An out-take from a holiday shoot with my own cats from a few years ago.

Big One tends to be the most cooperative one of the bunch. All it takes is a string and she's good to go.

Four month old Abby was a ham from the start.

Sampson, Abby's big brother, took a little longer to coax onto the set but when he decided to get in on the fun, this handsome boy poured on the charm.

Of course, there were times when neither dog was entirely cooperative.

Sampson amazed me when he stayed focused, despite Abby's efforts to divert his attention.

Abby was very curious about the camera. She also had an affinity for my lens caps. I was surprised I still had them all when the shoot was done.

Sampson is crazy about frisbees!

We had a great time playing catch.

Sampson also adores his dad!

Moonwalking!

These two dogs were so much fun, I could have kept photographing them all night.  I love my job!

This past Sunday, I had a photo shoot at Ft. Desoto with some Siberian Huskies for an editorial submission.  My models were provided by Lou and Dawn with Husky Haven.  They run a Husky rescue here in the Tampa Bay area and work tirelessly on behalf of the wonderful animals that are fortunate enough to land in their care.  Click here for their website and here for their facebook page.

We started out in the dog park area.  It’s a huge fenced area with a manicured lawn.  I was surprised when we first arrived that there weren’t other dogs in the park.  I soon realized why.  The mosquitoes quickly attacked every square inch of exposed skin.  I’m pretty sure I lost a pint of blood in the time it took me to dig out the industrial strength Cutters from the bottom of my bag and douse myself with it (I also shared with everyone else).  I have never seen it that bad before.  I regret I didn’t have the presence of mind to photograph the carnage before applying the repellent.  Of course, I might have required a transfusion if I delayed any longer.

We didn’t spend too much time in the dog park.  It was hot and the dogs just wanted to sit in the shade and drink ice water.  I knocked out the basic shots needed and we headed for the dog beach where there would be a breeze and no mosquitoes.

Monte gets a nice cold drink.

Monte and Kolchak (inseparable brothers) hanging out in the shade with Lou.

Dawn, Kosmic, Dusky, Kolchak, Monte, and Lou walking along the shoreline.

I wanted a photo of one of the dogs swimming.  We had no idea how he would react to the water but we decided to give Dusky a try.  Sarah, my assistant is always a trooper.  Not even thinking about the fact she was wearing jeans, I asked her to walk Dusky into the water to see how he would do.  Sarah, as usual, didn’t hesitate.

Sarah takes Dusky into the water for the first time.

It turns out Dusky LOVES the water.  Most dogs, when you take them out into the water, will swim back to shore when you let them go.  Dusky kept wanting to either swim further out or swim parallel to the shore.  He really didn’t want to get out.

Dusky loves swimming!

I think Dusky even liked the taste of the salt water.

Sarah’s boyfriend Ben was tagging along.  He happens to be a fantastic photographer, specializing in photojournalism.  He and Sarah made perfect models when I asked them to help me simulate a pet portrait shoot.  Kosmic did a great job too.  I was really pleased that he patiently stayed in his chair and smiled for the camera.

Kosmic poses for his glamour shot!

We were just barely finished shooting this series when I looked up and saw the approaching storm.  It was moving in fast and we were out of time.  Kosmic graciously  posed for a few more frames.  This was the last frame of the Husky shoot before we had to pack up and head for shelter. We hoped the storm would pass as quickly as it arrived.  It didn’t.  It was actually a series of storms that meant the end of the dog shoot.

Kosmic gets the last frame before we called it quits. I think he was ready to go too!

It wasn’t the end of shooting for me.  As I was driving out of Ft. Desoto, I looked to the West and saw what was potentially going to be an incredible sky as the sun fell lower.  Of course, this would all depend on the storms.  I turned around and drove to North Beach and waited.  When it seemed the rain had stopped, I grabbed my gear and headed to the north end of North Beach.  It was still raining a little but there were lulls.  There was also quite a bit of lightening but nothing immediately overhead (a fools assessment). I was rewarded with some truly wonderful skies.  As the light began to fade, the rain started again.

[EDIT: Great News! Since posting this blog entry, Dusky has found a permanent home!]

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I also recently wrote an online course for Dog Channel’s Dog College.  This was the second course I’ve written on photographing pets.  This more advanced course teaches basic concepts of lighting, setting proper white balance, and understanding exposure.  I don’t have a screen grab of the course but here are a few photos used to illustrate lessons.

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The latest Bully Breed Training Issue, part of the Popular Dog Series was recently published.  There were quite a few LMEimages included.  Here are some of the images.  Thanks again to all who participated in shoots for the issue.  I hope you had as much fun as I had! A special thanks to Jeanette and Diablos Bullies.

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Also part of the Popular Dogs Series is the Pug issue that was  just published.  LMEimages is well represented thanks to all the great dogs and people who helped with the shoot!  Here are some of the images included in the issue.

He has come a long way!  During our photo session, there were no signs of his earlier life traumas.  He was playful, social, inquisitive, sweet, goofy, and adorable.  His turn-around is no doubt due to the love and care provided by his foster parents, Leslie and Brian who ultimately failed at fostering and simply had to adopt this lovable Lab.

