Gus and Sanford

Let me just apologize in advance for such a loooooong post but I just couldn't help myself!!! Once you scroll through the photos, you'll understand why! Gus, a Dachshund, and Sanford, an English Bulldog, joined me on a beautiful day in Davidson. I knew instantly that these two were going to be amazing in front of the camera! While they might not have been the best at sitting or staying and they kept their mom's hands full, it didn't matter in the end! These two burst with personality and their precious faces just scream "I'm the cutest thing EVER"!

I love the handsome bow-ties their mom made special for their photo shoot.We took off to Fisher Farm so the pups would have fewer distractions and have a little room to spread their short legs. The grass was finally starting to turn green and gorgeous little purple flowers were popping up everywhere. The evening light made it a sight for sore eyes...Sanford also enjoyed the fresh Spring air...Gus loves to chase tennis balls so why would I want to stop him? ;)Hehehehe...Some exploring...OMG! I seriously want to steal these two so I could photograph them all the time! Look at those faces!!!If you don't love these two, you officially need to be checked out by a doctor! What a pair!!!

Many props to Gus and Sanford's mom who had her hands full during our shoot. Plus, she was a trooper sitting in the grass in her pretty dress, had to listen to my sickly cough, and put up with me calling Sanford the wrong name (I had a mental block).  I think it was totally worth it!!! I hope she agrees! :)

Scooter and Maverick

Scooter and Maverick are a magical pair. They give so much to each other without even trying. Scooter, an 11-year-young Cocker Spaniel, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, has heart issues, and is living with arthritis and some lumps and bumps. He's always been a happy pup but his life got much brighter when his new little brother entered the picture. Maverick, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel still under a year old, was brought home and instantly became Scooter's buddy. They cuddle, play together, and bring so much joy to their parents. Scooter instantly cheered up and even had some of the puppyhood rub off on his aging body.

I introduce Maverick, seen here with his favorite toy antler...

And here is the precious boy, Scooter. His favorite toy is his big ball. :)Maverick loves balls too and is never short of energy to play a game of fetch.I think his big smile is what cheered Scooter up right away!Another one of Scooter's favorite toys...Scooter loves his t-shirt. And, yes, what it says is true! :) These two are so happy in the arms of their parents.Sweet Scooter is certainly the love of their lives. And the best buds...

Maverick is ALWAYS ready to play!Frog legs!!!Scooter looking his most masculine...

I'm so honored to have spent this evening with these two. They are so loved and it was felt throughout the session! <3

Emma the Cover Girl

I'm kinda obsessed with Miss Emma here and I hope you are too! If you aren't, you better get used to seeing a lot more of this scrunchy, kissable face very soon! Emma has the honors of being the Cover Dog for the 2013 Humane Society of Charlotte's Ties & Tails Gala! If you want your dog to have the title next year, be sure to attend the gala on October 19th and bid on this great package! A big THANKS goes out to the Humane Society of Charlotte for having me photograph Emma! She was a pure joy to work with and I know she makes her mom proud!This might not be a "cover" shot but Emma sure loved the miniature tennis balls I brought along. She kept doing this super-cute crawl with her bum in the air. How could I not shoot that?!?

Watch out!

Emma's coming to get the ball!!!

