THE KITTY CAT PROJECT | Phoenix Pet Photographer

I've been working on a really FUN project over the last couple weeks, but unfortunately, I can't really say much about it just yet!  Suffice it to say that I've had so much fun playing with shelter cats lately!

Foothills Animal Rescue was so great to work with on this project and all the sweet faces you see below, (and many, many more!) are still waiting for their 'forever' homes!  If you're ready to welcome a little furry feline friend into your life, check them out!  And FAR (Foothills Animal Rescue) has lots of great dogs, too!

Are these the cutest faces you've ever seen??  :)

SANTA PAWS PHOTOS ARE DONE! | Phoenix Dog Photographer

We had SOOOO much fun photographing all the adorable pups that came out last weekend to the Villa La Paws Santa Paws Event!

Thank you so much to all of you that brought your dogs out to benefit seven of our local rescue groups!  We all had such a great time while raising money for these awesome organizations.   I hope you enjoy your images!

I have lots of fun events planned for the new year, so make sure you subscribe to our blog and "Like" our Facebook Page!  This is where all the events and special Mini-Sessions will be announced first!
 
This is just a sampling of some of the dogs we had a chance to meet...

SANTA PAWS AT VILLA LA PAWS...

The Santa Paws Event at Villa La Paws is coming up soon... Next Sunday, Nov. 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  This event will benefit 7 different local rescue organizations.

There will be a choice of two backdrops...  One with "Santa Paws" on a holiday backdrop and a second set-up where headshots of your four-legged friends can be done with all sorts of holiday scarves, bandannas, antlers, hats...etc!  You get your choice of one of the two.

The fun part of this event...  along with the beverages and cookies of course, is that you can choose which organization you want your donation to go to.  There will be a jar for each organization and you will be given a 'chip' when you pay for your photo.  Just drop your chip in the jar of your choice.  Or for those that can't decide... there will be a jar that will be split equally between all the organizations that are there!

So, mark your calendars!  Printing will be done on-site, and you'll receive a holiday frame to display your photo!

CANVAS CLUSTERS | Scottsdale Pet Photographer

With the holidays right around the corner things around here are crazy busy!  I have so many photos and events to share with you!

Today I wanted to show you how images from your photo sessions can be used to create clusters.  This cluster was made from a single shoot that I did last week during the graduating class of Hollywood Dogs at Villa La Paws!  A series of images (really any number of images from 2-12) all with the same color tones work best for this effect.  The secret is to make sure to use images that compliment each other in the color spectrum!  These can be images done in the studio or on location.  We just want to make sure they are all shot with the same quality of lighting.

And this hysterical laughing dog is Shylo!  I could hardly take the photos because I was laughing so hard!

If you're in the market for a fun, personalized piece of artwork for your home consider a grouping of your images.  Although most of the time these are done as canvas prints, you can just as easily do them with the new metal prints or we can mount your images on backer board and make them seem to 'float' off the walls. 

The cluster below was done with (1) 24" x 32" and (3) 10" x 13" gallery-wrapped canvases.

HANK AND EMMY | Phoenix Pet Photographer

This shoot was a blast!  Both of these pups are adorable!

Hank and Emmy belong to Tom Murry, the owner of Villa La Paws.  This is where Hank's story begins... Hank (the light beige pup) was boarded at Villa La Paws when his owner became ill.  Weeks turned into months and sadly, the owner's health was deteriorating.  Tom had been keeping in touch with her and visited her at the hospital...weekly!  Just because that's the kind of guy he is! 

After four months the owner was distraught because a relative who lived in California that was going to take her beloved pup had decided not to.  She told Tom she didn't know what to do and Tom assured her Hank had a home.  That very night, Christmas Eve, Tom went back to Villa La Paws and took Hank home with him...for good!  He's lived in the lap of luxury ever since!

And, according the their website, Hank earns his keep as their "VP of Media Operations"! 

