Mar 31, 2016
I love receiving inquiries that are detailed and full of fun tidbits about my clients and this session was no different!
Mom explained that they had just celebrated their 20th anniversary and wanted to mark that ocassion with a family session featuring their dogs, two beautiful Bearded Collies, and some gorgeous spots in Toronto. It took a while to arrange the session because Mom and Dad are real honest-to-goodness opera singers! That means we needed to work around rehearsal and performance schedules. But, it finally came together and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it all turned out.
So, without any further ado, please meet Claymore and Poppy! Claymore (on the left) is a former show dog, so I was told that he often prefers to stand. But, you know, with a few tasty, smelly treats and we got a few sits.
We started off the session in their backyard because that is one of their favourite places to hang out. The late afternoon sun was just peaking in on the steps as we started our session. Such great little posers!
Poppy is a pretty girl and has the most stunning eyes. This is truly her ‘spot’ in the backyard – she loves to sit here for hours. I think it is so cool that you can see one of her toys in this image. She likes to bury them around so she always has one close by.
We then went for a little drive to capture some gorgeous family portraits in a park they know well. We were pretty much at the end of the Autumn colours, but with a little ingenuity, you can find that splash of colour anywhere.
This image now hangs proudly on the wall in their home.
Poppy and Claymore also showed me they can let loose and run!
And finally, some quiet, beautiful portraits of them together as the sun set.
These two were such superstars. (And Mom and Dad did not too badly either.) It was such fun working with them to create some pretty awesome artwork. You can read what Mom and Dad thought of the whole experience, in their own words, here.
If you are reaching a milestone that you would like to recognize with a session, let’s start the conversation!
POSH PETS BOUTIQUE™ SESSIONS
- 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.
Feb 22, 2016
When I found out I would be travelling to the Canadian arctic, I offered my Posh Pets’ services to the local shelter in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. As a result, I had the opportunity to photograph some adoptables in what is probably the second most northern shelter in North America last Friday.
The Northwest Territories SPCA has a beautiful facility and the animals are cared for by some amazing staff.
It was much colder than the temperatures we usually experience in Toronto, but we were still able to take the larger dogs out for a quick portrait or two.
This sweetheart has some health challenges but absolutely loves the shelter manager. As a result, he spends most of his time in the office, sometimes serenading her with song.
These four week litter of puppies could not be taken outside, so we photographed them in their kennel. It was tight quarters, but we made it work.
And, of course, some lovely black beauties. Incidentally, Yellowknife doesn’t have a cat population problem – the cats they do have available are transferred from southern shelter. The elements and the wildlife ensure that cats here, are indoor cats.
It was just over an hour of time to have these furry little souls photographed. Although the temperatures were frigid outside, we left with nice, warm hearts. I hope they all find their forever homes soon!
Jan 20, 2016
I love it when clients bring their ‘packs’ to Posh Pets® Photography and I get to photograph multiples. I love hearing the stories, watching them interact and then the challenge of getting them all in one frame. This trio of little girls were no different. Please meet Stella, the 4-year old dachshund, Maggie the 9-year old white pug, and, Penny, the oldest at 13-years old!
It’s always my goal to give each and every one a truly customized experience. One way I do that is by the pre-session consultation and it is important whether you have 1 pet or ten. In this case, Johanna knew that, given Penny’s age, their little ‘pack’ will not be together forever. Penny now suffers from arthritis, so she is not as athletic as the others and we needed to be considerate of her limitations. Stella, on the other hand, loves to run and she wanted to capture her in action. She also very much wanted a portrait of them together. They made us work for it, but we got the three of them together (see above)! As well as the two pug sisters, alone.
I also discuss with every client whether they want to be in the images. Sometimes people are a little hesitant – “I don’t like myself in pictures…” – they say. Of course, I cannot force you to be in any of the photographs, but I do encourage everyone to come dressed so that they have the option of jumping in if the opportunity presents itself. There are two reasons for this: (1) You are an essential part of the relationship you have with your pet. You love them, provide for them and protect them. The session would be so vastly different if you were not physically there because of how your pets would behave. When all is said and done, you should have something tangible that celebrates that relationship. (2) You should exist in photographs. We are now in a generation that probably has more photos of the meals they eat, than they do of themselves. That’s ridiculous. You should have one lovely, amazing, wonderful image of yourself and your pets.
