Aug 23, 2011
It was with such sadness that I write today. For I wish to introduce you to Rico – a gorgeous dog, a loved family pet and a profound loss.
We met Rico, an 8-year old Golden Retriever on a hot day in June. Before we got to his home, he had already had quite a busy day. In anticipation of his photo session, he had just been to the groomer so that his coat glistened in the sun. His human “sisters” had recently returned from the United States so that they could be photographed with him, and that had meant much excitement as he welcomed them home. Also, devastatingly, just 4 weeks earlier, he had been diagnosed with advanced lymphatic cancer. It really was no surprise then, that Rico was a little tired that day. But as ill as he was, Rico’s love and attachment for his family shone through.
For those who say that a dog does not smile, I ask you to look at Rico’s images. That is a doggie smile! Between frames, Rico would lie down to rest. Or, nuzzle the closest family member. Endearingly so, it became evident that every one of those smiles was for the family that he had shared his life with. For a couple of hours on that June day, Rico gave his family a precious gift – himself.
Two weeks later, Rico was gone. When the end came and the most difficult of decisions had to be made, Rico was surrounded by the family he loved. We had a very emotional Ordering Session. Looking at these images again, his Mom said to me, “you have captured every look and expression he had in his 8 years of life”. We talked about what he had meant to the family. We laughed. We even cried. In the end, the family chose the images that had Rico with his “humans”. I have no doubt that they will be displayed prominently on every wall in the home.
Rico, you were at the core of a loving, close-knit family. A family who misses you dearly – every single day. But your love, loyalty and legacy are forever captured in these images which will be treasured always. Good-bye, sweet Rico.
Rico, laughing at the photographer! (I think he liked our jokes…)
Rico’s best smile. Just look at those soulful eyes!
Aug 19, 2011
Welcome back to Project 52!
When the theme for this week was chosen, I was excited and, at the same time, a little daunted. Why? Well, mainly because it is completely different from how I normally process images. We were encouraged to use “textures”. For the uninitiated non-photographers out there, please let me explain. Textures are essentially a picture file that you can overlay over the top of your initial image, thereby providing a “finish” to the final image that wasn’t there when you shot it. Clear? Hmmm…let me try again. Imagine what the image would look like if you photographed something through gauze or some other translucent material. Wedding photographers will often do this when they take an image of the bride behind her veil. Well, this is the same thing, except that it is done after the fact using software.
The benefit of this type of post-processing is that, as I discovered, you can take a fairly mundane image and evoke a certain whimsy. My inspiration for this week’s image is a story I remember from childhood, entitled The Velveteen Rabbit. It clearly described what it meant when a childhood toy was “Real” – a quote that still bring tears to my eyes when I read it. Every. Single. Time. As the old Skin Horse explains to the Velveteen Rabbit:
“Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand… once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”
With that, please enjoy this week’s image. Two old stuffed cats (who remind me of my own truly live cats), sitting on a table, somewhat “hugging” each other. Initially, a rather simple image, but I love it!
Now, please check out fellow pet photographer Ann Kearns and see what textures she incorporated into her images this week. Over to you Ann!
Aug 14, 2011
It seems that I am behind blogging some of our recent client sessions. Every session with Posh Pets is unique and special, so I like to give them all their moment to shine. Today, is no exception!
This time around, I would like to introduce you to Leila, a lovely 3-year-old black pug. One of the first things you will notice about Leila is that she is petite for her age and breed. (Her Mom is sometimes stopped by strangers asking where they can get a pug like that.) There is, however, a reason for her size – she has a few health issues. But, as her Mom told me in the pre-session consult, it is as if “she didn’t get the memo that she is sick”. Well, was she ever right! Leila brought to her session boundless energy and a very obvious zest for life. Which is why her Mom said that, in the past, she has only ever gotten images of Leila as a “blur”. But we got some beautiful images for Leila’s mom as well as her original foster mom who Leila still keeps in touch with.
Leila, you are truly an example of how to not let our circumstances dictate how much enthusiasm we will have for life. Nor how much love and enjoyment we can bring to others. Here are some of your images. Enjoy them with your family as they love you very much!
Next: Not to be left out, Leila’s older brother Reilly got in on the action and his own photo session. We will post some of his amazing images here soon!
Aug 12, 2011
I remember the day I first tried wine – I thought it was pretty horrible. I did not understand how people could wax poetic about how great a particular wine was or that they would be willing to lay down hundreds of dollars for a sought-after bottle. However, as my palate developed, I discovered something. It isn’t that I did not like wine – I did not like cheap wine. Given the price of my first glass, in truth, it probably was pretty horrible.
My 50mm lens is like a fine wine. When I started in photography, I did what a lot of new photographers do – I purchased a zoom with the biggest range I could find. Afterall, all those numbers on the side of the barrel seemed to be the most bang for my buck. However, as my style developed, I came to appreciate the value of a “prime” (fixed) lens. That, and lovely large apertures. Which, as I quickly discovered, are never cheap. Eventually, that brought me to the day that I stood in a local camera store, handed over my credit card, and purchased my very own 50mm 1.2 Canon lens.