His little sister, Emmy helps keep Hank young and active.  Even though Hank is starting to lose his eyesight, he romps and plays and chases Emmy around the house!

Emmy is a little star in her own right!  Check out those feathered ears!  She is so expressive and she never stops smiling!

Thank you Tom... for allowing me to photograph your pups!  Here is a 'sneak peek' of some of the photos to come!

Meet Hank...

And here is Emmy...the little dancer! 

MEET BRYANT! | Phoenix Children's (?) Photographer!

In a RARE departure from photographing all our furry and feathered friends I had the chance to play with some new ideas and photograph my beautiful nieces 10-week-old baby when they were in town at the end of August!

He is SUCH a great baby!  He is always happy... never fussy!  Not at all what I assumed babies to be like!  And since my 'kids' are only four-legged or feathered, I really don't know what else to DO with a child other than photograph it!

Here are some of my favorites from their visit...

Look at those eyes!!

HOLLYWOOD DOGS | Phoenix Dog Photographer

I had a chance to photograph the graduates of the "Hollywood Dogs" class at Villa La Paws last Thursday, and it was so much fun!

Celeste Richardson, whose uber-talented dog 'Singe' has traveled the country doing photoshoots, movies & commercials, and whose picture is now on the front of Petsmart's dog treats, teaches the class!

Kathleen, from A-1 Animal Talent, was there to scout out new dogs to sign with her agency! This is such a fun class!  My little rodent-dog 'Squirt' and I took it a couple months ago and had a blast!  Wendi Faircloth, the Training Director at Villa La Paws, was in our class and she's already done a commercial with her dog 'Secret' for the Arizona Lottery!

Check out some of the great dogs from the last class...

SHADOW AND NORA | Scottsdale Pet Photography

Yes... I'll admit I'm just a 'tad' behind on blog posts, but I couldn't wait to have you meet these two awesome girls I got to shoot last week! Nora is the salt-and-pepper Schnauzer and Shadow is the more shy black girl!

They had so much fun running around the studio, chasing toys, chasing each other and having a blast! But when their Dad asked them to sit/stay, all eyes were on him! You could just watch them follow his every move!

At the last minute Dad decided on going with the option of two locations instead of just one, so the other half of this shoot will be done when the weather cools down a little bit!

Paul, thank you for allowing me to photograph your girls... I had so much fun! Can't wait for you to see the rest of the images!

Can you just picture Dad walking around the studio here?



Doesn't Nora look regal?



TO MAKE YOU SMILE! | Cave Creek Pet Photographer

Blog posts have been few and far between lately and for that I apologize!  While I continue re-editing everything I lost in my computer crash, hope this makes you smile!

Only a Border Collie...!

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD...

Hollywood DOGS, that is!

Thursday night I had the chance to photograph the latest graduating class of Villa La Paws Hollywood Dogs class!

They all have the sweetest faces and all of them did great!  In fact, Pilar, the Golden you'll see in the video was signed by A-1 Talent today!  Way to go, Pat and Pilar!!

LOVING THE STORM!

Oh, this storm makes me so happy!  It seems like we haven't had rain all season, so I couldn't resist tonight when it started raining to go out and play with lightening shots!

Yes...  I really SHOULD be inside editing!  Since the big computer crash and I have more than enough to do to catch up!  I'm so thankful that I didn't lose any images!  I'm meticulous about backing up photos to two external hard drives and burning them to DVDs BEFORE I erase them off my photo card.  But I did lose lots of the edits that I had already completed!

So, for the people waiting for their images, I'm so sorry, but I had to go out and play in the rain for a little while!



'SECRET' HIT THE LOTTERY!!

Well, at least the Lottery Commercial!

I've written about the "Hollywood Dogs" class that Squirt and I were in at Villa La Paws...  Well, Wendi Faircloth, the Training Director at 'Paws' and her dog, 'Secret', were also in our class. 

Today 'Secret' made her debut in the new AZ Lottery Commercial!  Secret is the little dog standing along side the road and in the Jeep during the flashback sequence.

