Sneak Peeks: Camp Bow Wow 2012 Holiday Pet Photo Shoot

It's been a l-o-n-g four (and then some) months of not feeling well, but look out pups 'cause I'm back in action! Are those tails I see wagging at the news? I appreciate all the emails in support while I was down for the count and am looking forward to seeing all the furries, and their parents, who are lined up to spend time with my camera.

Easing back into the action included spending time with my friends at El Cajon Camp Bow Wow and raising some money for their Bow Wow Buddies Foundation. Tis the Season, and the Holiday set was ready for the action. Beautiful Flirt (Cocker Spaniel) had a special reason for striking her pose. She is a Therapy Dog now and wanted some special Holiday goodies to hand out on her December visits.

Stoney (Irish Terrier) preferred to go with a classic look without the Holiday touches when he visited on set at Su-Et's Kennel in Santee, CA. Wednesday November 28th will be the last Holiday shoot before Christmas (there are a few spots left). And if the weather holds, there will be a Last Chance shoot with the Holiday theme between Christmas and New Year's for a "pet's first Christmas" if any new fur-kids join your home over the Holiday. Just use the "Contact Me" button at the top of the Blog to inquire about joining a shoot.

Meanwhile, back on the show grounds, the Del Sur Kennel Club held their Fall Puppy Match on a beautiful sunny Sunday in El Cajon, CA. This little Pug shows that even puppies can float on air, when they are a natural for the show ring!

Coming up next: the final Holiday shoot before Christmas, a trip up to Orange County to play with the dogs and some on-set time volunteering for English Springer Rescue America, Inc, one of my favorite rescue organizations!

I hope you enjoyed the sneak peeks into my return to the pet photo studio (and the healthy life). Thanks for the visit - please hug your pet for me today!

Indie gets ready for The Big Surprise

Indie shows how she is preparing for The Big Surprise. She is certain that her favorite collar and looking good is the key! In my last blog post, we saw how Bennett chose to prepare.

Are these two Cockers really getting ready for the same event?!

Indie: it's all about how you look!
Bennett: no it's not, Indie! It's about what you know!
Indie: and about how you look.
Bennett: no.
Indie: uh-HUH! Look right here: #3 - Appearance and Grooming!
Bennett: (rolls his eyes) that's not what that means, Silly!
Indie: then why do they say it, if it's not what it means?
Bennett: (big sigh) OK, Indie, whatever you say ...
Indie: See - I told you!
Bennett: SQUIRREL!
Special thanks to Classy Critter Collars for Indie's wonderful wardrobe!

The Cockers Are Up To Something ...

Just before I turned the computer off last night, I looked over my shoulder and found Indie sound asleep (beauty sleep, I am sure) tuckered out from the day's duties of preparing for The Big Surprise. And Bennett, bookworm that he is, was still up, studying hard. I just had to capture a photo of his efforts to share!

Indie and Bennett - planning a Big Surprise!

Welcome back to the DogBreedz.net Blog. As many of you already know, Indie and Bennett are my own furkids, and they light up my life every single day. Although they are both adopted from a wonderful Rescue as puppies, they have "formal" names as well as their more familiar "call" names. Indie is Kodak's Canyonview Little Miss Independant and Bennett's big-boy name is Kodak's Canyonview The Best Is Yet To Come.

Indie and Bennett have been working undercover for many weeks now on a Big Surprise. They've been getting me up early, before the heat of the day, going to a Top Secret Location and putting their heads together with one of their Cocker Friends named Flirt (is it any surprise that she is a Parti, too?!). Flirt's parents, Peggy and Joe, have been put through their paces as well.

The Big Reveal is scheduled for August 3, 2012. And let me tell you, they are excited! And a little apprehensive - they want the news that day to be that their hard work has paid off. Stay tuned for more - and keep your paws crossed!

Let Indie and Bennett know through the comment section below - what do YOU think their Big Surprise is going to be?

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** Indie (bottom photo) and Bennett (top photo) are modeling the July Beach set, celebrating the Dog Days of Summer. This is all done in studio - no sand in the fur or paws scorched by the hot pavement walking to the shore! The set is suitable for large dogs and other species too, so book your July Beach Session now. $35.00 for 15-30 minutes on set (whatever your pet needs to get comfortable and have fun!) and that includes a print credit that will pay for a 5x7 or it can be applied to other sizes, as well.

Have you signed up for the DogBreedz.net monthly Newsletter? It comes direct to your inbox and you can learn about all sorts of great things before they are posted to the blog - like the Beach Set (modeled in the newsletter by Salsa the Border Terrier). Click HERE to learn more.

