Monthly Archives: September 2008

Click on the title of the blog post to view the entire entry.


Xander + Pippin

09.30.2008 –

When Jacky first contacted me about photographing her dogs (she won a Denver Dog Photography session at the Safe Harbor Lab Rescue silent auction), she mostly talked about Xander. Xander is the reason she bid on the session; he’s 10 years old, and while he’s doing great, it was a priority for her to really capture his personality in some photos. Xander was a shelter puppy, and I think Jacky nailed it on the head when she said he could do your taxes. He’s like a little professor with his graying beard and his big, serious eyes. Xander’s been through a lot – from being a rescue dog, to an illness that he was lucky to survive. It’s obvious he’s totally bonded with Jacky through it all. If you watched the two of them together, you’d catch the way he glances at her every few seconds to see what she’s doing, in case she needs something from him. They have some really adorable routines together like morning coffee on the deck and evenings on the couch in front of the tv. I’m so glad Jacky bid on the silent auction, and was so glad to meet her and Xander. (And Pip, too).

A few of my favorite Xander portraits:

Xander’s expression in this photo totally cracks me up.

And Xander + Jacky in their tv spot on the couch:

Pippin is Xander’s total opposite. He’s 14 months old and really full of energy. His bouyont puppyness is something I can relate to, having a 14 month old puppy myself. Pip is also the comedic relief in the house. If Xander could do your taxes, Jacky says Pippin would be a cruise director. It’s true, I can definitely see Pippin in a Hawaiin print button up shirt and aviator sunglasses.

Silly (and extremely photogenic) Pip:

I love these last two photos. . . Notice how Xander doesn’t take his eyes of Jacky, while Pip is either staring directly at the treat in front of him or drooling.

By admin | Posted in Canine | Tagged , | Comments (3)

Initiation

09.26.2008 –

Roux’s boyfriend (or one of them anyway) came to stay for a day yesterday. Bullet is a Viszla, which is good because that means he’s one of the only dogs I know with an energy level that surpasses Roux’s. They played for a solid few hours, then I took them on a run, and finally they were tired enough to pose for these photos. Bullet got visiting dog initiation at our house yesterday and was forced to sit still for minutes on end while I took photos.

Learning the house rules about waiting for the magical work (“ok”) before eating the treat:

(That skill is a must for doggie modeling)

Sometimes they are not as amused as I am by all this photography stuff.

I’m 99.9% sure Roux would love a full time buddy, but every now and then she looks like she’s not too sure how she feels about sharing our attention (and her toys).

Bullet was a wonderful little model, but eventually it got the best of him and he started snoozing on the job.

Bullet will be staying with us for a weekend in mid-October, so I’m sure he’ll be making a repeat visit on this blog around that time. That gives Roux approximately two weeks to recover. (She’s been passed out since he left).

By admin | Posted in Canine, Personal, Roux | Tagged | Comments (1)

Tim + Michelle

09.25.2008 –

Lauren has been my best friend for 16 years, which is a long time when you consider that’s approximately 67% of our entire lives thus far. I’ve also known Lauren’s older brother Tim for 16 years, although he was always older and much cooler than we were so it wasn’t until recent years that I actually started seeing Tim as a regular person and not just Lauren’s older brother. I’ve always thought Tim is pretty hilarious in his own right, and sort of felt like he was some kind of extended family just because Lauren and I have been so close for so long, so I was thrilled for him when he got engaged a couple weeks ago. Michelle is the lucky girl, and after spending the evening with them doing this photo shoot I’m even more convinced that they’re perfect for each other than I was beforehand. Their excitement about their engagement is contagious; they are both just so completely happy. I’m hoping that infectious excitement shows in these photos.



Congrats, Tim + Michelle!