WAY TO GO!  We're so proud of you, Secret!!  You definitely deserve some extra treats tonight!!

BRUSH-TAILED BETTONG | Arizona Animal Photographer

Rebecca and I had been trying for several weeks to find a time that worked for a photoshoot of her Bettong!  A what???  Yep, that's what I said too!  I had to quick Google it to find out if I was going to be shooting something the size of a Great Dane or a Yorkie!  As it turns out, this is a baby Bettong, so it was pretty close to the size of a Yorkie!  "Mimsy" weighs less than two pounds!

On Saturday afternoon, we quickly decided that early morning on Sunday would work for both of us.  Since Rebecca was coming up from the far East Valley I asked her to bring along any of her other critters that she would like photographed and we'd just make a morning of it!

Well...let me just say I fell in LOVE!  Actually, I fell in love about 11 times!!

A Brush-tailed Bettong is a marsupial that ranges mostly in Australia.  Its a nocturnal mammal which might have been our saving grace in trying to photogragh her during the day!  She was unbelieveably fast!  All Rebecca kept saying was, "you should see her during the night"!!  She hops around like a little kangaroo!  She even has a teeny little pouch!

And this is her Frizzle Chicken!  Yep...that's actually a type of chicken!  First of all, just saying the name makes me smile.  Well, the minute she brought her out of the carrying case all I could do was laugh!  I know these little chickens must have been created in the image of a cartoon character!  And to make it even BETTER...  She had just hatched out seven little 'Frizzle babies'!!  Now, I want chickens in my backyard!!

Then came "Quest", a Rex Rabbit.  Quest was found running in the street 5 years ago and Rebecca rescued the poor guy!  This is the most MELLOW rabbit I've ever seen!  Get a load of those ears!!  I'm sure they must bring in HBO!

And to show you just how mellow Quest is...  we put a couple little chicks with him.  One of them thought her head was just the most comfortable place to relax!!

She also brought along a Cherry-Headed Tortoise.  They're also called Red-Footed Tortoises.  This guy was georgeous!  He was pretty easy!  He made up for trying to focus on the Bettong!!

And just because I couldn't help myself...  I couldn't let her go without getting the proverbial "Tortoise and the Hare" shot!!

Rebecca...thank you so much for letting me photograph your critters!  I had a blast! 

Sorry this blog post went a little long, but they were all so cute!  And, there is a rumor that I just may get a chance to photograph some of her other animals in a couple weeks!

So...yes!  I fell in love 11 times...  A Bettong, A Frizzle Chicken and her 7 little Frizzle Chicks, A Cherry-Headed Tortoise, and "Quest" the Rabbit!

MY FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT... | Cave Creek Dog Photographer

Squirt, my little Rodent-Dog, and I have been taking a REALLY fun class over at Villa La Paws called "Hollywood Dogs"!  It's taught by their new trainer, Celeste Richardson.  Celeste's dog, Singe, has done lots of photo and movie work, so she knows all the ins and outs of what goes into training your dog to work on a set with (and for) the photographers and the client! 

Last night was 'graduation' night and Celeste invited Kathleen, one of the owners of A-1 Animal Talent, to come check out our dogs! 

Everyone did GREAT!  We each had the chance to meet with Kathleen one-on-one afterward and get feedback as to how our dogs did and the little things she thought they would need before being able to work on a set!

We set up a portable "studio" and Elizabeth, from Villa La Paws, took photos that will be sent on to the Talent Agency!  She did a GREAT job! 

Squirt did awesome!  I am so proud of him!!  BUT, here was my feedback (all constructive, I might add, and only after she said lots of nice things about him!)  He's getting gray and starting to show his age!  Well... um....  so am I!!  She thought his opportunities were limited to maybe senior dog food or products geared toward aging dogs unless I touched up his gray!  So...tomorrow involves a trip to Sally's Beauty Supply to pick up something to 'wash away the gray'!

