Eleanor Rigby

This weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Eleanor Rigby also known as "Ellie". She was a little over 5 lbs of Doxie/Chihuahua/Poodle goodness! She was so tiny I was sure she was just a puppy, but was actually full grown! There was a strong and chilly wind on Sunday, but we made it through. The wind caused Ellie's ears to do some pretty funny moves!

Notice this time it's her left ear...

And now her right one!

And back to both ears up... she is ready to fly away!

Ellie is not a fan of wearing her coat, even in the freezing cold, but I managed to snap some pics while she waddled around in her warm and fuzzy attire.

You have to look closely, but notice Ellie's legs in the next two pics. They are crossed over each other. This happened right after a very friendly dog came over and started jumping on Sara trying to get to Ellie. The crossed legs are saying "I will not be violated!

Despite the cold, it was a really beautiful day. The sky was so pretty.

Having a reflective moment.

And kisses to end the session of course! Thanks Sara for having me be a part of your adorable doggie's photos. I had tons of fun, even in the cold!

Behind this Collar

So, I have always been a believer that everything happens for a reason. Some people might find this theory whimsical or corny, but I know it to be true. No matter what happens in life, no matter how far down you may be, every event in life happens for a specific reason to lead you where you are ultimately supposed to be.

For example, the other day I was compelled to search for dog businesses on whitepages.com in an effort to expand my networking and marketing. I found a business called "Behind this Collar" who was actually listed under animal hospitals for some reason. Regardless, I sent the business an e-mail introducing myself and asking if they would be interested in displaying some of my doggy photo shoot flyers for me. As we began corresponding, I learned exactly what their business was really about and quickly discovered how both of our businesses were a perfect compliment to each other! Sherri, their founder, specializes in creating designed-for-you shadow boxes to commemorate your pet's milestones.

A little light bulb went off in my head... pet shadow boxes.... well, what do you put in shadow boxes? Photos of course! I noticed she did not currently have a vendor or a contact for photography under her "products" page. So, we have agreed to post our business info on each others websites and are very excited to see how this will help us grow. Check out my website http://www.fixyourimages.com/ and click on "Enter Website". Then click on "Behind this Collar" to see the new addition on my site!

I truly believe this was no accident that I stumbled across Sherri's website. And "everything happens for a reason" is showing its meaning once again. To my past customers, check out Sherri's website and consider ordering a custom shadow box, using the photos from your doggy photo shoot. It will be a memory you will treasure forever!

Ginger Snap

I love dogs so much, that I will even take their photos outdoors when it's below zero wind chills! According to the weather channel, it felt like 16 below zero to be exact, during yesterday's shoot. This is a huge sign of my passion for dog photography, because I absolutely despise the cold. I would rather be boiling lava hot than freezing cold on any day. But, I would never miss an opportunity to capture a furry baby.

We planned on going to the park for the session, but decided my backyard might be an easier place to zip in and out for photos in this chilly weather. (and BONUS - I was able to use my new portrait lens indoors on this photo shoot.) Ginger is a Pomeranian rescued from a shelter by her mommy Bernadette. Ginger was a little nervous at first, but warmed up to me quickly, as all my client's dogs have. Ginger even let me pick her up, which Bernadette advised normally does not go as smoothly with strangers as it did with me. I love hearing these comments because it makes me feel like I am "the dog whisperer" of photography and really confirms to me that this is what I am meant to be doing in life. Thank you again for trusting your adorable baby girl with me Bernadette!


Check out Ginger's smile!

She was so playful in the snow. I love watching dogs frolic in this weather!

One of my favorites with Bern and her fur baby. Look, they both have their eyes closed in bliss at the same time.

Her high-fives are so adorable!

I will end with this photo because Bernadette told me this captured her personality best. Isn't she hysterical?

Happy 1st Birthday Remington!

OK, so by now, you probably realize I am a photographer who especially loves dogs. You might also have seen a zillion photos of Remington, my Miniature Schnauzer fur baby. Being the spoiled rotten little boy he is, it should come as no surprise that he will be having a birthday paw-ty with his best friend Murphy tonight (also turning 1!) Complete with cake, paw-ty favors and hats of course. Remington had a pre-photo shoot yesterday in his birthday hat. He will have a new sweater and be freshly groomed tonight though, so stay tuned for pics from the big night!

Before & After - Color Correction

Recently a client e-mailed me to see if I could do anything to improve this photo of her granddaughter. I love new challenges and being able to restore a memory that may appear beyond hope at first glance.


After - Option 1 (color was corrected, red eye removed and background blurred to focus more on subject only)


After - Option 2 (color was altered to Sepia, red eye removed and background blurred to focus more on subject only)

101 in 1001

Melissa Jill is one of my favorite well-known and successful photographers. She is down to earth, responds individually to her many blog comments, offers helpful tips and advice and has an adorable miniature schnauzer, just like me! She is one of my inspirations and shared a project on her blog known as 101 in 1001. This is where you write down 101 goals and ideally they would be complete in 1001 days. Documenting the dates you complete each goal and even blogging about the accomplishment is important also. So, here are my 101 personal and professional goals. The 1001 day deadline would be October 3, 2012. Plenty of time, right?! Wish me luck!

