To mark its 40th year in the paper business, K.W.Doggett Fine Paper has released its 2015 photographic calendar which features ‘Underdogs’, a tribute to dogs that have been rescued or adopted.
To bring the project to fruition, the big guns were called in: Marta Roca, creative director of Four&Sons, a popular online and international print publication about dogs, two students and an internationally renowned photographer. The result is 12 months of canine portraits that take their cue from fashion photography, with each image capturing something unique about the dog.
Caroline Beard and Anthony Stephens, recent graduates from RMIT, were chosen to work on the project. To find the models, an email was sent to the merchant’s Victorian customers, asking for a bio and pic of their dog. The one criteria – their pooch had to be either rescued or adopted. The final 12 dogs that appear in the calendar were chosen from 200 entries. The company has donated money to Pet Rescue Australia in honour of its customers’ beloved pets.
Marta Roca from Four&Sons said: “When we set up to shoot (on camera!) 12 dogs in one single day, it somehow sounded like madness…even for a gang of four legged fanatics like us! Maybe the hounds could smell that they were surrounded by big devotees, maybe the treats helped, maybe we were just plain lucky. Or all of the above. Whatever the reason, magic just happened! We couldn’t have asked for better models.”
Catherine Doggett, national marketing and sustainability manager, adds: “The 2015 calendar is definitely one of the favourites so far. We are pretty nuts about dogs and this calendar certainly lets them shine. Every year I think they can’t possibly top the last, but Marta, James, Anthony and Caroline have produced a truly beautiful piece.
“I especially love the big yawn on Sprocket and the performance by Shultz. He rocked up at the shoot and gave us his best ‘blue steel’. Surprisingly, most of the dogs were at ease in front of the camera – testament to their new, loving owners.”
Over the 27 years the calendar has been made, K.W.Doggett Fine Paper has collaborated with many people, mainly students, in Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia. The calendar, personally delivered to customers by K.W.Doggett Fine Paper representatives, is always hotly anticipated.
This year’s edition is printed UV offset on Strathmore Super Smooth Ultimate White 176gsm and the cover is Rives Tradition Poison Black 250gsm, featuring a screen printed title. A credits page lists a photo and story about each dog and their owner(s). For more on the specifications, visit the Fetch blog on kwdoggett.com.au.
To kick off the release of the calendar, a launch party was held late November in Victoria. Attended by 220 customers, mainly graphic designers and some printers, it was a great night, a celebration of print and the poochy stars.
Customers are encouraged to use #underdogs2015 when posting pictures of the calendar on social media. Those following the company’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages will get the chance to win one of 10 calendars being given away. The competition opens on Monday, December 15, 2014.