Dog Photography Archives - Pet Photography in Toronto by Posh Pets Photography

Finlay | West Highland Terrier Photography Session

Mar 8, 2023

I’d like to introduce you to Finlay! As you can see, he is one of the cutest breeds out there – a west highland terrier and all-round great guy who knows a thing of two about posing!

Good things come to those who wait…

We met for 30 minutes on an early winter afternoon in Toronto, just as the sun was dipping below the horizon for his long-delayed petite session. You see, this has been booked just before COVID turned our life upside down and the world began that long shutdown. Mum works in healthcare and that has meant long, long hours and endless days of work for the last few years. Coupled with keeping herself and her patients healthy, it wasn’t until the end of 2022 that schedules came together in such a way that we could finally meet up.

And when we did, Finlay was ready to run! He showed us what an athlete he really is and how much he loves his orange ball.

I love to shoot action with dogs who are up for it. The concentration, the energy, and the expressions we capture are second to none. Here is Finlay just before the catch…and yes, he got it!

west highland terrier chasing his orange ball

But also, gorgeous portraits.

Once we had finished running and running and running, Finlay was ready for his portraits. Finding a bit of modern, architectural lines is always a nice edition to a portrait. It draws your eye in to look at the adorable subject.

westie dog standing on architectural wall

This was the last shot of the session. The sun was low, but it lit up the tall grasses behind Finlay. Put him on a rock and asked him to smile…and we were done!

sun-drenched backlight with west highland terrier on rock

Want to see what Finlay’s Mum had to say about his session? Click here.

Limited Edition Petite Sessions are held on ONE or TWO days per year. Want to know when the next one is happening? Get on the waitlist here.

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Gracie | Pet Photography in Mississauga, Ontario

Dec 21, 2022

dog photography in Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario.

The first thing you notice upon meeting Gracie are her eyelashes. Long and dark, her dad said he is regularly stopped by strangers while on their daily walks to ask if they are real. Well, after meeting her, I can assure you all…they are real and they are beautiful. As is the rest of Gracie who I had the pleasure of photographing on one of the hottest, stickiest days in August.

We almost postponed due to the humid weather. Dogs of Gracie’s size rarely enjoy the heat, and it was HOT. But we had already postponed once due to a crazy summer thunderstorm and everyone was eager to finally get together and make this happen. So, we chose a time just before sunset, along the water, with lots of shade…and made a plan to ensure that we didn’t all wilt.

dog photography along waterfront in Port Credit, Mississauga.

The sun was quite low at this point, but the seeing the golden rays peek just above the tall grasses adds a little something to the photo. That, and Gracie’s cute leaning sit and little tongue. And yes, her batting eyelashes.

doodle dog sitting in tall grasses in Mississauga, Ontario.

Family photography in Mississauga

As a pet photographer, I am not often called upon to photograph children. In most cases, my clients don’t have children at home – either because the children are grown and have left home or because the dog is the child, furry as they may be. However, in this case, we had 3 children. Three! I’ll admit that I was not sure what to expect. However, I need not have worried for this family has 3 of the loveliest children I have ever met. Every one of them was well-spoken and able to not only follow directions but to give voice to their opinions and preferences when asked. Honestly, they were a joy to photograph!

We decided to create an informal family portrait along the waterfront with the lake and marina. When they saw the finished portrait, they exclaimed: It looks like we went on vacation!

Family with dog photographed in Port Credit, Mississauga

By the time were done, we had captured each of the children with their beloved dog, incredible family portraits, and some solo portraits of the gorgeous Gracie herself. She is so very loved and I cannot wait to photograph this beautiful family again!

See what Dad has to say about their experience by clicking here –> REVIEWS

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The SuperDogs™ at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Nov 25, 2022

A couple of weeks ago I had the great pleasure of watching The SuperDogs™ in action up close! It is always my favourite event at The Royal (as it is known) and I wish I had had time to see more than just the one show. I don’t know what – maybe because I truly love animals – but I actually teared up a couple of times when they were able to complete their performances. I’m a soppy mess, I know.

The dog arena at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto

The SuperDogs™

I got a chance to speak with David Acer who is the creative director of the SuperDogs™ and was really happy to hear that while the crowd obviously loves cheering on their favourites, it’s not about competition. When it comes down to the performance, “the dogs are really just going out there and having fun”, he said. And the crowd is encouraged to cheer whether or not a rail is dropped or a trick missed. Seeing that a large portion of the audience are children, this is a great lesson to learn in a informal, fun way.

