Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Susan Boyle, Eat Your Heart Out!

Bennett is in the running for the next Doggie Idol. Rather, he thinks he should be, with the performance he put on for me this day. Last Wednesday was the shoot at Camp Bow Wow in El Cajon. They turned their interview room over to me and I in turn created my studio in there. Talk about a dog day afternoon! We raised a total of $95.00 for Frankie at San Diego Spaniel Rescue. When all the dogs finished their regular sessions, Bennett decided it was his turn to be noticed. Enjoy!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Pony Boy - in June issue of Dog Fancy

Pony Boy This is Pony Boy - he came and did some cat-walking for the camera at the Barkin'dales fundraiser photo shoot (benefiting San Diego Spaniel Rescue and SoCal German Shepherd Rescue). His image was also chosen by my editor at Dog Fancy to be included in the June Issue. Pick yours up on newsstands, and look for the "What Kind of Dog Is This?" contest! What do YOU think he has in him?

Monday, April 20, 2009

Bradley the English Springer Spaniel

Such a handsome boy! I spent this weekend in Orange County. San Diego Spaniel Rescue had a great double booth at the Orange County Pet Expo and I was able to work a couple of shifts. I felt naked without a camera in my hands, however, so after the Expo on Saturday, I set up the studio at my boyfriend's house and put his Springer in front of the lens. Click on the blog title to see more photos of Bradley. And sign up for one of the upcoming fundraiser shoots to get some great shots of your own dog! This Wednesday I'll be in El Cajon at Camp Bow Wow. My full upcoming schedule is in the left sidebar. Or schedule a private shoot of your own - they are priced at only $65.00!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Last Shoot - Next Shoot

Dogs and the City Daycare and Spa is a cozy, friendly business in downtown San Diego run by two wonderful ladies, Nicole and Rita. I had the pleasure of meeting them when Rita contacted me and offered to host a fundraiser shoot. Wednesday April 15 had me taking over a corner of their front lobby and transforming it into a studio. The schedule was packed and I had a busy day laid out for me! My clients ranged in size from a camera hog long-haired Chihuahua all the way to a gentle giant Irish Wolfhound. The personalities ran the range too and all kept me smiling throughout the day! Here are a couple of images to enjoy from the sessions: This is Jasmine, a 12 week old Miniature Schnauzer pup - and yes, she looks like a little stuffed bundle of joy in person too! The day of the shoot downtown SD felt like a blustery Chicago morning and Jasmine brought her mom into the Boutique to purchase this adorable purple jacket so she stayed for a photo session too. Meet Niamh (pronounced Neev) - the Irish Wolfhound I mentioned earlier. She started off on the shy side, but it wasn't long before her fun personality peeked out at me and her ears perked up. And finally, one of my favorite shots so far! This was such a classic look and pose, I just had to transform Jethro into a black & white image. He is a Redbone Coonhound. He looks majestic, doesn't he? Click on the photo to see the full image. Mark your calendar now - next Wednesday April 22 I'll be set up at Camp Bow Wow in El Cajon from 3pm - 7pm for another fundraising session. It's still all earmarked for our Frankie girl, so let's get that money in for her surgery! You can call me at 858/997-7135 to schedule a time for your shoot that day. Or to book a session all your own. I'm off to Pet Expo in Orange County now. This is the second largest Pet Expo in the United States and we are so lucky to have it in our own backyard. I'm not wearing my photographer hat, but will be helping out at the San Diego Spaniel Rescue booth for the weekend. Stop by and say hi!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Photo Shoot Scheduled to Help Frankie

Dogs in the City Day Care and Spa is hosting a photo fundraiser this Wednesday, the 15th of April. Come have your favorite pooch's photo taken by me between 3 pm - 7 pm. Sitting fees are by donation only and all money raised is going to help Frankie, the Cocker Spaniel with the unusual medical needs. Before I get into her story, the phone number to schedule your reserved sit time is 858/997-7135. Dogs in the City is located at 555 West C Street in downtown San Diego. This is Frankie's shelter photo. She knew how to use those hazel eyes to charm folks from the start! Frankie came to San Diego Spaniel Rescue from the Apple Valley Animal Shelter. Charming people has been one of her favorite past times ... her foster family will be adopting her when Rescue is finished with her medical needs.

That's where DogBreedz.net comes in - the photo shoots this week (Dogs in the City) and next week (Camp Bow Wow, El Cajon) are dedicated to raising funds to help Frankie out.

You can see from this next photo how happy she is in her foster home. This was sent to us from her Foster Mom, Alyce, pictured with Lucky, Frankie and Archie (left to right), last Christmas. Frankie loves to wear pink, and we just know she is looking forward to her surgery being completed soon. This little girl is really a little boy/girl. Frankie is a rare hermaphrodite Cocker Spaniel and her condition is complicated by more than just the regular "hermie" issues. Her foster mom has a crack team of veterinary specialists who have also been hypnotized by those pretty eyes and are working hard to bring their costs down as SDSR raises the funds that will be needed. Book your photo shoot today - see you at Doggie Day Care this week or next!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Monthly Special at Photo Site

You may not realize it, but I have two online storefronts. Cafepress.com/dogbreedz is where I turn my photos into graphics for all sorts of fun goodies. If I transform one of your dogs, I'll be sure to let you know! My new DogBreedz.smugmug.com site is where you look at the proofs of your photo session - but besides additional prints you can also order tshirts, mousepads, notecards and other neat-0 items with your favorite photo. I decided that for the month of April, a few of MY favorite photos from past sessions will be available on Playing Cards for a reduced rate. You can see this "secret" gallery by clicking this post's title. If you are at the photo site, you'll see that I've jazzed it up with some clickable button links - one of those will get you to the secret gallery as well. Not much of a secret now! Imagine your dog looking up at you every time you deal a hand of your favorite card game! Order an extra deck to donate to your favorite dog rescue for their next auction. Pick up a pack for your dedicated groomer or dog-sitter. The playing cards retail regularly at $39.95, but for April, in this private gallery, you can order your deck of cards for only $29.95.

Happy shopping!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Barkin'dales Photos are all online

What pretty dogs! There were so many photos I enjoyed that it was hard to choose my favorites from each sitting for a public gallery, but I succeeded. It's fun to relive the shoot with each photo I edit. Speaking of fun ... while many of the dogs gave us classic poses there were quite a bit of personality shots as well. Take a look to the right and tell me Archie isn't enjoying himself! What a fun goofball. I first met Archie when he was just a couple of months old and in Rescue. He grew up to be quite handsome (and very much the jester in his home).
Camp Bow Wow in El Cajon is the sight of our next fundraiser. San Diego Spaniel Rescue is loaded with Cockers ready for medical care, and the vet bills are coming in. I imagine all the rescues are seeing more of this. In the current economy pet owners just can't afford medical needs the way they used to. SDSR has one dog in particular we are raising funds for. Archie's foster sister is Frankie, a very rare hermaphrodite dog (meaning she has both male and female organs). To make matters worse, she has extra plumbing on top of that and unusual placement. What would normally be a very expensive surgery is estimating out to be an EXTREMELY expensive surgery! Book a sitting at Camp Bow Wow's Wednesday April 22 fundraiser and help Frankie get the care she is looking for.