Sit, Stay, Smile and Woof: Pets & People Workshop with Travis Patenaude (June 06, 2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Sit, Stay, Smile and Woof

Learn the tricks of the trade to photograph people and their dogs.

Unlock your inner dog whisperer and enhance your portrait sessions.

Workshop Overview

Dogs don't just sit for portraits; they share emotion and deep connection with their people. In this all-day workshop with Travis Patenaude, you'll learn how to bring those stories to the surface.

Travis will walk you through his approach to working with dogs of all personalities and how to understand dog body language, guiding you as you photograph real dogs and their humans in a variety of lighting setups. You'll discover how to create comfort, invite authentic expression, and craft images that feel honest and heartfelt. And you'll get to practice these skills.

Come ready to learn, play, and create images that are truly meaningful.

What You'll Learn

How to work with dogs of all personalities
How to read and respond to dog body language
How to guide dogs and humans through portrait sessions
How to create comfort and invite authentic expression
How to photograph real dogs and their people in a variety of lighting setups

Example Images

About Travis Patenaude

Travis Patenaude, a highly acclaimed dog photographer from Stink-Eye Photography, creates unique portraits that foster an emotional connection between the subject and the viewer. He believes emotions and feelings are a vital part of telling stories and have to be put in a form that touches the hearts of people to evoke empathy and to make the viewer want to learn more about these dogs.

Travis is an advocate for animal rescue and animal rights, in particular raising awareness for the plight of the hunting dogs of Spain. He has won international awards and has been published across international print, online media, and magazines.

Bonus

Networking dinner after at the Family Dog in Orono, 6 p.m. with Travis and Deb Bell.

The Details

Location UMaine, IMRC, Orono

Date Saturday, June 6, 2026

Time 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Price $349 (Maine PPA) | $399 (PPA) | $499 (Public)

Class Limit This class has a limit of 8 people

Merit Earn 1 PPA Merit for attending!

Lunch On-site lunch included

Lodging Stay on campus at Hotel Ursa: hotelursa.com. We will share a promo code with you at registration.

Street Photography Retreat with Barbara Peacock (August 14, 2026)

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Challenge the portrait norm with street photography!

This 3 day retreat includes a introductory lecture on Friday evening, daily meetings at photo headquarters, photo excursions with Barbara, and live critique of each student’s work.

Only 8 spots! PPA Merit Class

LODGING OPTIONS

Photo Headquarters in West End: 1 room with Queen Bed, $400 for 3 nights

Holiday Inn by the Bay: 2 Queens, $250/night

RETREAT SCHEDULE (Subject to change)

FRIDAY

12pm Lunch at Honeypaw (optional)

2pm Street Photo Practice (optional)

3pm Lodging Check In (optional)

5pm Dinner on your own

6:30-8pm Introductions & Street Photo Lecture

8pm Social Hour at Photo Headquarters - BYOB

SATURDAY

7am Meetup at Photo Headquarters - Walk to Farmer’s Market at Deering Oaks Park, Shoot streets on the way

8:30am Walk back to Photo Headquarters, Shoot streets on the way

9:30am Image Submission Deadline

10am-1pm Image Review at Photo Headquarters

1pm Group Lunch at Octillos or on your own

3pm Meetup at Photo Headquarters - walk to Old Port/Downtown

7:33pm Sunset

8:30pm Group Dinner at Little Tap House (optional)

SUNDAY

7am Rise & Shooting on your own (optional) maximize your time!

9:30am Image Submission Deadline

10:30am-12:30pm Image Review at Photo Headquarters

1pm Group Lunch at Ugly Duckling or on your own

2:30-3:30pm Review top 3 images from each photographer at Photo Headquarters

6pm Closing Group Dinner at Eventide Oyster Co. (optional)

MONDAY

10am Lodging checkout

Maine Professional Photographers Association upcoming events