My favorite weekday is always Friday. This is because we always focus on families and their dogs or cats or horses or ....
Yesterday was no different as Zeer, Honey and Lulu graced our cameras and afternoon.
The photography shown here was captured at the studio and at Falls Creek - located about 10 miles south of Anchorage off the Seward Highway.
Thank you, Kim. Awesome time with you and your family.
I can think of few better ways to spend a couple days than visiting with and photographing 21 cats and dogs. With great help from Carolyn Franks, we set up a mini studio at Centennial Village. While doing this we learned a lot from the residents who participated. They included veterans of different wars, retired professional dancers, teachers, a clinical psychologist, mothers and fathers. Most of their animal companions came from local animal shelters and rescue organizations. Many of the images we captured will be contenders for a new book.
I don't have a projected date for publication - though I think Spring, 2016 is feeling right.
“I rescued him and then he rescued me.”
Click HERE to see a story about this project on KTVA Channel 11 that aired March 25, 2015.
Here's a glimpse of what we captured this week at Centennial Village.
The studio's community service project begins at Centennial Village next week. Nearly 20 senior residents of CIRI's residential housing program have signed up to participate. Each has agreed to let me photograph them with their cats and dogs.
The goal of this pro bono project is to inspire policy makers, architects, administrators and others to incorporate animal companionship into their housing programs.
When all of the photographs are completed, Centennial Village will host an art exhibit opening to celebrate the installation of a permanent exhibit featuring the best portraits from our work. That will happen in May, 2015.
This photograph shows Layla and me at a Partner's Fair. We signed up a few more cats. dogs and their people.
Each year, the studio selects a centerpiece project that inspires animal companionship. We donate all services 100%. This is made possible through the sales of our It's Important to Paws series of books.
Perla received loving arms when she arrived in Anchorage late last year. She came from unfortunate circumstances in California and is now living a life of love and leisure thanks to her person, Kelly.
This little dachshund's personality is amazing. Her bouncing ears, as she runs across the yard, make her even more inspirational.
Thank you, Kelly.
Tonka was adopted from Anchorage Animal Care and Control 13 years ago. She was two years old at the time and had already been returned to AACCC by other families twice before finding her forever home. Her story goes much deeper than this, but it's safe to say she also helped save the life that saved her.
Today, at 15-years, she's loved more than ever as a friend and constant companion.
dj
One of our top five rescue and adoption organizations in Anchorage is Polar Pug Rescue and Friends. Their work includes much more than pugs. They help find forever homes for many different small breeds. Much of that work includes assisting with rehabilitation costs - including medical bills.
They've received an onslaught of rescue dogs the past few weeks. It seems to come in waves. along with that influx were significant expenses.
A local club in town -- Mad Myrnas - learned about this and decided to step in with a fundraising event. Polar Pug asked if I would donate some photography services and I said "absolutely!"
Shown here is one of the group photos. This pose and several others will be on display at Mad Myrna's during their gala evening for the dogs: Saturday, March 21, 2015.
Click HERE for more information about Polar Pug Rescue and Friends.
This session began under the cozy warm roof of the studio. Then, I had a brainstorm: "Let's use that awesome natural light and go somewhere with the dogs."
Turns, out 16 degrees and a good breeze were a bit much. But Karen and pups (Taylor, too!) tolerated the chill and the results were amazing.
Thanks everyone. Hope you're thawing out.
Check out these super cute Chuggles! They were the best posers. Some of my favorites included their romps in the studio park. That little Duke can really fly!
Six years ago, I photographed Tamber and her incredible litter of 13 puppies.
I asked for an opportunity to capture a reunion portrait of as many of her six-year old puppies as possible. Eight of these beauties showed up! Shown in the latest photo are those eight puppies with their mom and dad.
Hi friends.
I'm a few days behind schedule with updates from amazing visits to the studio. Promising to catch up and post some of those results here by Monday.
Catching my breath today and laying low after a nice hike with Layla along Turnagain Arm this early, chilly morning.
The highlight of the week at the studio was definitely working with Misu, Maxine, Henry, Amy and Aaron. What a fantastic day behind the camera with great people and companions.
With exceptional help from Taylor, we worked in the studio and then traveled to GlenAlps - just under FlatTop - for a series of beautiful portraits with snow and scenery above the fog that enveloped Anchorage. Sleeping Lady looked like she was on a bed of cotton.
Great collection of photos ... many more to see.
