Some sessions stay with me long after the camera is packed away—and this was one of them.

When Lori reached out, it was clear how deeply her family loves their sweet girl, Carley. This wasn’t an ordinary photo session—it was a gift for her daughter Amanda, who grew up with Carley by her side. Amanda is getting married this summer, and while she had chosen a dog-friendly venue in hopes of including Carley in the celebration, life had other plans. With Carley’s cancer returning, the heartbreaking truth was that she likely wouldn’t be able to attend in person. But through these images, her presence would still be felt.

We chose Ogunquit Beach for our session, a place filled with meaning and happy memories for the whole family. And Carley absolutely lit up. At 11 years old, you might expect her to be slowing down—but not Carley. She romped in the sand, played fetch with her tail wagging high, and soaked up every moment like a pup half her age. She was all grace and goofiness, the perfect combination of princess and playful.

What struck me most was how deeply in tune she was with Amanda. The way Carley looked to her, leaned into her, and responded with quiet trust—it was clear they’ve been through life together, side by side. These are the connections that shape us, and it was such an honor to capture that kind of love.

Carley’s story is a reminder of how much love one dog can hold—and how deeply they become part of the fabric of our lives.

Sessions like this remind me why I do what I do. It’s a privilege to help preserve these memories and celebrate the dogs who mean the world to us. Dogs like Carley leave a forever mark on our hearts, and I’m so grateful to help tell their stories.

Donna

DonnaKelliher.com ~ Pet Photography for the best loved dogs of Greater Boston, the North Shore and beyond.

Because YOUR dog isn’t “just a dog”

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Meet Rita—short for Margarita—the sweetest, most lovable Staffy-Lab-Boxer mix you’ll ever encounter. Originally from sunny Florida, this southern girl took on her winter portrait session like a total pro, proving that snow looks just as good on her as sunshine. With the snow-covered ground and the soft, neutral tones of the winter trees as our backdrop, Rita’s warm golden coat absolutely glowed, creating a striking contrast that made every portrait truly shine.

One of my favorite things about Rita (aside from her adorable name) is her expressive, wrinkly forehead. Whether she was gazing at her mom with those deep, soulful eyes or tilting her head in curiosity, her face told a story in every shot. Her playful energy and sweet nature made for the most heartwarming portraits—exactly what her mom wanted to capture. At just four years old, Rita has already faced some serious health challenges, making this session all the more meaningful. Her mom knew she wanted to freeze these moments in time—to celebrate Rita’s vibrant spirit and the love they share every single day.

And speaking of love, I was thrilled that Mom stepped in for some portraits too! There is something so special about capturing the deep connection between a dog and their person. These images radiate that bond – the shared laughter, the quiet moments of pure affection—it’s everything I hope to capture in a session.

While planning the session Rita’s Mom wanted a woodsy area to complement the natural wood tones in her home. So we chose the Steven’s Estate in North Andover as the perfect spot for her portrait session And when it came time to choose her artwork, Mom knew exactly what she wanted. She selected a stunning, dark wood framed print that fits beautifully with her home’s décor and matches the palette of Rita’s images. She then added a collection of digital files to preserve these memories forever. Now, every time she looks at Rita’s portraits, she’ll be reminded of this incredible day and the love they share.

This is exactly why I do what I do—because our time with our dogs is never long enough, but the memories we create can last a lifetime.

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Want to learn more about designing the perfect session for your pup. Click the button below to check out my Session Guide which covers all the de-tales you need to know.

A portrait session in and around Boston may be perfect for you!

Are you and your dog devoted city dwellers? Or maybe you and your pup love to hop on the T and visit one of Boston’s dog friendly breweries? Would your dog rather run around Boston Common or hang out in the Seaport than hike in the mountains? Are they elegant and sophisticated or do they favor the more gritty, urban vibe?

While most of my work features dogs in fields and woods and at the beach, I also LOVE shooting in the city. I love the energy and excitement and all the different “looks” that a session in the city provides. From historic, stately architecture, brick walkways and cobblestone streets to huge beautiful parks, fountains and colorful street art – we have so many options for your perfect “Boston” portrait session.

Jasper’s Fall Session

This fall I was lucky enough to photograph Jasper and his family in the Boston Public Garden and Beacon Hill. His parents live in the city and wanted to capture Jasper in places they love to spend time. These two locations were spectacular choices. We had fall foliage, the beauty of the willows and the footbridge over the lagoon in the Public Garden. And then a short walk away the historic brownstones and cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill.

Jasper was a rockstar! We had so much fun and I was able to create a great variety of images for his parents to choose the perfect artwork for their home.

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Did you enjoy this post? I’ve teamed up with some amazing photographers around the country in a blog circle to bring you lots of great photography ideas. Any Pittsburgh friends here? For more ideas on incorporating special places in your portrait session check out: Amy Fisher of Pawsburgh Photography shares why she’s your number one choice for photographing your sacred space! https://pawsburgh.zenfolio.com/…/i-want-to-photograph…