Hi there, I’m Donna Kelliher, the face behind the camera at (you guessed it) Donna Kelliher Photography. Firstly you should know that I’m a little bit crazy about dogs. Ok, maybe more than a little.  My dogs are my family (possibly my favorite members of the family, but shhh, that’ll be our little secret).  I love every minute I spend with my dogs and I think being a dog photographer is the best job in the world💖. Right now I have one border collie, named Believe, who is my constant companion. We love to play agility, hike, swim and she is a world-class snuggler.

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So what qualifications do I bring to this dog photography vocation of mine? Other than being enthralled with every dog I meet walking down the street 😊. Well, I started off with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography from NYU (my parents were SO happy 😏 when I switched from Pre-Med to art school…). Added in 20+ years as a certified professional dog trainer – positive methods only. And since I was blessed with an infinite supply of love and patience for our canine companions (and their shenanigans) – voila, I found my calling in life as a dog photographer.

Not that it has always been a smooth journey. I was actually TERRIFIED of dogs for a decade or more after I was bitten as a child. But a friend’s Irish Wolfhound, sweet, goofy Benjamin, helped me learn to trust dogs again and the rest as they say is history. Sometimes I marvel at the fact that I now help rehabilitate “aggressive” dogs as a trainer when the sight of a Chihuahua 50 yards away would make me quake in fear, but life can be funny that way I guess.

My experience as a trainer has turned into such a huge benefit as a dog photographer. Because of the knowledge I have, I can read a dog’s body language, gauge what they’re thinking and feeling and now how to make them comfortable and happy during our sessions. I can anticipate the special moments and capture the expressions that showcase who they really are. Nothing makes me happier than when clients tell me that I captured their dog the way they see them. Especially for dogs who may be shy or fearful and need a little more help relaxing and enjoying their session.

One of my favorite client testimonials reads:

“Donna did a portrait session with my old girl shortly before I had to let her go. The pictures are beautiful and I’m so glad I got them before it was too late. Ariel was never a super social dog, and by the time we did the session it was hard for her to get around. Donna was so good with her. My cranky old lady was relaxed and enjoyed herself. Having someone who knows dogs as well as photography made all the difference. The result was lovely afternoon and pictures that I will always treasure.” – Chris M.

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Now maybe your dog isn’t into sitting around and posing. Maybe they’re super active and never stop moving. And you would love images of them flying across a field or plunging through the surf. I’ve got you covered there too! I spent the first 10+ years of my photography journey almost exclusively photographing dog sports – agility, herding, lure coursing, dock diving, etc. If dogs played the game, I photographed it.

So I have tons of experience photographing dogs enjoying life at top speed. Not to brag (as I brag :-), but my dog sports work has been on the covers of multiple international magazines (I can’t tell you how cool it is to walk into a shop and see your work on a magazine cover😎). I’ve also photographed several books as well, so if you’re dog does it, I can photograph it!

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What about life outside of photography and dogs? Is there life outside of dogs??? Ok, I’ll try and come up with a few things that don’t revolve around them…

Here are 15 (non-dog) Fun Facts about Me

1. I LOVE the water! My parents always said I was part fish. You get me near a body of water and I’m in it. And you’ll have a hard time getting me back out. I even did my first Polar Plunge this January 1st! It was SO MUCH FUN!
2. I’m a night owl. I can stay up editing until 1 am, no problem. It’s getting up for those sunrise sessions that are painful 🌅
3. My favorite color is purple, in all it’s shades. (You may even see it in my hair if you book a session)
4. I meditate and practice yoga every day. I’ve grown so much in mindset and self-confidence in the past few years because of these practices.
5. I love to read. Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short stories, I love it all. I never wanted to go to an e-reader, I was a “real” books girl, but now I don’t go anywhere without my Kindle.
6. I’ve been a vegetarian for over 30 years. I was a vegan for probably 15 of those, but discovered that I missed pizza and ice cream too much 🍕🍦😋
7. I’m the youngest of six kids. My mother was a saint and I love my bi-weekly cut-throat game nights with my sisters.
8. My favorite season is spring. I love the warmer days, the SUN returning after the dreary winter, the flowers everywhere and all the possibilities of the year stretching out ahead of me.
9. I stop for ice cream after almost every session 🍨. I try to find a small local shop wherever I am for a special treat before heading home.
10. My favorite band has always been and will always be U2. I’ve seen them live on two continents and their shows are always incredible!
11. I LOVE dark chocolate. Gimme chocolate chip cookies, the super fudgy cake at Caffe Nero, chocolate martinis, YUM! And it has antioxidants, so it’s a health food, right???
12. I love being out in Nature. Hiking, camping, kayaking, biking, the beach. In the warm months here in New England, I spend as little time indoors as possible 🥾🌄🌞🛶
13. My favorite t.v. show, that’s a tough one since I don’t actually own a t.v anymore. But it would have to be between the X-Files(mmm, David Duchovny) and Schitt’s Creek(mmm, Daniel Levy – and yes, I KNOW. But he would be SO fun to hang out with and his relationship with Patrick is so sweet 💖).
14. I was agoraphobic in my 20’s. For almost 10 years I could hardly leave my house. I’m so blessed to have recovered and be leading this amazing life now.
15. My dream vacation would be a beach house with a bunch of my friends where we could swim in the ocean, go on adventures, go dancing or hang out with cocktails talking late into the night. Hear that ladies, let’s make this happen!

