About The Dog Bookstore
The dogs are the stars. We just held the camera.
The Dog Bookstore is the home of two series of dog books, Shoot the Dog and German Shepherds of Australia. Each one is a large hardcover full of real dogs, photographed with the people who love them, with each family's own story beside their dog.
How the books were made
Shoot the Dog began in 2013, to celebrate the joyful lives of dogs and the part they play in our families. Families brought their dogs, up to three at a time, for a portrait session with Living Image Photography, Simon Carroll's studio, and wrote a few lines about who their dog really is. Once about 250 families had been photographed, the design team chose the photographs and made the book. From the first session to the finished book can take about eighteen months to two years.
German Shepherds of Australia took the same idea to one breed. Volume One took over four years to make and holds more than 200 German Shepherds, each with their family's story.
The studio's part was the camera, the light and a good deal of patience. The dogs did the rest, and the families found the words.
What the books have done
- Every family photographed for Shoot the Dog paid a $100 participation fee, and all of it went directly to a rescue group: Save a Dog Scheme, German Shepherd Rescue Victoria, Amazing Greys, Pet Medical Crisis or Homes for Huskies Rescue Inc.
- A share of the profit from the books goes to the rescues as well.
- German Shepherds of Australia, Volume One has raised over $22,000 for German Shepherd Rescue Victoria.
- Across the books, more than $100,000 has gone to Australian animal shelters, to care for sick, injured and displaced pets.
- More than 2,600 dogs have been photographed along the way.
Want it book by book? Here is how each of the four books supports animal rescue.
What is here now
Four books: German Shepherds of Australia, Volume One, and Shoot the Dog, Volume Two, Volume Three and Volume Four. Shoot the Dog, Volume One has sold out; every copy found a home.
German Shepherds of Australia, Volume Two is being photographed now, for the final quarter of 2027. If you have a German Shepherd, registration is open at germanshepherdsofaustralia.com.au.
From a family who took part
We had Simon photograph our dogs (2 rescue whippets) for his annual "Shoot the Dog" Coffee Table Book. Not only was he hardworking, professional and very friendly, his photos were incredible! We purchased several framed photos from him, and are going back to get some more soon. We put two of our mates onto him with two big boofy boxers and the owners were over the moon. His staff were also very lovely and accommodating. Highly recommended.
Todd N.