Monday 2/11/2013 Sneak Peeks - Camp Bow Wow Fundraiser and SMRTDog Agility Training

Monday Morning Sneak Peeks

One of my 2013 goals is to hold one fundraiser photo shoot per calendar month (February's shoot was unfortunately scheduled for Superbowl Sunday - ! - and was cancelled, so it looks like there will only be 11 for this year instead of 12). January's charity was the Bow Wow Buddy Foundation, supported by the franchise chain of doggy day care/boarding facilities called Camp Bow Wow. I've loved the folks at all three Camps that I've been to (El Cajon, Livermore and Memphis) and the dog-customers of those businesses have all been happy well-adjusted fur-kids on set. Between a personal relationship with the local El Cajon facility from my Rescue days and the fact that they are a short .75 miles away from me, they are my main charity again this year - we'll be setting up there 5 times throughout 2013, each time with a different seasonal set theme. January's set was preparing for the upcoming Valentine's Holiday and the dogs definitely brought their Sweet on! All photos are posted and ready for viewing in their online gallery.

After my visit to Dan Roy's Performance Dog Training CPE Agility Trial in January I had the pleasure of working closely with Jamie Bozzi via emails to find her just the photos of her Toy Fox Terrier Emi that she was hoping for, from the hundreds that I took that weekend. They had 9 Qualifying scores out of 10 runs and 7 of those 9 were first places and she *really* wanted memories of that day. I only had a couple of photos that made the cut after looking them over with my critical eye and she was very disappointed to see only a couple of photos posted. No matter how wonderfully crisp and action packed, she had hoped for more! In my portrait work, my "less than perfects" are gone forever and not able to be seen, but in my sporting events I hold on to them for a while, for times just as this. In portrait work, where the shoot is under tight control, my outtakes are usually eyes half closed, noses being licked, a head whipping around to hear something off set, maybe a face unattractively wrinkled as a sneeze hits. No one want to see those (unless they are hilarious out-takes ... I do keep those fun ones!). But in event photography maybe it's just a slight focus issue, catching a dog at almost-but-not-quite perfect stride, a handler's shadow falling across the frame - any number of things. Some of my event clients are more than happy to have those available to purchase - especially early in their show or agility careers when they don't have a boat-load of images yet (or when their dogs haven't mastered the perfect tuck at a jump or a perfect drive/reach in the show ring). Jamie was thrilled with my one-off photos and they are now proudly a part of her image collection.

I had a delightful ordering session with Megan the Toy Poodle's mom. Megan flew over the same CPE course in January taking every obstacle with apparent glee. My time with mom at a local Starbucks was another example of why I love offering the free sessions. Not only do I get to meet the human behind the dog, but I get to hear first-hand what people REALLY want out of their photos, to make them personal - to make them their favorites of all time. In Megan's case, mom loved that the photos showcased her fur-daughter, but where was the atmosphere? How could anyone tell these were agility performance photos? Like the one I have featured here, my final creations were highlighting only the dog, and mom wanted some of the agility in the photos as well. Taking her words home with me, I reworked her favorites and they are now exactly what was desired. And will have a proud place on Megan's Wall Of Fame in the home!

Back to Jamie - not only does she compete in the trials but as it turns out she teaches agility as well. Jamie is the driving force behind SMRTDog Training. She extended a generous offer for me to head out to one of her group classes and photograph the students while their humans put them through their training paces. I joined the beginning agility class over the weekend (before my real winter cold finally got the best of me) and captured images. Those will be up soon in their own gallery for proofing. I do hope to be able to continue visiting with future classes - not only do the students get a head start on their agility photos, but it helps desensitize the dogs to the sound of the camera ringside.

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

(first photo: Charlie the Corgi Mix at Camp Bow Wow's 2013 Valentine Shoot. second photo: Toy Fox Terrier #807: Emi. Performance Dog Training CPE Agility Trial January 6, 2013 in San Diego, California. Colors Round 1 - Levels 1/2 8 inch. Owned/Handled by Jamie Bozzi. third photo:Poodle #1206: Megan. Performance Dog Training CPE Agility Trial January 6, 2013 in San Diego, California. Standard Round 1 - Levels 2/3 12 inch. Owned/Handled by Sheryn Scherer. fourth photo: Uriel the Border Collie, owned by Jessica Koester

Dog Bless the USA - photo shoot today at Camp Bow Wow El Cajon

It's time for another visit to one of my favorite photoshoot partners: Camp Bow Wow in El Cajon, California! I am looking forward to this - our shoots at Camp are relaxed, fun, and always a good time. The dogs who visit us at this location are some of my favorites (I have two repeat clients coming to sit for photos today). This will be such a fun day!