Jumping over tunnels

This was the first event and you realize just how fast these dogs are. Not only at running with great speed forward, but also at making all the necessary calculations to clear the hurdles. Seeing them bob up and down is pure joy.

Lava and Kat

We were also treated to these two who have a freestyle dance routine. Not only is it a great demonstration of Lava’s intelligence and athleticism, but it really showcases the bond the two of them have. I mean, they danced together with more style and grace than most people.

The jumps.

This event is always a crowd favourite! All the dogs go through the jumps with the last one being the highest. And each round, they add a rail. The expressions of the dogs are the best – they range from great concentration to pure joy and exhilaration at having gotten over ‘clean’. They are all fast, so I didn’t catch all of them in flight, but here’s a selection:

dog performing agility at Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

SuperDogs at Royal Winter Fair in Toronto

Photographing speedy dogs inside an arena with not the best lighting is a challenge for the photographer and the equipment. But what a wonderful way to spend an afternoon! See you next year SuperDogs!

Bone & Biscuit Customer Appreciation 2022

Oct 25, 2022

Four years! Four years of gorgeous pups to photograph during the Customer Appreciation Event for Vaughn’s Bone & Biscuit Location.

Photo booth for dogs!

We made it a little more celebratory this year with an overlay on the final photos. And lots of pups came out to celebrate!

Whenever I do an on-location photo booth with dogs, there are always a few surprises. This year we got a dog that wore spectacles, 2 that wore crowns and lots and lots of dogs that love their moms and dads so much that they were willing to give us their best smiles!

Want to see the full gallery from the dog photo booth?

We had so much fun and are looking forward to next year! To see everyone’s gorgeous smiles, click through the gallery below:

Thanks so much for all of the fun – hope to see you all again next year! And in the meantime, I love following you all on Instagram.

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Small business owners, entrepreneurs, agencies and creatives directors! Experiential marketing events involving celebrities, influencers and the public are our speciality. Especially if they include dogs or cats.

Rita | A Gotcha Day Celebration at Hotel X Toronto

Jul 7, 2022

Rita is one well-travelled dog! She is originally from Northern Ireland and is currently living in Canada with her mum who is here on a work assignment. She also has her mum run her own blog Everybody Loves Rita where she talks about her travels and experiences.

Her mum has decided that during their stay in Canada, the two of them will experience and explore as many things as this great country offers. And high on the list was a weekend trip to downtown Toronto.

Given the planned activities, Hotel X made the most sense in terms of a place to stay. Not only is the hotel gorgeous, but they are also very pet-friendly with a perfect location!

Dog Photography Session at Hotel X Toronto

We met in the hotel room that had been specifically chosen for this iconic shot – a view of the CN Tower. Nothing says Toronto more than a photo of the skyline. Mum had seen this photo from another session I had photographed and wanted to recreate it with Rita which, of course, I was happy to do. The bed and bowls are provided by Hotel X as part of their VIP enhancement.

(Insider Tip: This is definitely the one image everyone wants from their session, so room location is key.)

It also turned out that it was Rita’s Gotcha Day and that is definitely something to be celebrated! She was adopted in 2018, so happy 4th Adoptaversary, sweet girl! She’s definitely living her best life now.

Rita got treats and a marvelous day spent with mum. The room was decorated. I brought some presents. And a camera.

dog celebrates gotcha day in Toronto hotel

Exploring The Toronto Waterfront

We then left the hotel for a walk around the waterfront via Trillium Park. It was a beautiful day for a leisurely stoll – not too hot or too cold – and so we took our time exploring and showing Rita around.

Dog mum and dog along Toronto waterfront trail

Of course, mum could not help but notice the beautiful Inukshuk at the entrance to the park. We made a point to stop there on the way back and get a pretty sweet image of both the Inukshuk and Hotel X in the background.

I think the look Rita and her mum are giving each other says it all – their bond is one of a kind.

We ended up back at Hotel X and took a few quick portraits in the lobby. This was a Saturday evening, so we had to move quickly! Thankfully, Rita was always ready for whatever we came up with. Her sit and stay is solid!

Want to continue to follow Rita’s adventures? Follow her blog and Instagram for all of the updates!

Want your very own dog or cat hotel session? Contact me here.

The Bone & Biscuit Co. Third Anniversary | October 2, 2021

Oct 5, 2021

We were back for a 3rd glorious year to celebrate the anniversary of Vaughn’s Bone & Biscuit Location. Every year this celebration gets better and better!