Thanks for the visit - please hug your pet for me today!

Connecting with my Clients and Online Friends

Did you receive the DogBreedz.net July Newsletter in your email this morning? It's a wonderful way to sit back and "visit" with me online! This month's newsletter features a new product, announces the Christmas in July special sale, gives you a first look at the July Beach set in studio, talks about keeping your pets safe in the heat of the summer, announces the TWO July Facebook Give-a-way Winners and talks about behind-the-scenes improvements here at DogBreedz. Don't miss out on this valuable tool - and there are photos to enjoy (of course)! Check your spam folder and if you still don't see it - sign up here so future issues will come direct to your in-box:
~ your email address will never be sold or shared ~
When I'm in a photo session with one of your pets, even a 15 minute mini-session, I feel a connection with your fur-kid. I work hard to "listen" to them not only to help them feel comfortable faster but also to get a feel for their unique personality and for what makes them who their are. It helps that I've had a knack for "talking" with the animals since I was a toddler (I count our Westie and our Cocker as being two of my sisters as I grew up and our cats taught me a lot about life!) and that I am certified in Animal Reiki Healing. These bring an extra "something" to my animal sessions and it shows!

But connecting with the PEOPLE that adore their pets - that is harder to do! With longer private sessions, I do have time to get to know the "two-leggers" but in a fundraising or 15-minute session, it has to be all about the pets in order to get that image you will fall in love with. Through my blog and my monthly newsletter I can give you ideas about who I am and how I work. Facebook is more of a two-way street (when it is working correctly and loading!) and has been a valuable resource - I love reading your pages and getting a glimpse of who you are!

I offer a new service to my pet parents, and there is no charge for it: in-person ordering sessions after your studio or on-location shoot. I knew it would be good for business but I LOVE that it gives me time to really connect with YOU! Now you can enjoy the photographic process as much as your pet enjoyed his time with me on set! In about an hour of time, at a local coffee shop or even in your own living room, we meet and this is YOUR time. You are in charge and I sit back and listen. Yes, it's about looking at your proofs and showing you samples of products and photo finishes as you ask your questions, but it's also about listening to your stories about your pets and really getting to know YOU. I so have enjoyed the sessions I've had and I'm looking forward to more! If you enjoy the ease of just ordering online, in your pajamas at 1 am, don't worry: online ordering is not going away - but I am here for you if you have any questions.

Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter - it shows up no more than once a month in your inbox and if you have anything in particular YOU would like to know about me or DogBreedz.net or have a special product you wish you could find for your favorite images - just let me know! Thank you for reading, and please - hug your pet for me today! Top Photo: Indie my Cocker Spaniel receives Animal Reiki in a training class
Bottom Photo: Bisuit Cromelin the Boston Terrier loves the camera
while at a fundraiser hosted by Yorba Regional Animal Hospital

6/26/12: Breedz Wanted to Photograph

BREEDZ WANTED for June/July 2012 If you have one of the following breeds and would like a complimentary session before July 15, 2012, 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:

Bloodhound

Bolognese

Boston Terrier

Bullmastiff

Field Spaniel

Icelandic Sheepdog

Kangal Dog

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 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: Bloodhound - GCH Quiet Creek's Kiss And Tell at the Santa Ana Kennel Club 2011 Show. Sunday September 25, 2011 in Cerritos, California. Bottom Photo: Boston Terrier - Rio Johnson in Richmond, Virginia.

DogBreedz Weekend Roundup - 6/25/2012

Sunny Southern California - just meant for location Pet Photography!

What a great week I've had - nothing like beautiful weather to make my time with your pets even MORE enjoyable! It may be challenging trying to make a living working for myself in California, but after growing up in the snow it sure is worth the extra effort it takes to call Southern California HOME.

On most Wednesdays I offer free mini-shoots for clients of Su-Et's Kennel (free with a groom, bath or nail trim, scheduled in advance). I get to see so many wonderful dogs throughout the year at this location! So here's a question for you ... what do you get when you cross a Chihuahua with a Scottish Terrier? No, not some exotic designer dog - but you do get 100% grade-A Stinkin' Cuteness! Take a look at Daisy as she strikes a patriotic pose and tell me if you don't agree!

Bennett has been refreshing his basic training by joining his Cocker Spaniel friend Flirt for weekly sessions, training with a CGC test in mind. I enjoy spending time with Flirt's parents and a morning in the park (in spite of the fact that we are working) is a great way to start the day. Flirt just received her "Therapy Dog In Training" vest and a photo session with her modeling it was in order.