So, this week, please enjoy…A Girl + A Sleeping Kitty + A 50mm lens.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Please take a moment now to follow the blog ring around and see what other 50mm lens images are posted. You can start with Texan resident Judy Babinski of Dog Biscuit Photos by clicking here.
Jul 29, 2011
This week’s theme was “repetition”. Well, the week just flew by and so I leave you with something a little different – here is an image we took while we were in Santorini, Greece. These hardworking donkeys are everywhere on the island and they help the residents and visitors navigate the steep Caldera. In this case, they are returning home for the evening after helping carry the luggage for a local hotel, a process they repeat every day. I also love the repetition of the donkeys all in a row and the steps – this is one of my favourite images from the trip!
You also get to participate in “repetition” this week by clicking through each of the blogs in the blog circle. So, please check out Karla Ogilvie and see what repetition she saw in the world!
Jul 22, 2011
This week’s theme was completely about seeing the light and shooting into the sun. Goes against conventional wisdom in some respects, but the results can be beautiful! So, my goal was to find some amazing sunlight…
Well, Toronto had a heat wave this week and yesterday, there was records broken. As the mercury soared higher and higher, any thought of taking an animal outside to photograph was foolish. In fact, I went about my day singing the Noel Coward song…mad dogs and englishmen go out in the noonday sun! (If you want to hear the original, click here.)
In the midst of all that heat, Ripley asked to go outside. I tried to talk him out of it, but he insisted. So…I opened the patio door. He put one paw outside and then, as animals are wont to do, looked at me like I was a mad woman for having turned on the heat outside. He spent the rest of the day in this position in front of the air-conditioning.
Outside, it looked like this. How I love some gorgeous flare!
As for me, I did what any self-respecting person living in Canada would do. I went out and got an Ice Cap from Tim Hortons. It seemed the right thing to do, as I needed something to backlight!
So, how are you beating the heat?
Jul 15, 2011
How quickly the weeks fly by! For our Project 52 theme this week, we were asked to capture our pets “strange behaviour”. Generally, this is the stuff that makes them our pet’s uniquely them and why we love them so much. That is why I knew exactly what I had to capture.
Our wonderful girl kitty, Lady Jane, has a real penchant for sleeping in the middle of the floor with her back legs straight up in the air. So not a lady! From behind, she kind of looks like she has been shot and rigamortis has set in. I know, a little morbid, but it make me laugh every time I see her. The added strangeness is that she makes sure that she is right in the middle of the of the floor where there will be the most foot traffic. I guess she absolutely trusts us not to step on her!
So, here she is, in all of her glory…
And because I woke her up when I took these images, you get to see the front end too! Lady Jane really has the cutest face. (In the background of this image is our boy Ripley, who cannot understand why anyone would sleep in such a fashion – so unbecoming for a feline.)
This week, Posh Pets is linked to Dana Cubbage Photography. Please check out her images here as I am sure she has something wonderful to show of her fur-babies! And then follow the blog circle all the way around – we have some new members this week.
Jul 13, 2011
One beautiful Sunday morning, we set out to Burlington to meet Toby and Caleb. We had been warned by his humans that Toby, the 10 year old husky, could be a “little stubborn” and they were not sure how the session would go. They needn’t have worried. First of all, Tobey had obviously taken his custom portrait session seriously by going out and getting himself groomed and his stunning coat blown out (Okay, maybe his humans had helped a little with this). Secondly, he knew he was a bit of a celebrity and his very walk showed it. Strangers literally stopped us mid-shoot to remark on his coat and that he looked so much younger than his 10 years.
And then there was the gentle Caleb, an 11 year old Rottweiler mix. She is very attached to her mom which can sometimes present some challenges. But in this case, it just meant that she looked wherever her mom was. That is a photographer’s dream! Caleb also loves, loves, loves the water! LaSalle Park, where we had our session, is home to a pretty marina. A number of times during the session Caleb would look longingly at the water and whine to go in. We had already discussed the water and her mom really wanted water pictures of her swimming, so we promised we would let her in – once the “dry land” photos were done. And so Caleb tried her best to be patient and gave us beautiful images. Once we said she could go in the water though – she was off!
So, here are some of our favourite images of our session that day.
Toby and Caleb – you were an absolute joy to meet and to photograph! You are both quite obviously loved by your mom and dad, so enjoy that to the full – we know that the images we captured will be cherished for years to come!
Jul 8, 2011
Posh Pets’ theme for this week’s Project 52 was “spots”. It was described in broad enough terms so as to allow for a wide range of interpretations. Looking at our two cats, Ripley and Lady Jane, it was evident that they would more correctly be considered striped as opposed to spotty. However, they definitely have their favourite “spots” that they like to hang out in.
