Monday, January 28, 2013

1/28/2013 Sneak Peeks - Orange Empire Dog Show & the Traveling Tennis Ball (II)

Monday Morning Sneak Peeks

Ah, the sights and sounds of a dog show - how I love them! My first conformation show of 2013, the Orange Empire Dog Club "Orange Classic" in San Bernardino, California. On Saturday I sat ringside (braving a bit of rain) for the following breeds/classes: German Shorthaired Pointers, Obedience Open B, Swedish Vallhund, Finnish Lapphund, German Shepherd Dog, Collie (Smooth), Collie (Rough), Brittany, German Wirehaired Pointer, Vizsla and some random candids. Sunday found me enjoying the English Springer Spaniels and "my" breed, the Cocker Spaniels (ASCOB and Parti). A private shoot with Layla took me away from the Black variety this show. I had high hopes to be ringside at some of the indoor breeds, but the loaner camera that is supposed to rock the indoor lighting didn't pan out this time. Ringside Candids should be online and ready to go by this Friday in their own galleries at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/Dog-Shows.

Have you heard about the Traveling Tennis Ball (II)? A group of international Border Terrier friends have a specially marked tennis ball, affectionately known as the TTBII (the orginal TTB went through the Bermuda Triangle of a postal system and was never heard from again, so it was reincarnated). The TTBII travels the world and is seen through photographs enjoying all sorts of local tourist spots. It is currently being hosted by my roommate (you can find her on FaceBook - ask her to add you to the TTBII FaceBook group, if you are interested - tell her DogBreedz sent you). I get to participate as Official SoCal Photographer - fun!


That's it for this past week's sneak peeks - enjoy the photos and let me know what happened over your weekend. Hug a dog for me!

(first photo: Swedish Vallhund #6: GCH Solborg Loven Katherine Maija LT. Orange Empire Dog Club 2013 All Breed Dog Show. January 27, 2013 in San Bernardino, California. Bred by Ivy Underdahl. Owned by Maria & Gary Gunderson and Ivy Underdahl. second photo: Obedience Dog #172 (Golden Retriever): OTCH Regal Gold's Diamond Girl UDX8, OGM, RE, AX, AXJ (call name Lyric). Orange Empire Dog Club 2013 All Breed Dog Show. January 27, 2013 in San Bernardino, California. Open B Obedience. Bred by/Owned by Mary Fry & Gerri Monohan. Handled by Gerri Monohan. third photo:Brussels Griffon #6: CH SleepyHollow You Can Do Magic Bear (call name Layla Rose). Orange Empire Dog Club 2013 All Breed Dog Show. January 27, 2013 in San Bernardino, California. Bred by Jaye Schultz. Owned by/Handled by Kira Schlesinger. fourth photo: The TTB(II) takes group at its first American show!)

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

1/22/2013: Model Call ... Bullmastiffs and more!

Free Photoshoots for Breeds Wanted to Photograph for January-February 2013

If you have one of the following breeds and would like a complimentary session before February 10, 2013, please do contact me. Your dog might appear in a national magazine, on a greeting card or in a calendar! I'm currently looking for the following breeds:
  • Bullmastiff

  • Australian Shepherd

  • Kooikerhondjeg

  • Barbet

  • Puppies, adults and seniors - I need them all! They must conform to breed standards, but they don't have to be show dogs; purebred-looking pets and rescues are available for this offer as well.

    Contact me to arrange your free private photo sitting. Shoot participants that are chosen for a national magazine will receive a copy of the issue they are published in. All participants will receive 20% off any prints they wish to order from the free session.

    Studio sessions will be held at my Santee studio and location candids are available at San Diego County area parks or beaches. If you are in the SD, CA area and have a great house/yard to photograph in, then I may be able to come to you for the shoot. I would also love to do "lifestyle" shots and include the owner, if you are up to it (playing, walking, everyday life with your dog). Does your dog do a job, sport or fun activity? That is a possible shoot, as well. I look forward to hearing from you!

    Top Photo: Bullmastiff #6: Desert Winds Rain Dance Maggie. Orange Empire Dog Club 138th All Breed Dog Show. January 29, 2012 in San Bernardino, California. Owned by Doug Plemel and Bob Bauer. Bred by Doug Plemel.
    Bottom Photo: Australian Shepherd Tucker Mayo, Olympia, Washington.

    Tuesday, January 8, 2013

    Facebook contest happening today - guess the breed!!

    Guess the Breed on my Facebook page!

    Have you become a Facebook Friend of DogBreedz.net yet? If not, hop over to my FB page and put in your Friend Request. I'll be checking in from my phone throughout the day and accepting your requests as I get breaks from work. If you are already a friend, head on over and check out the Mystery Breed - and enter to win a prize!