Grahm + Foxy

The Spring rush is underway and I couldn't think of a better way to start it than with Grahm and Foxy's session. Unfortunately, the cold weather that has been lingering hasn't helped with the green grass or new foliage. Regardless, with some pretty sunlight and a couple gorgeous pups, we can make it work!!! I'm just loving this session...Grahm, the Boxer, and Foxy, a Border Terrier/Chihuahua mix, are brother and sister. They make the funniest pair! Like most siblings, they don't always care for each other's presence but this image says otherwise. ;)Grahm is such a cutie patootie! Look at that precious face! At the same time, he doesn't mess around if there is a ball flying!"What do you mean you aren't going to throw it anymore?!?"And then there is Foxy. OMG! This girl cracks me up! I even told her mom that Foxy was so ugly, she was cute. When I write it down, it doesn't sound like a compliment but that's what I meant for it to be! I mean, look at her! Her wiry fur, the ear that folds back, the underbite...it's too awesome for words! Love it all!!!And then there's this! She falls asleep as soon as she get scooped into her mom's arms. OMG!As we explored the park, we came across an awesome old truck. It was a little creepy with too many spider webs for my liking but you have to take a risk for the love of art. I'm glad we did because we ended up with some of my favorite images from the session. I especially love this one. When you see it big, the details are amazing. This may have to be in a new sample for me...I actually really love the colors here. It looks as if it has been cross-processed but those are the actual colors - a combo of sunset lighting with a dirty windshield and cool old seats. I like the colors so much that I may have to play around with applying cross-processing effects to some of my other images.Lastly, we headed off to a pretty field of grass...This was Grahm's favorite part! He really got to run and let loose!Foxy just hung back and did her best meerkat impressions.Love, love, love you two!!! Thank you for an awesome evening! :)

Rockford - Beach Session

Nothing perks up a Lab's eyes quite like an unforgettable trip to the beach. Sand, birds, waves, sunlight, wind, salty air - it's a magical combo that draws us to these lovely places. I honestly think dogs find the beach equally as compelling...especially when you add in a tennis ball and some off-leash fun.

Rockford had a wonderful time at Emerald Isle this past September. Rockford is typically the kinda guy that likes to lay around and watch the neighborhood kids run by. However, at the beach, he did a 180. There wasn't too much laying around - mostly go, go go!

Rockford was extremely interested in the little tennis ball that kept disappearing into the sand...Putting those big paws to use...After playing in the sand for a bit, it was time to move into the water! Rockford loved it!!!Rockford seriously looks like a puppy at the beach! You would never guess he is 7 years old!Time for more ball!This is one of my favorites from our evening together. This was taken after sunset and the colors of the ocean were simply beautiful.The end!

If you are interested in booking a beach session, I have availability at the beginning of May. Check out this post for more information.

Darla - Available For Adoption

Puppy alert!!! I've been dying to photograph a puppy for the longest time! Unfortunately, so many people skip getting professional pictures taken of their new furry family members at this stage in life. It's too bad because, as we all know, puppies are adorable and they grow up so fast! So if you are reading this and are considering adopting a puppy (or currently have one), please consider getting puppy pics done! I promise you will LOVE looking back at them!

The weather this past weekend was beyond amazing and I wanted to take advantage of it. This past weekend was also my last free weekend before the rush of Spring sessions so I wanted to do some personal shooting while I had a chance. I decided to contact a local rescue, Catering to Cats & Dogs, to see if they had an adoptable puppy that I could possibly steal for an impromptu photo shoot. Thankfully, they allowed me to photograph Darla.

Darla is a sweet 11-week-old Pit Bull that was taken in by the rescue after being found for sale in the back of a truck in a Wal-Mart parking lot. She is a typically girl that loves flowers (you will see that later) and anything that she can pick up in her mouth. It was hard for me not to take her home after our session. Fortunately, my husband was by my side and kept me focused. :P

Darla is ready to be taken home with you...

She kinda had a thing for this plant...And the ball...And this rock...

:) If you are interested in Darla, please contact Catering to Cats & Dogs.

Gizmo - The Alien

We are being taken over by aliens!!! No, not the big-headed, green-skinned creatures that are here to kill off mankind. No, this is the funny, big-toothed, scruffy kind that are here to steal our hearts. Yep! And that's exactly what Gizmo is...at least according to his mom. :)

Honestly, I wouldn't mind if aliens this cute took over the earth!

Gizmo's underbite stole the show and he had no problem showing it off for me in Charleston, SC a couple weeks ago!Ears down. Ears up. Which do you prefer? ;)A close up of that funny smile...And here is Gizzy workin' the profile...It was so much fun meeting this little "alien"! Thank you so much for being a part of the Charleston model call. I hope our paths cross again soon...maybe I can visit your planet one day!