Like most cats, a sun “spot” is one of their favourites. So, in honour of such a spot, I present Ripley, basking in yesterday’s morning sun. Enjoy!
Next, please check out Ann Kearns blog to see how she interpreted spots. You can follow the blog circle all the way around until you come back here to basking Ripley!
Jul 1, 2011
This week’s image was all about the movies which took me back to one of the first Disney movies I ever watched – The Aristocats. I remember being enthralled with the lives of these cats with such personality. And it stayed with me. Even though it was released before I was born, as an adult, I had my own copy of the movie. My favourite line? The conversation between the siblings Marie, Toulouse and Berlioz.
Marie: Me first! Me first!
Toulouse: Why should you be first?
Marie: Because I’m a lady. That’s why.
Toulouse: Oh, you’re not a lady.
Berlioz: You’re nothing but a sister!
So, for this week’s images, I bring you Thomas O’Malley, Duchess, Marie, Berlioz and Toulouse! Great models they were – patiently sitting while I adjusted the lighting and found my angles. No wiggling, no moving, always looking in the direction they were asked, they were perfect.
So…what is your favourite pet-related movie?
Now, please check out our newest blog circle member, Judy Babinski of Dog Biscuit Photos, and see what movie inspired her this week! Don’t forget to make your way around until you wind up back here. Welcome, Judy!
Jun 24, 2011
This week’s challenge was to create a high-key or low-key portrait. Sometimes, if a pet is not used to a studio portrait session, it can be a blessing. They have no idea what to expect and so the flashes are met with interest and curiosity. Not so with my usual model, Ripley. After enough studio sessions, he knows what those large, black, suspended boxes do and he does not approve of it one bit. They even have the audacity to “beep” after they fire as if to taunt him. So, this week I decided to post an image of Ripley from a few weeks ago. It still makes me laugh for here he is talking. To the flashes. They are his nemesis and he is letting them know that the war is on.
Next in line is Blue Amrich from Chelmsford, MA! I have a feeling she went low-key for her image. Please check her out and the rest of the other photographers in the blog ring!
Jun 17, 2011
Today is a special day in our house – it marks the close of the 14th year that our cat, Lady Jane, has been with us.
Lady Jane is short for Lady Jane Grey, the former, very short lived, queen of England. Her name came from the fact that she was quite obviously a grey tabby, she looked so dainty and small (a “lady”), and the fact that my sister, who paid the adoption fee as a gift to us, has the middle name Jane. It all seemed to fit.
Lady Jane, like her brother Ripley, is also a rescue, the exception being that her original home was the Brampton Animal Shelter. We adopted her as a kitten of about 3 months old. Now, when I say “we”, I should clarify. My husband wasn’t there when I picked Lady Jane out and adopted her. My sister was. But, I had to call Dean and let him know what I had done. I’ll never forget the conversation.
“Hey honey, you will never guess what I have gone and done!”
“You adopted another kitty?”
Silence. How did he know? He says now that it was simply in my voice. And the fact that we had had some conversation about Ripley needing a sister at some point. I honestly have no recollection of such a conversation, but I was so happy that Dean was willing to welcome Lady Jane into our home.
Lady Jane changed our home forever. Initially, she did not stop moving and I do not remember her ever sitting down. She would only collapse on occasion to sleep. At night, she would walk on us constantly until such time that she needed a warm place to nap. While Ripley preferred my feet, Lady Jane’s “place” would be my husband’s face. She seemed to like the warmth of his breathing, kind of like a heating vent. So, he would awaken to the feeling of being suffocated, which in retrospect, he probably was.
She climbed plants, she chewed things and enjoyed laying on her back with her legs in the air. Anything but a lady! She also has an eye defect – the pupil of her left eye does not contract completely in bright light. So, she compensates by closing her eye a little. However, it also throws her perspective off a little bit and in the beginning, she would run into things at break-neck speed or miss things when pouncing. She purred all the time. Even at her Veterinarian’s office while getting her annual shots. When we spayed her, we were supposed to keep her “quiet” for a couple of days. But that was a lost cause. Apparently, even in Recovery at the vet clinic, she had opened her eyes and begun running about. She was such a happy, comical cat that through everything we would sit back and laugh and love her.
Today, Lady Jane is much calmer than in her kittenhood. She has grown to the point where she is bigger than Ripley. But, she is content to be the little sister and allow her brother the role of Alpha Cat. She moves less and sleeps more as the 14 years of life take their toll. She no longer sleeps on my husband’s face – that would literally kill him. Rather, each night, she lays on the bed, holding my finger in her paw for a few minutes. It is our good-night ritual, just before she moves to sleep on her ottoman by the side of our bed.
Tonight though, we will celebrate. With new catnip mice and treats and belly rubs. We will tell her what a good kitty she is. And she will purr, just as she has for all these years. Happy Anniversary Lady Jane!