By admin | Posted in Engaged! | Tagged | Comments (3)

Adam, Alisa, Johnny + Otis

09.23.2008 –

This is going to be a monster post, because it’s not just one kid, but two. And not just one dog, but two. And I have a hard time narrowing it down when there are many photos I like. That’s part of what happens when you spend hours upon hours staring at photos editing them, you get attached. I’m working on a graduate degree in design right now, and I have a typography professor who admonishes anyone who spends all night working with a specific font on a design project and can’t remember the font’s name. You get intimate with that font, he says, you better know it’s every curve. Well, that’s sort of how I feel about certain photos when I finish editing them. I know them pretty intricately and I’ve noticed all their subtleties. So it’s been hard to narrow these down, but I’ve tried my darndest.

Adam (age eight) and Alisa (age five) live in the foothills outside of Denver in a really lovely home. Their family seems to be super down to earth – they love the mountains, love their dogs. (You pass the sign above on a dirt road on the way to their house – I couldn’t resist pulling over for a shot). Adam + Alisa are really great kids. I love kids, but every now and then I run across a kid throwing a fit in a grocery story isle and walk by thinking, thank goodness I don’t have one of those. But then there are kids like Adam + Alisa – really adorable, entertaining kids that make me think, maybe I do want one of these. Eventually.

Anyway, Adam + Alisa both are not only super cute, but also really inquisitive and engaging.

Alisa:

Alisa spent most of her time on our forest walk collecting things – acorns, seeds, pine cones. She was so thrilled at every discovery and so diligent about taking inventory of everything she found. Something about these photos reminds me of that essential part of childhood: discovery.

Adam:

The dogs are Johnny (Cash) + Otis (Redding). They’re husky/lab mixes (about a year old) and are brothers, although you’d never know it. They don’t look a lot alike, and they definitely don’t act alike. Otis is very much a puppy, constantly running, playing, digging. Johnny, on the other hand is an old soul. He’s often sitting quietly watching his surroundings; there’s something almost stoic about him. Not that he doesn’t run and play, too, but he’s definitely unlike Otis in his general outlook on life. They make a good pair – and both are great with the kids.

Otis:

Johnny:

By admin | Posted in Canine, Kiddos | Tagged , , , | Comments (2)

Rescue Pups

09.22.2008 –

I’m always looking for ways I can contribute to rescue organizations. Part of that lately has been donating some of my packages to various breed specific organizations for silent auctions. (If you work with a rescue group and are interested, let me know!) I’d talked to the local Weimaraner rescue about doing the same, and also offered to do some photos of dogs looking for homes. There was a doggie event this weekend that – among other things -had meet ‘n greets for rescue dogs needing homes. There were going to be several Weims from the rescue there, so I showed up to do some photos. I am always so impressed with the people who make these organizations run the way they do, and this weekend was no exception.

The dogs were all sweethearts too, and of course I was wishing I could take them all home. From a photography stand point, it was a challenge to get good photos. The light was harsh + the event was busy and crowded – but I love a good challenge, and am pretty happy with most of these.

You can read about the Weimaraner Rescue on their home page here, and can read all about the specific dogs if you’re interested here. I won’t go into details about the dogs on this site, but if you’re interested in them, definitely go check them out on the rescue website.

This first dog is called Sadie, and sort of epitomizes the characteristics I always think are so gorgeous about Weimaraners – svelte with coat that looks like suede: (And a darling personality to match. If I could’ve left the event with one dog, it would’ve been this one).

Legend, a 1-year-old male:

Reagan, an 11-month-old female: (how unbelievable are those eyes??)

And last is Tinkerbell. The Colorado Great Pyraneees Rescue was there as well, and Tinkerbell was shuffling along visiting booths with her foster mom. Tinkerbell was originally at a puppy mill and was later abandoned. When she came to the rescue she was in pretty bad shape, but her foster mom has worked wonders with her. She’s got this gorgeous thick white coat, and is just as sweet as can be. She’s deaf, and older, and needs a family who wants an old friend to take it easy with. I fell in love with her big brown eyes and her story just broke my heart, so I told the Great Pyranees Rescue I’d put her photo up on my site as well. If you do know anyone who needs a buddy (I think she’d be perfect for some older folks), contact the them.

Tinkerbell:

By admin | Posted in Canine, Rescue | Tagged , , | Comments (1)