Look Back Photography

Mother & Son - Lucy & Rye - Olympia Pet Photographer

2011-03-12T13:27:00.000-08:00

Meet Lucy.

I have photographed Lucy a few times in the past & it was time for her 'winter' session.

Lucy is an accomplished sheep dog, running in the highest level in competition, which is referred to as the "open" level.

She is beautiful to watch work.

Her coloring combined with the tones from the grasses, trees and bushes set a lovely mood in these shots.

Lucy holds a special place in Monique's heart, it is easy to see why.

Lucy recently had a litter of puppies.

Monique, her owner kept one puppy to raise and eventually train on sheep. Meet Rye. Do you think he looks like his mother?

Rye has his mother's coloring.

And her work ethic.

One day soon, Rye will be working sheep.

Maybe next year I can take pictures of Rye working sheep in the snow.

It will be fun to watch him grow.

Hank - Tacoma Pet Photographer

2011-02-14T22:04:00.000-08:00

Hi, my name is Hank.

One day I will grow up to be a powerful sheep dog.

But today, I am still a puppy.

Ready to chew up your shoes.

Russ & Julie's Staffordshire Bull Terriers - Orting Pet Photographer

2011-01-11T22:38:00.000-08:00

Shortly after Christmas I had the opportunity to photograph two mischievous Staffordshire Bull Terriers owned by Russ and Julie.

Maverick is a little over a year old

His 'sister' Lilly is approximately 7 months old.

The camera loved her.

Miss Lilly has an opinion and she is not afraid to share it with everyone who will listen.

She doesn't hold back with her older brother either

Maverick is faster than Lil

And he takes the whole game of fetch much more seriously than the puppy minded Lilly.

Hence his success rate retrieving the ball for his 'mom'.

Then Lilly strikes...

She wants the ball

She will not be denied

A tugfest ensues!

She won!

Lilly has a mild cleft lip, which only adds to her charm.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are extremely loyal and loving dogs.

They are sometimes referred to as "nanny dogs' due to their devotion to the children in their family.

Strong & faithful

Playful

Silly

A joy to photograph.

Thank you Julie & Russ for letting me photograph Maverick and Lilly! I hope you like your pictures.

Ann's Samoyeds - Idaho Pet Photographer

2010-12-22T17:19:00.000-08:00

We spent Thanksgiving this year visiting friends in Caldwell Idaho. On Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, I shunned the mobs of shoppers, instead chose to sit out in the freezing (11 degrees F) cold and photograph two gorgeous Samoyeds. Gracie & Pogo

The sun was just rising, which bathed the field in a beautiful golden hue - and lit up Gracie's eyes.

The wind blew slighly, ruffling her fur

Gracie & Pogo explored together. Sniffing the air as it blew across the fields.

Gracie's 'sister' Pogo. I loved the difference in the color of their eyes, and nose. Pogo's nose is brown & her eyes photography much darker.

Their color was striking against the browned grasses

I especially liked the grasses & how they brought an interesting texture to the shots.

"Hi Pogo!"

A high shrill squeak gets their attention every time!

"AHHHHHH Incoming!"

Pogo

Gracie

They didn't stray far from their 'mom' Ann

They adore her.

Sitting at her feet.

Thank you, Ann for letting me photograph your incredible girls.

Their love for you shown brightly in their eyes.

Q the Puppy - Walla Walla Pet Photgrapher

2010-12-22T16:56:00.000-08:00

Meet Q. A five month old border collie puppy.

Q is his name, fun is his game. He stalks his next victim.

Gotcha!

"What is this little thing buzzing my face?"

"You are annoying"

"I am outta here! "

"Gotta shake this puppy!"

"Going to run, far and fast.....out of sight, out of mind"

"Ha ha ha ha! You cant catch me! I am footloose and puppy FREE!"

Q awaits his next victim

He spots her!

The chase is on...

Over hill, over dale...

Beth cant shake the puppy tail...

...as the puppy goes trailing along

Oh boy....

Does she look annoyed to you?

She has the patience of a saint...with puppies.

After growing bored with Beth, Q sits for a moment....evaluates his options.

He wanders, chases a leaf...then selects his next victim.

There he is...his new older brother, Tater.

He knows better than to harass his older sister Zoe. She does not tolerate puppy foolishness.

"I do not do puppies. They are beneath me. I am far too beautiful for immature boys."

He stalks...

Attack!

"Leave me alone you little weirdo!"

"Please take it with you when you go home?"

I am sorry Tater Man, your momma would kill me!

Hang in there, one day Q will discover sheep and your life will improve.

