Khaleesi | Toronto Puppy Photography Series

Khaleesi | Toronto Puppy Photography Series

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.
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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!
dog photographer ontario

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!
dog photography ontario
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.
dog photographer ontario
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.
dog photography ontario
Finally a portrait in the leaves. Afterall, it is a beautiful time of year in Toronto.
hamilton dog photographer with boy
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.

  • 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.
Bella, Maya & Windy | Pet Photography in the Dominican Republic

Bella, Maya & Windy | Pet Photography in the Dominican Republic

Last week, the Posh Pets‘ family got to the see sun! Getting away to enjoy sunny days, blue skies and sandy beaches is reason enough to go, but this time we had an extra special reason – my sister-in-law’s wedding in the Dominican Republic. Las Terrenas de Samana, to be exact, and just so you all know I am not kidding when I say it is gorgeous, here is what you see as you drive from the airport.

Samana Penninsula, Dominican Republic

Now, at this point, you would expect me to be sharing with you wedding photos. But nope, I’ve done a count – I have 51 images from the wedding and over 300 images of various dogs and cats!  (You know you are a pet photographer when…) So instead, let me introduce you to Bella, Maya and Windy, 3 “siblings” that make their home in the Dominican Republic along with their humans.  First up, was lovely Windy, who has a “sad puppy” face that melts your heart.

sad beagle face lying on floor

But, then she was quite accommodating and willing to pose like a super model.

beagle sitting beside green bushes

Beautiful Bella who won me over with her quiet spirit.

beautiful dog sitting by bushes

And then I met Maya who made me laugh…her papa was a mastiff and the result is that her head looks like it is too big for the rest of her body. But, she can certainly do the head tilt!

dog with head tilt mastiff

However, the goal of this session was to capture a family portrait of all of them together. I was told that they really, really, really wanted this image, and to tell you the truth, I had no idea if we could get it. During my short time on the island, it quickly became apparent that Dominican dogs are very different from Canadian dogs. Their entire lifestyle is different – they live outside where they can come and go as they like and are usually employed in protecting the property and their family. In short, they don’t play with toys, they don’t do tricks, they easily block out any noises that would assist you in getting their attention, and they are not accustomed to being ‘posed’ in any sort of fashion. But, it was a challenge we were going to take up.

I wish I had the space to share with you all of the ‘outtakes’ that happened before this image was finally created. We had tongues sticking out, faces turned away, doggie bums toward the camera and one fall into a very thorny bush (ouch!). But, in the end, my camera tells me that it took only 1/200 of a second to get this. Makes it sound easy-peasy, right?  😉

group shot 3 dogs and 2 peopleWe ended the high energy session in the blazing sun (read: very HOT) with this…a beautiful statement on the relationship the three dogs share with their people.

black and white sunny garden 3 dogs

Would you like to immortalize your ‘pack’ in a family portrait? We can do that in Canada too! See our Investment page for your options and then contact Posh Pets Photography here. Hope to welcome you to the Posh Pets family soon!