Sandra Dobias, a passionate and detail-oriented photographer from the idyllic town of Wehnsen near Visselhövede, has transformed her love for photography into a fulfilling calling. The 43-year-old artist specializes in capturing authentic moments, with a particular fascination for animal photography in urban settings. Her work philosophy centers around genuine, unposed moments rather than forced compositions.
Dobias discovered her fascination with capturing moments during childhood when she used disposable cameras to photograph the small wonders of nature. This early interest evolved into a true passion when she invested money from her grandmother into a camera with two lenses – a pivotal step on her journey toward professional photography. "Where dogs fly, ponies pose, and love dances in slow motion – I am a photographer with heart, camera, and a flair for real moments," she describes her work in her own words.
Her photographic journey began with documenting equestrian tournaments, but over the years she self-taught herself to expand her repertoire and decided in 2018 to take the leap into self-employment. Her goal was to continuously expand her equipment through income as a photographer. While working full-time as a mail carrier, she has reduced her hours in that position to pursue her passion. During summer months, when demand for her photographic skills increases, she dedicates more time to her craft.
Dobias's photography is characterized by an artistic and detail-loving style that she perfects through hours of post-processing work. Her animal photographs in urban spaces are particularly artistic, where she loves combining the clean lines of city architecture with natural elements. In her work, she places great emphasis on an authentic and natural style in both animal and human photography. Using a Nikon Z9 equipped with animal eye focus, she successfully captures special moments and emotions of her subjects.
"I don't make them practice 'sit' for hours," Dobias explains her approach. "Instead, they sniff around, laugh, roll, and love freely. Whether with four hooves, four paws, or at weddings with two pretty excited people, I capture what makes humans and animals unique: their story." Her technique involves letting subjects act naturally while she retreats and presses the shutter when they feel unobserved. Often, these candid shots become the clients' favorites because they capture the most authentic moments.
Beyond photography, Dobias now offers video services and actively seeks volunteers to expand this new facet of her work. Her photographs have been featured in the Hodenhagen Animal Shelter calendar, showcasing her ability to capture the essence of rescue animals. She also collaborated with a friend who emigrated to Croatia on a book project that explores experiences during the pandemic and Brexit, offering insights into the changes her friend and her family with numerous animals went through.
Dobias particularly excels at creating beautiful images of owners with their pets, even though pet owners are often initially skeptical and don't want to be in the photos. "I just let them do their thing, step back, and press the shutter when they feel unobserved," she explains. "Usually, these are exactly the pictures that get selected because the subjects like them best."
Looking toward the future, the 43-year-old plans to continue combining her passion for photography and animals to create unforgettable memories for her clients. "Every photo shoot is like a new adventure," she says, "where I discover the beauty and uniqueness of each individual moment." Through her work, she aims to capture the love and connection between people and animals in timeless images, preserving genuine emotions and authentic relationships in every frame.