There are a few select times still available for today's shoot, between 2:00 - 5:00. If you are in the area and would like to stop by (and don't mind a short wait) here are all the details:

Fundraiser Portraits - Patriotic Theme
Camp Bow Wow
1677 North Marshall Avenue #A
El Cajon, CA 92020
Sitting fees are suggested donation of $35.00
and include a free 8x10 photo
This shoot benefits Bow Wow Buddies Foundation

Our next shoot is the Holiday set, scheduled in November 2012. If you can't join us today, maybe we'll get to see you in four months!


top image: Vizsla Puppy; bottom image: American Cocker Spaniel, parti variety

Project 52-13: Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

I am a member of a network of professional pet photographers from around the world. We have a challenge project: a blog roll (Project 52) where once a week we take a photo to fit the week's theme, and then link to the next participating photographer. This week's theme is "Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery". I hope you enjoy this blog post with photos and feel like leaving a comment at the end. I love visitors! After you are finished reading, please do take a moment to click the link at the bottom and see what the photographer after me came up with for the theme. In fact, sit back and take five minutes, and keep clicking thru until you come back here - I think you'll enjoy yourself!

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What a great topic for me this week! While there are many pet photographers that I admire, I have been attracted to a style utilized by many photographers lately (not just in pet photography) - so I chose to imitate the style in general, rather than a particular photo. The photos I am talking about have a contemporary feel to them: a bit contrasty in the exposure, with colors that seem to just POP off the screen and scream "look at me! look at me!". Last weekend I photographed the anniversary "pawty" for Camp Bow Wow El Cajon at Woodglen Vista Park in Santee, California and it felt like the time to jump in and give the style a tryout. Here is an example of one of the adoptable Chihuahua's from San Diego Chihuahua Rescue that day to show you my usual final result and how it looks with the new styling borrowed from some other photographers:

I had fun learning some new techniques! While the full-on extreme look is a little more than I like for my own personal style, I love having the new tools in my bag o' tricks and a slightly less "in your face" working of the photos is likely to show up more in my portfolio this year. I hope you enjoy the rest of the photos from this event, also worked with my new "look at me!" imitated style. (click on any blog photo to see it in a larger size)

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Thanks for visiting the Project 52 Blog Roll for Week #13. Now, please do take a moment and click thru to the blog of Nashville Pet Photographer Kelly Coyle of Sweet Silver Photography. If you keep clicking through to the next photographer, you'll end up right back here. Enjoy the photos and give YOUR pets a hug from me. Remember: Every Moment Matters!^TM

Valentine's Day!

Indie and Bennett enjoyed their Valentine's Day - many of their doggie friends sent sweet greetings and I read every one to them. Here are their official Valentine's Portraits for 2011 ... It was another great week of shooting. Camp Bow Wow El Cajon hosted a fundraiser benefiting Bow Wow Buddies Foundation and there were some very handsome campers who made time to come for portraits. This is Charlie, who loves his daddy very much and was such a darling on set for us! Saturday was another beautiful day in Santee, so the studio was open at Su-Et's Kennel. Bronson came for a sitting, and if you know Bulldogs, you KNOW that any photo session with this breed is a fun session full of laughter and love! Meet Cyndle - a sweet teenage West Highland White Terrier. Those that know me know that Cocker Spaniels are my heart dogs, but the Westie is a close second, as I grew up with both breeds. This one is a darling and loved posing for the camera. And no photo shoot at Su-Et's is really complete without a Scottish Terrier sitting for the camera! Meet Duncan and Angus - yes, they are related to many of the other lovely Su-Et's-bred Scotties that you've met through my photos. Such characters, these two! As much fun as the Valentine's set has been, it's time to pack it away until next year. For the rest of February I'll be featuring classic portraits on set, and I might come up with some fun surprises for the pets and owners who want to celebrate a bit of the Irish. Speaking of St. Patrick's Day, the ornaments are available - 50 breeds are up and more to come! You can see them at my Zazzle Store by clicking HERE. Here's a sample, featuring an American Staffordshire Terrier. And I'd like to end with a special tribute to a very special kitty. This is Sylvia's senior portrait, taken in 2009 when she was 20 years old. Sylvia was the Grand Mistress of the kennel, greeting all who came and showering disdain upon the canine world. After a slow physical decline - all the while with her mind sharp and her purr-motor strong - she made her final trip to the vet and is now at The Rainbow Bridge. She is very missed around here! THIS WEEK'S SHOOT SCHEDULE: Rain is in the forcast for the week. If Friday holds at a drizzle, then the Santee Studio will be open from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. It is looking as though Saturday will be too rainy for shooting, however. Location: Su-Et's Kennel, 10631 Prospect Avenue, Santee, CA 92071.

Valentine's at DogBreedz.net

Last Saturday was a fun Valentine's celebration here at the DogBreedz.net studio in Santee, CA. I had three much-loved family pets come to sit for me and we all had so much fun on set! Brandy is a senior Poodle. She lives with her adopted momma in a local senior facility - I just love it when our family members can stay together like this! Then Sarah Jane and Jesse James were treated to a session, gifted to them by their groomer (thank you Aunt Jeri!). She figured that so many of their extended family have been in front of my camera, they deserved a turn too. From Su-Et's breeding, they are retired from the show ring and now rule the living room in their home. This Wednesday February 9th I'll be set up at Camp Bow Wow El Cajon from 2 pm - 6 pm. Come on by for the final Valentine's shoot of 2011! The Santee Studio will be set up Friday and Saturday, February 11 & 12 from 10 am - 4 pm for $30 mini-sessions (and free sessions for local Foster pets). I'm working on some new designs for St. Patrick's Day - I hope to start offering them soon. Stay tuned!

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!

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!

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.