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November 22, 2016 by Terran 2 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving | Take a moment to acknowledge the good

I love Thanksgiving! Few things make me happier than cooking a big dinner to be enjoyed by family and friends. I remember in 2005, I cooked my first Thanksgiving for the whole family. I read cooking tips from everyone from Martha to Emeril and decided to try brining the bird the night before. I mean, hey, it’s just Thanksgiving… go ahead, experiment! You have absolutely no idea what you’re doing, anyway! Thankfully, it was such a big hit, the parents and grandparents agreed that Thanksgiving was now mine for the long haul… and I was good with that.

Every Thanksgiving, I like to reflect back on the year a bit and remind myself that I have so much to be thankful for!

Westway Studio - Skye Valley Ranch

First, I have an amazing family. Greg is always there by my side, supporting me in every way he can. And he brings me food. Good man. Roxy reminds me to get out and play, hike, and chase lizards like they were dreams. And my mom! My mom is the best there is! She worked her butt off to raise me and give me every opportunity available. And now, she does everything from reminding me to step away and take a walk to helping with Roxy when I have appointments that cut into puppy-dinnertime to bringing me Starbucks to running errands when I just don’t have enough time. In other words, she keeps me sane and I am so, so grateful. Then there’s my family back home who text me every day and remind me that we’re not really all that far away. There’s the ranch family who we see on the weekends and get to eat ridiculously sinfully delicious food with. Fried dough stuffed with cookie dough and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, anyone? And my niece, Katie Jo, who brings me so much happiness every time she’s with us… and who gives me an excuse to eat s’mores for breakfast (good s’morning!), lunch (let’s eat s’munch!), and dinner (good s’mevening!).

Westway Studio - senior dog white face in flowers

Next, my clients. Without them this business wouldn’t be, well, a business! From design clients to pet portrait clients, every one of you make the world go ’round. You allow me to live this amazing dream and for that I am forever grateful. I love getting to be a part of your lives and making an positive impact.

Westway Studio Nixon and Lola - country dogs with bandana red truck

And I can’t forget about business partners and supporters! My friend-turned-partner, Allison, and I have some big stuff in the works that we both dreamed about but probably couldn’t have made happen on our own… that’s all coming in 2017. Pittsburgh-pet-photographer-extraordinaire Nicole, who is helping bring my dream of teaching a pet photography workshop to life in 2017… and in Breckenridge, CO, of all places! And of course Loree and Tess, who shout my name from the rooftops, are my trusty booth neighbors at events, and who are two of the best people around.

Westway Studio - boxers - backlit - trees - forest - sunset

Finally, this year in particular, I’m so grateful for the most amazing business branding and marketing coach, Nichole, who is pushing me to answer the hard questions, giving me mountains of homework to do, and is cheering me on as I hit some major milestones and get ready to take Westway Studio to a whole new level in 2017. She reminds me to celebrate my big wins — even if she has to make me! I am one who typically just says “yay!” and moves along toward the next milestone. There’s something to be said for getting to wear a fancy new pair of shoes :) out around town and know that they’re something really, really special.

Westway Studio - Girl and horse - sunset - trees - kiss

What are you thankful for this year?

I want to know! Leave a comment below! :)

Filed Under: field notes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Greg says

    November 27, 2016 at 1:28 pm

    I am thankful for you Terran! You are so talented! Love you!

    Reply
  2. Maria Diehl says

    December 2, 2016 at 3:30 pm

    I am thankful that my path crossed the path of the Bayer family and that I’ve lived vicariously through all you think and do in a world that I would not have otherwise known. I’ve always loved animals and your stories make me laugh, cry. smile and enjoy your adventures to the fullest. I am definitely thankful for you.

    Reply

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Based in San Diego, CA
Traveling the U.S. in 2022
(858) 848-9378
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Hi there! In the age of social media, we all scrol Hi there! In the age of social media, we all scroll... a lot. Since we've had a bunch of new followers lately, I wanted to take a moment to say hi, introduce myself, and get to know you a little!​​​​​​​​
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I'm Terran, the Crazy Dog Mom behind Westway Studio. My hubby, senior pup, and I live in San Diego for six months of the year and travel the US in our Airstream for the other six. We love being on the road, meeting new people, seeing new places, eating new foods, and experiencing this beautiful country we call home.​​​​​​​​
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I'd love if you would share a little something about you and your pets with me — like where you're from, your animal companion's favorite vacation destination, a silly story, or anything else! :)
It's your last chance to apply for our upcoming We It's your last chance to apply for our upcoming West Paw photo shoot! The casting call closes this afternoon! Don't miss out - photo shoots are TONS of fun for people and pets! Link in bio or https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call
*Knocks on door* Hello! Can your dog come out to p *Knocks on door* Hello! Can your dog come out to play?​​​​​​​​
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We're holding an open casting model call for our next playtime-filled shoot with West Paw! Apply at the link in my bio or https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call. Let's have some FUN!
Who LOVES treats? 🙋‍♀️ We're holding an o Who LOVES treats? 🙋‍♀️ We're holding an open casting model call for our next shoot with West Paw that'll be all about — you guessed it — TREATS! Apply through the link in my bio or at https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call
YahoOOoOooOoo!!! We are planning our next photo sh YahoOOoOooOoo!!! We are planning our next photo shoot with West Paw at the end of January! We're looking for dogs + their people to participate. Dogs should be well-trained and love treat toys! We are looking for pups of all breeds, mixes, and ages. Link in bio to apply or https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call​​​​​​​​​
#westwaypets #westwaystudio #opencasting #modelcall #dogmodel @westpawus
Sorry, boss, I'm gonna be late today... or I might Sorry, boss, I'm gonna be late today... or I might not make it in at all... it's National Cuddle Day, which means I can't move 'til my four-legged best friend does. 🤷‍♀️ Does your animal companion love to cuddle or is it more of an exercise in futility?
Hello. It's Wednesday. The holidays are over. Whic Hello. It's Wednesday. The holidays are over. Which way is up? Do you have any treats?
Mid-session puppy kisses always make for the silli Mid-session puppy kisses always make for the silliest and sweetest photos! Do your pups give you kisses, too?
Happy New Year, friends! What are you most looking Happy New Year, friends! What are you most looking forward to this year?​​​​​​​​
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Two things I'm really excited for are (1) getting back out on the open road in the Airstream and (2) teaching at the Shutterhound Conference in September alongside some of the world's greatest pet photographers. Seriously, the speaker lineup is i-n-c-r-e-d-I-b-l-e! Pinch me, I must be dreaming! (Sign up with crazy-special pricing through 11:59pm Eastern time tonight!!!)
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