Lasting Moments

It's been very busy around here lately, with more seniors to photograph before their deadlines and families squeezing in the portraits for the holidays! I've missed the fun of blogging so it feels good to be writing again.

By now, you might know that I love all things canine. So I want to share a touching story about Rocky, a German Shorthair Pointer, and his human companion, Mary. Mary adopted Rocky nearly 4 years ago and he became her 'rock.' As an older dog, Rocky was lucky to be adopted by Mary and her husband. Older dogs don't nearly get the chance for a forever home that younger dogs do. Rocky showed her how much he loved her by snuggling with her. Like my English Pointer, Emma, Rocky leaned up against her and every chance he got, was touching her. It's a Pointer thing!

And so it was that I witnessed this affection for each other at a Pointer Party, held to celebrate the adoption of 184 Pointers in 7 years, from the WI Shorthair Pointer Rescue Group (http://www.wgspr.com). There were 30 or so pointers running around a large, fenced in back yard, with owners milling about, talking to each other and sharing stories about their dogs. While I was talking to a woman that adopted a sibling of my Emma, I noticed this woman sharing a tender moment with her dog. I quickly knelt down and got off a few frames of their closeness. At that moment I was moved by this open display of affection because they both looked like an island of calm amid the chaos of galloping, barking dogs.

This image was made about 2 weeks before Rocky suffered a stroke/seizure and went on to run into the other side. Mary told me that on that day I 'spied' her and Rocky, she was telling Rocky that he was a VERY good dog; something she told him daily. From this image, it's easy to see his goodness, and hers! They belonged together.

I've invited Mary to be in my Dogs and Their Women project. In part, she tells me that Rocky has helped her to live in the moment. It's something I hear from many women who have dogs! As you can imagine, Mary's moments are a lot harder without her loyal companion. How odd it must feel to not feel his daily 'touches' of leans and snuggles. Funny how our pain in loss is really an indication of the depth of the love we felt and were lucky to have!

Doggy Opera

Every once in a while you come across a dog that's got a special talent. Today was that day! It was the day I got to photograph Holly and her vocally gifted Rudy, a mixed breed Terrier. Holly, a talented musician, told me that Rudy likes to sing when she plays certain songs and I chuckled while envisioning this phenomenon. However, thinking about it and experiencing it are two different things.

As part of my Dogs and Their Women project, I arrived at Holly's with this image in mind. At first, Rudy preferred to play with his stuffed toy or me. Belting out a tune was far from his mind. But we knew patience was the posture to assume when working with animal talent! Then Holly and her musical partner, Jim, on the guitar, (my banjo teacher) struck up a particularly joyful song and Rudy went over to a new spot on the floor and starting belting out the chorus! Aaarrroooo! Aaroroooo!

Thrusting his head back and belting out a howl that wolves would have picked up in a heartbeat, Rudy's primordial genetic material kicked in and you could almost say he was in a little trance, as his body softened and his movements slowed.

Rudy's lucky that he's got nice music to listen and sing to. When I practice my banjo, my Coonhound leaves the room! Perhaps with a little more practice I can get my Coonhound to howl. Watch out Rudy, you'll have competition then!

Everyone Wants Mom's Attention

I'm having so much fun with my Dogs & Their Women project! This past weekend I wandered out to West Allis to spend some time with Jenelle, her 2.5 yr old daughter Alyson and Lily (Great Dane) and Kross (Doberman). Everyone was easy to be with! Little Alyson brought out her own dog, Fido, and as we talked, Lily stretched her body out and over Jenelle's legs. So easy for a Great Dane to do!

Well Kross had to wiggle in there and get his own bit of attention as well - see him closest to Jenelle? This image reminded me of the quote often seen about dogs being children that never grow up. Just like kids, they love attention, especially when there's company around!

I love this image because I think it describes an everyday scene of mothers who have young children and a dog or two. You can feel the warmth and love that Jenelle showers on those she loves! It's an image that will work wonderfully in my book about Dogs & Their Women.

Custom Photography

While in Alaska this past winter, I wandered over to a property that has not been occupied since the 1970's and photographed some old vehicles, gas cans, a bucking saw and an old refrigerator. Most of the above mentioned items have been infiltrated by rust. Now rust can be a fun thing to make images from because of it's texture, shape and color. Each rust spot communicates a different story. There's bluish rust, green/gold rust and the old common variety - rusty rust. As long as it doesn't show up on YOUR car, rust is fun!

Such it was with this image. The "custom" was found on the lower, right, front of an old Marquette refrigerator. I didn't see it at first, and then, while waiting for a long exposure on another shot, low to the ground, I saw it. Is it not custom, in and of itself, that the word is missing a "U"? Or "U" are the custom in customer?

I paused to think about my work and how it's all custom and here it was screaming at me in the colors of fire. It reminded me that I 'burn up' with a passion for what I do while others 'burn out.' It is why I never photograph any high school senior from the same school in the same location. They're too unique to not have their own place to be photographed! Same thing with families, children or canines. Each family, dog or child is distinctive in their own regard and deserves a special place that brings out something in them that can be translated or communicated in the photograph.

The custom books I create for my clients are also one of a kind heirlooms that can be picked up years from now and enjoyed. How about the Signature prints or the care to plan and execute a fun experience on location or in the studio? All of that went through my head just because I spied some rust. If I can get that excited about rust, imagine what we can create together!

Simply Elegant

Today found me sharing part of my day with 2 lovely daschunds, Lisle and Hilde, and their owner. They were well behaved and responded to some gentle coaxing and sweet talk. When I came home and downloaded the images, this image seemed to stick out. I simply had to take the time and work with it.

The fainting sofa just added to their elegance. It's a funny thing when you view this image because this breed was bred for their ability to go into tunnels and rout out rodents and other small varmits. Such an elegant breed doing the "dirty business" around the castle!

Rest up girls, enjoy the sun. When you're ready, there's some rodents to rustle up!