About

If you are looking for unique, dynamic and attention-grabbing dog photography in West Michigan, you are in the right place.

A white pitbull, boxer mix stands with is front two legs on a large gray boulder.

My name is Trish and I am the dog photographer behind Tailwagger Dog Photography. The bond you have with your pup is unique and truly amazing. Your pup is with you through everything – the celebrations and triumphs, as well as the sad and sorrowful times. It’s simply hard to imagine life without your dog by your side, isn’t it? Yet life can be unpredictable, and time can be too fleeting. That is why it is so important to capture your pup and the bond you have with your pup in photographs.

I have spent years honing my photography skills, as well as developing my unique style. I am known for my patience – especially with the pups that I affectionately call stinkers. My clients know and trust not only my ability to capture the personality of their pup, but also all the little endearing details.

I understand the devotion and love you have for your pup. I truly believe we get something from our dogs that we are missing or is not as easily found in other areas of our lives. Our pups are that never-failing slice of goodness – loving, forgiving and accepting, no matter what.

I invite you to contact me with any questions or any concerns you might regarding a photo session.

~ Trish Dailey

A photographer lies on the ground to photograph a Goldendoodle in the background.
I can usually be found on the ground during a photo session.
A male Goldendoodle with a beard lies in the grass at Johnson Park in Walker, MI.
Final edited image from previous photo.

~ A little bit about myself ~  

I am married and we have three pups – Jasper, Boo and Rupert. We moved to the GR area in 2018 (from the Ann Arbor/Jackson area) and we absolutely love it! I’m in my 9th year of business and feel incredibly lucky to do what I do. I have a formal education in photography – my undergrad is from Purdue University and I have an MFA in photography from State University of New York. Needless to say – I simply cannot imagine my life without a dog or two in it.

A white mixed breed dog stands in tall green grass.

It was a fun experience and I am floored at how beautiful the photos turned out! 

My dog Echo is deaf and I was simply amazed at how Trish was able to adjust to her needs.

~ Echo’s Mom

Our Tailwaggers

They really don't help with the dog photography - in fact, they are exceptionally unhelpful when I try and photograph them - but like most people I simply can't resist showing off photos of our pups. 

A 6 month old male Springer Spaniel is caught mid-air while chasing his orange and blue ball in Wyoming, MI.

Rupert (Rupes, The Littlest Man) - Rupert is a tri-colored roan English Springer Spaniel. Rupert was born February of 2023 and we are still discovering his personality. As of summer of 2023, his favorite things are running, swimming, chasing anything that moves (but especially his orange balls) and biting or chewing. Puppy is as puppy does. We love our Littlest Man and look forward to discovering more of his personality as he grows up.

Male Golden Retriever with colorful bandana standing in front of flowers in Wyoming, MI.

Jasper Barnabas Atticus III (Jasper, Jay, J-Man, The Little Man, Mister) – Jasper is a typical golden boy in many ways – a happy, playful and inquisitive chowhound. Throw in a good-sized dose of mischievousness and you have our Little Man. The only time Jay is not in trouble is when he is sleeping or eating. The Little Man is a master counter-surfer and habitual thief – if he can pick it up and walk (or run) away with it, it isn’t safe. If it smells like one of his humans…all the better. If one of us is missing a shoe or an article of clothing, we both know that if we can find Jasper, we will find the missing item. Jasper’s absolute favorite thing in the world to do is steal socks, boots or pillows and then run away, so his humans have to chase his golden, furry butt down.

Female Golden Retriever standing amongst tall green grass at Johnson Park in Walker, MI.

Boo (Boo-Boo, Lady Boo, StinkBoo) – Boo is a goofy Golden Retriever who never got the message that she is a golden girl. Boo is very much in touch with her inner feline – only wanting or giving affection when she is in the mood. Deep down under all that golden fur there might be a calico kitty waiting to pounce. Boo is also very particular about her coat. She absolutely hates it when an insect lands on her fur or if she gets something in her fur, such as burrs or twigs when she is out for a walk – hence the nickname Lady Boo. Yet at the same time this girl takes every opportunity she can find to roll in the stinkiest, most disgusting pile of poo she can find – earning the seemingly contradicting nickname StinkBoo. Her absolute favorite thing to do is go for a walk and she loves to check out new parks and trails in Kent County with her humans.

An English Springer Spaniel stands in the tall grass at the Milennium Park in Grand Rapids, MI.
Schatzi

Schatz (March 13, 2011 – January 25, 2023 😢) AKA Schatzi, Little Girl, The Nose – Schatzi is a former explosives detection canine. She was born and trained in Germany and worked for 3 years in Afghanistan before tearing her right ACL. She has been part of our pack for over 6 years. During this time, she has made a remarkable transition from an anxiety riddled, always alert pup to a little girl that really enjoys her leisure time: licking frozen peanut butter kongs every afternoon and evening, napping on and off all day long and begging her humans for ‘real’ food. Schatzi’s drive and focus that served her well during her service years is still very much alive and well and let’s just say that walkies with Schatzi can be challenging, as well as entertaining – especially considering the out of control rabbit population in our neighborhood. Schatz’s favorite thing – even better than frozen peanut butter kongs(!) – is be to outside sniffing her way through the world.

 

Home –– Tailwagger Dog Photography

©2023 Tailwagger Dog Photography. All rights reserved – do not copy photographs without permission.