Layla offers her "pose of approval" at Pet Emergency & Treatment Center after work was completed on the studio's latest art exhibition installation.
Taylor and I have nearly completed a major update of our art exhibits throughout town. Today, we installed portraits at our latest venue: Pet Emergency Treatment Center. The effort required about 2.5 hours of fun 'work' chatting with staff, doctors and some very friendly dogs.
To date, we are honored to be able to display more than 100 portraits of portraits of dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, ferrets, frogs and much more at the following locations in our community:
Thank you for supporting our studio and for your partnership.
Front lobby of Alaska Affordable Veterinary Care - featuring 13+ year old "Diva."
Congratulations to Dr. Jesse Rizor and his wife, Ashley, on the grand opening of Alaska Affordable Veterinary Care in Mountain View, Anchorage.
Their clinic is the first locally owned clinic to open in Anchorage for many, many years. Residents of North, East and Downtown Anchorage are going to love calling this animal hospital their own.
We're proud to be a part of their success through a major display of nearly 20 large-format portraits of cats, birds, dogs and other animal companions. The artwork appears throughout this brand new facility - and wow - what a beautiful clinic.
Drop by and visit with AAVCs staff and Dr. Rizor. You'll love what you see.
Taylor and I replaced the studio's long-standing exhibit at Providence Hospital's Radiology and Heart Center Thursday. We hear so many positive comments from Prov's patients who enjoy seeing dogs, cats, horses, ferrets, birds and more on the walls of the hospital. We think it's a great way to spread cheer when families need it the most. Much better than old institutional artwork that usually adorns walls at hospitals. And the portraits always seem to be a perfect distraction from the many reasons patients have to visit doctors and specialists.
Thank you, Providence Hospital, for allowing us to display our artwork here for so many years.
We're working hard on our March/April project at CIRI's Centennial Village. Soon, our cameras will be clicking as we photograph seniors and the cats and dogs who make each other's lives more complete.
The project will conclude with a permanent exhibit at Centennial Village. The goal: inspire policy makers, planners, architects, and program managers to include animal companionship as an integral part of senior living. Shown here, residents at another residential program in Anchorage also enjoy the company of cats and dogs.
Very exciting! And it's all funded through sales of It's Important to Paws and When Age Has No Leash.
Best Facebook post on my pages this week!
"Yuki was frustrated about something, and he took it out on David Jensen's beautiful book. The binding is history and the cover is ripped. Sigh. That's what I get for actually having it out and reading it and not squirreling it away on some bookshelf. I think he's just jealous he is not the centerfold!"
Yuki will receive a new copy of When Age Has No Leash if her person allows her to have a new one. I love it!!! Thanks for posting, Rachel. Call about that replacement copy.
dj
A few days behind schedule after spoiling myself in some of Alaska's back country, but here are the fun results of our time together. I can't believe how much your three are growing! Wow.
I'm almost afraid to look back at our first photos several years ago.
Thank you!! :)
Great hiking this morning with Layla, ten other dogs and their people, light snow fall and a mild 11 degrees fahrenheit.
Layla and I walked the hike twice today. We arrived earlier than the others to take advantage of dawn lighting and to spend some extra time with the camera.
Whenever we wrap a hike like this (nearly every Sunday) we spend the remaining afternoon relaxing with me working on the computer and Layla barely keeping one eye open to monitor my movements.
Sundays are my favorite days of the week.
Thanks to all who joined this adventure. Such a wonderful way to spend the morning.
dJ and L
This was an amazing team effort as all involved put up with some chilly weather and wind.
High winds were blistering the lower hillside and much of Southcentral Alaska.
I took a chance and lead our group - with Layla, Scout and Buck in tow - to Glen Alps with the hopes that we would dodge the high winds. With a stroke of luck, the winds were much more gentle - though the temperature was around 15 degrees.
Wonderful work everyone. Love, love the results we created together.
Thank you!!!
Captured near mid-town today while making the rounds installing art exhibits - and preparing for a new exhibit at Pet Emergency.
This moose was munching berries as hoar frost crystals dropped from the trees. You can see the berries it this moose's mouth.
I happened to have my pro gear on hand and shot this image from a half block away through my driver's window (pulled over to the side of the road) never leaving my car seat.
Don't you just love everything Alaska?!
As seen on KTUU Channel 2 News. Thank you, Jackie Purcell - our all-time favorite moose-loving Alaska Meteorologist.
