✨ The Mother’s Day Portrait Experience is here ✨
Something special is coming for Mother’s Day…
A luxury session designed to capture her connection with her dog — beautifully and intentionally. A gift she’ll never forget.
For the ones who are always behind the camera
and the ones who love them most 🤍
Because these aren’t just photos… they’re part of her story.
If you're anything like most dog moms…
You have a camera roll full of your pup—
but almost none with YOU in them.
A limited number of Mother’s Day Portrait Experience gift certificates are available now.
$155 includes a custom portrait session for you and your bestie + a complimentary 8×10in print
We will plan your session to capture the unique bond you have with your dog(s). We can work together to choose a day and location that works for you. You will be the only session for that morning so you can feel relaxed knowing we have plenty of time to get our shot. After your session we will design artwork or an album or whatever fits your needs. You will select your favorite images (including for your 8×10).
To reserve your certificate, email info@sweetelliephotography.com.
The portrait experience can be scheduled for any time before the end of 2026.
For those who’ve been waiting for something a little more limited…we have something for you as well.
🌸 Mother’s Day Petite Portrait Experience 🌸
A short, beautifully styled session created for dog moms who want something meaningful — without the full session commitment.
• Limited to just a handful of spots
• Soft, timeless spring styling
• Designed to be simple, elevated, and unforgettable.
$125 includes a 20 minute session with your and your dog(s) + 2 full-resolution digital files.
Petite sessions will be held in Colonial Williamsburg on May 9th and May 17th.
These will go quickly!
If you’ve been on the fence, this is your sign!
Email info@sweetelliephotography.com
or submit your interest at https://www.sweetelliephotography.com/contact
MOMENTS IN FOCUS
There’s something extra special about getting to photograph a dog’s first year—especially when that dog is more like family. Anya just turned one, and capturing this milestone felt like celebrating a year full of joy, growth, and a whole lot of play.
From the very beginning, Anya has been part of our world. She and Mabel have been best friends since they were just 12 weeks old, and watching their bond has been nothing short of amazing. Their playdates have always been full of energy, chaos, and pure happiness.
Anya’s personality shines in every frame throughout the year. She’s energetic, fun, and endlessly playful! But beyond her playful side, she’s also incredibly well-trained. At just one year old, Anya has already passed her Canine Good Citizen test—a huge accomplishment and a reflection of the dedication and love her family has poured into her.
During our sessions, we focused on capturing one moment of time. All of those joyful expressions and interactions that show just how much life she brings to everyone around her.
Anya’s first year has been full of milestones, friendship, and love, and I feel so lucky to have been there to document it. Watching her grow from a tiny puppy into the vibrant, confident dog she is today has been such a rewarding experience!
Have you had a portrait session to celebrate your pup/best friend and all the joy they bring your life?!
MOMENTS IN FOCUS
River & Pride
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River & Pride -
One type of session that I do not do nearly enough is equine.
Similar to all my sessions, I always look for opportunities for a variety of images with horses, typically some headshot type portraits as well as some natural light images.
The most common type of portrait requested is that black background image (i.e., low key)..
It allows you to truly focus on the elegance of the animal.
The dark background really highlights the details and coloring of the horse as well.
One of my main focuses during an equine session is the angles created by the horse. Horses are gorgeous, but large animals. It is easy to find an unflattering perspective. Patience is key here!
Photographing horses takes a lot of teamwork. Typically we have a few roles in the equine session. Besides me holding the camera, there obviously has to be someone holding the horse. This person has to be knowledgeable about the movement of the horse and preferably have a trusting relationship with the animal.
This a great setup, but at least one more person is typically needed and that is the “attention-getter” (that is an industry term of course). The attention-getter has a serious but challenging role. They work hard to get the horses attention and to help find the perfect look. Especially in horses, the alert ears are vital…which is easier said than done. It is quite a scene with the noises, hat/branch waving, and jumping up and down, but it definitely could not be done without this person!
Send me a message with any thoughts or comments you have. I would love to hear it!