So that’s me. Outdoorsy, chocolate loving, dog photographer to some of the best-loved dogs of Greater Boston and beyond. Tell me a little about your dogs in the comments or connect with me on IG and share a photo of your pup to brighten my timeline 🐶💗

It’s WINTER! I think…. with this crazy weather it’s hard to tell, today we’re going to have a high of 58 and rain, tomorrow it may snow a bit and then it’s supposed to get really cold… But despite Mother Nature’s crazy mood swings this is a perfect time for a portrait session for your dog. No, I’m not crazy and I know what you’re thinking, “but it’s cold and dreary, I just want to stay inside with my cup of cocoa ( or glass of wine) and good book (or Netflix)”. But hear me out and let me give you a few awesome reasons to layer up and get out to create amazing winter pet portraits with your best pup! And be sure to read all the way to the end for a special offer for sessions held in the 1^st Quarter!

Now, drumroll please, my top three amazing winter portrait options for your consideration.

Beach Sessions: A Different Kind of Winter Magic

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Snow Sessions:Frolicking in the Winter Wonderland

Imagine your pet surrounded by a pristine white landscape, with snow-covered trees and glistening fields as the backdrop. The serene beauty of the snow makes for magical portraits. Picture your dog with snowflakes gently resting on their nose or their paw prints leading through the snowy terrain. These one-of-a-kind images tell a story of winter wonder.

Snow sessions also brings out the playful puppy in almost every dog. Capturing their joy catching snowflakes and bounding through the white powder will create images that are priceless.

Since snow can be very elusive, I have a waiting list of clients who want snow sessions. Click here to be added to my list.

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Urban Winter Pet Portrait Sessions: For the Sophisticated City Pup

Even in winter we can find so much beauty in more urban locales. City parks, streets adorned with holiday lights, and iconic urban landmarks can provide a captivating backdrop for pet photography. Think the Boston Skyline, the Seaport and the sculptures and walkways of the Rose Kennedy Greenway to incorporate the vibrant energy of the city into your session.

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The best part of all of these types of winter sessions is that popular outdoor locations are much less crowded during the winter months. This means more privacy and tranquility for your pet’s session. Especially if you have a pup who needs a bit more space or less noise and activity to feel comfortable.

So, let’s embrace the season, bundle up and create some winter magic. Let’s capture the joy, playfulness, and coziness of winter, creating memories that will warm your heart for years to come.

Oh, I almost forgot the 🔥 Special Offer 🔥. All sessions occurring during the First Quarter (Jan-March) receive an additional $100 product credit on their order!

Have questions, check out my FAQ page or contact me. And let’s plan a fun winter session for you and your pup.

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Winter blues got you down? Fear not! Dive into the heartwarming world of funny, sweet, touching dog social media accounts to add a dose of joy and laughter to your day. These adorable pups are sure to turn even the dreariest winter day into a warm and fuzzy experience.

My Top 5 Dog-loving Instagram Accounts

1. @_layla_the_boxer: This is a must watch for me. Every one of their reels are hilarious and the quality of these mini-movies is amazing. Layla (boxer) and Luna (her Aussie sidekick/partner-in-crime) are always up to something behind Mom’s back. Whether it’s shopping on Amazon with Mom’s credit card, doing battle with the Elf on the Shelf or competing to see who mom loves best, you will love all of these. And now with the addition of a human “sister”, the girls have an accomplice -in-training
2. @good.boy.ollie Ollie, is the epitome of a “good boy”. Whether it’s sweetly visiting his “Nanny Biscuits” (you can probably figure out how she got her name) to trying to civilize his “baby raptor” of a brother, you can’t help falling in love with this gentle soul 💖. Check out their month of December Advent Calendar reels for a month of fun and adventure with these two boys
3. @ladyandtheblues This account follows the sweetest Golden Retriever EVER! When I first started following her, it was just her and mom and dad. But the addition of her human “sister” has taken the cuteness to a whole ‘nother level. As a dog trainer I usually cringe at dog/baby interactions on social media, but this is the most wholesome, beautiful relationship. Check out the matching outfits for a dose of high-fashion for us dog folks 🎀
4. @grizzly.bane Pair a wise GSD with a goofy Bernese Mountain and hilarity ensues. Picture the wise parent talking to their crazy child (in cute dog form) and you get all the laughs without any of the parenting angst 😁
5. @whiskeybearthelab All December we watched Dad mix cocktails (alcohol free for Whiskey the Lab of course) with Whiskey “helping” and slyly lecturing Dad about his alcohol intake. Now we’re onto cooking matching meals. These two are just so sweet together. And who knows you may find a great recipe or cocktail idea for yourself too 🍸

As the dark days settle in, let these furry comedians be a source of warmth and cheer. Follow their adventures on Instagram, and let the laughter thaw away the winter blues. Who knew that a simple scroll through a dog’s Instagram feed could bring so much joy?

Does your dog have a social media account? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to follow along on their adventures!