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?!
A Little Secret About Dog Photo Sessions…
One thing I hear all the time is…my dog won’t sit still. Sometimes, I hear…my dog is too crazy.
My big secret is…your dog doesn’t have to sit still!
We photograph all of our dogs on leash. So when you see a dog sitting perfectly, they are actually on leash. Using the leash provides safety first and foremost, but it also allows us to guide the dog into the area that we are photographing.
We don’t only photograph dogs who are off leash with perfect recall. Nope! We have had the chance to photograph all different breeds, sizes, energy levels, training levels, shyness levels; and we have loved each one! My favorite thing to hear after a photo reveal is…you really got their personality. My goal in our session is to create portraits that capture the true charm of YOUR pup.
We just let your dog be a dog. It is what they are best at!
I like to follow the lead of the dog, so if they want to run…we run.
If they want to play…we play!
If they want to swim…we swim!
So next time you think my dog won’t do that, remember that it’s okay! They don’t have to be anything but themselves!
Send me a message with all of your questions!
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!
Capturing Natural Pet Portraits: My Approach to Stress-Free Photography Sessions
During each of my photography sessions, I aim to create a relaxed and creative atmosphere where everyone—especially your pet—feels comfortable and has fun. One of the reasons I love photographing animals outdoors is because it’s such a natural setting. That environment helps your pet feel at ease, which in turn leads to portraits that genuinely reflect their personality.
Depending on where your pet is comfortable, we can have our session in a variety of settings.
I like to let your pet guide the session. If they love to run, we’ll capture them in motion. If they enjoy swimming, we’ll head to the water. By following their lead, I can ensure the final images showcase who they truly are. Of course, I also work to capture a variety of images, including more traditional posed portraits, but flexibility is key. If your dog isn’t feeling a certain pose or setting, we’ll adjust—either finding a new approach or shifting to something that suits them better.
Mako had a fun session at Jamestown Beach a few years ago. Mako is very active and when we first started the session, he was not all that into the idea of standing still (I can’t blame him…there is water right there!) So we pivoted and encouraged Mako to enjoy the beach. What resulted were these amazing, fun, and personality-filled images!
Levi is a sweet mama’s boy who did not want to stray too far from his person. So, we went with it and ended up with some of the sweetest images!
Lovable Lola was a little nervous at the start of our session, so we gave her some extra time to warm up. I also photographed her with a longer lens so she felt like her space was respected and she could still be herself.
Before the session, I always consult with you to understand your vision and how you plan to use the photos. This helps me tailor the experience to match your expectations and create images you’ll truly love!