Jul 13, 2012
Ever heard of selective hearing? Apparently, it was an ailment I suffered from all through my teenage years…I listened to what I wanted, and simply “did not hear” the rest. (Of course, the parts that I did not hear were usually the good advice from my parents or anything else that would have been beneficial…)
Selective focus is similar, except it is done very deliberately. It is a technique to have the viewer focus on a particular area of the image, without the photographer having to say a word. This way the viewer can more easily hone in on the parts that are important and disregard the rest.
In honour of this theme, the Posh Pets‘ image was taken on Monday at the shelter. Here is little Kirby, who likes to play hide and seek with the photographer. He wasn’t particularly fond of the camera, so I had to use a long lens so that he would have his personal space. You can see though, that he always had his eyes on me, even as he took refuge in amongst the plants. Focusing on tiny, little Kirby threw the greenery out of focus and now you can clearly see his cute little expression, completely and utterly focused on me.
Kirby is also focused on finding his forever family. You are most welcome to come meet him and his shelter pals at Toronto Animal Services (North Region)!
Next in the blog ring is San Diego Pet Photographer, Karla Ogilvie. Please click through to see what she and the rest of the Beautiful Beasties gang came up with this week!
Jul 12, 2012
It was a fine winter morning when the Posh Pets team set out to meet Sally, a beautiful corgi mix. At 13 years old, she was definitely a senior and unfortunately had developed some heart problems. That meant that she was moving a little slower and tired more easily. But, there was absolutely nothing wrong with her figurative heart! It literally brimmed over with love for her humans – and it was clear that they loved her dearly right back. In fact, Sally’s session was a gift from the family to her mom and dad because they knew what an important part Sally was in their lives. And so, we spent a lovely morning together capturing some beautiful images of a very sweet and happy dog.
All too soon, Sally passed away. Such a devastating loss to a family who loved her so much and in whose schedule she was very much a part of. I am told that she enjoyed many a car ride around town, sitting in the passenger seat, next to her Dad. She is mourned in the neighbourhood by the many friends (furry faces and humans) she had, and who now must find a way to cope with her absence. Sally was even famous – for she had been featured in a newspaper article not long ago. She will be missed because she made the live of those around her better.
Sally, you were truly loved and every day with you was cherished by those around you. Your mom and dad would brag about your intelligence and loyalty because they were soooo proud of you, and because, quite simply, they adored you. Your images are stunning and I know that they will continue to be shared far and wide. It was an honour to have met you and captured your sweet spirit.
Jul 10, 2012
Yesterday was a beautiful morning as I headed off to meet the furry faces at Toronto Animal Services – lots of kitties and a quite a few dogs make up this week’s group! Please check them out and share their images so that they can find their forever homes soon! If you are interested in finding out additional information, please contact TAS directly. The Posh Pets’ Facebook page will have their ID numbers, which will help identify them.
See you all next week!
Jun 22, 2012
Our theme for this week was to show how angles play a part in our photographic style. For me, I really enjoy the look of shooting from a height down on my furry subjects. I also love it when they “cock” their head at a cute little angle. This image, incorporate both of those favourites, makes my day! Jet is one of the adoptables available at the Toronto Animal Services, if you would like to see him strike this pose in person…
Next in the blog roll is Fort McMurray Pet Photographer KLAD Photography. Hi Kelly!
Jun 18, 2012
Just came home from Toronto Animal Services – North Region, where I met this group of furry faces all awaiting their forever homes. If you see someone that interests you, please contact TAS directly and arrange a meeting!
We’ll see you next week!
Jun 13, 2012
Welcome to this week’s available Adoptables Round-Up at Toronto Animal Services. Each of these furry faces is looking for a forever home, so be sure to check them out on the Posh Pets facebook page as well at the TAS page. And please share their images with those you know…let’s help them find families who will love them!
See you next week!
Jun 1, 2012
This week’s theme was “rescue” and we were free to interpret that in any way we felt. As many already know, this was an especially emotional week for the Posh Pets family as we said good-bye to Ripley, our 17.5 year old orange tabby. For those who follow this blog, you have ‘met’ Ripley many times as he was often the subject of my camera as we worked through our weekly challenges. To suddenly not have him around anymore is a huge shock, but my husband, Lady Jane (our other cat) and I are learning a new routine and slowly getting past the initial heartbreak.
I’ve spent some time this week going through old photos of Ripley. As you can imagine, I started photographing him almost immediately from the day he came home and into our lives. Going through these images has been wonderful. We have laughed and we have cried, but they have brought back such wonderful memories that I am so glad I spent the money I did on film. (As a side point, I have also been astounded at how horrible a photographer I was 16+ years ago!) In doing so however, I came across two images that made me gasp just a little, for I had forgotten about them.