But, to show you that it does not have to be your traditional image, here is one of the portraits Johanna chose to speak to the beauty of their relationship. Penny, with her curled pug tail, Stella kicking up the dust, and Maggie walking beside them. All on ‘their’ beach, in the golden glow of a Toronto sunset with the skyline peaking out behind.
When Johanna saw the proofs, she said it was so them. Her, carrying Penny who was by this point too tired to walk. The other two in tow. It’s real because this is the essence of their walks together. Today.
We spent some time creating individual portraits of her 3 girls…by this point, they had picked up on the idea that treats were readily available if they could model for the tiniest fraction of a second. It seemed to be a fair trade.
And, of course, that ‘action’ shot of Stella. Doing her doxie thing.
Finally, the day to deliver the final art work had arrived! When Johanna received her folio box, she took them out one by one and and just held them, soaking it in. “You know these are gorgeous, right? Nothing like seeing them printed,” she whispered. “Yes”, I replied, “It’s the very reason why I insist up on it. There’s nothing like seeing and holding finished portraits. Portraits of your family.”
By now, the wall art is hung and in place I’ve seen pictures and it looks great! I also hear that a reveal party of the artwork may be in the future…can’t wait to hear how it goes!
If you would like to create your own custom portrait experience, contact me below.
POSH PETS BOUTIQUE™ SESSIONS
- Pre-session Design Consult that ensures we create images you will be thrilled with.
- The result is gorgeous custom artwork showcasing 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.
Jan 13, 2016
No doubt about it – Posh Pets® Photography loves our home city, Toronto. It’s a great city full of great dogs, cats, and their people. It’s busy and vibrant and boasts an easily identifiable skyline. And, it simply looks spectacular in photographs!
To celebrate our home city, we’ve been working on a project for some time now – finding a way to incorporate that awesome cityscape into images with YOUR dogs. We’ve been quietly scoping out locations and enlisting the help of many urban pups and their intrepid humans.
This has not always been easy. As you know, the Toronto skyline boasts one of the tallest buildings in the world, the CN Tower. Finding a perspective that will allow me to place a sitting dog who is about 12 inches high, in the same frame as a 1,815.4 ft building can be a challenge. Even large breeds are not really all that big when you place them beside architecture.
These images celebrate that truly quintessential urban pup. You know the one…they embrace the city lifestyle. They know their neighbourhood…Uptown, downtown, the Annex, The Beach, Cabbage Town, Liberty Village…you get the idea. Toronto is their home. Or, they lived here at one point and haven’t forgotten their roots.
If you are looking to create a Posh Pups in the City™ image(s) in your Boutique Session, then you are in the right place. You might have a location in mind, or we can research and explore an awesome spot together. We will create something that you will be happy to display on your wall for years to come! Let’s do this…
PS: If you have an urban feline that loves the outdoors, does well on a leash, we would absolutely love to meet them too. Posh Cats in the City™…why not? Me-ow!
Jan 6, 2016
Celebrating the life, love and legacy of your pet.™
There are probably few things worse than knowing you are running out of time, especially when it involves someone that you love dearly. Sadly, we are often caught by surprise when we are told that our pet is seriously ill. In a moment, all that time we thought we had, suddenly disappears, and we realize that we need to preserve the memories of our relationship with that furry family member. Knowing just how important it is to remember and celebrate your relationship is the reason behind the Posh Pets Heritage™ Session.
When I first spoke with Olivia about her Bella, she told me that she was her 11 year old black labrador, that she had had her she had her since she was a puppy. These two had grown up together. She also shared that Bella had only just been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and that the prognosis was not good. Could I create a session that would celebrate their relationship?, she asked. Of course., I assured her.
We made arrangements quickly and Olivia chose the park where she and Bella regularly went for walks. We took our time since Bella did not have the energy she had once had. Although, the sight of a ball still brought a light to her eyes and she chased it once or twice. Treats were, of course, graciously accepted. So, we walked and talked, stopping here and there to photograph Bella in her element with Olivia.
Olivia wanted me to be sure to capture the white muzzle and beautiful eyes of her dear Bella in a portrait. The dried reeds provided a beautiful backdrop against her black coat.
Even though some would consider the weather less than ideal, we were able to capture absolutely gorgeous images!
We then went on to document some sweet portraits of Olivia and Bella together.
We even got in a few kisses! Olivia was Bella’s world (and vice versa), so this was no surprise.
