Classic and clean - perfect for the wall of any house
Studio Sessions - Do you want a classic portrait of your dog? New for 2022 I am taking myself indoors for the first few months of the year. Blame the weather, blame my age. Whatever, it is sooooo much nicer working indoors in January. What does it involve I hear you ask...you being you and your dog being your dog, simple. As always it is relaxed, taken at your dog's pace and most of all fun. Here are some notes and photographs from my last session in Sandford Village Hall. Four separate slots with four lovely owners and their bestest 'fur-ends'.
Coco - The first model of the day was a Borderjack - cute as a button, compact like a Jack Russel with the beautiful colouring of a Border Terrier. She was very well trained and didn't even need to be on a lead. I am more familiar with having to remove leads in the editing stage of photoshoots. However, you loose one potential problem and hit another that needs fixing. Coco was obsessed by the bleep of the flash lights. They bleep with every flash. I was concerned that it was stressful for Coco but she was more intrigued than stressed, so then it just became comical as I had to think outside the box to get her attention. But we got the shot - what do you think - cute or what.
Coco the Borderjack
Chilli - OMG - my second model was Chilli an 18 month old Boxer bitch. If you know me, you know I LOVE Boxers, my 'soul dog' was a boxer/mastiff/labrador mix. Any dog with similar facial expressions take me straight back to him. The love of my life (don't tell my husband), we lost Syd over 5 years ago and it is still raw. Some dogs just capture your heart and never let it go. I digress, but yes, that is why I love any of those breeds without exception.
Back to Chilli, wow, so much love, so much life, so much joy. She kept the smile on my face for the whole session. We kept her on a lead, for her own safety as well as my light stands. I feel she would have liked to have done laps of the village hall with or without us. Her expressions were priceless. Chilli needed lots of breaks being a youngster and not too much energy from me to get her attention. If I was a bit too high pitched in my voice she was pretty much ontop of me. Not that I minded, who can resist a slobbery cuddle, and to be fair to her I am lying on the floor which is very interesting and inviting play!
This was my favourite shot of Chilli, what do you think - stunning or what?
The angelic Chilli
Barney and Tinkerbell - these were two little rehomed Yorkshire Terriers, both 14 years old. I see them everyday walking through my village, usually supporting beautiful jumpers like the ones pictured here or something waterproof or fluorescent. I invited their owner and them to come along for a little impromptu session. Barney was up for being a model, a little bit of cooked turkey from me and he was putty in my hands as they say. Little Tinkerbell was nervous, so after introducing the lights to them it was obvious that she needed to have no pressure, so into Mum's arms she went whilst Barney modelled away, happily working for treats. Tinkerbell got to watch all this from the safely of Mum's lap so once she was confident we got her next to Barney who was all the extra reassurance that she need to get this fabulous shot of the both of them. My motto is animals first, I always work to an animals strengths and never put them under stress. No photograph is worth it. And we always get something devine, that captures their true character. What do you think? Next year's Christmas Card maybe?
Peas in a pod - Barney and Tinkerbell, the Yorkshire terriers
Winnie the 6 month old English Springer Spaniel. What a joy, what a good girl. Completely obsessed with her owner and happy to do whatever was asked of her. Yes, I know, wow indeed and so young. They have a beautiful relationship and many happy years of tramping the Devon red soil ahead of them, so I thought this picture perfectly summed them up for this stage in their lives. What do you think? Wellies in the studio, perfect for the breed of dog I think? These are stylish, well worn, Aigle wellies, I think they suit a Springer Spaniel
Having a photoshoot in studio was perfect for Winnie, being mid January we could capture her spirit and youth without getting wet and muddy. We will save that for her next shoot, as I am sure I will be capturing this one again, to capture her growing up. I can't wait.
Well trained Winnie, so cute
Then along came Charlie, the 6 year old Patterdale Terrier, he had the most amazing marking and big light grey eyebrows. Such a little hero and was keen to work for treats. He was more busy so we popped him on a lead for his session. A bit of editing in post production and you would never know. What do you think of Charlie, I love his eyes. Looks like he is in an oil painting.
Charlie the Patterdale Terrier
My last model, Meg, she was indeed a little cracker. Another Patterdale Terrier, 11 years old and did anything for Mum and some treats, especially the freshly cooked turkey ones I brought with me. Their relationship was so special and I wanted to capture the bond they share, I love this photograph so much, so gentle and the look in Meg's eyes, staring up at her Mum just makes me emotional. Unconditional love, yes, I know, I am an emotional one!! Let me know what you think? Also, look at those nails - www.pinkiescrediton.com are to thank for those beauties.
Meg the Patterdale Terrier, such a tender moment.
Huge thank you for Sandford Village Hall Committee for letting me hire out the hall. I have a few spaces left for January, if you are interested in getting your dog in front of my lens. I can promise you a fun, stress free time, making your best 'fur-end' look amazing, capturing their spirit, joy and beauty. Get in touch here for more details.