Kelly & Symon - Seattle Horse Photographer

2010-12-22T16:42:00.000-08:00

Kelly and her horse Symon.

This shoot brought back all the years I spent in love with horses. Horses were my very reason for existing. I lived, breathed, ate and dreamed horses.

The shoot was at the stable where Symon was boarded on his training vacation, prior to going back to the trainers barn.

The corral was less than photogenic but we worked with what we had. I ended up doing some heavy post processing (textures and layers) to most of the images as an attempt to salvage them from less than desirable back ground. All in all, we were happy with the results.

Hopefully we created some memories for Kelly to "Look Back" on in the future.

"In dealing with a girl or a horse, one lets nature take it's course." ~Fred Astaire

Every girl should have a horse

A horse can be a friend, steadfast companion

"There is something about riding down the street on a prancing horse that makes you feel like something, even when you ain't a thing." Will Rogers

God forbid that I should go to any Heaven in which there are no horses. ~R.B. Cunninghame Graham

"A horse is the projection of peoples' dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence" ~ Pam Brown

"Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion. It seizes a person whole and once it has done so, he/she will have to accept that his life will be radically changed." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire. ~Sharon Ralls Lemon

Ask me to show you poetry in motion, and I will show you a horse

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. ~Winston Churchill

There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse. ~Robert Smith Surtees

The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~Arabian Proverb

There is nothing quite like a girl and her horse

Nothing quite like it at all...

A Day at the Beach - Washington Pet Photographer

2010-12-22T16:14:00.000-08:00

Our personal dogs playing at Joemma State Park, Key Peninsula, WA

The beach is Ranger's favorite place on earth.

"I am at the beach, can't stand it, need to run around like a freak!"

"I'm at the beach, LOOK! WATER!"

"OhMydoG! Do you have a BALL!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?"

"Dad has a BALL! BALL BALL BALL BALL BALL!"

"OMdoG! BALL....BALL!"

"I see a ball in Dad's hand....I AM SO HAPPY!"

"Dad you got a ball for me now please?"

"OHMYDOGBALLBALLBALLBALLBALLBALLBALLBALLBALL!"

"BALL BALL BALL BALL BALL BALL BALL!"

Throw the ball throw the ball throw the ball throw the ball!

"I got it!"

"I said I got it!"

"REALLY, I GOT IT!"

Uh oh, Ranger ...Beth stole your ball.

Beth is a ball thief.

Beth you are going to regret dropping that ball!

HA HA! Brynn snatched it!

Bonnie makes a grab for it.

"Oh Hey! Hi Dad, we brought you the ball!"

"Are you gonna throw that ball again?"

Doodle & the Big Blue Jolly Ball - Yelm Pet Photographer

2010-12-22T16:00:00.001-08:00

This is Doodle, she is a senior border collie

Doodle, Ball Queen

She is in the ball zone.

Ever kick one of these hard Jolly Balls? Once you have, you wont do it again.

Unless this face is staring at you - then something stronger than the masochism tells you to kick it again, and again and again and again and again

Olympia Animal Services - Olympia Pet Photographer

2010-12-22T15:51:00.001-08:00

I was invited to Olympia Animal Services shelter in Lacey, WA to take pictures of the animals.

The kitties were first up. I started with two office kitties. This guy was laying in the "in-box" next to the computer monitor. His eyes hypnotize me.

Then there was this guy. I cant remember his name...I think it was Carl? Such a ham.

He posed for me so nicely.

I was seriously thinking about stuffing him into my camera bag and taking him home.

Then I saw this lovely young man.

My stars...what a handsome boy.

I didnt think my chances of stuffing two kitties in my camera bag were that good. I knew I had to find another plan when I saw this dapper young kitty.

Oh my...another one.

I want them all....

Meet Banjo, a lovely Goffin Cockatoo. I was totally smitten.

For some reason Banjo liked me too. He hopped up onto my camera and ran up my arm, where he played in my hair. That was the end of me.

Stick me with a fork...I am done.

Now that I was adopting 26 cats and a cockatoo, it was time for the dogs.

doG help me....WANT!

Such a gentle spirit.

Then we had comic relief with this energetic Jack Russell mix.

What a hyper, bouncy, wacknut! I was in love, again.

Could you imagine him with Ranger? Call the coroner, I would die.

This lovely little senior spaniel wormed her way into my heart.

Such a quiet soul.

Please adopt her.

I was ready to add a Rottweiler to our pack too, when I met this wonderful lady. Look at that face!

Immediately go to your shelter and adopt someone. They all deserve homes.

Whatcha waiting for? GO NOW!

He is waiting for you too...

Every shape, size, age...

Just waiting for you to take them home, so they can love you for the rest of their life.