I was visited on-set by two darling young Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I originally met these two at a fundraiser shoot earlier in the month so I knew what to expect. They were perfect models for their less distracting private shoot at my studio in Santee. Here is a sneak peek of Harry, the younger of the two:



On Sunday I trekked up to Long Beach and enjoyed a day with my roommate where we were surrounded by Terriers of all kinds at Great Western. My main clients this day were Border Terriers and Scottish Terriers, but I had some time to visit the American Staffordshire Terriers in the ring as well. Pictured here is Best of Breed - American Staffordshire Terrier #25: GCH Alpine's Highwayman (call name Jelly). Great Western Terrier Association of Southern California Terrier Group Show 2012. June 24, 2012 in Long Beach, California. Owned by Zane Smith, Ed & Karen Thompson, CI Lefloch, J Branch and S Janga. Bred by Ed & Karen Thompson, Dan Nechemias and Lois Claus.

I'm also re-working some organizational tricks to help me stay on more on-track with phone calls and projects. I'll be getting back to sending out my newsletter on a monthly basis and am wondering: what would YOU like to see in a regular newsletter? You can let me know on this page: http://dogbreedz.net/NewsletterInfo.htm (and thank you in advance for taking the time to let me know your thoughts).

What did you do this last week with your pet? I'd love to know, feel free to leave a comment! I have a full plate of at-the-computer editing to do, so I had better wrap this post up and get to it ...

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

Moving on to the German Shepherd Dog Specialties - FUN!

Last weekend was all about the little dogs ... this weekend I'll be playing with the big dogs! This is my second year as Show Photographer for the regional German Shepherd cluster of specialties - 3 shows in 2 days, obedience and conformation.

On Saturday I'll start off with the German Shepherd Club of America regional specialty and that will be followed be the annual San Bernardino/Riverside German Shepherd Dog Club shows. The full weekend is hosted by the SBRGSDC. I get to visit with some of the nicest people I know at this event. If you are in the area, stop on by Hotel Claremont, in Claremont, CA. Whatever you are doing this weekend, I hope it's a great one for you!

Top Image: Mariner's Smooth As Silk. Owned by/Bred by Debra Kaser, Joyce Shelp, Cindy Tellefsen.
Middle Image: Nick Clayfield Paladin Valentino. Owned by William Lee. Bred by Dr Gloria S Rice, Sharlonna McGaha, D Kaser and J Shelp. Handled by Sharlonna McGaha.
Bottom Image: Schatzmar's Anytime. Owned by/Bred by Bob & Darlene Ghigleri.

Bring on the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels!

I think this is going to be a FUN weekend! I've been asked by my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel friends to set up at their summer celebration party and take some portraits of the cute Cavaliers ... and boy do I *l*o*v*e this breed! Proceeds from the shoot will go to Cavalier Rescue to help with their work. I've also partnered with them to photograph their intake Rescues from this area - professional photos really help the dog to stand out on the adoptable pages of the web site. There are a couple of things that make the fundraising shoots a little different from the similar mini-shoots here at the studio, besides the donation to a Rescue organization. The three most popular sizes (4x6, 5x7 and 8x10) of prints purchased from fundraiser shoots are priced lower than my regular scale and the pet parents get one free 8x10 for each purchased session. And the timing couldn't be better, as the Cavalier is on my "Breedz Wanted" list for this month (you can read about that by clicking HERE)!

Enjoy YOUR weekend - and I'll "see" you online on Monday!

Memorial Day 2012

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. After World War I the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war. Several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee. You can read more about Memorial Day history at The US Memorial Day web site (which is also where I pulled up these facts).

1 Town + 2 Thrift Shops + $7.00 = 3 new Cocker Collectibles!

Wonderful Additions to My Cocker Spaniel Collection

I can't believe my new finds! Being from the East(ish) Coast (Upstate New York), I'm a little less than optimistic when entering an estate sale, yard sale or thrift shop in Southern California. Seriously - a super antique dresser on the east coast may be found at a garage sale for about $50 ... out here it would go for over $500. Collectibles also have the "West Coast markup", usually. And when I narrow my search for something even harder to find (Cocker Spaniel collectibles) - well, let's just say that in SoCal I usually end up not spending much money, since I usually can't locate anything in my teeny tiny interest range.

