Getting to know the charismatic canine and company mascot behind the scenes of EGP.
Getting to know the charismatic canine and company mascot behind the scenes of EGP.
By now you’re probably wondering who this adorable little four-legged friend is, posing artistically in emotive, professional photography, splashed across page after page of our company branding.
Well it is our sincere pleasure to introduce, the one, the only…
This gorgeous little Bull Terrier came into our lives through the wonders of the online social media landscape, specifically through the Instagram account of Dutch owner, Alice Van Kempen, an award-winning professional photographer (and proud dog owner) who visits abandoned buildings to set up photoshoots with her beloved pooch.
Five-year-old Claire loves being the centre of attention in Alice’s photoshoots and has been made famous throughout the world wide web due to the unique look and styling of photography used, often within humorous positions, oozing tonnes of adorable character.
When we saw Claire, we couldn’t help but fall in love with all that she stood for. After approaching Claire to come on board as the official mascot for EGP Energy Solutions, we were delighted to partner with the lovable Terrier, after being drawn to the mood, personality and vibrancy of the shots.
Darren Harry OAM, Director of EGP Energy Solutions, announced the new partnership by saying, “It is our absolute pleasure to have Claire proudly representing EGP Energy Solutions as our wonderful, charismatic and charming mascot. She has become a great talking point of our marketing and we’re delighted to have both Claire and Alice as part of our team.”
When asked to come on board as the official ambassador and mascot for EGP, Claire’s first words were “Woof!”, which as we were told by her owner, loosely translated to “I would love to – where do I sign my paw print?”.
Proud owner, Alice, commented about how the photography of Claire all came about, by explaining, “Claire loved exploring the abandoned buildings and often jumped on empty chairs with this ‘take my picture’ look. So this is how it started.”
Claire is used to the spotlight, after having been in front of the camera since an early age of just 1-day old. Bred from her black brindle Bull Terrier (Willow) Claire has since become part of a dynamic duo of dog model and photographer, travelling abroad to capture moments of art in front of the lens.
Alice continued: “My husband and I love to travel and whenever we travel in Europe we take our dogs along; Willow (10), Lucek (9), and Claire (4). From the start she was a little poser so ideal for a photographer.”
Since the partnership began, Alice and Claire have visited a flurry of abandoned buildings ranging from castles, industrial plants and schools, through to houses, churches, trains, planes and even military bases. You name it, they’ve been there. It is the intrigue and curiosity of abandoned buildings that drives Alice, who seeks out decayed buildings that have been dormant and uninhabited for years. The photos evoke feelings and emotions that resonate with viewers, creating a sense of adventure, mystery, history and a timeless curiosity that beckons the question of where are they? and what’s going on here?
Due to the very particular style of photography used, commonly known as Urban Exploration Photography (or Urbex for short), photo sessions require intricate concentration and patience in order to obtain the perfect shot.
Alice uses long shutter speeds to capture each shot, meaning Claire is required to sit absolutely still. Image trying to get a Bull Terrier to remain still for 2.5 seconds whilst you get the perfect shot? Not easy for most dogs, but for Claire, she’s got the skill mastered.
Behind the lens, lies an equally abundant talent. It takes something special to become an award-winning photographer, with a vast fan base that stretches to the corners of the globe. Alice Van Kempen does it with ease, and has been rewarded for her talent by both placing and winning in several photography competitions.
One of Alice’s latest successes is her award for Outdoor Photographer of the Year 2016, picking up the prestigious award for her photo entitled ‘Wildlife Insight’, a piece dedicated to reflect on the impact of African ivory poachers on the local elephants in Lower Sabie, Kruger National Park (South Africa). Alice has also picked up various overseas holidays prizes including trips to Botswana, South Africa, Mauritius, Kenya and the Dominican Republic, just to name a few. She has worked with publishers of dog magazines and dog books all around the world.
When we put the question of “Why a dog?” to EGP Energy Solutions Operations Manager, Radka Krivkova, she was quick to describe why Claire was the perfect fit from the beginning. “Claire represents personality, uniqueness, professionalism, results and above all else, she tells a great story. All things that are consistent with the messaging our company is focused on presenting to the public. Plus, isn’t she just such a cutie?”
So next time you see Claire posing throughout our marketing materials, be sure to give her a wave or throw her a (virtual) bone for her next photographic adventure, wherever she and Alice may end up.
— Watch this space for more to come —