Inky, Bella’s older brother, also came along so he could be photographed along with her. He may only have a few months on Bella, but he practically dwarfs her in size.
I’ve said it before, but I will say it again: I am always amazed at how a dog will rise to the occasion. Despite the fact that the medication and her illness left her fatigued, Bella showed us that she could still chase a ball.
And, she still had the ability provide the loveliest of expressions for a portrait.
We ended the session with a few more images of Bella and Olivia together on a forest path.
The final portrait was of lovely Bella herself. In her park. The way Olivia wanted to remember her.
A week later, I received the e-mail I dread to receive: Bella had said her final good-bye, surrounded by the family she loved. I had already edited Bella’s images and ordered her folio box as well as her wall art, and Olivia was understandably eager to receive them. While they will never replace having Bella at her side, the images from our session will ensure that the memory of Bella stays alive in her heart.
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, please do not hesitate to contact me and arrange a Posh Pets Heritage™ Session.
Dec 14, 2015
Do you have one incredible portrait of your dog or cat? Often when I ask that, the answer to that question is, simply, no.
It is an important question. Most of us have a lot of fun shots documenting everyday life on a smartphone. Those funny, little moments. But, how many of us own an amazing fine art image that showcases your pet’s personality and would be worthy of being displayed on a wall in your home or cottage? Or, one that celebrates the relationship and life you’ve created with your pet at a particular moment of their life? Those images are precious, especially once that phase of your dog’s life (be it puppyhood, the prime of their life, or the senior years) have passed. And, it is what Posh Pets™ Photography specializes in.
It’s how I came to meet Gus on a drizzly afternoon. It had threatened rain all morning, but we decided to go ahead with the session, mostly because Gus was soon going to be moving south to the United States. His human told me later that he looked at a number of pet photographers, but wanted more than just a ‘head shot’…he wanted a portrait of Gus. So, please meet Gus, a beautiful wheaten terrier with a selection of his Autumn portraits.
The leaves had mostly fallen off the trees, but the colours on the ground made Gus’ coat look stunning. We went for a walk in his favourite park – the only strange part to Gus was that we kept stopping to create an image every so often. He was more than happy to do so, as long as there was adequate ‘compensation’ in the form of yummy treats!
He’s such a happy boy, but I was told that Gus’ greatest quality was his loyalty. He loves his family fiercely. It also became apparent that he can strike a pose…I mean, just look at that sexy leg. 😉
And, he can also pull off a great head tilt.
Of course, we ended the session with the requisite ‘head shot’, capturing Gus’ gorgeous eyes.
In the end, Gus’ family purchased two beautiful wall portraits and a gorgeous folio box, filled with art prints. The portraits will take their place beside the portraits of Gus’ predecessor.
Has this whet your appetite to create gorgeous images of your furry family member? If so, and you would like to arrange a session with Posh Pets™ Photography, the place to start is here.
Nov 17, 2015
So, this is Toby. He’s a downtown dog. He’s the cutest, little Jack Russell Terrier just abounding with energy. He spends most of his days with his girl, Sarah, who he adores fiercely. And, let me tell you, the feeling is mutual.
We wanted to create a custom Posh Pets session that would showcase Toby’s personality, his city, and his relationship with his favourite human.
The other requirement was that the final images that would be quite clearly summer-y, with a beautiful blue sky and great sunlight. We rescheduled the session a couple of times before we got the perfect day.
Look at that light!
Playing on the beach by the water (and in the water) is a past time of Toby’s. We had to get an image of him with his girl by the water. After this, he was in the water…
And then there was this image. Often times during the pre-session consultation, a client will reveal that there is one image they really want to have. For Sarah, it was an image of Toby and the CN Tower. There are logistics associated with such a photograph, for a dog is such a small creature and the CN Tower, well…it’s tall. But, we found an angle, a rock and an awesome sunrise to show it all off. Of course, this image got printed big!
Thanks Toby for all the fun we had that morning. You are a sweetheart. May your years together with Sarah be long and happy!
Oct 22, 2015
I love these two gorgeous golden retriever boys! Jake and Mack are an uncle-nephew dog duo who make their home in Toronto. Mack is a 4 year old bundle of excitement who loves his family, loves to get to know you and find out what you are doing, and loves his treats (he’s the slightly more portly of the two). So, when I showed up with treats in hand, needless to say, I was a hit. Jake is the more quiet and serious one. At 7 years of age, he has definitely calmed down, and now, he is facing some serious health issues. Which is why his family called Pets Photography – they wanted some lovely images of their boys while they were still together.
