initiatives to support business goals and to build stronger business-to-business, employee and customer relationships. She also is a skilled speechwriter and coach, and has directed the publication processes from concept to completion of 11 newsletters and magazines, 17 video and PowerPoint™ presentations, and 23 books, proceedings and annual reports. BJ’s creativity is not limited to just technical information.  She also is an experienced small group facilitator and offers training on how to run effective and production meetings.  In addition, she has created several newsletters from initial concept to printed piece, including a monthly newsletter for St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church.

She is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a bachelor of science in Journalism – Science Communications. BJ is a member of the Professional Photographers of American and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.