Meet Our Cover Photographer
RJ catches up with John Hafner, the talented photographer who captured the shot on the cover of our August/September 2024 issue.
RJ: How do you approach photography? What is your goal when you’re taking photographs?
John: I always try to tell a story with my camera. Whether I’m shooting an upland bird hunt, an ad campaign for a commercial client, or an editorial assignment, storytelling is key. And that requires a variety of lenses, angles, lighting, and trial-and-error.
RJ: Looking at your website, you have done some extensive travel. Do any locations or shoots stand out?
John: I’ve been very blessed to take my camera to many places, and Africa is by far my favorite. I’ve been fortunate to make 17 trips there so far, and my favorite destinations have been South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. I love everything about Africa – the people, the wildlife, the culture, the food, the landscape. It’s a photographer’s dream destination. I’ve had close calls with elephants and rhinos, and I’ve been so close to leopards and lions I could hear their footsteps in the sand. Such a rush! I’m hoping in the near future to start a wildlife photo safari business with a good friend in South Africa.
RJ: What attracts you to photograph sporting dogs, such as those in our magazines, in action?
John: A good dog is poetry in motion. I joke that dogs take photo direction better than most people. I love documenting well-trained dogs in their element. Their athleticism, strength, skill, focus, and grace is simply awesome.
RJ: Any tips for dog owners when it comes to photographing their dogs?
John: Start with the basics. Spend lots of time afield with your dog and your camera. Slow down and pay attention to the light and shadows. Experiment with different angles and lenses. Know your dog and your camera well, and anticipate the action before it happens so you’re ready to get the shot. Just like effective dog training, good dog photography takes time, patience, and repetition. But if you put in the time and strive to improve, it’ll happen.
RJ: Do you own a dog yourself? (Our readers will want to know!) If so, why?
John: My wife and I have a spunky little Pomeranian named Kinsey, and a dopey, huge-hearted English cream golden retriever named Tank. Together, they’re the perfect mix of cuteness, companionship, laughs, stress, dog hair, and mess. We didn’t get Tank with bird hunting in mind, but we quickly found out he has a strong drive to hunt. He’s honestly one of the birdiest goldens I’ve ever seen. Thanks to our trainer (Nick Schiele/Canton Retrievers), Tank quickly grew into a solid pheasant hunter, and my top photo model. He’s even graced the cover of The Retriever Journal a couple times.
Thanks, John, for sharing your talent with our publication. If you would like to learn more about John and see more incredible photos, visit https://johnhafner.photography/. You can also follow him on Instagram at @johnhafnerphoto. This content was originally published as a pass along email blast. If you do not currently receive our monthly blasts, you can sign up easily online.
