National Geographic photographer swaps exotic shoots for taking snaps of local dogs

National Geographic photographer who ditched his jet-setting career to spend more time with his son turns his attention from wild cats to portraits of local dogs – with charming results

  • Photographer Vincent J. Musi used to always travel far from home on assignment
  • Eventually stopped travelling and stayed at home in Charleston with his family 
  • Decided to quit working for National Geographic and photograph dogs instead
  • Did not want to miss his son’s formative years before he went away to college
  • Took glamour shots of several adorable pooches, from Labradors to poodles  

A successful photographer has swapped taking shots of wild cats and other jungle animals for snapping portraits of local pooches – so he could spend more time with his young son. 

Vincent J. Musi, from Charleston South, Carolina, used to travel the world while on assignments for National Geographic. 

Though he loved his job, Vincent felt he was not present enough for his son Hunter and feared he would miss out on too many milestones before he went away to college. 

So he decided to quit and took up a new project – setting up shop in the back room of a pet groomer. Calling it the Unleashed Studio, Vincent began photographing local dogs – keeping a record of each hound and how they made him feel. 

‘I’m always up for making photographs of something commonplace and doing it in a way that makes people care about it in a way they might not have before,’ he told MailOnline. 

Vincent used the same techniques he would have employed to capture a lion in its stride to photograph mutts, from Corgis to Dalmatians.

The result is a beautifully heartwarming and funny collection of snaps that show man’s best friend at their very best, entitled The Year of the Dog (Chronicle). Feast your eyes on these paw-fect images.

Luna is a three-year-old blue Doberman Pinscher. Vincent was deeply impressed by her very long tongue

Seven-year-old Toy Poodle Peetrie made Vincent think of a Troll doll and stole the show at another dog's photoshoot

Seven-year-old Toy Poodle Peetrie made Vincent think of a Troll doll and stole the show at another dog’s photoshoot 

Vincent explained that street dog Ellie-Bou was a 'type A' personality who'd gone from scaring the neighbourhood to being part of the furniture

Vincent explained that street dog Ellie-Bou was a ‘type A’ personality who’d gone from scaring the neighbourhood to being part of the furniture 

The photographer revealed in a humorous paragraph that French Bulldog Tolliver would not stop farting during their photoshoot

The photographer revealed in a humorous paragraph that French Bulldog Tolliver would not stop farting during their photoshoot 

Vincent J. Musi started working on The Year of the Dog so he could spend more time with his son Hunter before he moved to college

Vincent J. Musi started working on The Year of the Dog so he could spend more time with his son Hunter before he moved to college 

Dalmatian Fox, Vincent said, was as young and restless as you'd expect a puppy to be, and peed, played and chased balls during the whole photoshoot

Dalmatian Fox, Vincent said, was as young and restless as you’d expect a puppy to be, and peed, played and chased balls during the whole photoshoot 

Vincent photographed Archie, a gorgeous Gordon Setter, when he was just two-months-old,  and then again a year later

Vincent photographed Archie, a gorgeous Gordon Setter, when he was just two-months-old,  and then again a year later

Otis, a two-year-old Doberman Pinscher, shared the same hometown as Vincent: they were both originally from Pittsburgh

Otis, a two-year-old Doberman Pinscher, shared the same hometown as Vincent: they were both originally from Pittsburgh 

Pictured: Vegas, a 14-year-old greyhound. Vincent explained he tried to get Vegas to stand still for two hours in order to get her picture taken

Pictured: Vegas, a 14-year-old greyhound. Vincent explained he tried to get Vegas to stand still for two hours in order to get her picture taken 

Thurston Montgomery is a two-year-old Bernedoodle, who gets his name from his uncanny resemblance to Mr. Thurston Howell III from the 1960s 'reality' show Gilligan's Island

Thurston Montgomery is a two-year-old Bernedoodle, who gets his name from his uncanny resemblance to Mr. Thurston Howell III from the 1960s ‘reality’ show Gilligan’s Island

Cute mutt Lee Lee, three, was 'innocent and sweet' like a childhood drawing, according to Vincent

Cute mutt Lee Lee, three, was ‘innocent and sweet’ like a childhood drawing, according to Vincent

The Year of the Dog, by Vincent J. Musi, published by Chronicle, is available for purchase now on Amazon

The Year of the Dog, by Vincent J. Musi, published by Chronicle, is available for purchase now on Amazon

 

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