Rustic Ranch Family Dog Portraits: Summer

Summer’s photo session was one we had been planning for a very long time — and it was 100% worth the wait! It’s rare to have to reschedule for weather in San Diego but the rain gods decided this was the session they wanted to have some fun with. Thankfully, they eventually grew tired of their games and rewarded us with the most perfect, beautiful, ooey-gooey sun-shiny day imaginable! 

Summer was named after Bran Stark’s direwolf from Game of Thrones. I think it’s the perfect name for her! She is the sweetest, most beautiful girl and we had the absolute best time working with her and her mom! They share such an incredibly strong bond and it was truly an honor to capture it. 

From Summer’s mom:

I adopted Summer from a German Shepherd rescue at the very end of December in 2019. The folks at the rescue didn’t know much about her other than the fact that she was from the Kern County animal shelter. They figured she must have been a stray since she was very underweight, sick, and had several wounds when they rescued her.

Though she was super young when I first got her and had clearly been through a lot, Summer took her newfound support and thrived, learning quickly in her training classes, making friends all on her own at the dog park, and winning human hearts everywhere with her personality.

I always knew I wanted a dog from the second I first met one — but never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d get to have one as incredible as Summer. I know everyone says this about their dog, but she is truly one of a kind. Not only have I never met another dog that looks like her — I’ve also never met another dog with her beautiful personality.

 

If other dogs are getting picked on or ganged up on at the dog park, she stands up for the “underdog” and will defend them, even if she’s never met them. Several people have called her a “Walmart greeter,” as she greets every new dog and human she sees enter the park, and she is known as a “referee” for always making sure other pups play fairly!

Summer has been through a lot of trauma as a young rescue, and yet she’s been brave enough to be friendly, warm, and loving to everyone she meets. Every day she teaches me to live with love, compassion, kindness, and courage as my guiding principles.

I thought I’d end this post with a little giggle! As regal as Summer is, she is very enthusiastic about running. Summer’s mom and I had a huge laugh when I showed her this shot on the back of my camera at our shoot so I felt like she would appreciate it as part of the final image selection. We call it The Flying Potato and I think it may just be Summer’s mom’s favorite image from the entire photo session. ;)

Want to know more about what Summer’s mom thought about her session? Read her amazing review right here!

What do YOU think of Summer’s portraits? Leave a comment below!!!