This gorgeous portrait of them on their family’s front porch was lots of fun to create. One of the first things clients will often tell me is that their dog is not reliable must remain on leash. I always assure them that is perfectly fine. It was the same with Jake and Mack. We were quite obviously at the front of their house without any fencing or other barriers to keep them safe. It necessitated using their leashes and those leashes needed to be held by Mom and Dad. In fact, the humans are actually hiding in the alcove to either side of that front door. The magic of post-editing removed any trace of them and the leashes in the final image. Which leaves everyone to stare and admire the amazing smiles on the *obedient* doggies.
There’s something wonderful about a dog’s smile, usually shown by them opening their mouth and letting their tongue come out. But, Mack’s tongue is epic. It certainly suits his goofy, fun-loving personality.
Every Posh Pets‘ session is a relaxed, fun affair and, if the dogs enjoy it, some running around and playing. It is wonderful to have images of your dog’s unbridled enthusiasm for a ball and the feeling of the grass between their paws. Capturing these two boys larking about with each other in their backyard was such a joy for me and them!
There is also plenty of time for quiet, reflective portraits. The kind of artwork that you will want to display proudly on your wall.
We often end a session with an image that is a ‘slice of life’. Here, Jake, after a session of playing, posing, sitting, eating treats and just generally being gorgeous, relaxes in his front hallway on the cool floor. Where he has so many times before.
Jake and Mack, thank you for welcoming me into your lives for those few short hours. It was quite honestly a joy to meet you and photograph you. In my memory, you will always be together, romping around and spreading happiness wherever you go.
Aug 24, 2015
This past Saturday was perfect weather! Which was great because Posh Pets was thrilled to be at the annual SwissRidge Kennels Doodleromp event, this year being hosted by the Pine Tree Pet Care Centre in Guelph. Doodles from all around were there for one huge play date with their litter mates, their cousins and distant relatives. And to raise money for Autism Dog Services who do great work in selecting, training and providing service dogs to families. It was a great turnout!
Each year Doodleromp raises money for a worth cause. Last year’s recipient received his service dog, Ollie from Swiss Ridge Kennels. It’s quite apparent that Shay and Ollie have become fast friends 🙂
Shay got to show off some of the tricks he and Ollie have worked on together. Some of the other doodles wanted to come up and personally congratulate them.
Others had tricks to show off as well.
But, many spent the day running and chasing and playing…
…while others found a cool piece of shade to relax in.
Gibbs was one of the stars – he is so petite and cute. I saw more than one person who wanted to tuck him in a bag and carry him off. Look at that pink tongue!
I even had a brush with celebrity in the form of Riggins. He has his own book Golden Boy and his mom is author Sandy Rideout. I was so pleased that he agreed to sit and pose for a casual portrait. And, he turned on the charm when he flashed his awesome smile!
Of course, the amazing Zolo was there, holding court. Her human is Karley Gittens, an awesome graphic designer, who also works tirelessly to organize the DoodleRomp event each year. I photographed this beautiful girl a couple of years ago when she was still a puppy. It was so nice to be able to catch up with her again.
Blizzard is Zolo’s younger brother and a new addition to the family. He easily outweighs her, but is such a loveable boy!
Jax was a tiny 4-month old puppy last time I saw him (which was last year’s Doodleromp). He has grown into a gorgeous boy. His picture then…
…and now.
I also got to meet tiny, petite Basil and her little human who were happy to stop for a quick portrait.
By the end of the day, everyone agreed – it was a great Doodleromp!
Aug 20, 2015
I love it when I get calls from people looking for the perfect gift for a dog lover and they have decided on a Posh Pets Gift Certificate. It’s a double-dose of awesomeness. Firstly, the givers are invariably incredible people who have really searched for a personal, completely customized gift for their family member or friend. And then, I have the opportunity to meet the dog or cat lover themselves and their adorable pet. What more could I ask for! It is in this way that I came to know Dougie (an obvious fan of the Maple Leafs), and one of the cutest, full-of-personality boston terriers I have ever met. His mom is pretty cool too and she loves Dougie dearly.