They were taken in December 2009 and January 2010 (my metadata tells me so) as I was starting to toss an idea around that I wanted to photograph pets exclusively. I remember thinking that that was probably not possible, but that there was no harm in dreaming. And playing in photoshop. And so, without any intention of ever showing this to the world, I pretended that I had a gallery show, complete with fine art prints, and came up with this:
Looking at them now, I do not think that either of these two photographs are particularly any good. My style has developed since then and has actually changed quite a bit. But what does startle me are the two little words below my Karen Weiler Photography business name. Posh Pets.
Those two words were the beginning of a little idea that I never dreamed would become the reality of Posh Pets Photography today. Looking at them now, I laugh as I know that the name came to me quite by accident as I was simply playing around.
More importantly though, these two documents are evidence of how integral both Ripley and Lady Jane were to the start of Posh Pets (even if I did not realize it then) and how much of what I do today is because of them. I volunteer once a week to photograph shelter animals because I know what joy and happiness giving a homeless animal a home can bring. Ripley and Lady Jane have taught me personally how much these little creatures give and how little they ask for in return. And I offer custom photography sessions for pets because I know that there are families everywhere who treasure their pets like a member of their family. And because, when these lovely souls eventually leave us, we want images to hold on to.
So, yes, Ripley and Lady Jane both originally came to us from shelters and therefore fit the classic definition of a rescue. But the paw prints they have left in my life and the huge influence they have had on my work has shaped me. They made me realize what it was I wanted to do. I may have ‘rescued’ them from a shelter many years ago, but they have spent the many years since that day taking care of me…
PS: Forgive me for not taking a new image this week…this is a story I wanted to tell.
Who else was rescued this week? Next in our blog ring is Unleashed! Pet Portraits in Victoria, British Columbia. Let’s go visit her!
May 28, 2012
What a lovely morning to head down to the Toronto Animal Services (North Region) and meet a fresh group of furry faces! We headed outside before it got too hot to photograph the doggies and then back inside to see the kitties. I loved meeting (and cuddling) all of you!
Here are the doggies!
And here are the kitties!
Thanks so much for checking these guys out. Please feel free to share their images with anyone who would enjoy them and especially for those who are looking for a special pet in their life. As always, they will be featured on the Posh Pets Facebook page throughout the week where you can read a little more about them. If you would like to see them in “person”, please contact Toronto Animal Services (North Region) directly at (416) 338-8723.
See you next week!
May 21, 2012
Today may be a holiday for most happy people in Canada, but Posh Pets still headed off to Toronto Animal Services – North Region to photograph the furry faces awaiting their forever homes. It was a gorgeous day outside which is entirely appropriate the for the holiday weekend that, in the minds of many, starts the summer season!
Please note that a number of the dogs are not quite ready for adoption – in most cases they are going for their spay and neuter tomorrow. But then, it will be all systems go! Please feel free to contact Toronto Animal Services directly and inquire about any of these lovely guys and gals here.
Enjoy your holiday!
May 18, 2012
Project 52 is back this week with a fun challenge! And by that, I mean a challenge. We were to produce an image that would showcase more than one animal. As you can imagine, this can be a little daunting – trying to get multiple pets within one frame, all looking cute, takes time and imagination and sometimes, a little bit of serendipity. Well, just to make things a little more challenging, I decided to photograph 3 dogs that were currently awaiting forever homes at Toronto Animal Services. Imagine…three dogs, running free within in a shelter environment, with absolutely no one to assist me. Was that crazy? Probably, yes. But, I think you will agree that the final Posh Pets image is a keeper!
I would like to take a moment to tell you a a little more about this cute boy trio. Toby, on the left, has a wee bit of an issue – his tongue is always hanging out like that due to the fact that he has no teeth on that side and a probable neurological issue. It gives him a perpetual goofy expression. Maxie, the Shih Tzu in the middle, was surrendered by his previous owner with a badly ulcerated eye that, unfortunately, needed to be removed. He is doing remarkably well adjusting to having just one eye. Hubert, the cutie on the right, is a lovely boy, but will need a bit of a strong lead to have him trained properly. However, they all got along with each other famously. Which just goes to show…if you look past the imperfections, you can find friends anywhere!
Now, adoption photos tend to be one animal per image so that prospective human parents can see who they are asking about. So, here are their final images. Enjoy!
Next in the blog circle is Boston Dog Photographer, Kaylee Greer. Please see what groups of animals she and the rest of the Beautiful Beasties gang photographed this week! And don’t forget to have a nice, long weekend (if you live in Canada)!
May 17, 2012
Here are this week’s little furry faces – and this week they are all fine felines! You can meet each of these little guys at Toronto Animal Services (North Region). And, as always, they are being featured on the Posh Pets facebook page, so you can check them out there too with a little more information about them. Posh Pets really would appreciate you sharing their lovely images so that they can find their forever homes. Here we go….!
See you next week!
May 14, 2012
Happy Monday! And…I just realized that I did not post these from last week – the adoptables available at Toronto Animal Services (North Region)! For those who do not know, Posh Pets heads to the shelter each week and photographs the lovely furry faces awaiting their forever homes. It is truly wonderful to return the next week and find out who has found their new families!
We are heading off again this morning, so there will be a whole new group to look at later! See you then!
