Stephanie Dalman - Member Spotlight
Dec 02, 2025
I am a wife and a dog mom. Been into Boxers for over 25 years, showing and just enjoying the breed. I started photography as a hobby in 2011 but got serious into pets in 2018. I am social introvert, basically I love to chat with people but then need like a week to recharge!
Tell us a bit about you?
I do have a business, I am the owner of Boxers and Beer Pet Photography. In my spare time, I read (love me a paranormal romance, or just romance iykyk!), I love to travel with my dogs and sometimes my cat. I have 3 boxers currently. Vorka, who was my main muse for all of the Unleashed Education Challenges, Bane who is almost 9 (not 100% sure where the time went) and my youngest is Eddie (Edwina). Then there is our cat. We got him as a rescue at about 8 months old (he is now 10! Again, where is the time going?!) and he really doesn't believe he is a cat, he thinks he is a boxer model and frequently jumps in for a cameo in the studio.
Why did you start photographing pets?
I got into pet photography due to loss. Realizing I didn't have a lot of images of my dogs, I had show photos from winning but nothing really that captured who they were or how they impacted our lives. It really just bugged me since I had albums and albums my grandmother put together of me growing up and I just felt my animals deserved the same recognition of their lives, especially since they are so much of our day-to-day.
What camera and lenses do you most often use?
I shoot with a Canon R5 and have always been a Canon girly. My two favorite lenses are the RF 70-200 F2.8 and my RF 28-70 F2. Even though the 28-70 is heavy its a great versatile lens for shorties like myself when you want to get soulful eye shots!
What’s one thing in your camera bag you can’t live without?
Drool rag! I keep microfiber towels in my camera bag at all times! They are great for boogers, slobber, sweat and the occasional clumsy mishap on my part!
What’s the best thing about being a pet photographer?
There is always something new to learn, try and do. I also love getting to work with rare breeds and creating art pieces for people to display in their homes. I am lucky to have remained in contact with a lot of the pet parents I work with and get to follow along on their pets' journeys and life is so special.
How would you describe your style?
I tend to lean more dark and moody, with a sense of elegance. I notice my work shows off the grace of an animal even in a funny moment.
What is your proudest achievement as a pet photographer?
I think my proudest achievement to date is being in the Top 100 for the 2025 International Pet Photography Awards and having an image receive Judges' Choice in another print competition.
What are your photography goals for the future?
I am hoping in the years to come to incorporate more travel with my photography. Getting to photograph more pets in more places is always the dream.
What do you do to cultivate and nurture your creativity?
Honestly, the biggest thing I did to help nurture my creativity was doing the Unleashed Challenges. I used my own dog for about 90% of the images and it was such an experience. It was for sure difficult and pushed me in ways I never would have tried and the bond it created between me and my girl... priceless. It was almost its own personal project and I am really grateful for the experience.
What specific skills have improved since being an Unleashed Education member?
I would say my skill with light and trusting the editing process! I have watched a lot of the tutorials, even did the Real Shoots with Charlotte and the way they explained natural light made it so easy for me to be able to walk out to any sunrise or sunset and capture exactly what I want. I think the other thing that the membership has given me was the opportunity to attend a Style Lab. The lab really helped me see my work differently, showed me I was more than I thought I was, it was really a great self discovery experience.
What's your favourite thing about being an Unleashed Education member?
I really like the editing tutorials, especially the panorama stitching or fun things like how to make a GIF.
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