Colby - Studio Session

Colby, like most dogs, has a personality all of his own. Usually he is pretty fearful and tends to be a little shy around clicks and flashes. However, he stepped it up the day of our photo shoot and totally surprised me! After a little coaxing and some reassurance that the camera click wasn't going to get him, he started to do a little modeling. He warmed up even more once a spoonful of peanut butter appeared! Yum!

After a quick background switch, Colby really started to work it...

And some funny outtakes...

Thanks to Colby and his mom for the great session and putting up with the first part of my learning curve! Colby looks happy to be finished in his last pic!

Doggy Model Call

Its time to dust off that ol' studio equipment and get ready for the winter time! For those of you that know me well, you know that I hate the cold...especially after living in Phoenix. Fortunately, taking pictures during the colder seasons usually isn't too bad because all that running around keeps me pretty warm. However, I really want to expand my studio work to add an option for some of the doggies and people that, too, don't like the cold and don't want to have a photo shoot outside. Also, if the demand is there, I would like to offer this option year-round just to have variety! Anyway, to get things rolling, I am performing a doggy model search to build my portfolio! The session will be FREE and will take place in my Cornelius, NC studio. I am hoping to do around 8-10 sessions between August 2nd and August 8th. I am not looking for any particular breeds, sizes, shapes, colors, etc, but I am looking for a good variety. I also ask that your dog be comfortable in new settings and situations and that he knows some basic commands. If you are selected, you will be required to sign a model release form for your pup and also participate in a future in-studio ordering session where you will select an image for a FREE 8x10/8x12 from your session. You will also be able to order any items from the full print and product list with absolutely no obligation. Plus, you can receive 50% off the on-location session fee if you choose to book a shoot in 2010.

So, how do you apply? Just shoot me an email (sarah@mcgrawphotography.com) with the following information:

• Your name and contact info
• Dog's name, breed, eye color
• Some fun facts about your dog
• His/her favorite toy
• Commands and/or tricks he/she knows
• Most importantly - a picture of your doggy!

Please have your submissions in no later than Sunday, July 25th. I will announce my selections on Monday, July 26th. Unfortunately, I won't be able to select every doggy that applies but I promise it is nothing personal!!!

Please contact me with any questions you may have!

...and here is Eva doing her Studio thang...

Eva's Monday Morning

Some Monday mornings are better than others. Eva decided this particular Monday was made for staying in bed and occasionally glancing out the window. Note her pretty collar from Haute Dogs!

Big yaaaawwwwwnnnnn....

Can you spot her Cindy Crawford beauty mark? Hint...its on her nose...

Sasha - Mini Session

This past weekend, I spent some time in South Carolina for travel photo sessions. Before my Saturday evening session, I hung out at my mom's house for a few hours. She has a pretty grey cat named Sasha who was all ready for playing when I got there. I figured there was no better way to get ready for my evening photo session than to warm up by taking a few quick photos of Sasha! I don't get to photograph cats very often so I was more than thrilled for this opportunity!

After play time, Sasha was ready to move to her favorite room of the house - the sunroom. This room has three walls of windows...perfect for a cat to check out the birds and goings-on of the neighborhood. All of the windows provided gorgeous backlighting - something that is quickly becoming my new *thing*.

By the end, Sasha was ready to be left alone and settled down under her favorite chair for nap time...

Thanks mom for letting me hang out!

Your New Best Friend?

I swear that the Great Dane Rescue of the Carolinas has the sweetest and most loving dogs EVER! I know I say it all the time, but I have yet to find one dog there that isn't overflowing with love and ready to share it with the lucky members of its forever home. Please contact the Rescue if any of these pups look like your new best friend. Before I begin with the photos, I want to give a shout out to a few people. First, Amanda, for helping me out with the photo shoot. Second and third, to Janeen and Allison Mayfield. Janeen's family adopted Buddy (Gilbert) from the GDR in June 2008 and are completely in love with him. To show their appreciation, Janeen's daughter, Allison, collected donations for the Rescue in lieu of presents for her birthday. Many thanks go out to the Mayfield family! The world is lucky to have such a warm-hearted and thoughtful child and kudos to Janeen for raising such a beautiful daughter!

Picture Time!

First on the roster today is Elvis. Cute brown puppy? Check. Sweet as can be? Check. Loves the head tilt? Check. Do I want to take him home? Check.

Next we have Sadie, a pretty Beagle mix. She was found hidden underneath a trailer and now wants to spend the rest of her life with a loving home...

I have had my eye on Priscilla for a few weeks now and I finally had the opportunity to photograph her. She is absolutely gorgeous!!!! She is still young, ready to play, and is a genuinely happy girl!

I don't know the names of the next two dogs but they will probably get adopted fast. The puppy on the left almost went home with my helper for the day!

The next few pics are of a pair of Schnauzers that (I believe) were rescued from a puppy mill. The first guy is Mugsley and is just as friendly as can be and walks around without a care in the world! His girl friend, Poopsy, seemed to be a little more shy and would love to go home with her BFF.

Lastly, we have Bo. Bo was such a ham for the camera. His expressions were priceless! This dog will definitely provide endless entertainment for you and your family...

Rocky the Boxer - Emerald Isle

I'm so happy to be reporting from Emerald Isle, NC! I'm here for the week for my sister's wedding but was lucky enough to sneak in a photo shoot with her adorable Boxer, Rocky. This sweet boy was one of the first dogs I photographed when I decided to move into the realm of pet portrait photography. I have learned so much in such a short period of time and it amazes me to see how far I have come in just the past few months. I am so happy I had the opportunity to photography Rocky again as it has really helped me see that hard work and practice really do pay off. I still have a lot to learn but I'm enjoying every minute of it!

Rocky's session began at his (soon-to-be) grandparent's beach house and ended up on the shoreline. At 7 in the morning, we were greeted with beautiful light and an empty beach...what more could you ask for?

Oh, sorry there are so many pics! Rock Rock (or Rocky, Bocky, Maki, Saki, Taki) was just the perfect little model.