All this to lead up to a fantastic couple of hours spent with my room-mate (and my Cockers' favorite groomer!) at two different thrift shops in our small-ish town of Santee, California last week. I'm seriously watching my spending while I catch up on some unexpected debts (a wonderful Rescue supporter was the Sponsor on a 3-month fundraising tour I scheduled in 2010 - and his life was cut short by a drunk driver before he could fulfill his part of our quest). I had $10 in my pocket, saved up designated as "mad money" and I was thinking it would be spent on a dinner out with a dear friend of mine. Until I entered these local thrift shops, that is!

The photo above is of a wall ornament - unfortunately a previous owner had used some sort of spackle on it, and any maker's mark on the back was no longer visable. But other than a speck on the nose (and the spackle-stuff on the back) it was in great shape. It wasn't priced, so I added it to my basket to ask about it at the front counter.

This adorable planter was at the same thrift shop as the wall ornament. The little guy on the right has a small nick in his outer ear, but other than that, it is in pretty nice shape. If any of my blog readers know anything about Napcoware, this Cocker planter is marked C7201 - I'd love to hear more about this piece! An initial search online gave me only limited information. The planter and the wall hanging together ran me $4.00 - who could say no to that?!

Rusty, written by Nason H Arnold. Published in 1930 by Lothrop, Lee & Shephard, Co. - Rusty is a Cocker Spaniel, and even tho this book is in poor condition, for $3.00 it happily found a place in my collection as a starter issue. As I find better quality editions, I'll trade up, offering the lesser book to another Cocker collector. Gotta start somewhere, right?

As I mentioned, I really don't expect to make many "finds" in Southern California. While on that Tour I mentioned, I loved stopping at various thrift and antique shops along the way. In Ohio, one stop yielded 5 Cocker items ... all with great prices! A beautiful red/white parti Cocker stayed with my friend Julie in Minnesota. She provided a wonderful working vacation for me (and Indie and Bennett!) while I did some healing from a broken foot. Her dining room table became my "office" every day and she was SO diligent about not bothering me while I worked on photos that needed to go out. Her nursing instincts helped me to not over-do things (which I am prone to do) and allow the healing process to do its thing. And Julie's two beautiful Cocker Spaniels were so patient about sharing their home with my kids (the cats, not so thrilled ...).

This wonderful pair was also a part of my Central Ohio jackpot. I'm hoping to find an artist friend to paint them up to match my parti babies, Indie and Bennett. There are no maker marks on them, so their history is bound to remain out of my reach. But they just had to come home with me!

What are some of YOUR favorite dog collectible items? What breed do you look out for? I'd love to hear from you - and I thank you for enjoying my new finds with me!

5/21/12: Breedz Wanted to Photograph

BREEDZ WANTED for May/June 2012

If you have one of the following breeds and would like a complimentary session before June 15, 2012, 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:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

American Staffordshire Terrier

Berger Picard

Sealyham Terrier

Bichon Frise

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 at DogBreedz (at) yahoo (dot) com to arrange your free private photo sitting. Shoot participants that are chosen for the 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 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 or fun activity? That is a possible shoot, as well. I look forward to hearing from you!

(pictured here: Penny the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Lucky the Sealyham Terrier)

May 2012 - Catching Up on The Blog!

I looked at the date of my last post and all I could think (at the time) was WHERE did April - and half of May - get to?! And then I sat down to pull some images to share with you, to chronicle what I've been up to while absent from The DogBreedz Blog. After I pulled all of the images together, my question was answered ... but first, let's get on to the good stuff, the images, shall we? I know that's why you keep coming back!

In April of every year the El Capitan Stadium Association hosts the Lakeside Rodeo in the small East County town of Lakeside, California. It's a major event, the largest fundraiser for the Association and the crowd was out in force, enjoying the weather, the entertainment and the atmosphere. This was my second year attending. I have to say, as an animal lover, I think Barrel Racing is my all-time favorite event at the rodeo! My gallery of 2012 Lakeside Rodeo images is online at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/Non-Pet-Photography/Lakeside-Rodeo-2012.

I finished off April with my annual booth at the Springer Spaniel Specialty in Walnut, California. I take ringside candids in the AM hours, chronicle the Parade Of Rescue (celebrating the past year's work of English Springer Rescue America, Inc), and take portraits in my booth. The Springers participating in the Parade get free sittings, and all others make a small donation, benefiting ESRA. While a lot of Springers passed in front of my lens, a few of the two-legged family members had candid shots captured as well. I love this one - notice her stuffed animal? It's a Springer! The Parade photos and candids are online at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/EventPhotography/ESRA.