Pet-Friendly Photo Booth

Once again, we did a dog photo booth, but we decided to warm it up a bit with a beautiful golden colour to remind us that Fall is the most beautiful time of year. It has had been a hard year for everyone and Anubha wanted to show her appreciation to all her customers who have remained loyal and supportive through the pandemic.

So much had changed in a year, and we were now confronted with handling an event with safety protocols. With lots of cooperation, graciousness and patience on the part of everyone, the event was a success!

It was such a beautiful day and we met lots and lots of pups. But this year was a first…we got to photograph 2 brave kitties who definitely had no trouble being surrounded by dogs.

Want to see the full gallery from the dog photo booth?

As usual, pups seem to have come out ahead. See everyone’s beautiful faces by clicking through the gallery below:

brown chocolate labrador with canadiana bandana

Thanks so much for all of the fun – hope to see you all again next year! And in the meantime, I love following you all on Instagram.

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Piper | Photographing Puppies During a Pandemic

Feb 2, 2021

Back in November – before the most recent pandemic restrictions in Ontario – I took a walk in the park on a gorgeous late Fall day. There were others who had had the same idea, but there was one huge significant difference between the rest of the people and I. Every single one had a puppy. Not just a dog, but a puppy.

Truth be told, it made me smile. And gave me a chuckle. It seemed that everyone was in some stage of training their new little bundle of fluff with varying level of success. You could hear a lot of sit, stay good boy! or good girl! along with lots of treats being dolled out. Some were trying to walk politely on a leash. And some were just getting belly rubs.

It should not have surprised me. Pet ownership has gone up incredibly in Toronto, the GTA and really, all over the world during this pandemic and multiple lockdowns. But to see it all laid out on the grass in front of me was still a bit of a surprise.

New Puppy Photography Session

Of course, I love it that many would like to document those first few weeks and months when a pup comes into the home. They go by rather quickly and it is one way to hold on to the fleeting moments.

So let me introduce you to Piper, a gorgeous little girl who is bringing her mum such joy as she watches her grow and explore the world. Piper and I went down to one of her favourite spots on the Toronto waterfront to see what kinds of portraits we could create. And right out of the gate, she was a star. Look at her pretty sit and pose – she’s a natural!

corgi puppy at photography session in Toronto

It was Autumn, so we wanted to show off the colours – what was left of them – and a side pose to feature Piper’s girlish figure.

Side note: I get asked this question a lot, so I’ll answer it here: Piper was on a leash for these photos. Mum was never far off and always held onto the other end of the leash. That’s the beauty of editing and post-production. And this type of retouching of your final portraits is all a part of the service of a professional pet photographer.

beautiful corgi puppy during photography session

When you are a Toronto dog…

…sooner or late you have to get yourself photographed in front of the skyline. So, we searched for the perfect spot where you could clearly see the CN Tower. Piper’s smile says it all!

corgi puppy in front of the Toronto skyline including CN Tower

The timing of a session is also important. We choose the late afternoon to ensure that we would be able to catch the sunset, if we got one. Well, the weather cooperated and we ended up with these 2 gorgeous backgrounds for Piper’s photographs. Look at how the sun lights up her neck fluff on the second one! What a spectacular ending to a wonderful day!

puppy photo session at sunset in Toronto

Thank you Piper for spending a splendid afternoon with me! You are such a cutie and I look foward to seeing all of your adventures on Instagram.

Want your very own session with your new puppy? Here is how you can make it happen…

YEAR IN THE LIFE SESSIONS

A series of Boutique™ Sessions to capture the first year or the seasons.

A series of three (3) Posh Pets Boutique™ Sessions throughout the year. Perfect for capturing puppy or kitty’s first year. Or, to document the life your pet leads with the different beautiful seasons we enjoy in Southern Ontario as your backdrop.
The result of this series will be a gorgeous life story that you will treasure forever.
A Posh Pets Studio™ Session can be substituted for one of your session for a small fee.
Please note: The Creative Fee covers time and talent to photograph a maximum of four (4) subjects, which can be any combination of people and up to two (2) pets who live within the same household. Additional subjects may be photographed at a cost of $50 per subject.
More information on A Year in the Life Sessions can be found here.