What I realize is, it really doesn't matter whether we ever get print or commercial work (although it would be sooo much fun to see his cute little face in an ad); that little dog gives me 110% of everything I ask him to do!  We have so much fun playing together! 

He is my heart!!  I love you, little man!!

(This is an older photo, so it really doesn't show the gray!!)



MEET MAX! | Phoenix Dog Photographer

This is Max, a sweet little Brussels Griffon I met at the Grand Opening of Villa La Paws.  Max is almost six months old!

His mom just ordered this awsome fine-art canvas of her little boy.  When I went to drop it off Max was sporting his new summer 'do'...  They shaved him down to make the summer heat a little easier to handle!  It will be a few months before he's back to looking this fluffy again!

Thanks, Brooke...  I hope you love your new artwork!

GRACE AND ZION... | Scottsdale Pet Photographer

I had such a good time today!  We finally got to finish a session we started a couple weeks ago with Grace and her sweet boy, Zion.  Grace runs Pawsitive Touch Therapy.  She is a Canine Massage Therapist and teaches Canine Conditioning at AZ Dog Sports!  Dogs melt at her touch! 

Here are a few images of her and Zion!  Grace, you're beautiful...and Zion is such a handsome, sweet boy!

I hope you like the 'sneek peek' at your pictures!

AMY AND DUKE... | Phoenix Pet Photographer...

Are these two cute, or what?  'Amy' is the German Shepherd and 'Duke' is the Golden!  I had a chance to meet them at the Grand Opening of Villa La Paws!  Their mom, Cindy, contacted me and wants to order prints but she's only able to view their pictures in black and white.  I don't know what happens out in 'cyberspace' between sending the photos from my hard drive to hers...but it's beyond me how they magically transform themselves from color!

So, Cindy...  here is what your kids photos look like in living color!  Hope you like them!

TAKE ME HOME....PLEASE!!! | Cave Creek Pet Photographer

Home Fur Good Animal Rescue is trying to find a 'forever' home for this sweet pup!  It was one of the dogs I had the chance to meet at Villa La Paws Open House a couple weeks ago!

How could anyone resist this sweet little face??

FRISCO.... I (HEART) YOU!! | Phoenix Pet Photographer

Frisco is one of my all-time favorite dogs!  I was there when his mom rescued him out of the desert; working to lure him in with lunchmeat and left-over scraps from dinner!  She believed in him when no one else would give him a chance.  It was over the course of several weeks before she was able to gain his trust enough to get him into a crate and bring him over to the "other side of the fence"! 

And I really believe in my heart that dogs know when they're getting a second chance.  He's been their best friend for more than ten years now. 

Michelle recently found out Frisco has a large tumor on his liver.  He's doing great right now though, so we decided to go out and do some photos.

All that running around tired him out!

And I had to get some of the kitties while I was there!  Actually, the glass of water was supposed to be for me!  Guess I wasn't quick enough!!

Callie, Gonzo and Smokey...

I love you, Frisco... and hoping you continue to feel good for a long time to come!  Michelle...  I hope you like your pictures!

VILLA LA PAWS PHOTOS HAVE BEEN SENT!

YES!!  All the photos taken at the Grand Opening of Villa La Paws new Indoor Training Facility have been sent on to their rightful owners!  Well, that is with the exception of a few that left incomplete e-mail addresses or were sent back by that darn "Mail Administrator"!  I gave it my best guess on the e-mail addresses I couldn't make out... but they've come back.

Sooooo...  if you haven't received your photos yet, please contact me!  You're probably one of of the 5-6 people who's e-mails were returned!

I had such a great time meeting everyone and their gorgeous pups!  I'm sorry I didn't have a lot of time to spend with everyone individually, but hopefully, we'll get to work together in the future!

I just loved this little Mexican Hairless!  His name is "Chupacabra"...  He wears a little tee shirt when he's outside so he doesn't get sunburned.  He even had little 'tan lines' where the sleeves of the tee shirt stop!

