SHOWDOGS: Hi Michele. Exhibitors, especially in Gauteng, have already grown quite accustomed to seeing you running from ring to ring, camera in hand, to capture the latest group pics. How long have you been involved in taking photos at dog shows?
Michele: Hi Joy and Elrena, I've been taking photographs at the All Breeds Championship Shows here in Gauteng for about 5 years now.

SHOWDOGS: Surely it often happens that group judging takes place at the same time. How do you cope when you have to be in two or more places at the same time?
Michele: With great difficulty! I rely heavily on the co-operation of the Ring Stewards. The most tricky so far was Roodepoort & Dist Championship Show this year - where I had 5 groups all happening at the same time.

SHOWDOGS: Surely it often happens that group judging takes place at the same time. How do you cope when you have to be in two or more places at the same time?
Michele: With great difficulty! I rely heavily on the co-operation of the Ring Stewards. The most tricky so far was Roodepoort & Dist Championship Show this year - where I had 5 groups all happening at the same time.

SHOWDOGS: Not many people know that you have dogs as well and that you also enjoy showing. Can you tell us about your dogs? What made you choose these breeds?
Michele: Over the years I have owned and shown (very successfully) Old English Sheepdogs and GSD's (now all departed from this world). I have also handled professionally - Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Dobermanns and English Setters. I currently own an Australian Shepherd puppy. My No. 1 breed was always the OES, but now my Aussie is closest to my heart. The extremely biddable temperaments of these breeds is what made me choose them.

SHOWDOGS: How long have you been showing dogs? Do you have plans to campaign your puppy during 2004?
Michele: This year it is now 30 years. I will show my Aussie pup only selectively during 2004.

SHOWDOGS: And you're also a licenced judge! Which groups do you judge?
Michele: Yes, I've been on the KUSA Panel for Working and Herding breeds for over 17 years and am only now considering working towards judging Hounds and Gundogs.

SHOWDOGS: Is judging an interesting part-time activity or can you see yourself become heavily involved in judging?
Michele: Judging is something I really enjoy, but with having only 2 groups under my belt it is not something that I can get too heavily involved in at the moment.

SHOWDOGS: Which club do you think offers the best-organised show and which is the most helpful in your activities?
Michele: Difficult one - Eastern Districts, Midlands, Wits, SALKA and TKC are all exceptionally well organised Clubs, but both SALKA and TKC will have to share the No.1 position for their helpfulness and co-operation with regards to my photography of their shows.

SHOWDOGS: To what would you attribute your photography success over the years?
Michele: Perseverance, patience and a dogged determination to produce the perfect pic.

SHOWDOGS: Where did you learn your photography techniques?
Michele: The technical side: The National College of Photography in Pretoria, the artistic side: experience and an eye for good composition.

SHOWDOGS: Do you use special techniques to get the dog looking just right, or is it just a good dose of patience?
M: Yes to both portions of the question, lots of strange noises and a very fast finger on the shutter button. I also believe that my experiences as a Handler and Judge have taught me what to look for in the animal that I am photographing (whether it be a dog, cat, horse or any other animal).

SHOWDOGS: Have you ever had to deal with impatient judges, ring stewards or exhibitors while you're taking a photo? If so, how do you react to them?
Michele: Yes, but on the most part they understand that we each have a job to do, so co-operation with each other is important. I try to always remain calm and professional.

SHOWDOGS: When you're not running between rings at dog shows taking photographs, what do you do for a living?
Michele: Photography is my full time occupation. I do creative Wedding Photography and Portraits, Corporate Functions and Events, Commercial Work, Product Shots for Advertising, Magazine and Editorial Photography, Cover Photos for magazines and I also do Ad Layouts.

SHOWDOGS: What kind of camera and peripherals do you use?
Michele: I shoot on 35mm format and also Digital SLR, using Canon products exclusively.

SHOWDOGS: Do you make your photos available for people to buy at the show, or do you prefer folks to contact you privately?
Michele: Both. Photographing dogs in the full midday sun at dog shows is far from ideal, but is a necessary service to dogdom, as I then supply the winners photos to All About Dogs and Animal Talk magazines and also to SHOWDOGS. The show photos are all made available for people to buy. I also do a great many private shoots, which allow for a great deal more creativity.

SHOWDOGS: Do you have a website where we can see examples of your work?
Michele: Yes - the address is: www.lastingimage.co.za

SHOWDOGS: How can people contact you if they'd like to arrange a photo shoot?
Michele: My telephone no. is: 011 802-5987 and my cellphone no. is: 082 455 4522

SHOWDOGS: Thank you for your participation, Michele, and most of all, thank you for the stunning photos you allow to be published on SHOWDOGS.

Michele: Thank you for asking me to participate in your awareness campaign, I would also like to compliment you both on an excellent website - keep up the good work!