Dog Photography Archives - Page 3 of 17 - Pet Photography in Toronto by Posh Pets Photography

Myca, The Director of Happiness |dog@work Toronto

Feb 28, 2019

Lots of organizations in Toronto and the GTA these days participate in Bring Your Dog to Work Day. Some routinely have well-behaved pups in their workplaces each day. But, how many corporate canines actually have a role and a title?

A dog with a corporate job?

I would like to introduce you to Myca who holds the title Director of Happiness at BTI Brand Innovations. Myca is a bernedoodle who, according Parveen Dhupar, Chief Creative Officer, came as part of the ‘package’ when his mum was hired.

If you thought that Myca’s role was some sort of gimmick, you would be wrong. He is a full-fledged team member. You can find his photo along with the humans in the BTI’s About page and, like every other employee, he has his very own page with his bio. (go ahead, click on his headshot at the bottom of the page. You know you want to.) Sometimes he even sits on a chair to do his important work.

Has having Myca in the office benefited BTI? It would seem so. Parveen shared that 9 out of 10 clients begin engaging with BTI over a conversation about pets. Talk about some serious ROI!

Would you recommend organizations integrating dogs into their workspace?

Parveen answered unhesitatingly, Absolutely! Although Myca is currently the only dog at the office, there is no saying that it will always be that way.

(Side note: the HR professional in me has to ask if Myca can claim those reading glasses as part of the company benefit plan 😉 )

Like any valued employee, Myca participates in regular one-on-ones with the CCO of BTI, Parveen. I hear he receives a great amount of praise and commendation for his willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. And I am sure that, with a smile like that, he is well compensated for his performance.

I loved spending an afternoon at BTI and talking to them about Myca in the office. They are truly an organization that inspires.

Would you like us to come to your offices and photograph your corporate canines or first-rate felines? Contact us to see how you can bring Dog @ Work to your workplace.

Bo, The German Shepherd of Cottage Country | Collingwood Dog Photography

Nov 16, 2018

When I got a call from Bo’s mum, she was clear. She wanted to create a beautiful portrait of her german shepherd while he was still young and healthy, in the prime of her life. Which was absolutely wonderful! I cannot stress enough how important it is to think of getting portraits now, when your pup is enjoying life and you can capture this phase in their life forever. While I love the seniors, too many clients express regret about not having arranged a session earlier.

Discussing it further with Mum during our Design Consult, it became really clear that the family property north of Toronto in Collingwood was very special to them all. They have a restored historic farmhouse on some of the most magnificent grounds I have ever seen and when I suggested that perhaps, just maybe, the session should take place there, mum’s reaction was immediate: Oh goodness…yes please!

So, one early Saturday morning, we set out before the sun was up to meet Bo and his family in Collingwood. I knew that this would be a spectacular session when we turned into the ‘driveway’. This is the approach to the house, just beyond the gates as you turn from the road. When I saw this scene – the curved road with the forest-like trees – I turned to my assistant and said: We are definitely coming back down here to photograph this boy…

And so we did. After our introductions, we took an ambling little walk down the road back to this spot. This portrait was one of the first frames that I took and it told me that Bo could definitely pose.

I want to create images that you are thrilled with. So, the one question I ask every client is this: If you could only have just one image, one epic, hero shot, what would it look like?

Mum answered easily: Bo, sitting in front of our farmhouse.

I couldn’t be happier with what we created. This image is now displayed proudly on the wall in their Toronto house.

If you could only have just one image, one epic, hero photograph, what would it look like?

The rest of the property was no less gorgeous. Bo has his own lake, his own dock to enjoy the sun on and plenty of room to explore.

Lots of green grass for laying in to ponder life’s mysteries – Where is that deer I saw this morning? Who is making all of that racket in the bushes over there? What if I never find out ‘who’s a good boy’?

By the end of the session, Bo was a tired pup. He had modelled, he had run, he had given it his all and now all he wanted to do was sleep. And a model deserves his rewards.

Thank you Bo for inviting us into your world and allowing us to come and explore with you.

