More to come! This was a favorite from today's session - though it was tough to choose.
Celebrate Senior Dogs!!! It's National Adopt a senior dog month.
Sugar Pie
Did you know that November is National Adopt a Senior Dog month?
I know ... every month has some sort of theme. But this cause is the real thing to us. We love all dogs - especially our seniors.
Just look at that face!! :)
Coincidentally, this Akita rescue (from Anchorage Animal Care and Control) visited the studio today with her family as they were picking up an early release copy of the book When Age Has No Leash.
She is adorable!
When Age Has No Leash - as featured by Alaska Dispatch News
A huge "Paws-Up" and thanks to Mike Lewis and Alaska Dispatch News for the beautiful write up of my second book When Age Has No Leash. I'm so excited to share the book with everyone this Sunday.
Click HERE to see what Mike had to say about the book.
And visit my It's Important to Paws website to see details about the Sunday book launch at Alyeska Trainer's Club (across from Party Craft on International Airport Drive); 12-3 p.m.
It's a free event and you can purchase copies of my books and other products while meeting some of the Senior dogs who appear in When Age Has No Leash.
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In the news ... KTUU Channel 2 Weather Pix
Thank you, Tracy Sinclair and the KTUU Channel News Weather Team for choosing to highlight Layla's Moon Dog photograph! And WOW, it received 1800 likes on your Facebook page! Layla's famous!
Layla. Moonlit Dog, 2014
Each of the past three years, I've made an exception when it comes to wee-morning photography. It's now an annual tradition to hike somewhere south of Anchorage with Layla to create a Moon Light Dog, Layla photograph.
This year, I was joined by two friends who brought along their four dogs for the fun.
The image of Layla was a bit experimental and quite technical. Here's how it happened.
We hiked up a short mountainside (Glen Alps/Chugach Range) for about 10 minutes. I was carrying 40+ pounds of gear - much more equipment than was needed but if I don't bring it all I'll need it.
The camera was mounted to a professional tripod. I used wireless transmitters to communicate to the shutter without touching the camera. Every touch of the camera can blur a photo with time exposures.
I positioned Layla. Asked her stay. I walked away from the camera and Layla - in the direction I wanted her to look. Then, I signaled the camera to fire for a 30-second exposure. Layla had to stay completely still throughout.
During the exposure - because there was no moonlight whatsoever - I threw light on Layla with four bursts of my flashlight.
We followed this procedure six times. Each exposure produced a different view of the dancing aurora borealis.
No photoshop/fancy computer tricks. Just photography and beautiful once in a lifetime dog named Layla.
A friend, Karen, was part of our northern lights adventure this morning. As with Layla, I used a secondary light source to add something special to this photograph.
Maggie and Miss S.
Maggie, Is. Pupparazzi.
Saturday's final work of the day focused on a lovely young lady and her one-year-old English Springer Spaniel "Maggie." I've photographed Maggie's favorite person for many years.
Miss S., featured in the slide show below, has starred in front of our cameras for years. Absolutely one of my favorite young models - especially because of her love of dogs.
Lolita. Class of 2015
Chilly but rewarding time spent photographing beautiful Lolita.
I've photographed her brother and sister in years past. Today, we hopped from the studio to Campbell Airstrip/Campbell Creek and Ruth Arcand Park for fantastic photos.
Congratulations, Lolita! Graduation is coming very soon.
Steve and Tiger
Wow, Steve. We've worked together for so many years. What an honor and friendship.
Thank you for bringing Tiger to me again this year.
Love, love our results today with Carolyn's excellent assistance along Turnagain Arm.
One of a kind!
My Northern Light
Each year, I take Layla into the Chugach Mountains for what I call a 'Moon Dog' photograph.
The first attempt will happen this evening/early tomorrow morning (3 a.m.)
Shown here - my eleven year-old golden retriever Flash posed with backlighting provided by a front yard flood lamp this evening as I was preparing gear for the wee-hours.
When Layla and I head out around 2:30 a,m., Flash will have her face buried under a warm pillow - along with everyone else in the house.
Layla is always ready for adventure with her papa.
Monkey and Snarf
Such a fun and funny time spent with these two adorable kittens.
Their rescuer was pretty awesome too!
And our very own Kobuck made a cameo appearance that says makes a small statement like "The Truth About Cats and Dogs." Good boy, Kobie. Little Monkey is not going to eat you!
Kinley's family!!!
Carolyn and I enjoyed a wonderful family adventure with Kinley and her family today.
As shown here, portrait work began at the studio. Then, we made an adventure of the day with travel down the Seward Highway.
Mountain scenery began at Potter's Marsh.
Then, we traveled south. Sadly, the winds turned into mini Alaska tornados along the shoreside.
The upside is that I know some great locations that include slight water falls and shelter.
Great work today. Thank you for your excellent work today. And thank you to Kinley's family for trusting us to create portraits that show your true personalities.
Way to go Kinley! You're a wonderful model with a beautiful family. Oden was pretty awesome, too.
Dj
The It's Important to Paws Gift Collection
Model work.
Awesome models and light this morning at the studio and along Turnagain Arm.
Today's work was designed to create a portfolio of work for modeling, acting and stunt work.
Something tells me that this talented young man will go far.
Nike and Sheena
Nike is a retired Greyhound from Florida. Her new favorite person is Sheena. She's a welcomed and familiar face at the studio after bringing dear Seth to us for so many years. Seth was a Pharoah Hound.
Nike is starting to settle in nicely with Sheena. She even met some Greyhounds at the pet store a few days ago.
Can't wait to watch and capture moments of this blooming relationship in the years to come.
Congratulations Sheena and Nike.
Leanne. Class of 2015
Monday treated me to a really fun session with Leanne. She's graduating from Service High School in 2015.
I was motivated to take advantage of the gentle winter scenery this afternoon. That included Potter's Marsh and a little chill along the way. So happy we decided to do this.
Pomeranian Love.
Check out these beauties! Seven amazing Pomeranians (including one grand champion!)
Thank you everyone. This session was a lot of fun. Awesome photos of wonderful dogs.
Dog love.
Carolyn and I worked together in the studio Saturday afternoon to create some fun photographs for this active family of dogs and their people! Thank you, Carolyn ... couldn't have done it with out you.
Beautiful whiskers and faces.
Treking toward Hidden Lake at Sunrise
Layla and I joined eight other dogs and their favorite people for an early morning/daylight saving's time hike through Powerline Pass and then toward Hidden Lake this morning. It was incredible, exhilarating and energetic.
What a way to start a day.
Scroll through to see the collection.
dj
Flash.
Flash exposure.
Today, she was visited by her twin brother Riot. It's been 10 years since they've seen each other.
Oddly, they both encountered very similar cancers this month. In each case, the growths are being successfully removed - assuring a lot more playtime in their lives. Hopefully, they will have a chance to play with each other again one day soon.
In the "upside down Flash" photo, she performs her daily ritual of laying upside down while popping her feet in the air as a fun form of doggy aerobics.
Drop by and say "hi" to Flash (and all of us) if you're in the neighborhood.
Flash and Riot