Focused Wild

Fenzi Dog Sports Academy - FE600: Shoot the Dog! Online dog training classes for obedience, rally, agility, tracking, nosework, dog behavior, freestyle, and foundation skills.

www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/co...

Fenzi Dog Sports Academy - FE660: Chase the Dog - Photographing Dogs in Motion Online dog training classes for obedience, rally, agility, tracking, nosework, dog behavior, freestyle, and foundation skills.

www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/co...

If you want to transform frustration into creative confidence with step-by-step guidance, I've got two classes open for registration.

We've all experienced that heartbreak when the photo on your screen doesn't match the amazing moment you just witnessed. That gap isn't about lacking talent, it's about learning the language your camera speaks.

You know those perfect combinations that just make sense? Just like mac & cheese bringing comfort on a rainy day, dogs and photography fit together with that same natural harmony.

Fenzi Dog Sports Academy - FE600: Shoot the Dog! Online dog training classes for obedience, rally, agility, tracking, nosework, dog behavior, freestyle, and foundation skills.

www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/co...

Every question represents growth. Every confusion is perfectly normal. Every small victory deserves recognition.

Your camera has been waiting for this relationship to unfold. Registration is open for my class starting on April 1st. Are you ready to capture what your heart already sees?

Photography is less about "natural talent" and more about learning to see differently. And in my online classes, we honor how beautifully different each learning journey looks.

Visual learners, step-by-step processors, hands-on explorers - we've created spaces for all of you.

"I'm just not the creative type" - I hear this whispered confession so often, usually with that hint of creative shame beneath the words.

The truth? That artistic eye you admire in others isn't magic - it's a collection of learnable skills waiting for your discovery.

When subjects move with grace across thy frame,
Fast shutter speeds shall capture motion tame.

Photo editing shouldn't feel like a game of whack-a-mole, fixing one issue only to have another pop up. Taking 30 seconds to truly see your image first can provide you with a clear plan of action.

Things that make me feel like a photographer:
• Keeping every lens box "just in case I sell it someday"
• Having strong opinions about camera straps I've never tried
• Telling people "the best camera is the one you have with you" while carrying $10,000 in gear

Our gear choices are deeply personal, everyone’s art matters, and anyone who says differently probably needs to spend more time shooting and less time in the comment section.

I'll admit: I can get a bit... enthusiastic... in discussions about camera tech. (I have *opinions* okay?)

But whether you're team DSLR, team mirrorless, or team "I just want to take cool pictures," you're doing it right. Focus on creating images that move people, not defending your tools.

Your creativity deserves space to flourish. Sometimes that means giving ourselves permission to invest in our growth. What tools have transformed your creative practice?

These tools aren't just expenses - they're investments in my artistic voice. Every edit is an opportunity to bring my unique vision to life.

The real question isn't about the payment model. It's about how we value our creative journey and the tools that help us grow.

I was asked today if it was possible to buy Lightroom outright instead of subscribing. It sparked a meaningful conversation about how we invest in our creativity.

I used to resist the subscription model too, but something shifted when I reframed the conversation.

Low-angle shot of a Juvenile Bald Eagle in flight, wings fully extended, skimming just above water with mountains in background. Sharp detail shows every feather, white head, intense eye focus, and extended talons.

Me to my camera's weather sealing: “You were MADE for this!”

My toes in Alaska's waters: “Were we though?”

Getting eye-level with a Bald Eagle means trusting my grip on gear just inches above freezing water. But when those wings spread 6 feet wide right in front of your lens? Pure magic.

It’s a nice option to have.

Thank you! Happy to answer questions as you do your experimenting! ☺️

This was taken with my RF 100-300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x. Focal length was probably around 250-300mm for this shot?

I also use DxO PureRAW as part of my editing and that basically eliminates what noise is in the photo.

Want to get comfortable with high ISO? Start with a stationary subject in low light - like your sleeping dog or a bird at your feeder. Once you see what your camera can actually handle, you'll feel more confident pushing those ISO limits when the action starts.

Whether I'm shooting dogs cruising through an agility course or birds diving for prey, my willingness to push ISO limits has gotten me more winning shots than playing it "safe" ever did.

One of my biggest competitive advantages? I've never been afraid of high ISO. While others pack up their gear when light gets challenging, I'm just getting started. Why would I let a little thing like low light stand in my way of a shot like this? (Canon R5 Mark II at ISO 40,000)

Hi, my name is Amy. I'm a Minnesota-based photographer specializing in dog sports and wildlife. Neurodivergent as fuck. Tattoo therapy is my favorite therapy. I spend my days capturing fast dogs, faster birds, and teaching other photographers how to master peak performance shots.