Thank you for thinking of rescue FIRST!

If you would like to see more pictures from this shoot please click below

Olympia Animal Services Slideshow on Flickr

To view animals available for adoption at this shelter please visit their listing on Pet Finder.

Olympia Animal Services

Joy - Seattle Area Pet Photographer

2010-12-22T15:39:00.001-08:00

Definition of Joy: To take great pleasure; rejoice.

An intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness

The expression or manifestation of such a feeling

An outward show of pleasure or delight; rejoicing.

A deep feeling or condition of happiness or contentment: To enjoy

"Joy cometh in the morning" Bible: Psalms 5

"Irritation cometh from Ranger" Brynn: April 17th

Definition of Ranger: A source of irritation

A dog that annoys, especially by imposing itself when it is not wanted; nuisance

A troublesome dog. "He is always annoying me – he is an absolute pest!"

Synonym: nudnik - (Yiddish) someone who is a bothersome pest

Example of Joy

Exuberance

Bliss

Joy + Nudnik = Ranger

Calendar Contest - Border Collies in Action Calendar

2010-12-22T15:35:00.000-08:00

Three of our photographs will be featured in the Border Collies in Action 2011 calendar. Two will be featured on 'month' pages and one is an honorable mention and will be featured as a smaller photo.

Here are our pictures that were selected.

A portrait of "Brynn". This is one of my favorite pictures of her. You can see the kids reflected in her eyes and her expression shows how much she adores them. The way she has tilted her head is so typical for her - inquisitive and anticipating the next move. She is wet from playing in water - her second favorite thing in the world. Technically the picture is spot on perfect - but the back ground was less than desirable so I overlay-ed a texture to mask the ugliness behind her. I love the whole effect.

Technical Mumbo Jumbo:

Camera:	Canon EOS 7D
Exposure:	0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture:	f/5.0
Focal Length:	210 mm
ISO Speed:	400

"Ranger & Bonnie" Another one of my favorite shots. Just two dogs having fun racing through the water. What I really love about this shot is the fact that I did little to no post processing (other than a crop) just one of those lucky shots straight out of the camera that captured their personalities perfectly.

Technical Mumbo Jumbo:

Camera:	Canon EOS 7D
Exposure:	0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture:	f/5.6
Focal Length:	300 mm
ISO Speed:	1000

The honorable mention is "Ranger under a Log" Another straight out of the camera lucky shot. No post processing - other than a quick crop. This shot was a complete accident. Ranger had been hopping under this huge log at the river, digging furiously in the sand, the popping his head out to see if he got the other dog's attention. The sunlight lit up his eyes and face perfectly...his expression makes me smile. Quintessential Ranger.

Technical Mumbo Jumbo:

Camera:	Canon EOS 7D
Exposure:	0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture:	f/5.0
Focal Length:	90 mm
ISO Speed:	160

Border Collies In Action Calendar 2011

Secret - Seattle Area Pet Photographer

2010-12-22T15:29:00.000-08:00

Oh HI! My name is Secret. I am a border collie puppy. My momma Jeanne got me from the Helsley Ranch in Idaho. When I grow up I am going to be a working sheep dog.

Wanna play ball with me?

Catch!

I like to throw balls in the water trough.

What are those things out there on the other side of the fence?

Wait Ma! Where are you going? Did you see the SHEEP?

What are these? They smell funny....

Ma, did you see me? I smelled the flowers.

I can still see the sheep...look...out there!

Do you see them too?

I think I'm supposed to do sumtin' with those sheep when I get older...

I can't wait.

I am gonna be the best sheepdog ever. You'll see...I'll show ya.

Dog & Butterfly - Eastern Oregon Pet Photographer

2010-12-22T14:28:00.000-08:00

Hiya, I found some sunflowers to play in!

Are you gonna throw the ball anytime soon?

Sorry Beth, no more ball's for you.

Fine you won't give me a ball I will find my own stuff to play with - you wont like it.

How about a evil stick?

Sticks can seriously hurt dogs, you know.

Sticks can jab dogs in their throat and poke eyes out. They are very dangerous.

I won't mention the bad things that can happen when pieces of stick get stuck in our gums.

Since you wont let me play with a ball anymore I am forced to play with things that are bad for me.

Beth, leave the stick...lets go explore!

Okay!

Did you say explore? YEAH!

Lots to see and look at here!

We are at one of my favorite places, Deadman's Pass view point off of I-84 in the Blue Mountains, Oregon.

Look what I found! Pretty orange flowers, or weeds....don't know what they are but they compliment my coloring nicely, don't you think?