    Monday, January 7, 2013

    Monday 1/7/2013 Sneak Peeks - Dog Agility and Custom Pet Valentine's from DogBreedz.net

    The FIRST Monday Sneak Peek for 2013!


    It's time to dive right into 2013 ... and by diving I mean: jumping, climbing, weaving, and all around agility FUN! I spent Saturday and Sunday on the grounds of Performance Dog Training's CPE agility trial combining two of my photographic loves - sports and dogs. The skies weren't as wonderfully overcast on Saturday as I had anticipated after listening to the weatherman and with the shadows cast from the trees it meant carefully planning my shots for each run. Sunday the rains held off until after I lost my light in the afternoon (yay!) and I found my brain and fingers challenged as the clouds streamed in front of the sun. In one second a jump in front of my lens changed exposure settings no less than 19 times (yep, I'm actually nerdy enough that I timed it)! Since I was shooting in manual mode, that meant a lot of dial sliding and setting changes for each dog. Good thing I like challenges! Here are 5 of my favorites to tide you over until all the images are culled through and posted to my agility gallery. Top Photo: Rory the Golden Retriever bursts out of a tunnel obstacle in Jumpers. Owned/Handled by Healther McAllister. Above photo: Zelda the Italian Greyhound flies through the air with the greatest of ease, taking the jump without thinking twice in Snooker. Owned/Handled by Debby Wheeler. Below: Gunner the German Shepherd Dog manuvers the weaves like a pro contortionist in Jackpot! Owned/Handled by Amy Lavoie.


    Timing is everything in photography. I don't have a camera that takes a ga-zillion shots per second, so for me getting "the shot" comes down to timing, knowing the sport, understanding how different dogs move (breed and size does make a difference) and as in all types of photography: plain ol' dumb luck! Those graceful, classic shots like the ones above come with the sports experience I bring to the lens as well as my years of learning dogs. But some of my favorite shots include the "dumb luck" factor: those outtakes that capture a fleeting expression or the ones that just cry out for the perfect caption. Take a look below:


    Cosmo the Miniature Schnauzer pushes with all his might to get that (Standards) teeter to go down! Owned/Handled by David & Janice Young


    Brisbane the Miniature Australian Shepherd shoots a comical look while coming over the A-Frame in Jackpot. Owned/Handled by Carolyn (CJ) Fithian.

    Before heading out to the trial, I spent the week tweaking a series of past Valentine's designs, updating them for 2013. Introducing the 3.5" x 5" mini valentine - perfect for handing out to your vet, dog walker, doggie day care, groomer, favorite dog aunt - the list goes on! Starting at 25 minis for $22.50 - envelope included, mix-n-match (with single photo image) allowed. Keep an eye here on the blog - the link will be live shortly for viewing in full size and for ordering.


    That's it for this past week's sneak peeks - enjoy the photos and let me know what happened over your weekend. Hug a dog for me!

    Friday, January 4, 2013

    The weekend ahead: 2013 begins!

    Trigger the Australian Shepherd happily takes a 20

    I am very excited about my January lineup of photo sessions: 3 weekends of agility, a Valentine's Fundraiser studio portrait session at Camp Bow Wow El Cajon and finishing with a dog show on one of the most beautiful sites for ringside candids. Tonight I get my gear bag ready and tomorrow I head out to Performance Dog Sports' CPE agility trial. This morning's Weather Bug app on my iPhone tells me that it will be delightfully overcast (great photo weather!) and that the real rain should hold off until the trial ends on Sunday. That's enough to keep me from frowning over the lower temperatures that will surely be hit in the early am and later pm (hey, I grew up in the Snow Belt - I've had enough of the *real* cold and have earned the right to grouse about 50F temperatures - grin).

    And I'm taking the 500 lens with me! I'll be able to get in good and tight for some great expressive action shots - I just can't wait! I should have some great sneak peeks for you on Monday. Have a great weekend and when you have a chance, leave me a comment and let me know what you are up to (with or without your pets) ...

    photo: Australian Shepherd TRIGGER taking a jump in Standard Elite 20". Owned by Krystal Emery. May 20, 2012. La Jolla All-Breed ASCA Trial hosted by Performance Dog Sports. San Diego, CA.

    Thursday, January 3, 2013

    January is Train Your Dog Month!

    Something Wagging Train Your Dog Month Challenge
    Did you know? January is Train Your Dog Month! Really, who knew?Brought to us by the fine folks at The Association of Pet Dog Trainers, this is the month of resolutions - so why not make one of those be something to do with your dog. Instead of a full year to meet this resolution goal, you have 31 days (well, for me it's now down to 28 days, but it can be done).