I’m so glad Skipper found such a wonderful home and so glad I had the opportunity to meet and photograph all three!

Skipper Dances For Us

Skipper With His Current Favorite Toy

About To Catch The Ball

Just Some of Skipper's Many "Looks"

A Very Happy Family!

Yesterday, I got a call from my Nephew letting me know he and his Fiance were in town for the day with their new puppy Lily.  Luckily, the only thing on my schedule for the evening was a Zumba class that could certainly be skipped to make room for a photo session at the dog beach.

Because of his busy work and school schedule, Mitchell has missed a few of the recent family get-togethers.  We don’t get to see him much these days.  I was so excited to spend some time with him and meet his new puppy.

Mitchell and Lily

Having only met her once before, I was also excited to spend more time getting to know his beautiful Fiance, Tiffany.  She’s  a joy to be around and we are looking forward to welcoming her into the family!

Tiffany and Lily

Of course, Lily the 3 month old Lab puppy was an absolute charmer!

Lily

It was fun watching her during her first visit to the beach.  At first she was a little reluctant to go in the water or venture too far from Mom and Dad.

Lily sticking close to mom and dad

She was reluctant to wade out through the small breaking waves so Mitchell carried her out past them so she could swim.

Mitchell consoling Lily who was a little afraid of the light surf.

Any lingering anxiety quickly disappeared when Lily met her new friend, a white German Shepard, about the same age as Lily.  The two of them really hit it off and had a great time.  Check out his ears.  They’re huge.  I’m not sure it’s possible he’ll ever grow into them.  I think one of his parents might have been a rabbit.

Lily Making Friends

Lily’s new friend really was a great pup.  He was already displaying nice manners and has learned several commands.  I really do love his ears!

Lily's friend showing us how well he sits for a treat. Lily also sits nicely but not in this photo.

Lily taking a break

Lily wondering whey she's not getting all the attention

Such a cute couple!

The Family Portrait

Nikki was taken to SPCA Tampa Bay for evaluation and treatment.  Obviously, her ears couldn’t be salvaged.  Luckily, under the great care of the SPCA staff and Dr. B, surgery to remove the necrotic ear tissue was successful and Nikki quickly recovered.

After following Nikki’s story, I was honored to have an opportunity to photograph her with some of the people who have helped her and have, in turn, been touched by her wonderful spirit.

Here’s Dr. B cuddling with Nikki during our photo session.

Nikki is wondering why we keep making strange sounds and why her brother (sitting behind me with his parents) isn’t joining her for some play time.

This chew stick seems to be the current favorite.  She kept going back to it when she got bored with us.

Here’s Nikki with her wonderful parents and her favorite sibling/playmate, Jaxson.  Nikki also has some Greyhound siblings at home.  What a lucky little puppy!!

Unfortunately, Nikki’s story isn’t all that unique.  Unbelievably, it’s not even the worst case.  What’s unique is that she was discovered in time to help her and to place her in a fantastic home.  Thousands of dogs just like Nikki fall victim to the cruelty of humans every day.  Dogs are burned by cigarettes, dragged behind trucks, placed on grills, doused with boiling water, kicked, hit, stabbed, and drowned.  Those in the dog fighting arena face a particularly horrific fate.  How much longer will we tolerate this?  What does it say about us as a society when we do little more than slap the wrists of those who commit such terrible acts of cruelty.

Nikki’s story is another reminder that we have to do better.  It’s also a story about those who dedicate their time, money, careers, and hearts to saving those that don’t have their own voice.  Mostly, Nikki’s story is about the uncanny ability for abused dogs to forgive, trust, and enjoy life, a lesson for us all!

If you want to help dogs like Nikki, I encourage you to raise your voice and take a stand.  Donations to the SPCA help too.

Lexie also presented a bit of a lighting challenge.  The black soft fur on her head wanted lots of light while her soft fluffy white body needed much less to avoid blowing out.  The solution was nice soft light as a main, set to expose for the white, then  some hard light overhead to bring out detail in that black fur.  Of course, with a moving dog the success of the lighting ratio is largely subject to luck.

Lexie posing like a pro...working the angle with one leg slightly forward and head tilt.

Lexie knows if she holds it just a little longer she gets the treat!

Dog Noses are Amazing

In case it's not obvious, Lexie likes to play catch.

Here are just a few of my favorites.

Some of Jeanette's beautiful pups

The "Baby Daddy"-Seiko is such a ham...always!

A surprisingly intense look from a sweet goof-ball of a dog. "Pleeeeeze give me the treat!"

One seriously handsome big lug.

Tongue!

Swim

Dante's wonderfully unusual face

Studly is poised to school Dime on the quickness of cat reflexes.

Kaymie and Mav are always wonderful models!

Kaymie and Little Bear showing us how it's done. He was so focused despite all the distractions!

Mav posing for his close-up.

Maverick clears the bar!

Maverick's buddy Hubert joined in the fun. Who'd of thought a Bassett would get the "jump" on a much bigger Bully?

Hubert gets a hug from Shannon. These two were sooooo cute together!