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.