Available for Adoption

Meet Apollo and Sapphire, brother and sister.  They are 7 years old and full of life, looking for someone who loves the outdoors.  Both are intelligent, loving, and well trained.  Apollo loves to be the center of attention, while Sapphire just wants to be cuddled and rubbed.  A perfect day for both of them is hike in the backcountry, going for a run, or just hanging out getting bunches of attention.  Both Apollo and Sapphire prefer to be in a home where they are the only dogs, one that can accommodate both of them, and is free of young children. If your family loves the outdoors, wants some travel buddies, and/or loves expressive animals then you might be a perfect match for Apollo and Sapphire.  For more information and/or to inquire about adopting these lovable dogs please contact:  

Trisha Kolegar

(907) 841-7223  Cell

(907) 376-5643  Work

aktrishak@yahoo.com Email

Hillside hiking with Layla - before sunrise.

Powerline Pass Trail, Prospect Heights and a couple side trails offered amazing quiet time for Layla and me this morning - before the sun rose above the mountains.

We were the first to arrive at the parking lot and did not encounter another soul until we headed back down from the mountain.  Then, we met familiar faces and some new ones - along with their dogs - as we enjoyed the sunshine on our backs.

What a beautiful morning with my hiking buddy.

Layla. My Zen Dog.

Layla shares my office chair with me at the studio whenever she's at the office.  We wear out chairs quickly.  There is nothing like the feeling of having her head on my shoulder as I work with  the keyboard and Wacom art pen.  Of course, I'm allowed just 1/3 of the chair.  It's a matter of time before my behind hits the floor after she pushes me off the bare edge that I'm allowed to occupy.


2015 - Great things to come.

Tyson and Kien pose in front of a wall art/gallery wrap portrait I created with them in 2009.

While the studio continues to offer its signature services including family, high school senior and animal companion portraits, we have lofty goals to complete in 2015.

First - everything we accept as a project is accomplished thanks to every customer who walks through our doors, every person who purchases one of our books, and all who offer words of encouragement to what we aspire to stand for in our community.  Thank you.  Thank you.

1.  I'm working on my next book project.  It will focus on cats and their relationships with people and their favorite companions.  Shown here, Tyson and Kien revisited.  I photographed these two larger than life personalities five years ago.  Allison, their favorite companion, agreed to bring this duo back for a reunion portrait that will appear in the new book.   The book will be released in August or September, 2015.  It will be the third in my It's Important to Paws series.  The proposed title is Catpurred Moments.  Lessons learned from cats exposed.

Tyson and Kien recreated their portrait from 2009.  Totally cool!

2.  The studio has engaged CIRI and Cook Inlet Housing Authority in a new pro bono project that will mirror our work with Horizon House two years ago.  In a few weeks, we will begin photographing residents of Centennial Plaza and their four-legged companions.  This project, which is funded using proceeds from sales of It's Important to Paws book sales, will highlight the significance of housing facilities that allow dogs and cats to live with its residents.

We begin this project the second week of March with free photography sessions.  Then, the studio will create a permanent exhibit starring as many dogs, cats and their people as possible.  We hope this project will encourage other non-profits and corporations to design housing projects and policies that encourage animal companionship - especially for senior citizens.

3. Alaska Affordable Veterinary Clinic opens its doors to the residents of Anchorage (especially North/East Anchorage) February 15, 2015.  Taylor, our office assistant, and I have installed a brand new permanent exhibit of portrait work throughout this amazing new facility.  We can't wait to hear everyone's reaction to the portraits featuring dogs, cats, birds and a mouse!

4. We're beginning negotiations with another - very well-known - veterinary care organization in Anchorage that we hope will also feature some of our newest work.

5. Finally, work on my fourth book - focusing on hiking Alaska's trails with dogs throughout Alaska - is well underway.  This book will illustrate some of Alaska's best trails - particularly those that welcome dog companionship.  It will include hiking tips, gear and safety ideas, scenery, maps and best of all - amazing Alaska dogs.  This project will be released in April, 2016.  It's tentative title is:  Alaska Trails and Tails.  Lessons learned and not quite over the hill.

RUN!

Another icy hike with Layla and friends.  This time, we challenged the slippery ice floes of Power Line Pass - South of Anchorage.

The four humans and our eight dogs stopped when we came across some bare tundra.  It was free of ice and a terrific place for run time.  Finding ice-free turf is a rare treat these days and the dogs loved it.

If you enjoy the photos here, and think you would be up to joining Layla, me and a cast of other hiking enthusiasts, consider joining a group I created two years ago on Facebook called 'Alaska Trails and Tails.'  That's where you can learn about meet-ups, adventures and lots of trail information that will be useful to you.

Land of the midnight sun

A short hike above Glen Alps with Layla began at midnight under clear skies, a full moon, falling star and northern lights.  Three hours later, at 10 degrees, we reluctantly headed home with a camera and heart full of memories.

Really, really love this place.

Diane and Lee - Alaska Pioneers

Fantastic beginning to the new year with portraits of Diane and Lee Pederson today.  Both are Pioneer's of Alaska - an accomplishment that requires 30+ years of residency in Alaska.

They are royalty this year - King and Queen.  They'll represent the Pioneers of Alaska throughout the next year - beginning with the Fur Rendezvous parade and coronation in February.

With their encouragement during today's session, I'm ready to join!

Lily.

Lily came home to Anchorage for the holidays between semesters in Bellevue, Washington.  One her final adventures was to join her mom, Taylor and I for a portrait session with her family's dogs and cat:  Buster, Biscuit and Stinky (the cat!)

Who could resist the beautiful sunset today!  So, we ventured out to Potter Marsh and explored the inlet and cat tails for an hour.

Great day!

Best view of the evening.

The most amazing views happen along Turnagain Arm. Something new appears nearly every time I adventure along the inlet - especially Potter's Marsh where today we encountered a couple flying objects and this high-flying gent with his powered hang glider.

Just love this place we call home.

If you happened to be in the air over Potters Marsh, give me a call:  868-1680.

Anchorage Centennial Celebration

Layla and I enjoyed most of the evening escorting the '57 Thunderbird through the crowds of downtown Anchorage during its 100th Anniversary as a city.  As a member of the Antique Automobile Mushers of Alaska, I have many opportunities to photograph some of the coolest cars in the state.  Here's a sample of last night's fun.

Congratulations, Daniel and Kaitlyn

Great fun today dodging wind and early signs of snowfall along Turnagain Arm, at Town Square and then the Anchorage Hilton Hotel with Daniel, Kaitlyn and their families in anticipation of their wedding this early evening.

Thanks to everyone - including Taylor for her assistance and direction throughout.

Awesome family.  Amazing day.  Congratulations to all.

Karen, Ringo & Melissa

Few ways to better spend an afternoon after Christmas day than photographing beautiful dogs like Melissa (Keeshond) and Ringo.  Melissa was named for Melissa Ehtridge.  Ringo was name for Mr. Starr.