POSH PETS BOUTIQUE™ SESSIONS

Where it all begins

Pre-session Design Consult that ensures we create images you will be thrilled with.
The result is gorgeous custom artwork the life your pet shares with your family.
A personal Ordering Consultation to ensure you select the right images from the gallery.
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 for a small additional fee.
Examples of portraits from Posh Pets Boutique™ Sessions can be found here.

Book Now

Indy, Fenway and Sydney | 3 Furry Friends on a Hamilton, Ontario Farm

May 10, 2018

~ Pet Photography Hamilton Ontario ~

I’m always happy when I hear that I’ll get to work with multiple-dog families. There is something so special about dogs that have been brought together and forged a relationship with each other and with their humans. So, I was beyond excited to meet Indy, Fenway and Sydney!

Choosing The Perfect Location

When I talked to Mum and Dad during our Design Consult, it was important that the setting for their portraits be rural, reminding Mum of when she was growing up on a farm. Mum had in mind where she wanted to have them photographed and once we had that location confirmed, we set off for our session.

I almost squealed out loud when I saw the hay bales. And then we all laughed getting 3 dogs up on them, with Dad hiding behind, in order to make sure that everyone was safe and remained in place. I am always amazed at how committed clients become to getting the image. Thanks Dad for climbing up and over that hay bale!

Indy was the youngest (1-year old at the time), but definitely the biggest. With his huge paws and goofy personality, he was just a large, furry ball of loving. He’s a Swissridge doodle from the breeder of the same name, but I think of him as an adorable teddy bear.

Fenway was a petite, little 3-year old who definitely seemed to ‘get it’ – that this was all about showing off her best side and posing like a pro. I do not think that this little one could take a bad photo and she made my job look really easy. She is also from Swissridge Kennels like her brother Indy and a beautiful bernedoodle. When the wind caught her hair, I knew we had a winning portrait!

Then there was dear, sweet 13-year old Syd. I have a special place for seniors and Syd was no exception. I loved this cockapoo with his arthritis and his heart issues…he was so precious. I would truly have scooped him up and taken him home if Mum and Dad had not been keeping such a close eye on him. His smile was infectious and we drew quite a crowd when I was photographing him.

Now, I’d be remiss if I did not mention another, less furry, subject that I photographed that day. This young man is Ben and he is quite honestly probably the easiest person I have ever photographed. Kind, polite and accommodating, he was willing to do anything we asked him to do, and it is quite obvious how much he loves his dogs. He was also an invaluable help in working with the pups and keeping them focussed during our session. I think I would like Ben to be with me on all of my sessions…he has the makings of the perfect assistant.

Last but not least, I’ll leave you with this image. As the evening drew to a close, we positioned Fenway and Indy (Sydney was a wee bit tired at this point) on a long gravel road. A portrait of two dogs with a beautiful farm behind them. Just like Mum remembered. Just like Mum wanted.

Thank you Indy, Fenway and Sydney for all of the energy and joy you brought to your session. My 3 little musketeers. You are loved. You are amazing. I can’t wait to see you all again!

Looking for pet photography in Hamilton, Ontario? Please contact us, below.

POSH PETS BOUTIQUE™ SESSIONS

Where it all begins

Pre-session Design Consult that ensures we create images you will be thrilled with.
The result is gorgeous custom artwork the life your pet shares with your family.
A personal Ordering Consultation to ensure you select the right images from the gallery.
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 for a small additional fee.
Examples of portraits from Posh Pets Boutique™ Sessions can be found here.

Book Now

2018 Family Day | Pet-Friendly Ideas in Toronto

Feb 10, 2018

Family Day is the youngest statutory holiday in Ontario, as it was only added in 2008. The official reason for another holiday? Well, according to the website, it is because people “work very hard and they deserve more time to spend with the people they love”. What’s this about only people? Because in my books, family definitely includes the dogs and cats and any other furry creatures we share our lives with.

So, without any further ado, here is my rundown on how and where to create epic Family Day weekend memories with your pet.

