B.C. pet photographer’s labour of love leads to international award

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In just three years, Chilliwack’s Andrea Wafler has gone from filling prescriptions to earning recognition as a popular pet photographer, capturing canines in the B.C. wilderness.

On Monday, the 31-year-old behind The Good Mutt Photography took home gold at the International Pet Photography Awards for an image of husky-mix, Everest, captured last October at Chilliwack Lake.

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“Everest was standing in the water, just after taking a drink, when, at the perfect moment, she looked up and glanced back at me. Her pose added a sense of wildness to the image, with her gaze toward the camera and her lifted paw,” Wafler said.

Wafler was also named a finalist for international pet photographer of the year.

Wafler, a pharmacy assistant, didn’t plan on becoming a pet photographer. Taking pictures of her golden retriever, Callie, had always been a hobby — something she was passionate about — but she never imagined it could turn into more than a weekend pursuit.

“I was stunned. Receiving this level of recognition is something I never could have dreamed of when I first started pursuing this passion,” she said.

That all changed when her golden retriever-border collie mix, Callie, came into the picture.

It began with casual snapshots. Wafler would grab her digital camera and focus on Callie during their daily walks, experimenting with how natural light filtered through the trees and how her dog seemed to come alive in open spaces.

The portraits of Callie soon evolved into intentional, purposeful shots, said Wafler.

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“We’d hop in the truck and explore the mountains, searching for beautiful backdrops for photos. From there, Callie became my everyday muse, and whenever we had the chance, we’d be outdoors, capturing these little moments of her.”

Wafler documented her journey on her social media account, The Good Mutt, which has more than 60,000 followers.

“People began reaching out, asking if I offered photo shoots. … It quickly dawned on me that this love for dogs and photography wasn’t unique to us, but something shared by countless pet parents everywhere.”

Since that time, Wafler has photographed nearly 100 dogs, with some owners travelling from Colorado, California and Kansas for the chance to have images of their pets captured through her lens.

By 2025, she hopes to make the transition to full-time pet photography.

For each outdoor portrait session, where dog owners accompany their pets on the excursion, Wafler charges $575, plus taxes.

“Many pet parents love showcasing their photos on social media, sharing them with friends and family, and it’s an easy way to keep their cherished images close at hand,” she said.

Some clients print the photographs, creating statement pieces to be framed for their homes.

“As someone whose dog means the whole world to them, I wanted to be the one to offer other pet parents this unique opportunity to freeze the moments in time.”

sgrochowski@postmedia.com

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