In case you didn’t know, Roxy is a ranch girl. She loves the country, horses, and chasing squirrels, bunnies, lizards, cows, and pretty much anything else that will run from her. My hubby’s family has a ranch in East County San Diego that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is now shared between three families. I struggle to find words to describe it because it’s like no place else I’ve ever been. There’s not another house for as far as the eye can see; the nearest neighbor is miles away. To get there, you need to drive 30 minutes up a one-lane switch-back dirt road that hugs the steep hillside. The ranch is incredibly special and it’s the one place I feel totally free. No people. No noise. Tons of wildlife. Mountains. Lakes. I mean, really, it’s Heaven. It’s a ton of work to maintain, but it’s still Heaven.
When we go to the ranch, Roxy gets to be totally free, too. Her leash and collar come off and she has an entire valley to play in. She knows where we’re headed as soon as we get off the freeway. She stands up, starts panting excitedly, and gives me kisses when I turn around and say, “are we goin’ to the ranch?” It’s our happy place, hers and mine.
Last weekend when we were there, the hay was so perfect, I just had to get some photos in it as the sun was going down. Roxy usually hates having her photo taken — just like most children of photographers — so I asked my hubby for help. I parked myself in a flat spot of hay (I didn’t do it! I found it like that!) and he got Roxy excited by throwing dirt clods. Dirt clods are exciting, right? They played and I shot. And just as the sun started to turn the hay field into a shimmering golden sea of oats, Roxy turned around and showed me just how perfectly happy and content she was. I am so fortunate to have caught it on camera. This photo and the memories it holds will stay with me forever: pure happiness.
I’d like to take a minute to introduce you to Kona, an American Staffordshire/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. She is quite possibly the happiest, luckiest, and most loved dog on earth.
We stayed in Kona’s house and backyard for her session. Her moms worked really hard to get some green grass to grow before our session and boy, am I happy they did… green grass perfection!
Just outside the bedroom is a beautiful deck. The sun was shining so bright and Kona was quite content to sit there basking in the warmth. Then again, maybe she sat there so nicely because we were bribing her with Kraft single cheese slices.
Kona’s moms requested a silhouette of their girl and I wanted to do my best to deliver a few traditional and non-traditional options. I can’t pick a favorite. I love the way her ears fold in the traditional ones and the dreamy lens flares in the others!
I just about died when Kona hopped up on the bed and sat so perfectly with her little paws together. I mean, really, could she get any cuter?
Have you ever seen a look of contentment like this before? Seriously… this girl knows she is adored.
Just as things were winding down with our session, we stirred the pot and broke out the whipped cream! Yup — you heard me! WHIPPED CREAM! I have never seen a dog eat whipped cream before but my-oh-my how Kona loves it. Look at that tongue…
…and the little dots of whipped cream on her upper lip fur and on her chin!
There were just so many cute whipped cream shots, I had to do a little storyboard. I triple-dog-dare you not to laugh.
And that, my friends, is Kona. I hope you have enjoyed meeting her as much as I did. Leave me a little message in the comments below and tell me which photos are your favorites!
A few months ago, I had a pet portrait session with three great dogs (two Dobermans and a rare hairless breed from Mexico called a Xoloitzcuintli) and their parents in beautiful Balboa Park in San Diego, CA.
A little back story… I first met JD, the black and tan Doberman, at the San Diego Pet Expo in Del Mar a few years ago. He was a Dobie ambassador for Aztec Doberman Rescue. After meeting him, I signed up on the organization’s mailing list and, soon after, began volunteering with them. JD’s parents help keep things running over at Aztec; they do such a great job!
JD (black and tan Doberman), Pelona (Xolo), and Tigger (red Doberman) are three really awesome pups.
This is one of my favorite images from the session. Can you hear them saying “hey, do you guys smell a hamburger?”
Please leave a comment below and tell me which photo is your favorite!
Well, hello there! It’s time to start the 52 Project over again for 2013. I know I’m getting started a few weeks late but better late than never, right?
This week’s theme is “black & white,” which happens to be one of my favorite ways to shoot. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to experiment with my flash & turning day into night. It was about 3:30 in the afternoon when I shot this outdoors. I underexposed my background by about 3 stops then added in my flash at just under full power. It’s fun to manipulate the light to get just the image I want!
Next check out NCS Pet Photography in Windsor Ontario, then follow the links at the end of each blog until you get all the way back here!
This is the last week of the 2012 “52 Project” and the theme is “celebrate.” I had a very special Christmas this year and I’d like to share with you how I celebrated. Last Christmas, I missed my family in New York so much that I vowed I would be home for Christmas the next year… and I made that happen. We spent the big day with our friends who have become family over the years. They have three kids, who I think of as my nieces and nephew.
I heard Santa late Christmas Eve and snuck down after he left to take photos before the kids woke up…
Santa enjoyed the cookies we left and he even wrote us a note! He also took all the carrots we left out for the reindeer…
Santa was very kind to our family this year… the kids were able to swim through the leftover wrapping paper!
Jack and Greg got matching Top Gear t-shirts that say “I AM THE STIG” — how cool!
We even had some fun running around in the snow with Zoey!
And finally, Greg and I enjoyed spending some time out in the snow together!
I hope you and your family had as happy of a holiday season as I did with my family… and I would like to extend my best wishes to you for a very happy new year!
Now, head over to see how Sue Collura, Massachusetts Pet Photographer at Sue Collura Studio, celebrated this week and follow the links at the bottom of each post until you end up right back here.
