Living

It all goes so quickly…

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a pet photographer’s baby dog turns 10, WHAT!!!

We all know how fast each day, each week, each year flies by. We know, but we try not to think about it too much. I was just reminded of this fact when my Twister, that’s him there ➡ (isn’t he gorgeous!) turned 10 years old!

I have no idea how that happened. Just yesterday he was a fluffy, adorable puppy and now he’s 10! I think that defies some laws of physics or something….

I still remember when he came home. He was so squishable and sweet and definitely an old soul. He was also extremely handsome (you may think I’m a bit biased, but I don’t think so). And being a pet photographer means that I photographed him ALOT. You can see how thrilled with modeling he was in the third photo – he had perfected his bored supermodel look. I’m so glad that I have so many images to remind me of those early days. Those days when he was tiny and new and when neither of us really knew anything about the other. Images to chronicle time passing and the love growing.

Even when you forgot to close his crate door and come home to this…

And before you know it, they’re gawky adolescents, all gangly legs (and in Twister’s case GIANT ears that he thankfully grew into). And then…. they’re all grown up. And they’re your best friend, your family.

How lucky am I? I get to spend my days, living my best life with my best friend. Twister was my first Agility Dog Champion (that’s ADCH Bronze, LAA Bronze Twister, if you will :-). He’s an awesome ambassador for dogdom when he’s out on the trails. And he’s the best “uncle” with my puppy kindergarten classes, where he is so patient with the shy puppies and appropriately “stern” with the naughty-pants puppies that need it. He truly is a gift that I know I am lucky to spend my life with.

But how did he get to be 10 years old!!!! I mean seriously, it seems more like 6, maybe 7 years.

I’m extremely lucky as a pet photographer that I have so many portraits of my dogs hanging in my home, reminding me every day how blessed I am to share my life with these incredible beings. They remind me to cherish the moments. And they remind me why I love being a pet photographer. I get to meet and share in the journeys of other wonderful pets and their people. To capture them in all the stages of their lives, from adorable puppy to white faced senior (and NO Twister isn’t a senior, he’s just getting started!). I get to share and capture the precious moments that everyone who loves dogs understands. So give your dogs an extra snack tonight and wish my “baby boy” a happy 10th Birthday!

Artwork development Travel

The Most Amazing Week of my Life

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yes, really, at a dog photographers workshop. It was that good!

I mean, look at that view (and an Aussie named Pickles – how does it get better than that?)

Dog photographer's image of an Australian shepherd overlooking a lake
Pickles at spectacular Sunset Cove

Last month I was lucky enough to attend Houndvision, a workshop for dog photographers in breathtakingly beautiful Lake Tahoe, CA. I spent a week surrounded by some of the most talented dog photographers in North America doing what we love most – creating images of adored dogs for their incredible people. And to spend the week photographing alongside two of the BEST dog photographers in the world was a dream come true. I have to confess that getting to meet and work with my pet photography idols (insert a little overgrown, fan girl squeal here), Nicole Begley of Nicole Begley Photography and Kaylee Greer of Dog Breath Photography was SO MUCH FUN.

We photographed dogs in some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Edited and critiqued our images each day. Swapped stories and laughed and hot-tubbed and ate SO MUCH amazing food provided by our chef, Arica (I KNOW, not having to cook was worth the price of admission 😊). It was truly one of the most exhilarating and amazing weeks of my life.

⬇ And getting to photograph this rockstar, Princess Cookie, at sunset, IN Lake Tahoe, priceless ⬇

Dog photographer's image of a majestic afghan hound on the lakeshore at sunset.

Now that I’m back, I can’t wait to share images from the week. And even more importantly to share my passion for creating images that will capture your pets in all their glory. To preserve the amazing moments you share and help you decorate your home with portraits of the wild hearts in your life.

I believe we all need to keep learning and growing and it’s especially true for artists. I attended this workshop to push myself out of my comfort zone a bit. To continue to improve and grow so that I can offer the best artwork and experiences to my clients. Our precious dogs deserve nothing less.

Dog photographer's image of a Husky mix above lake and mountains
The handsome Tiikannia at Emerald Cove

Sessions for the Adventurers

So I’ve decided that in addition to my standard portrait sessions I’m offering another kind of experience. Inspired by the wide open vistas and gorgeous places I visited during this trip, I’m adding a “Wild Hearts” session. These sessions are for the people and dogs who live to be out in the wilds. If you and your dog are most at home hiking and climbing and fording streams, this session is for you. I will go along on your adventures and capture the moments you share in your favorite places. These sessions include a full day of adventuring and photographing your dog and either a large piece of wall art or an album to relive your adventures every day. Contact me for more information and stay tuned to see images from my first Wild Hearts session!