1. Volunteer at an animal shelter
2. Create a logo and brand for my website - completed 2-1-10
3. Book 50 dog shoots
4. Photograph another wedding - going to complete 4-8-10
5. Give my maid of honor speech at Lisa’s wedding - going to complete 9-18-10
6. Attend a photography workshop
7. Update my blog to display categories and to be more integrated with website
8. Blog daily for a month
9. Go back to the Bahamas
10. See Katt Williams live
11. Learn to swim
12. Throw Remmy a birthday party - completed 1-8-10
13. Visit Colorado
14. Buy another camera lens
15. Bring Remmy to the lake and teach him to swim
16. Update business cards - completed 2-1-10
17. Finish basement/media room
18. Find land to purchase for building our next home
19. Have more playdates with Remmy and friends
20. Give more thought to having a child someday
21. Be more assertive
22. Play a real round of golf
23. Make a new friend
24. Achieve the ability to master a tack sharp photo
25. Buy some new props for photo shoots
26. Read a book
27. Bake cookies
28. Enlarge my favorite Remington photos and frame them
29. Give Remington more photo shoots
30. Be a vendor to showcase my photography - going to complete 5-16-10
31. Take a road trip and find interesting areas to photograph
32. Enter photos to dog photo contests
33. Travel to Europe
34. Gain more recognition in newspapers
35. Order more marketing supplies
36. Order thank you personalized cards to send to past clients
37. Donate old clothing to the needy
38. Go to the spa
39. Learn to make sushi
40. Buy an upgraded version of Lightroom & learn new features
41. Play in the snow
42. Keep Remington in style
43. Spend more time with family
44. Pray more
45. Remember to be thankful for my blessings
46. Tell someone how much they mean to me
47. Become a member of a photography association
48. Continue to take part in the annual Lupus Walks
49. Find new locations for dog photo shoots
50. Visit local vets and animal hospitals to market my business
51. Have neighbors over for a BBQ
52. Watch a sunset
53. Become a member of the ASPCA and sponsor an animal
54. Go to a pumpkin patch
55. Meet Melissa Jill and Dixie Dog
56. Remember to use the elliptical
57. Tone down on the chocolate - realized already this might be impossible...
58. Upgrade blog to use larger photos
59. Donate gift certificates for photo shoots to a good cause - completed 1-15-10 (dog park silent auction)
60. Visit dog parks more
61. Attend church more frequently
62. Have a deck night with close friends
63. Have lunch with hubby
64. Visit Dan’s grandma in Charleston again
65. Get a massage
66. Attempt to be less OCD
67. Reconnect with September Morn, a past mentor - completed 1-7-10
68. Call my grandparents more often
69. Go to Las Vegas for the first time
70. Find more photographer's blogs for inspiration - completed 1-29-10
71. Be excited to turn 30
72. Help my dad find a new job after being laid off
73. Reach 500 fans on my Facebook page
74. Help a deserving family during the holiday
75. Take a self defense class
76. Have a margarita with Erin P.
77. Continue to celebrate dating anniversaries with Dan
78. Attend an Mj2 Day
79. Redesign splash page on my website - completed 2-1-10
80. Bake a turkey
81. Find new Facebook groups to join and market more - ongoing and completed 2-1-10
82. Return to the Overland Park Botanical Gardens with my Mom
83. Enlighten myself on the whole “Twilight” obsession
84. Learn to fish
85. Go back to the New Theatre Restaurant
86. See an Opera
87. Pay off my student loan
88. Learn how Logan hunts and learn the proper way to handle a gun
89. Run through the fountains near Crown Center
90. Increase my verbal communication skills
91. Collect more shells in the Caribbean
92. Complete a new scrapbook
93. Upgrade my point and shoot camera
94. Have a professional manicure and pedicure
95. Try yoga again
96. Submit an article for publication in Dog Fancy
97. Surprise Dan with a delivery to his office
98. Have an overnight date night with Hubby
99. Go to a winery we have not been to before
100. Mail a Christmas letter with my cards
101. Document which goals I have completed, along the way, on this list

My Furry Model

It is amazing how life moves you in the right direction when you least expect it. I would have never thought when I was in college, studying Journalism & Psychology that I would someday fall in love with photography and photo restoration and form my own business.

Since I began specializing in dog photography, I have felt I really found my purpose in life. When I was a little girl, I wrote articles that were published in dog magazines about my Lhasa Apsos. I remember dreaming of working at animal shelters, hoping to save every homeless and mistreated dog imaginable, working as a dog groomer, or studying to become a Vet, but life took me on a different path. However, that passion for animals, particularly dogs, has always been in my heart.

When I broadened my photo restoration services into a photography business as well, I quickly learned my passion and talent was photographing dogs. My fur baby Remington is my model, my furry companion and my inspiration to keep moving forward and enhance my dog photography skills. Here are some recent photos taken with my new portrait style f/1.8 lens.

And stay tuned for a new 101 in 1001 goals post! This is a project I read on another photographer's blog who I admire. So, I am going to begin laying out my 101 goals which would ideally be completed in 1001 days. Sounds scary, but I am up for the challenge!