Photographer Anne Geier discusses traveling the world with her four-legged companions, and how she prepares for these epic adventures.
Before photographer Anne Geier adopted Yuri six years ago, he lived on the streets of Romania. She doesn’t know much about his experiences before he was found and taken to an animal shelter, but he was estimated to be around three years old when he was rescued.
Life had been difficult for the young dog. “He needed time to trust us,” the artist says. “But despite it all, Yuri is such a lovely and happy dog.”
When Yuri arrived home with Geier in Austria, he met Finn, a dog she’d adopted from a shelter in Romania three years earlier. Finn helped show Yuri the joys of being a dog and loving with a family—going on walks, driving in the car, and sleeping in a real bed.
Soon, Finn and Yuri were given the chance to explore the world, side-by-side.
Hitting the Road
In 2018, Geier and her boyfriend took their dogs on an epic camping trip to the Dolomites in Italy.
“We were outdoors all day every day,” she remembers. “We had only the most essential things with us and cooked together outdoors. Being totally free and flexible worked perfectly for us.”
A year later, they purchased a VW T4, which they expanded into a camper van, and hit the road. These days, they take around four week-long trips and one longer trip annually.
For Yuri and Finn, these are some of the best days of the year.
“Our favorite places are in the mountains,” Geier says. “It doesn’t matter if they are in Norway, Switzerland, Italy, or close to home in Austria.”
License these images via Enna8982.
For the dogs, heading to the mountains in summer means beating the heat and staying cool, while having the freedom to roam and explore new places.
The photographer researches locations extensively before planning a trip, making sure they’re safe, accessible, and dog-friendly. A single photo session is often the result of weeks of planning and preparation.
Geier starts by studying places online, reading hiking guides and travel blogs before looking on Instagram to see what kinds of photography opportunities the area has to offer.
“I’ve experienced quite a few surprises before, so I know how important it is to be prepared,” she explains. “I need to be able to assess the conditions well, and I need to know the right time of year to visit and where I should camp for the best view of sunrise or sundown.”
Chasing the Light
For Geier, beautiful light is everything.
“I almost never work with direct sunlight,” she continues. “I prefer the atmosphere, emotion, and three-dimensionality of backlight, sidelight, and dusk.”
She checks the weather forecast to determine when her best chances are of capturing fog or colorful sunrises, and then she plans accordingly. She usually visits a spot multiple times before she finds the perfect conditions. And, she wakes up well before dawn, while everyone else is fast asleep.
Overcoming Obstacles
“People often have a very romantic idea of van life: falling asleep in the most beautiful places, enjoying the sunrise in the morning, and cooking comfortably outdoors in the evening,” the artist admits.
“Those days exist, and that’s why we love camping. But camping can also be very strenuous, especially when it rains for days and you can’t dry your things or take a shower.’
“There’s always that one moment on every trip where I think to myself, ‘I’m not doing this again.’ But then, there are so many unforgettable moments that that thought is quickly forgotten.’
“You have to give up a lot for this type of travel, but it’s worth it because you get so much more back—unlimited freedom, staying wherever you like, and lots of adventure. It never gets boring.”
The most ambitious trip they’ve taken so far has been to Norway.
License these images via Enna8982.
“In order to reach the starting point of our route, we had to drive 1,700km, around 21 hours, followed by two hours on a boat on an extremely rough sea.”
When they arrived, however, they were greeted with awe-inspiring natural beauty: mountains, waterfalls, the ocean, and glittering glaciers.
In Norway, the freedom to roam, or “everyman’s right,” makes the journey even more special. Under this law, travelers can park their camper vans or set up tents almost anywhere, with just a few restrictions.
For Geier, Finn, and Yuri, that means limitless room to explore the wilderness.
Packing for Photography
The location always determines what Geier chooses to add to her backpack—and what she leaves at home. While zoom lenses offer more versatility, she prefers primes because they deliver sharper dog portraits.
On short hikes, she’ll carry a lot of gear, including multiple prime lenses with focal lengths ranging from 14mm to 200mm.
On longer trips, she limits her pack to around 18kg, choosing focal lengths selectively based on the portraits she envisions—does she want to include the vastness of the landscape, or does she want to get close to capture the expression on her dogs’ faces?
Keep in mind: She’s not just packing for herself but also for the dogs, with plenty of food and water.
Making Time for Rest
Finn and Yuri’s safety and comfort always come first.
“I know everything about them, and I’m always tuned into how they’re feeling,” Geier explains. “The most important thing for them is to have some kind of routine and enough time to rest—this time is really important.”
Over the years, Geier has made the van a home-away-from-home for the dogs, so they know it’s their safe and happy place.
“I bring always their favorite blanket and bed from home with us,” she tells me.
Yuri is a survivor. Since he was rescued, he’s had cancer—and they beat it together. He has osteoarthritis in his left shoulder, but it hasn’t damped his adventurous spirit. He’s still shy sometimes, but he’s friendly with everyone and loves to play.
On the road, after long days of roaming, Yuri feels most comfortable when everyone is in the van together, taking in the beauty that surrounds them. He and Finn are a perfect match: Finn is calm and Yuri is energetic.
“Yuri is a real adventurer,” the artist says. “Finn is like his anchor and gives him incredible security.”
Advocating for Rescue Dogs
Geier has adopted three dogs now: Cindy (her first dog), Finn, and Yuri. She’s a passionate advocate for adoption.
“As long as there are dogs in shelters, I will always adopt one because I know it’s the right choice,” she tells me. “I’ve had three amazing and very special dogs. I could not imagine better ones by my side.
“There are so many great dogs waiting for homes in animal shelters, and every dog deserves a home. When you give a dog that chance, they’ll be thankful for the rest of their lives.”
Cindy, Finn, and Yuri have taught the artist to appreciate everyday moments and cherish them before they pass.
“The author Amy Tan said something similar that resonated with me. But to paraphrase, I’ll say this: Dogs don’t care about the past, and they don’t worry about the future,” the artist reflects. “Dogs live in the present.”
To discover more photos by Anne Geier, check out her Shutterstock portfolio and her photography website. Follow Anne Geier on Instagram at @anne.geier.fotografie, and learn more about her dog photography workshops.
License this cover image via Anne Geier.
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