1. Get outside

Yes, we may have snow, but that is no reason not to take some time to go ambling, sniffing and building that human-canine bond. We live in Canada, after all. Bundle up your dog in any one of the fashionable dog coats you can find these days, bring a ball and get a little fresh air and exercise.

2. Visit the park that celebrates dogs

If you love dogs, then you need to go and visit Berczy Park, on Wellington Street, just east of Yonge. Not only is it completely dog-friendly, but there is a two-tier fountain featuring 27 different dogs (lots of pugs) and one incredible cat (look for him and the birds he is watching!) There is a designated area for dogs to do their business in the shadow of some pretty awesome wall art on the side of Toronto’s flat iron building. Grab a coffee and meet the other pet lovers who congregate there.

3. Enjoy the night life

The Toronto Light Festival in the Distillery District is being held from January 19 – March 4, 2018. Completely pet-friendly, come out at night and see the place lit up! If you choose to go Sunday night, you can enjoy sleeping in Monday. Your pet will love the luxurious decadence of lazing about in bed with you. Bonus tip: Hashtag your photos with #TOLightFest.

4. Stay inside

It’s a day off! So, what is better than curling up by a fire or under some blankets with a good book and your happy, cuddly pup or lazy cat by your side? Every day they watch you get up and leave them to go to work (those treats cost money, you know!) – today they will be thrilled to know you are spending all day cozy, inside with them.

5. Do some serious shopping

A lot of retailers of all things pet allow dogs and cats in their stores. But, it does not have to stop there. The Bloor Street location of Holt Refrew has a dog-friendly policy so that your favourite canine can help you pick out the perfect outfit. Afterall, their bark of approval is everything. Woof!

A bonus…

Want to capture these Family Day weekend memories for all time? 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!

Tail of 20 Cities | Toronto Dog Photography

Feb 3, 2018

This is our city. These are the dogs.

Posh Pets® Photography is thrilled to be participating in Rover.com’s Tail of 20 Cities, featuring our very own Maddie and some quintessential Toronto dog photography. We were pleased as punch to be selected along with 19 other photographers from around the world for this great virtual #travelwithdog adventure.

Check out all of the photographs here in the Tail of 20 Cities Photo Journey and feel free to join the fun by posting your own pic of your dog repping your city with the hashtag #RoverCities!

Maddie and the Toronto skyline

Maddie represents the 6ix in front of one of the most recognizable skylines in the world.

Maddie is a true Toronto dog. She was adopted 2 years ago from Toronto Animal Services and now lives downtown in the heart of it all. She spends her days exploring this city by four paws, TTC and ferry. She embraces all four seasons; sporting her doggles for those Summer days, fashionable jackets for crisp Autumn strolls or bundling up to run through Winter’s snow. Click through the gallery below to see some of her adventures.

We are the home of Toronto dog photography

It’s our speciality. And we love it! Our clients often work with us because they specifically want to showcase Toronto in their final images.

For example, Sumo travelled from New York City with his family to get photographed with the skyline and the Toronto driftwood sign. Seeing as this incredible piece of art has since disappeared, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But, Sumo will always have the memories from the Summer of 2017.

The Humber Bridge is a landmark and is well-travelled by people and pets alike. Creating an image like this with no people in the background takes some planning and getting up early to greet the sun. Mischa and Nala did it in style!

Toronto’s waterfront is Lake Ontario and, when we have a willing participant, we go all-in. Myca spent the last half-hour of his session swimming and fetching sticks. There is nothing quite like the joy of a dog whose coat is now full of sand.

Speaking of sunrise, there isn’t anything quite like it. Despite the fact that we were told that Lebron might not know how to work with a photographer, he proved everyone wrong. This gorgeous boy was the best model!

And just to show you that no two days are the same, here is Myca in front of his purple sky, just before the sun made its appearance.

Want a piece of Toronto dog photography art featuring your dog? Posh Pets® Photography is the bespoke portrait experience for the urban dog and cat. Start designing your session today by clicking here.

Or, for the ultimate memory-making adventure, specifically designed for those out-of-town clients who #travelwithdog, check out flydographer™.