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Dog Wedding in Toronto | A Tail of 2 Pugs

Aug 6, 2020

On Wednesday, August 5, 2020, you could feel that love was in the air in downtown Toronto as Miss Pickles & Tyson tied the knot at Stackt Market. It was a beautiful evening – not too hot or too cold – as the 2 pugs exchanged their vows. And I’ll admit, I liked this dog wedding more than most human ones.

The lovely couple and their guests were hosted by Love Shack Toronto and the Belgian Moon Brewery. Wedding Favours were courtesy of Pupfectionery, and the gorgeous florals were from Flower Treasures.

And no dog wedding would be complete without friends. Tyson and Pickles were supported by their well-dressed attendants (click on name to see their Instagram accounts):

Mini
Chelsea
Nala
Max
Bacon
Archer

It was a who’s who of dogs from all over Toronto who came together to celebrate two pugs.

See all the action (the dresses! the colour scheme! the processional!) in the attached album. You can click on each photo to see them up close.

Congratulations to the happy couple! May you enjoy many wonderful days ahead together!

Pickles & Tyson’s Dog Wedding Album

***Is there a dog wedding in your future? Are* YOU *getting married and your pup will play a role? Have another pet event you need an official pet photographer for?***

Let's get this party started!

Summer Safety Tips for Dogs + Cats | Toronto

Jul 1, 2020

Summer has finally arrived in Toronto and, with it, the heat! Despite any grumbling, it can be fairly simple for us humans to stay cool in the summer. Thanks to the gift of opposable thumbs, we have choices – we can turn on the air conditioning in our homes and cars, change our clothes, or alter our activities to be more comfortable.

For Toronto dogs and cats, it is much more difficult to adjust to the heat. Even when we find that we are uncomfortably warm and there is no option for air conditioning, our bodies help us to cool down by sweating. Our pets are not as fortunate; not only are they wearing fur, but their ability to sweat is limited to their paws and an open-mouthed pant. Summer safety is our responsibility.

While heat is the main cause for extra pet safety precautions in the summer, just staying out of the sun will not guarantee a safe pet. Here is how you can help your dog and cat stay safe this summer:

summer safety tips for dog in marina in Toronto

Keeping Pets Safe Outdoors

Pets should never ever be left in a car alone. Just do not do it. Please.
Clean, fresh water should always be accessible. Warmer temperatures cause water to evaporate more quickly, so check their water bowl more often.
If outside, pets need to have access to shade. Remember, just because a specific location is shady at 11 a.m., it does not mean it will be shady at 1 p.m.!
Protect your pets against fleas, ticks, mosquitos, and other pests.

Keeping Pets Safe Indoors

Again, ensure that clean, fresh, water should always be accessible.
If not air conditioned, homes should use fans and opened windows for circulation.
Open windows and doors should have screens to keep your pet from getting out without your knowledge. Strictly indoor kitties may be drawn to the breeze, but would not know how to survive on the street, so be extra vigilant with them.

Summer Safety for Cats

Know where your cat is before shutting doors to sheds, garages, car doors, etc. You would not want them to be trapped somewhere hot!
When possible, keep your kitty indoors during the hottest part of the day (11am-3pm). This helps to ensure that they will not get caught somewhere similar where you are not there to watch out for them.

Summer Safety for Dogs

Walk and exercise dogs in the morning and evening to avoid the full heat of the sun.
Check pavement with the back of your hand to determine if it’s too hot for dog paws. Burns hurt!
Carry extra water for long walks and/or particularly hot days.
Know the signs of when your dog is too hot and is in distress. Act quickly and take appropriate action.

Before you go…

Want to capture all the summer time fun with your pup and kitty? Sign up here for the Tips for Taking Drool-Worthy Pictures of Your Pet With Your Phone – a free pdf showing how to work with your phone to get great imagery. Have fun out there!

Khaleesi | Toronto Puppy Photography Series

May 6, 2020

It was mum that first contacted me. She was so excited because the family was welcoming a brand new puppy into the home and she wanted to document it. I, of course, was thrilled to hear this because the mere idea of photographing a new puppy is always a special high for me. I was even more excited when they chose A Year in the Life Luxury Portrait Series – this is the premier Toronto puppy photography series, giving them a chance to document Khali as she grew. The 3 sessions would be at their home, at the cottage and downtown Toronto. We were set!

