Swissridge DoodleRomp

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!

CB2 Dog Photography

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.

CB2 Dog Photography

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!

Find the full photo gallery here (click on photo, below):

little dog chasing big dog
woman feeding group of dogs
running dog
running golden doodle
bernedoodle playing
man and golden doodle posing for photo
sitting pup in grass
running dog with canadian flag
dog walking towards camera
dog headshot
children playing with dogs
dog running at picnic
dog and woman hugging
dog kisses woman
dog and woman hugging
dog with bandana and big tongue
small dog running
dog running towards camera
dogs running at camera with group behind them
black dog playing
black and brown dog chasing each other
golden doodle laying in grass

Myca, The Director of Happiness |dog@work Toronto

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.

dog photography ontario

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.

dog photographer ontario

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!

dog photography ontario

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 😉 )

dog photographer ontario

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.

dog photography ontario

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

hamilton dog photographer with boy

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.

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

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!

dog photographer ontario
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.
dog photography ontario
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!
dog photography ontario
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.
dog photographer ontario
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.
hamilton dog photographer with boy
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.
dog photography ontario
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

SwissRidge Doodle Romp of 2017 | Toronto Dog Event

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…

Toronto Service Dog Photographer

Jack

Best dog photographer in GTA

Tiny little Rowdy!

George

Emma

Toronto pet photographer, Posh Pets Photography

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

Best Toronto Dog Photographer

Stella

Premier Toronto Dog Photographer

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

Toronto exclusive dog photographer

Bernie – the beautiful black beauty!

Toronto commercial animal photographer

Eala, running with the wind in her hair!

Dog action photography in Toronto, Canada

Buddy

Toronto commercial pet photographer

Rocky getting a well-deserved belly rub.

Toronto commercial dog photographer

Pearl & Stella

tiny doodle photographer

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!

The Making of a Perfect Morning | Sunrise Session™

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.

Toronto skyline at sunrise with dog
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!

Bernedoodle at Sunrise

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

DoodleRomp – SwissRidge Kennels | Guelph, Ontario Dog Photography

DoodleRomp – SwissRidge Kennels | Guelph, Ontario Dog Photography

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!

SwissRidge Kennels doodleromp group shot

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 🙂

doodle service dogautism dog services ollie

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.

autism dog services

Others had tricks to show off as well.

bernedoodle shaking a pawgolden doodle with cheese on his nose

But, many spent the day running and chasing and playing…

chocolate brown doodle runningbernedoodle runningtri-colour doodle running

…while others found a cool piece of shade to relax in.

golden doodle under tentgolden doodle smilewhite doodlebernedoodle smile

golden doodle relaxing

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!

mini bernedoodle 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!

golden doodle portrait

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.

golden doodle

Blizzard is Zolo’s younger brother and a new addition to the family. He easily outweighs her, but is such a loveable boy!

bernedoodle portraitbernedoodle portrait standing

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…
puppy-labradoodle-pet-photographer

…and now.

jax the golden doodle

I also got to meet tiny, petite Basil and her little human who were happy to stop for a quick portrait.

basil the mini doodle

By the end of the day, everyone agreed – it was a great Doodleromp!

doodle and his human