We cannot wait to meet you!

Snow Session | Manitoba, Canada

Feb 1, 2018

We did a crazy thing this past week – we travelled to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

In January.

Let that sink in for a moment.

We often refer to Winnipeg as Winter-peg because of its frigid temperatures, wind chill and copious amounts of snow and I can confidently say that the city lived up to its reputation. Before we went, people said we were crazy. And hey, maybe we were. But we are never ones to turn down an opportunity to travel and experience a new place, so we packed our bags and boarded the plane.

While we were there we were able to meet the hardy dogs of Manitoba. One of these was the lovely Charley. She is a 3-year old cocker spaniel with beautiful eyes and copper-coloured curls for days. She also travels everywhere with her family – she’ll be coming to Toronto this Summer – but I wanted to photograph her in her home and in her element.

So, on a very cold late afternoon in late January, we ventured outside to photograph Charley doing what she does…running and playing, and sniffing. We even got her to pose for a portrait or two.

There is something so great about letting a dog just run and seeing those ears fly…

The success of any session often relies upon letting things go at the pace and energy of the dog. Charley loved the new location with all of its amazing smells. At one point, she was in full tracking mode. Rather than fighting that natural instinct, I worked with it and these are some of the favourite images her family has of her.

professional dog photography in Manitoba, Canada

cocker spaniel dog photography in winter

If you would like a Snow Session for your favourite pup, find the information below:

POSH PETS BOUTIQUE™ SESSIONS

Where it all begins

Pre-session Design Consult that ensures we create images you will be thrilled with.
The result is gorgeous custom artwork the life your pet shares with your family.
A personal Ordering Consultation to ensure you select the right images from the gallery.
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 for a small additional fee.
Examples of portraits from Posh Pets Boutique™ Sessions can be found here.

Book Now

Olive | A Dog Adventure in Cambridge, Ontario

Oct 17, 2017

It all started with a question. “How early are you willing to get up? Can we meet before sunrise?“, I asked.

It was the simple sacrifice of *just* a little more sleep that allowed us to be in position to catch the sunrise over the lake and create the image below.

Olive showed up in her Boutique Session in a yellow collar – she has a different colour for each day of the week – and her Dad really wanted it showcased. During our Design Consult, he told me that he was a little concerned about whether we would be able to photograph her. Olive is an adventure dog and an independent girl. Her Dad describes her as ‘busy” and he wondered if she would be still enough for us to create one of my signature portraits. After he saw the first one at sunrise, he knew Olive was in good hands.

However, after that initial portrait, I let Olive be in charge of the rest of the session. With a little guidance from me, of course. Olive took me around and showed me all of her favourite places – and given that she walks here almost every day of her life, she had lots to show me. She would trot off only to turn around every now and again with a look of: Come on, guys! I’ve got tons of things to show you and we’ll miss it if you all keep dawdling.

pet photography kitchener waterloo cambridge

Given how early we were, there was still time to run before the heat became too much. I always think that dogs look so full of joy when they can just run.

(Side note: If action/running images is one of the things you are going to want to include in your session, I really do suggest we start early before the heat of the day sets in. And remember to pack lots of water. That way, it’s much more pleasant and safer for you and your dog.)

Pet Photographer in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, Ontario

It was one of those perfect Summer mornings where the light was beautiful and the sky was a dramatic blue. Olive’s coat literally glistened in the sun! Especially after she had taken a dip in the lake.

adventure dog photography in Cambridge, Ontario

This location offered a great variety of backdrops, including the cool shade of the forest. With that early morning sun peaking in amongst the trees, we had the perfect environment for one final, stunning portrait.

Olive’s canvas and framed prints now grace the walls of the home she shares with Dad. The Wall Art together with her Posh Pets® Folio, allows her to show off what a much loved doggie she is!

“Olive, thank you so much for taking me on your morning adventure with you. You have one of the most beautiful places to explore and I cannot wait until our Winter Session!”