    My cute blog buddy Kolchak is getting taught by his humans how to sleep in, instead of doing his usual full-throttle digging them out of bed at an ungodly hour (especially irritating on a weekend). That's how I firsst heard about Train Your Dog Month. And it got me thinking ...

    Indie and Bennett both achieved their CGC titles and are now officially ThD (in training) puppers. Credit goes to my friend PeggyF for getting me off my rear and making this a reality. Having a training buddy really made a difference, not only for me but for the furkids, too. I have two tricks that I keep putting off, but would love for them to know: Wave and Take a Bow. Both would be a hit on our visits, I am sure of it! So here is my official "gonna give it a try" promise: I'm gonna give it a try! We'll see what the Cockers think about the goal (I haven't told them, yet).

    And I can't talk about a training goal without mentioning Royal and Spice - they are our inspiration - take a look:


    Linda has over 100 videos of tricks she has taught the dynamic duo - worth a look if you want to be inspired yourself!

    Tell me: are you going to take part in Train Your Dog Month? What trick/habit are YOUR dogs going to work on?

    Wednesday, January 2, 2013

    Still looking for that perfect 2013 calendar?

    2013 Agility Calendar from DogBreedz.net
    No matter how many steps closer I get to being a "hi-tech" type of person, there are a few things "no-tech" that I just can't do without ... my clock on the wall easy to glance at from any place in my office ... a good-read paperback from the thrift store (I don't know about you, but I'm not about to bring my Kindle to the tub for a relaxing soak!) ... and my favorite wall calendar, chock full of glorious images! Okay, that last one is a little white lie - actually it should read my favorite wall calendars - one in my office for my work tasks, one in my kitchen that both my roomie and I reference for our schedules, and one in my bedroom with personal goals listed to keep me motivated and smiling as I start my days.

    2013 Merry Cocker Spaniel wall Calendar from DogBreedz.net
    Long before I started my photography business my dad was the "calendar gifter" in our family. Every Christmas I knew I could count on a calendar from him, usually one with some good, subtle humor to it. Now that Dad has passed, and I have thousands of great dog images at my fingertips at the end of every year, I have my pick of calendars to choose from straight from my own store.

    Did you get YOUR favorite calendar this year? While I usually have mine posted and ready for purchase in August, my extended "down time" this year kept me off goal. However I know there are a handful of devoted DogBreedz.net followers who are beyond ready for me to unveil my calendars for 2013.

    2013 Oodles of Poodles wall calendar from DogBreedz.net
    No more waiting! If you are still looking for just the *right* wall calendar, then check out my six titles for 2013. Quality printing from Lulu combined with some of my favorite images from the year. Agility, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Scottish Terriers and the ever popular All-Breed editions have rolled off the presses. An added bonus this year: both the Agility Addict and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel calendars raise money for deserving non-profits. Enjoy!

    2013 Cavalier King Charles Calendar from DogBreedz.net - a portion of the sale will be donated to Cavalier Rescue

    2013 Wall Calendar from DogBreedz.net featuring Scottish Terriers

    2013 Dogs! Dogs! Dogs! calendar from DogBreedz.net







    Tuesday, January 1, 2013

    Happy New Year!

    Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. Nubbie wags and smiles from Peggy, Indie and Bennett at DogBreedz.net!


    1/1/2013 - Model Call: Berger Picard and more!

    Model Call: reminder ... BREEDZ WANTED for January 2013

    If you have one of the following breeds and would like a complimentary session before January 10, 2013, please do contact me. Your dog might appear in a national magazine, on a greeting card or in a calendar! I'm currently looking for the following breeds:

  • Pomeranian

  • American English Coonhound

  • Belgian Sheepdog

  • Berger Picard

  • Puppies, adults and seniors - I need them all! They must conform to breed standards, but they don't have to be show dogs; purebred-looking pets and rescues are available for this offer as well.

    Contact me to arrange your free private photo sitting. Shoot participants that are chosen for a national magazine will receive a copy of the issue they are published in. All participants will receive 20% off any prints they wish to order from the free session.

    Studio sessions will be held at my Santee studio and location candids are available at San Diego County area parks or beaches. If you are in the SD, CA area and have a great house/yard to photograph in, then I may be able to come to you for the shoot. I would also love to do "lifestyle" shots and include the owner, if you are up to it (playing, walking, everyday life with your dog). Does your dog do a job, sport or fun activity? That is a possible shoot, as well. I look forward to hearing from you!

    top photo: Atticus the Pomeranian puppy

    bottom photo: Pomeranian #41: CH Cliffrose Call Of The Dove (call name Woody). San Fernando Kennel Club. May 27, 2011 in Pomona, California. Owned by Krystal Morris and Ron & Merilyn Smith. Bred by Krystal Morris and Lana Price.