Oh look! It is a White Pine Butterfly! They are EVERYWHERE!

Really? What is that?

Butterflies are beautiful flying insects.

Just like the one on your head Brynn.

What did you say?

Is there something on my head?

No Brynn, just kidding. There is nothing on your head...other than a butterfly.

I got one too!

I like to try and catch them in my mouth.

Since you wont throw the ball, guess I have to resort to eating pretty little butterflies.

What is it gonna be? The ball or the butterfly?

Okay Beth, you manipulative little turkey. How about a Frisbee? Will that do?

Zora & Monique - Seattle Area Pet Photographer

2010-12-22T14:17:00.000-08:00

Meet Zora & Monique

I double dog dare you not to smile when looking at this face.

What a gorgeous smile.

I wanted to pick her up and kiss her all over. Her Mom beat me to it...

Lets head to the house for some indoor shots.

I had to break out my favorite lens, the nifty-fifty (canon 50mm) for some up close and personal shots of this little monkey.

I chose to shoot down on her...well, because she is so tiny and I loved the way the oriental carpet behind her just smoothed out into a gorgeous background. Because I was shooting on such a low aperture 2.0 it allows for that gorgeous bokeh blur behind.

The cuteness just caused my blood sugar to spike into dangerous levels.

Forget sugar in my coffee this morning, who needs it.

Dear Lord in Heaven....diabetic coma is imminent. It has been lovely knowing all of you...goodbye.

Okay, back to reality. Here is a good lesson in aperture and shutter speed.

This was shot using aperture: f/2.8, shutter 1/200, ISO 1000. As you can see it is slightly under exposed. But my camera's meter was telling me it was okay. I didn't want to spend hours editing these shots, so I changed it a bit.

So I dropped it down to aperture f/2.0, shutter 1/125, ISO 1000. Nothing else changed other than Zora's position ever so slightly. Look at the difference.

Time to take my insulin.

Karen's Poodles - Puyallup Pet Photographer

2010-12-22T13:43:00.000-08:00

Meet Casper!

And Bo

When this tiny little girl was adopted...her name was Rambo. It suits her ....uhhhh NOT!

She is a very loving, & sweet 16 y/o teacup poodle.

She is a tiny little ball of love.

Unfortunately Bo is blind.

Her eyes have grown cloudy over the years, as you can see in this straight out of the camera (SOOC) shot (un-retouched / unprocessed)

I wanted to give her 'mom' a glimpse of the younger Bo. So I did some very simple edits (burning) and removed the cloudiness from her eyes. It is amazing what you can do with a digital image & turn back time. A few times as I used the 'burning' tool...and watched the grey fade away, her original eye color began to emerge.

This is her companion Casper. Casper is much younger than Bo.

She was busy, busy, busy!

And ohhhh so tiny!

Casper's 'mom' & the vet have been battling a severe skin condition in Casper. They have tried switching foods, multiple times. The vet prescribed creams, medications and insisted they feed her a 'science diet' specific for skin allergies.

Below is another SOOC shot of Casper's red inflamed skin.

Casper's skin is bright red under her short fur. She has been miserable and her 'mom's heart has been breaking from worry.

I was able to disguise most of that redness with some texture overlay's, tints and desaturating color.

Before this photo shoot her mom had started doing research on her own and made a few discoveries about commercially prepared dog food. She finally threw in the towel and switched both the girls to a completely raw diet two weeks ago. She wanted total control over what Casper was eating.

No preservatives, additives, grains...

When I talked to her Mom today...guess what?

The rash is almost GONE!

Her energy level has increased & the scratching has stopped!

It is going to be a bit of a challenge for her mom, since Casper is diabetic too. But she is fully committed to the raw diet now, especially after the changes she has seen in only a couple of weeks.

Hopefully this bright red, inflamed, painful, burning, weeping, scratchy rash is gone for good....

Instead she will look like this...without the editing.

She is just toooooo darn cute for anything else.

Paddy - Auburn / Kent Pet Photography

2010-12-22T13:26:00.000-08:00

Hello Paddy!

If your mom gives you some treats, will you pose for me?

I love all the expressions on her face.

Lets put you in the flower bed with the sunlight and trees behind you.

Oh so serious...

A little unsure...

A little stressed.....YAWN

A little more reassurance and love from Monique

How about we try something different? Whatcha think Paddy?

How about some with you two together?

Paddy, I think your Momma loves you!

Happy faces!

Ooops...snuck one of your momma without you in it!

Lets move inside and get some close up shots.

I would kill for those eye lashes!

Totally...

It is a pleasure to photograph this lovely animal, with the gold tones and warm colors.

Such a sweet face.

So much love...