Do you have an adventure dog? If you would like us to join you on an outdoor adventure with your dog, a Boutique Session is the place to start. Details are below:

POSH PETS BOUTIQUE™ SESSIONS

Where it all begins

Pre-session Design Consult that ensures we create images you will be thrilled with.
The result is gorgeous custom artwork the life your pet shares with your family.
A personal Ordering Consultation to ensure you select the right images from the gallery.
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 for a small additional fee.
Examples of portraits from Posh Pets Boutique™ Sessions can be found here.

Book Now

SwissRidge Doodle Romp of 2017 | Toronto Dog Event

Aug 20, 2017

What a day was the SwissRidge Doodle Romp of 2017. Each year the ‘doodles’ of SwissRidge Kennels come together to raise money for a worthy cause and enjoy one huge ‘play date’ in Guelph for their extended family. I met pet parents who packed up their doodle(s) in a car or van, arranged travel documents and crossed the border from Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maine and Massachusetts, got on planes from Calgary, and in cars from all over Ontario and the GTA. Getting a photo of such a large group is a lot of fun!

Below, you can find some of the individual furries I was able to capture as they went about meeting old and new friends, running about and sniffing butts. I tried my best to remember the names of those I met, but without having written anything down, it is quite likely I have mixed some up. And then there were those who I did not know who mum and/or dad were. If you can provide further information, I would be happy to make the corrections.

So, without any further ado, please meet…

Jack

Tiny little Rowdy!

George

Emma

Toronto pet photographer, Posh Pets Photography

Finn – the kind of chocolate that is perfectly GOOD for you!

Stella

Blizzard

Noah

Pearl

Someone receiving a little cuddle from a reassuring hand.

This is Rocky who is never far from his mum’s side.

Lola

Wylie

Friends meeting…

Zolo

Bernie – the beautiful black beauty!

Eala, running with the wind in her hair!

Dog action photography in Toronto, Canada

Buddy

Rocky getting a well-deserved belly rub.

Pearl & Stella

Brittany

Would you know your doodle by their “doodle butt”?

Thanks for making it such a good time and see you next year!

A bonus…

Want to capture these types of memories every day? 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!

A Final Trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake | Heritage Session™

Aug 15, 2017

When I first heard from Buddy’s mum it was with a mixture of excitement and sadness. Buddy came all the way from Pennsylvania for what would be his final trip to Canada – a dog bucket list of sorts. He was facing some serious health issues and his mum wanted to enjoy travelling with him one more time. Niagara-on-the-Lake was chosen as the backdrop for this special occasion.

Niagara on the Lake dog bucket list photography session

As you can see above, we took some portraits on what is arguably one of the prettiest streets in the Niagara region.

From there, we moved to enjoy a picnic in the park. Buddy put on his best tie and brought a blanket. They spent some quiet moments together reminiscing about what a great life he had led.

He even brought his best friends to join in the fun!

But a new park is a place to explore and sniff. Even have a little run. But, most of all, times like these are reasons to smile.

Buddy still loved to get his feet wet in the gentle surf, so we spent some time on the little beach.

corgi dog playing in the water in Canada

All too soon it was time to go home. A short while later, I received a note from his mum saying that Buddy was gone. I cried. This beautiful boy who had brought so much joy to his family was no more.

I was even more touched when she ended her note with the following:

“Through all of this my mother and I have said many times we do not know what we would do without your photos. After they were taken, he started to deteriorate rapidly. He looks so wonderful, healthy, and happy in them and that is the way we hope to remember him.

Thank you for everything.”

Run free Buddy. Always.

For more information on Posh Pets Heritage™ Sessions, see below.

POSH PETS® HERITAGE SESSIONS

Celebrating the life, love and legacy of your pet. ™

High-priority sessions are reserved for pets that become ill or are simply elderly. We make every effort to schedule these on short notice and work within their restrictions.
An opportunity to take time out of your busy schedule to spend some quality time together, celebrate the life you have shared and create images you will treasure forever.
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 for a small additional fee.
More information can be found here.

Book Now

Annual Shelter Support Day @ CB2 | Toronto Dog Event

May 2, 2017

In case you missed, it, last Saturday was a day to meet new friends and and sniff a few butts in the big city of Toronto!