A little side point: Khali (Khaleesi) is named after a character in a little known TV show. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Now, I must admit, I have never watched an episode of Game of Thrones, but you really could not get away from all of the press surrounding the series ending. So…I know enough to know that this little, furry Khali will have a much better ending 🙂

First Photography Session | Home as a Brand New Puppy

Our first location was at home. Khali was so, so tiny! Precisely the reason I encourage everyone to book their session before the puppy comes home – this smallness is such a fleeting moment in their lives and you soon forget how very little they were. It was Dad’s idea to photograph her in his bucket because it would give him a frame of reference as Khali grew.

We also did a few portraits of the happy couple with Khali in Dad’s arms. She literally was so light he could hold her with one arm!

Second Photography Session | The Cottage

A few months later, we made the drive north to their beautiful cottage on a lake. We headed out to the dock and did some puppy and family shots. You can see how she had grown in just a few short weeks!

We also did a family portrait in front of the cottage. This one will hang on the wall.

Final Session | Downtown Toronto

Khali is truly a Toronto pup – a dog from the 6ix. So, it made sense to photograph her in front of one fo the most recognizable skylines in the world. By this time, she knew the drill. Pose, look amazing and get all the treats! I really think she should have a cape here.

And, of course, one with Dad. It is these kinds of images, taken over a series, that really highlights the growth spurt puppies go through. And, if you cannot already tell – Khali has her Dad wrapped around her (now much bigger) paw.

Finally a portrait in the leaves. Afterall, it is a beautiful time of year in Toronto.

Thank you Khali for taking me on the epic ride during the first year of your life. I know your mom and dad and brother all love you very much – and I hear you might have a starring role in some upcoming nuptials! (Psst…let me know if you need a personal photographer to capture the day from your point of view 😉

Want your very own session with your new puppy? Here is how you can make it happen…

YEAR IN THE LIFE SESSIONS

A series of Boutique™ Sessions to capture the first year or the seasons.

A series of three (3) Posh Pets Boutique™ Sessions throughout the year. Perfect for capturing puppy or kitty’s first year. Or, to document the life your pet leads with the different beautiful seasons we enjoy in Southern Ontario as your backdrop.
The result of this series will be a gorgeous life story that you will treasure forever.
A Posh Pets Studio™ Session can be substituted for one of your session for a small fee.
Please note: The Creative Fee covers time and talent to photograph a maximum of four (4) subjects, which can be any combination of people and up to two (2) pets who live within the same household. Additional subjects may be photographed at a cost of $50 per subject.
More information on A Year in the Life Sessions can be found here.

FIND OUT MORE

Hound & Purr’s 1st Anniversary Party

Sep 30, 2019

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Gallery with alias: HoundPurr not found

On Sunday, September 30, 2019, Hound & Purr celebrated their 1st anniversary. The day was busy with 3 events:

1. A dog fashion show put on by the Little White Dog;

2. A meet-and-greet with some of Toronto’s famous pups (Maximillion, Dexter, Prince Louix CXIII, and Java); and,

3. A chow down, hosted by Puppy Gang Fresh Foods in which Arson the Dalmatian came off victorious.

You can click on each photo to see them up close. Enjoy!

Swissridge DoodleRomp

Aug 27, 2019

Saturday, August 17, 2019 was the date selected for the 6th annual Swissridge DoodleRomp. Looking at the weather during the couple of days beforehand, it was forecasting the worst of weather. I had therefore emailed the organizer to ask her if we had a Plan B in case of terrible rain. She, of course, had thought of everything, but ended her email with “It never rains for long on this special day 😉“

I’ll be honest; I was not so sure. We woke up on Saturday to torrential rain where I live. But, as we made our way north to the Pinetree Pet Care Centre in Guelph, Ontario, the skies began to clear. By the time we arrived, we had sun! She had been so right.

All For A Good Cause

Each year the pups and humans of Swissridge get together to have one huge play date and raise money to support the training of a therapy dog for a special child. This year was no different.

It is a tradition to take a ‘group shot’ during the last half of of the event which is always a challenge with so many pups and people. A wide-angle lens is a must!

I really love this next photo. This is the moment after I called out, “we got the shot!” and everyone released their dogs. Luma ran straight for me – she knows who has the treats.

It is always remarkable to me how well the doodles behave with one another. One large off-leash park and not one scuffle. That is due, in large part, to the attention each human pays to their dog. If someone is getting a little too excited, they can easily be brought outside the fenced-in area for a moment to calm down, before trying again. I wish all dog parks had owners like these!

I had a small booth this year and it was busy. As a result, I did not get out to photograph the dogs as much as I would have like. However, enjoy this small gallery of the fun event. See you all next year!