West Hartford resident Patty Swanson of Patty Swanson Photography and Killingworth’s Kay Bagwell of Kay Bagwell Photography will lead the day-long workshop at the West Hartford Art League.

Holly, a sheltie owned by Toni and Don Schnur of West Hartford. Photo credit: Patty Swanson

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Spend a day with West Hartford’s very own award winning photographer Patty Swanson CPP, of Patty Swanson Photography and Killingworth’s award winning photographer Kay Bagwell of Kay Bagwell Photography! They recently joined forces as PK Studios, photographing pets and “sports extreme.”

Working together in 2016 Patty and Kay raised almost $1,000 and collected more than 100 pounds of pet food for Kenway’s Cause (a pet rescue organization in Hartford) as a result of their “Food for Fido” program.

Frustrated by your pet’s and loved one’s faces and other subjects being too dark, motion shots that are blurred, and images out of focus? Not sure what all the bells and whistles are on your DSLR camera? Bring your camera, owner’s manual, and problem photos, and the professionals will discuss how to correct them by adjusting your camera settings as well as how to see and measure light. An instructional handout will be included.

Once you are registered, Patty and Kay will ask you to email them your problem photos of your pets – or any other photos you wish to include ([email protected]) – and will discuss how you can improve them during class. If they are not in digital form or you do not know how to convert to digital, bring them with you to class.

During the second half of class, some furry guest models will be brought in and Patty and Kay will discuss some helpful hints and tricks to get that perfect shot. This will be hands-on, so everyone is welcome to photograph! Patty and Kay will then critique and discuss the images shot.

If you are interested in including your furry friend as a model, or know of one who would make a good model, please indicate on your registration form or email Patty at [email protected]. We would like to know breed, temperament, size, color. We will have to limit the number of models to about three.

Students should bring:

• 35 mm DSLR camera
• Owner’s manual
• Problem photos
• Pen for note taking
• Own lunch/snacks, and
• Enthusiasm for photography!

The workshop fee is $94 for West Hartford Art League members and $119 for non-members. Included in that is a $10 material fee.