Wait…What?

It’s not as strange as you think if you are a dog. And, we, the humans of Posh Pets® Photography, had the absolute pleasure of meeting tons of urban Toronto dogs coming into the CB2 store (located at Bathurst & Queen) for the dog photography event of the day – all for the Annual Shelter Support Day. There were little ones, big ones, young puppies, old souls and many, many wagging tails. And no wonder – every participant got to enjoy tasty treats and went home with an awesome tennis ball, all courtesy of CB2.

The Crate and Barrel/CB2 annual event provides financial assistance to a local rescue/shelter organization who do so much in caring for dogs and helping them find their forever homes. For the Toronto event, Tiny Paws Dog Rescue was chosen. As a bonus, we all got to meet Oscar who is currently in their care and eagerly awaiting a home to call his own. (Want to have a part in finding him a home? Please share his photo.)

Find the full photo gallery here:

In amongst all of the excitement, we were able to create beautiful images of all of the smiling, happy faces of the many well-loved dogs who already call this great city their home. Here’s the complete gallery…please scroll through to find your pup and share with the world!

For some behind-the-scenes footage, check out the video, below:

The Making of a Perfect Morning | Sunrise Session™

Mar 24, 2017

Would you be willing to get up before dawn to greet the sun?

If you have a dog, the morning walk is almost guaranteed to be a part of your daily routine. Even if it just a quick walk around the block because of the myriad of other things you have to do that day.

But…just for a moment…find beauty in the ordinary routine of life. Think about what it would be like to slow down and just relish that time with your one and only. To engage in conversation that only your dog can truly understand.

To share a moment like this…

Silhouette of dog at sunrise in Toronto, Canada

Start With the Sunrise…

Myca and his mum are two that truly celebrate their morning routine. They amble along the waterfront, taking in the gorgeousness of the city skyline when no one else is around. This is their city, their home and their time together. And on a crisp, fall morning, we got to share it all with the two of them.

The following scene is one that the two of them witness countless times throughout the year – but how to capture the first kiss of the sun in an image with Myca? Well, it’s all in precise timing (and a little practice on the part of your photographer).

We watched and waited…and waited a little more…until just the right time to have Myca find his place up on his rock. That gave him a moment to settle down into his pose – but not so long that he would become bored – just as the sun peaked up over the horizon.

The result? Exactly what mum wanted!

Enjoy Your Morning Run

After our sunrise was complete, we took a little walk and, like many Torontonians, enjoyed our morning run along the waterfront and the Humber bridge.

(The miracle here is the fact that we had the bridge all to ourselves! If you’ve ever been down at the waterfront in the morning, you know how rare that is.)

running dog on humber bridge, Toronto series

bernedoodle dog running on humber bridge in Toronto, Canada

happy running dog on bridge in Toronto, Canada

Take Time to Enjoy the Season

From there we moved on to where I knew there was a beautiful pocket of colour…

Autumn is truly a spectacular time of year in Southern Ontario, and you can enjoy it, even in the city. Mum wanted to capture all of that beauty of her boy and Fall in her gallery.

bernedoodle dog in autumn leaves in Southern Ontario, Canada

Mum also told me that she doesn’t like any pictures of herself. In fact, she hasn’t had a professional photograph of herself in years. Well, she doesn’t say that anymore…!

woman and her dog in Toronto's lakeshore park.

Feel the Sand Between Your Toes

And because no session would be complete without a good swim at the beach for a water-loving dog, we ended with a splash and a nice, big stick!

But, Shhh…let’s keep this our little secret. We don’t want Myca’s groomer see what we let him do…!

dog running on beach with stick and Toronto CN Tower

Myca’s gallery was so large that Mum had a hard time choosing her favourites. She ended up with a gorgeous folio box along with some stunning pieces of wall art. You can read all about the experience in her own words here.

Do you want to share the sunrise with your dog? The place to start is with a Boutique Session, described below.