The next day it was off to the Lake Mathews Kennel Club show in Chino, California. Much less windy than last year's event! I was able to visit with a lot of my show friends and clients - capturing some great movement shots of favorite breeds and a couple of new (to my camera) breeds. Pictured here is Gordon Setter GCH Blazen Mackhyber's Cosmic Voyage, owned by Martha Dorward - he took Best Of Breed this day - congratulations! All Lake Mathews photos from this day are online at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/Dog-Shows/Lake-Mathews-Kennel-Club-2012.

In between my time with the animals that I adore, I spend some time with people sports, as well. Sports photography is one of my first loves, starting back in high school. This is an image I call "Third in Sight!" starring a player from the Volcanos, a part of the Santana National Little League. All Little League images can be found at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/Non-Pet-Photography/Sports.

And a weekend that had me in absolute, 100% triple-A HEAVEN! I was asked by a wonderful photography friend (Marty, of Photography By M) to fill in for him at an agility trial in the heart of stunningly beautiful wine country of Temecula, California. Combining two of my all-time favorite things - sports photography and dogs - you can imagine why I was positively over-the-moon with this opportunity. Jumpin' K9's hosted an ASCA sanctioned trial weekend and the fur was flying! Pictured here is Jumpin' K9 instructer Cindy Valdez's Australian Shepherd Latte in 16" Open Jumpers. Don't you just get caught up by the intensity in this Aussie's eyes? All photos from the weekend are online at http://dogbreedz.smugmug.com/Agility.

Rescue is very close to my heart. Since stepping down as Founding Director of San Diego Spaniel Rescue in 2009, I've contributed to various causes through fundraiser shoots and donating professional photography for animals available for adoption. Meet "George" - the day he met me on set it was just hours after being sprung from a local shelter by the local Cavalier King Charles Spaniel rescue. Even with wind-tossed hair and still getting his bearings he is a stunning boy!

Wednesdays have continued to be busy days in the Santee, California studio. Free sittings are offered to clients of Su-Et's Kennel who are scheduled for baths, groomings or nail trims on most Wednesdays (weather permitting). From a recent sitting, this is Scottish Terrier puppy Peter, enjoying his crib. (I have to give a special shout-out to my friend and client, Kate, for donating this wonderful vintage crib to my props - I LOVE it!)

One Wednesday a month I take off from the studio and spend some time with my friends at Santee's Farmers Market where I talk to folks about pet photography options and also showcase my homemade Original Clip-N-Tote Bags. These are great for so many uses! Show peeps can find them retail at Davis Animal Products' dog show booths and they are also available online at my Etsy Store. Strong canvas construction, with an overlaying layer of printed fabric, the center of the Clip-N-Tote Bag is roomy, and the two outer pockets are deep and convenient for storage. Handy O-rings attached to the carabiner clips make an easy to find spot for keys or leashes. A friend of mine uses hers at the grocery store, clipped to the front seat of her cart: coupons, hand sanitizer and keys are all organized and easy to find!

And I am very happy to say the May issue of Dog Fancy features a full page photo of mine - check out the Puli on page 48! For those of you who like to plan ahead: Brown Trout will be using three of my images in their calendars for 2013. And for the Agility Addicts in my fan base, my first 2013 Calendar has gone live in my Lulu store - enjoy!

Well now, it is obvious to all of us exacly why April (and yes, half of May) has flown right by! I'll try to do better with regular visits and updates to this Blog for you. Thank you for visiting and enjoy the photography of DogBreedz.net!

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!

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

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

3/27/12: Breedz Wanted to Photograph

BREEDZ WANTED for March/April 2012

If you have one of the following breeds and would like a complimentary session before April 15, 2012, 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:

Miniature Schnauzer

Akita

Silken Windhound

Keeshond

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Kerry Blue Terrier

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 at DogBreedz (at) yahoo (dot) com to arrange your free private photo sitting. Shoot participants that are chosen for the 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 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 or fun activity? That is a possible shoot, as well. I look forward to hearing from you!

Project 52-12: Vintage

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 RETRO/VINTAGE. 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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Well, it's been a busy month behind the camera ... busy enough that I've had to let my blog lag and now it's time to start making up for that! I've been playing with some layers, textures and overlays for retro effects and when this challenge theme came up, it seemed a perfect match for getting back in the game. With Easter right around the corner, Indie gave me a great idea for my photo to match the theme of the week. Here's a scrapbook page, starring Kodak's Canyonview Little Miss Independent herself, replicating what we think an Easter photo from years gone past would look like. Complete with antique lace and pearls!

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Thanks for visiting the Project 52 Blog Roll for Week #12. 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