After some discussion, his mom picked Dougie’s favourite park on an early week-day morning for his session. It’s where he goes rambling almost every day, and given the fact that practically every single person we met during our session knew Dougie by name, I’d say he’s a bit of a celebrity.
Dougie was careful to be out in front showing us the way around. But, as the ever careful leader, he never got too far ahead. If we lagged a little too much, he would stop, turn around and patiently wait for us to catch up.
Often, we saw the back of him. Which gave him an opportunity to show off his great terrier derrière. (Hey, it rhymes!)
Dougie was more than happy to introduce me to ‘his’ lookout. And then he flashed his beautiful smile!
Dougie is a trooper too. Always up for fun, he was willing to stand in grasses that clearly came way, way, way over his head! And produce a head-tilt, no less!
The fence post – the entrance to many awesome smells and trails to explore. Come on guys – what are we waiting for?
We ended the session with some amazing portraits of this beautiful boy in a bed of red needles. This image hangs large in a place of honour in Dougie’s home.
It was such a pleasure photographing this little guy and creating an amazing folio box filled with fine-art matted prints. You can see more of the products Dougie has in his home on the Posh Pets Instagram page (@dogphotographer). I know that I smile whenever I see his charming face.
Has this post got you wanting to design a custom session for your pet? If so, the place to start is here.
Jul 21, 2015
The hot, sticky, humid days are upon us in Toronto! Even so, the dogs at Toronto Animal Services seems to enjoy getting out and letting their paws enjoy the grass. (The treats and belly rubs may also add to their joy.) It’s such fun to meet and photograph these gorgeous furry faces each week.
Yesterday, we had an abundance of little brown and tan doggies. It’s like they all decided to match the background! Along with a black and white coat or two, and you have one group of great-looking guys and girls. Introducing this week’s group of eager adoptables…
My last little ones were Nigel and Sophia, a sweet natured bonded pair. Sophia is an 8 year old Yorkie mix and Nigel appears to be about 5 years old. TAS would love for them to find a home together. So, if you know anyone looking for a couple of best friends, please pass this on!
Jul 14, 2015
Posh Pets clients are truly dedicated to getting beautiful images. I think
Afarin’s first words to me were, “I’d really like to have a photography session amongst the cherry blossoms in High Park.” At least those were the first words I completely processed and, with them, two things crossed my mind: One, the trees were already in full bloom which meant we had a total of about 48 hours to still catch them at their peak. And, two, the park is completely crawling with people that time of year because they too, want to see the blooms at peak. So, getting images without hordes of people in the background can be a formidable challenge.
I took a deep breath and asked her if she was serious. Yes. Yes, she was.
So, we went into super-hero mode and planned the entire session right at that moment (a 7-month old Chow puppy and a 7-year old toy Pomeranian), ensured that we could both move a few prior commitments around and agreed to meet at 6:45 a.m. the following morning. Starting a session at that time of the morning sounds a bit crazy, but it meant that there were less people (although surprisingly, there were quite a few). And, the light was gorgeous.
That morning I met Bijou and Yoshi and fell in love instantly. Don’t let the size of a toy pomeranian fool you – Bijou is quite firmly the ‘girl boss’ of this duo. Yoshi may be 10 times her size and full of drooling, puppy silliness, but Bijou was always waiting patiently for him to realize that photography sessions are serious business. She came dressed in pearls and there was no way she was going home without beautiful images. I’m very happy to say that that is exactly what Bijou got. Here’s a sampling of the some of the images we created that morning…
We got a family portrait (or two or three)…
No trip to High Park is complete without photograph by the Magnolia tree. With the little princess herself, of course.
High Park has tons of locations to explore, but this was special to Afarin. That amazing golden morning light is only available to those who wake up early.
A couple of formal portraits of the babies themselves.
And together:
We were literally stopped everywhere we went because of this good-looking brother and sister pair…
And finally, we ended up in front of one of the most iconic skylines in the world.
I loved this session and how it came together! And Afarin was thrilled (you can read her review here).
A custom-designed session is what Posh Pets is all about. Taking the time to plan means creating images that are meaningful to you and truly capture the memories of you and your pets. If you are interested in having your own session, I’d love to hear from you.
POSH PETS BOUTIQUE™ SESSIONS
- Pre-session Design Consult that ensures we create images you will be thrilled with.
- The result is gorgeous custom artwork showcasing 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.
