Lizzie’s Bluebell Woodland Photoshoot After Winning the Woodland Doggy Walks Raffle
When Becky from Woodland Doggy Walks organised a raffle to raise money for High Hopes Dog Rescue, the first prize was a professional dog photography session with Nick Goodwin from Pets Make Portraits.
The raffle raised £260 for the charity, and High Hopes Dog Rescue later shared their thanks, saying they were “so incredibly grateful” to Woodland Doggy Walks and Pets Make Portraits for running the fundraiser.
Jane and Yvonne entered because the money was going to a good cause. Yvonne had previously rescued two Staffordshire Bull Terriers, so supporting a dog rescue felt like an easy decision.
They never expected to win.
But when their ticket was drawn, their much-loved blue Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Lizzie, became the winner of her very first professional photoshoot.
The session took place in a beautiful private woodland near Stourport, where Woodland Doggy Walks offers dogs and their owners a very different kind of walking experience.
A Private Woodland Adventure Near Stourport
Woodland Doggy Walks has access to 180 acres of private woodland near Stourport. The exact location is not shared, helping to protect the privacy of the site and the peaceful experience it offers.
The woodland includes natural trails, wide open space, quiet areas to explore and a natural spring brook for dogs that love water play. It is a place where dogs can enjoy nature with freedom, space and endless opportunities to follow their noses.
For Becky, who runs Woodland Doggy Walks, the woodland offers something far more enriching than a standard dog walk.
“The freedom is what dogs enjoy most,” said Becky. “Because the woodland is private, dogs can enjoy an experience that feels like a real adventure rather than a standard walk. They can explore new scents, splash in the brook, navigate woodland trails and fully engage their natural instincts.”
Many dogs return home tired, content and mentally fulfilled.
The private setting is especially valuable for dogs who may struggle in busy public parks or crowded walking routes. Reactive dogs, nervous dogs, rescue dogs and dogs who need a little extra space can relax without the same level of distraction and pressure.
Energetic dogs love the adventure and freedom, while older dogs can enjoy the calm surroundings at their own pace.
As Becky puts it, “For many dogs, it really is doggy heaven.”
Bluebells in the Woodland
Lizzie’s photoshoot took place when the bluebells were in bloom, adding another layer of beauty to an already special location.
“The bluebells were absolutely stunning this year,” said Becky. “Seeing vast areas of woodland carpeted in blue was a beautiful sight and reminded us just how special this place is.”
For Lizzie’s photoshoot, the woodland provided the perfect natural backdrop. The bluebells made the images feel even more personal, seasonal and memorable.
Having carried out a number of photoshoots in the private woodland, Pets Make Portraits can offer selected pre-arranged dog photography sessions in this beautiful setting. This gives owners the option of a more natural, private and relaxed experience, with both outdoor woodland portraits and studio-style dog portraits available by arrangement.
Meet Lizzie
Lizzie is a blue Staffordshire Bull Terrier who turns four in July. She was born on 20 July 2022 and came home with Jane and Yvonne when she was just nine weeks old.
Her name has a lovely story behind it. Lizzie joined the family shortly after Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, so Jane and Yvonne decided that “Lizzie” was the perfect name.
Jane had always wanted a blue Staffy, and when a friend bred her dog Nancy, who had a litter of eight puppies, Lizzie became part of the family.
Jane and Yvonne describe Lizzie as a typical Staffy: wild, energetic, very vocal, friendly and full of character. She will often bark at nothing in particular, simply because she wants to be heard.
At home, Lizzie loves sleeping on the sofa, curling up next to Jane, or making herself comfortable on or in the bed. She also has her own little routines, including walking three or four times around the coffee table before finally settling down.
Lizzie loves meeting people and usually greets visitors with one of her toys in her mouth and her tail wagging. She enjoys playing tug, fetching her ball and, when the mood takes her, barking at next door’s cat.
She is also very protective of her home and follows Jane and Yvonne everywhere.
A Safe Place for Lizzie to Explore
Lizzie visits Woodland Doggy Walks every week. For Jane and Yvonne, one of the biggest benefits is that Lizzie can safely enjoy being off lead.
In most other environments, Lizzie cannot be let off lead. But within the safety of the private woodland, she is able to explore freely, enjoying the vast number of different smells and the freedom of being in nature.
Lizzie also has a lot of allergies, so Jane and Yvonne did wonder how the woodland might affect her. Thankfully, since moving her onto Grub Club insect protein food last year, she has only had one flare-up, and her woodland walks remain a regular part of her routine.