PHOTOS FROM VILLA LA PAWS are ALMOST ready!!

Okay...  for all of you that stopped by the Grand Opening of Villa La Paws and had a photo taken...  the editing is FINALLY finished!  You'll be getting an e-mail in the next few days with your FREE photo attached!

It took longer than usual as I was gone for a week in the interim!  I'll be posting photos from the awesome week I spent at my girlfriends ranch in the next week or so!  Suffice it to say, I had a great time! 

Here are a few of the photos from the Grand Opening!!  I met some of cutest dogs!!

GRAND OPENING OF A NEW INDOOR DOG TRAINING FACILITY!!

Okay...my poor blog has been seriously neglected lately!  With the best intentions to blog on a regular basis, it seems that every time I'm in 'overload mode' my poor blog takes the hit!  Oh well... my intentions were good!

But... this weekend I'll be taking part in a fun event that I wanted to let everyone know about!  VILLA LA PAWS, a cage-free boarding, grooming, and doggie daycare facility is celebrating the Grand Opening of their new 9,000 sq. ft. indoor Dog Training Academy!  This new space ROCKS!  And the timing couldn't be more perfect...  We're just weeks away from triple-digit temperatures that make the summer months less than stellar times to train our dogs outside!

Come check them out this weekend, Saturday (4/30) and Sunday (5/1) from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. They're located on the NW corner of 32nd St. and Shea (between Second Look and the Dance Studio). There will be agility demonstrations, training demos, dog shows and vendor booths; along with dog massages, dog contests and lots of free give-aways!  Meet their groomers and trainers and check out the fun classes they offer.

And... there will be FREE portraits of your pooches (that will be e-mailed to you following the event), so make sure to bring your pups with you!

Wendi Faircloth, their Training Director, is owner and trainer of this awesome disc dog, Boost!

PHOENIX FUZION FLYBALL TEAM | Phoenix Flyball Photography

I have the chance to photograph a practice of the Phoenix Fuzion Flyball Team a couple weeks ago...  What a blast!  These are some talented dogs; not to mention they were trained by their uber-talented owners!

I wasn't sure I'd be able to make the competition this coming weekend at the Phoenix Cardinals Stadium, so took the opportunity to play while I could!

More are posted on the website!  Click on "Dog Sports".

MODERN CAT BLOG INTERVIEW | Scottsdale Pet Photographer

I'm so excited!  Kate Benjamin over at Modern Cat...  only one of the largest blogs about everything having to do with kitties, interviewed me a couple months ago.   She posted the interview on her blog today!

If you haven't checked out her blog she has some of the greatest cat toys, climbing posts and absolutely adorable kitty furniture that you'll ever see!  Along with being fun and functional for your cats, it actually looks GREAT in your house! 

You can read the interview here...  And while you're there, check out some of her awesome give-aways!!

Thank you, Kate! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SQUIRT! | Cave Creek Pet Photographer

I can't believe my little boy is NINE!!  The years have flown by...  It seems like such a short time ago a little brown dog ran out in front of my car and pretty much changed my life! 

Happy Birthday, my sweet little boy!  I hope we're lucky enough to have nine more years together!

Now THIS is pretty much how I feel about Birthdays...!

And the new toy from his Grandma!

I've Been Among the Missing! | Phoenix Pet Photographer

I pretty much feel like I've abandoned everyone, but in all honesty... there just don't seem to be enough hours in a day! 

I've been working on some really fun, labor intensive, deadline-looming stuff, so haven't taken the time to post for a few weeks now!  I'm working with Liberty Wildlife on photos and a video for their annual fundraiser.  The photos are the incredibly FUN part; the video... not so much!  I don't think Hollywood has to worry about my wanting to edit the next major motion picture!  It just won't be happening!

Anyway...  here's a couple shots of the Save the Date flyer that went out a few weeks ago.  Shooting the images of wildlife in the studio was an incredible experience!