Every day I volunteer at the Humane Society of Charlotte, things just get better and better. Want to know why? Because I'm introduced to more and more dogs and cats that I've never meet. Why is that a good thing? Well, because that means that these wonderful pets are being adopted, making room for other cats and dogs to be saved. Here is a new batch of sweethearts looking for their forever homes. For more information about your favorites, visit the Humane Society in Charlotte or check out their website!
I love Stripe's little puppy nose!
Chime is the winner of the doggy head tilt for the visit!
Kanga's kangaroo outtake is on the right. Such a goofball but I love it!
All of Sampson's images were outtakes! Haha! This jovial boy has the floppiest jowls and ears! :)
And CATS!!! Yay!! I go to photograph all of the adult kitties. Love 'em!!!
And Enchantress wins best head tilt for the kitty division...
Thanks to everyone that has shared these images. It really helps them find homes faster. XX!
Cali - A Puga-what? A Pugapoo.
When I heard that Cali was a Pugapoo, one of the first things that *unfortunately* ran through my mind was the Destiny's Child song, Bugaboo. Yeah, that song is old and definitely not one of my favorites but I just can't get it out of my head when I say the word Pugapoo. I mean, who doesn't want to sing it and substitute in Pugapoo? Anyway, music aside, I was beyond thrilled to photograph my first Pug-Poodle mix! Cali certainly didn't disappoint! She quickly warmed up to me and the camera and I'm pretty sure we bonded over a couple treats and a fluffy dog toy. I think I have a new best friend for life!
We started her session in her back yard where she showed me some of her best modeling looks. Forget Zoolander's Blue Steel. Cali's "La Dent" (a.k.a. "The Tooth") takes the cake!
Cali was born missing a couple toes on her front paw. It doesn't bother her too much but she likes to keep it off the ground from time to time.
Despite her minor handicap, she doesn't hesitate to chase her ball!
I couldn't resist posting this one. I'm not sure what to call this look...
Cali loves to swim so we took a short trip over to the lake access area in her neighborhood. This is one happy dog!
And she's off to retrieve her ball!
Who needs a hair dryer when you can hang your head out the window?
Cali wanted to be sure we showed off her feline sister, Bella. Bella thinks she's a dog but is one of the prettiest cats I've seen!
Thanks so for such a great session, Cali! I can't wait to hang out with you and Bella again!
Blitz and Miss Priss - Kitty Power!
OMG! I love kitties! Unfortunately, I don't get to photograph them as often as I would like. But, when I do, I love going through the images! These two kitties had me laughing the whole time I was editing. Their excitement for catnip bubbles and frilly feathers was totally contagious! Blitz may be a little bit fluffy but he can move with the best of 'em...
It's a bird, it's a plane...no...it's a kitty on catnip!!!
Blitz smiling like the Cheshire cat...
Well, I guess he's over the bubbles.
Miss Priss' turn!!!
Her eyes are simply gorgeous...
Blitz breaks for some lovin.
And then he's back!
Miss Priss loves the bubbles and she likes to curiously watch them fall from above.
This bubble must have been special!
Ahhhh...the cat's life...
Sammy and Lilly - Kitty Pics
Cats are like Lays potato chips...you can't have just one. My client was extremely sick when the doctor suggested that she get a pet to keep her spirits up. She heard about a woman who was giving away some kittens so she made the trip to go meet them. She immediately bonded with Lilly as they sat on the couch and cuddled. It was a done deal. Well, that was until Sammy jumped up on the back of the couch and laid down on my client's shoulder. It wasn't just a done deal...it was a package deal.
That was seven years ago and now these cats have the life of a king and queen. They have the biggest toy collection I have ever seen, they have awesome beds next to their favorite windows, and they lounge on their third-floor balcony where they can watch the birds and the neighbor dogs.
Sammy is super outgoing and seriously just wanted to be in front of the camera. Lilly was a little more timid but she is equally as photogenic. I hope this feline family enjoys their sneak peek!
I don't know why but I just want to eat this picture up...
I think Sammy got a hold of the "kitty crack"!
Triple Play Farm
I recently had a photo shoot with Lake Norman Currents Magazine for a story on horse therapy. I made the short trip over to Triple Play Farm in Davidson, NC to photograph a couple sessions in action for them to use. Wow! It was so amazing watching those sessions, learning about the different exercises, and understanding how they mentally and physically can help people get over eating disorders, emotional issues, social problems, and much more. Their work is amazing and I can never get over how important the role of animals is in our lives. These horses have now been added to my mental list of selfless animals that live their lives to help people. Included in that list are seeing-eye dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and dogs that aid the disabled - all amazing animals. After the therapy sessions, I got to spend some private time with the horses as they went to pasture. I was lucky enough to grab a couple pictures for myself and I took advantage of the gorgeous light. I think it is very fitting for how special these horses are.
This is Leo, a one-year-old Ardennes horse.
And Clyde, a Norwegian Fjord with a killer mohawk!
And Moose, a mini-horse.
I love that Moose is a male but still rocks the braid! Plus his eyes are 2 different colors. Awesome!
Of course I had to photograph the barn cat. She was just too pretty not to...
Monark and Kasper (both Norwegian Fjords) aren't seen here but they will be in next month's issue of Currents Magazine. Check it out in November if you want to learn more about the world of horse therapy.
Just Thought I'd Wave Hello
A little sneak peek of Belle...a true Southern Belle...
Little Kitty - Cat Photography
A couple weeks ago, I showed off a few images from a rare kitty session (for the original post, click HERE). Since then, I've had a few requests to feature more cats on the blog. Unfortunately, not many kitties get the chance to have a photo shoot so I figured I would take pictures of my own! I was setting up my studio for a magazine shoot when Little Kitty (yes, that's her name!) decided to step in and be a model for a few minutes...
This is Little Kitty's "Wasp"/"Mad Hooty Owl" look. She looks like she's ready to swoop in for the sting...
Mountain Weekend
The weekend after my beach trip, I headed up in elevation and spent a couple days in the mountains of West Jefferson, NC. I was lucky enough to hang out with a couple other NC pet photographers...Mary Curry (www.marycurryphotography.com), Amy Choate (www.amychoate.com), and Nunthany Johnson (www.nunthanyjohnson.com). We rented a cute little cabin named the Rustic Retreat. The name is misleading, however, as this cabin was perfect for our little get-together!
What are a group of pet photographers going to do when they get together. Yep! Photograph pets. Unfortunately, we couldn't bring our own furbabies. Cabin rules. So went went on a hunt for some cute pups to be our stand-in models.
Luckily, we ran into some neighbors that happened to be out walking their dogs while we were driving down off the mountain. They were more than accommodating and let us have an impromptu session right there in the street (no worries...it was just a neighborhood gravel drive). Not only did these neighbors own two dogs, they also had 4 cats - one of which took it upon herself to be included in the nightly walk. She was more than curious when it came to the camera and quickly warmed up to the idea of a photo shoot. While the other girls photographed the dogs, I made the kitty my model. Meet my new friend, Rosie...
Rosie was so curious about the camera...
So, so curious...
The wind was really blowing this evening and leaves were flying everywhere. One caught Rosie's eye...
Score!
Of course I had to get a shot of her sisters. This is Trixie...
And Sable...
And one last one of my sweet Rosie. I really feel in love with this cat. Just look at her cute little smile and those gorgeous eyes. I heart you.