Winning the Raffle
Jane and Yvonne entered the Woodland Doggy Walks raffle because the money was going to dog rescue.
The first prize was a professional photoshoot worth £250 with Pets Make Portraits.
“We thought, why not?” said Jane and Yvonne. “Never thinking we would win.”
But they did.
“Lizzie’s first professional photoshoot. We couldn’t believe it.”
Lizzie’s Woodland Photoshoot
The photoshoot took place in the woodland environment Lizzie already knew and loved.
Because she was familiar with the setting, she could explore naturally and feel comfortable. That made a huge difference to the session.
Jane and Yvonne admitted they had wondered how they would get Lizzie to do what was needed during the shoot. But rather than forcing poses or putting pressure on her, the session was kept calm, relaxed and enjoyable.
“There was no pressure from Nick,” said Jane and Yvonne. “It enabled us to work with him easily and comfortably.”
That relaxed approach helped Lizzie settle into the experience, creating natural portraits that showed her personality as well as her softer side.
A Favourite Moment in the Bluebells
For Jane and Yvonne, the highlight of the session was seeing Lizzie photographed among the bluebells.
“The photos are fantastic, very professional,” they said. “I was surprised how well they turned out. My favourite moment is Lizzie in the bluebells, calm and relaxed.”
The woodland setting gave Lizzie space to be herself, while the bluebells created a beautiful seasonal backdrop for a dog who is clearly full of life, character and affection.
Capturing Lizzie’s Personality
Every dog is different, and Lizzie’s photographs show exactly why dog photography is about more than simply taking a nice picture.
It is about understanding the dog, working at their pace and creating an environment where they feel comfortable enough for their real personality to come through.
“Nick’s skill of working with dogs came through,” said Jane and Yvonne. “And it shows in his photos.”
For Lizzie, the result was a set of professional woodland portraits that captured both her energy and her calm, relaxed side, a lasting reminder of a much-loved dog enjoying one of her favourite places.
Dog Photography in a Private Woodland Setting
The raffle was a lovely example of local dog lovers coming together to support dog rescue, while also celebrating the special bond people have with their dogs.
Woodland Doggy Walks offers a peaceful, private and enriching woodland environment where dogs can explore safely. For Lizzie, it provided the perfect setting for her first professional photoshoot.
By arrangement, Pets Make Portraits can offer selected dog photography sessions in this private woodland near Stourport, giving owners the opportunity to enjoy a more personal and natural photoshoot experience away from busy public parks and everyday distractions. Prefer a studio based shoot? we can accommodate that too.
If you would like relaxed, natural portraits of your dog in a beautiful woodland setting, Pets Make Portraits can create professional images that capture your dog’s personality, character and connection with you.
Woodland Doggy Walks and Private Woodland Photoshoots
Woodland Doggy Walks offers a collection, walk and return service, where dogs are collected from home, transported safely to the woodland, supervised during their adventure and then returned home happy, exercised and mentally stimulated.
Becky also offers guided accompanied walks for owners and their dogs. These have become increasingly popular, giving owners the chance to enjoy the woodland with their dogs while learning more about the site, how Woodland Doggy Walks began and what makes the location so special.
The group walks and social walks have also created a warm community feel. The Tails & Trails group socials give dogs and owners the chance to meet for a relaxed stroll, with pups able to play without the worry of dogs constantly coming the other way. Afterwards, there is time for tea, coffee, biscuits, dog treats and water.
Many owners return regularly, so what begins as a woodland walk often becomes a catch-up with friends in a peaceful setting.
Photo Sessions
For dog owners who would like to capture their own dog in this beautiful private woodland, selected Pets Make Portraits sessions can be arranged with Nick by appointment. The woodland setting is ideal for natural outdoor dog portraits, giving dogs space to explore, relax and show their real character away from busy public parks and everyday distractions.
Sessions can also be combined with studio-style portraits by arrangement, creating a varied collection of images that includes both natural woodland photographs and more polished dog portraits. For owners who would like a fuller experience, a photoshoot can also be planned alongside a guided woodland walk with Becky, giving your dog time to enjoy the setting while creating lasting photographs in a place designed around dogs.
To enquire about a private woodland dog photoshoot with Pets Make Portraits, contact Nick through the contact section below or Call Nick on 07940 528340
Contact Woodland Doggy Walks
For more information about Woodland Doggy Walks, including woodland dog walks, guided owner-and-dog walks and Tails & Trails group socials, Contact Becky on 07534 154628
