Behind the Lens with Connor Archer

Agility competitor and photographer finds the right focus.

For those working and competing in an event, one of the hardest challenges stems from striking the right balance of how to spend their time. As both an active competitor and a trial photographer, Connor Archer of the San Francisco Bay Area knows this all too well.  

While Connor always wanted to try agility, his journey through dog sports started with dock diving in 2017. He became a photographer in 2020 during the pandemic and later joined the sport of agility through the trials he captured.  

“In late 2021, my mother was diagnosed with cancer, which prompted me to take an early leave from chiropractic college to help care for her,” Connor said. “It was then that I started shooting trials full-time, as it allowed me to stay with her during the week while my brother took care of her on weekends. After she passed in September 2022, I dove headfirst into the business, taking on trials almost every weekend.”

Luna (now retired from agility), photo by Connor Archer

Connor started competing with his mother’s Chihuahua, Luna, whom he called a 5-year-old ball of spitfire. He works hard to give her enough attention at each event while photographing other dogs in the ring, but he hasn’t competed as much as he would like.  

“I never anticipated Luna having all the potential that she does,” Connor said. “She has also started in flyball, and at a whole four pounds, surprisingly does trigger the box! I also have a 3-year-old Border Collie (Lady) who works as a goose dog for 4 Paws Goose Control, chasing off geese from golf courses, schools, prison yards and the National Cemetery in San Francisco. She competes in dock diving, but I haven’t started her in agility yet.”

Lady, photo by Connor Archer

In September 2023, Connor cut back to only traveling to one or two trials each month so he could also finish chiropractic college. He began working at the Life Chiropractic College West Health Center (Hayward, Calif.) after passing his exams in January. That same month, he captured amazing views from the USDAA Wild West Regional in Tuscon, Arizona.  

Connor Archer (kneeling, right) at chiropractic clinic service trip in Tonga

For more information and to view Connor’s photos, visit Archer’s Paradox Photography.