POSH PETS BOUTIQUE™ SESSIONS

Where it all begins

Pre-session Design Consult that ensures we create images you will be thrilled with.
The result is gorgeous custom artwork the life your pet shares with your family.
A personal Ordering Consultation to ensure you select the right images from the gallery.
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 for a small additional fee.
Examples of portraits from Posh Pets Boutique™ Sessions can be found here.

Find out more

There is No Time Like the Present | Hugo’s Winter Session

May 11, 2016

I received the call one afternoon from Hugo’s mom. From the moment she spoke and her voice broke a little, I knew something was wrong. And, when you are a pet photographer, you almost always know what it is.

She told me about Hugo, all 165 lbs. of him. He was beautiful and, at 4 years old, in what should be his prime. But, the day before they had received devastating news. Hugo had just been diagnosed with lymphoma. A specialist appointment had been made to determine the course of treatment, so there was nothing more that could be done but wait the couple of days for that appointment. But now, what his mom wanted most of all were portraits. Portraits that should have been taken in the Summer but things had gotten busy and, well, they thought had all the time in the world. Portraits that would ensure that they had beautiful images of Hugo forever.

We quickly rearranged things and set a portrait date for a couple of days later. We were hoping for snow (there was woefully little of that this winter in Toronto!) and a nice day. And that is exactly what we got. The temperature was beautiful – maybe even a little too mild for a Bernese Mountain Dog – and we had snow on the ground! Plus our background was the lovely palette of winter. Hugo’s entire family came out for his photo session (even Grandma), so that they could get family portraits with him. He is one loved dog!

Everyone should have one gorgeous portrait of their pet

Hugo’s mom said that, if she could get nothing else, she wanted ONE gorgeous portrait of Hugo looking happy, majestic and healthy. I knew the second I took it that this was the ONE. It’s now a beautiful, framed print, hanging in the family home.

fine art portrait of bernese mountain dog

The family also selected a custom folio box for their family portraits and some smaller portraits of Hugo. (It’s so stunning that you will see that I decided to update the official Posh Pets® Folio images for the website with it.)

bernese mountain dog portrait toronto

dog in forest in Toronto, Canada

Why choose to photograph your pet now?

Simply put, because it is important to capture the life of your pet as they are now. In all their stages – the wiggly new-to-life stage, the goofy teenager, the athletic adult stage, and the sweet senior. And because honestly, we never know what tomorrow brings.

I’m happy to report that Hugo has begun his treatment and is tolerating the chemotherapy well! Last time I saw him, he was perky and quickly greeted me at the door. He’s ravenous too, so he eagerly searched me for treats. Believe me when I tell you, everyone here at Posh Pets® Photography are all wishing very hard (with fingers and paws crossed!) that Hugo makes a full recovery!

If you are looking to book a session for your pet, the place to start is here. (Please see the update, below.)

beautiful mountain dog in snow in Canada

Update: Hugo passed away in August 2016 after bravely fighting his battle with cancer. His Mom sent me the most beautiful note regarding his session:

“I called Posh Pets® Photography in a panic the day after receiving the devastating news that my 4 year old Bernese Mountain Dog, Hugo, had been diagnosed with lymphoma. I wanted to get professional photographs done before he started chemo. Karen was so understanding, compassionate and accommodating. She made herself available within a couple of days. Hugo was already quite ill but Karen worked her magic and took amazing photos that caught his spirit! Karen was very supportive and a great help in choosing the photos (not easy when there were so many good photos to choose from). The finished products are beautiful and we treasure them everyday, now that our beloved Hugo is gone. Karen is clearly an animal lover and very talented – the perfect combination.”

Sleep well, dear Hugo.

POSH PETS® HERITAGE SESSIONS

Celebrating the life, love and legacy of your pet. ™

High-priority sessions are reserved for pets that become ill or are simply elderly. We make every effort to schedule these on short notice and work within their restrictions.
An opportunity to take time out of your busy schedule to spend some quality time together, celebrate the life you have shared and create images you will treasure forever.
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 for a small additional fee.
More information can be found here.

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Enjoy Your Morning Run

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