An incredible day photographing senior dogs and their people, yesterday.
Here are a couple captures from our second session featuring 14-year old Missy (nearly blind) and the very spry 11-year old Piper. For this effort, they ran and posed for me from the studio to Potter Valley, Rabbit Creek and the lower hillside.
What wonderful companions who are so totally full of life because of their person. Thank you, Julie.
Pepper revisited the studio this past Saturday. A Friends of Pets rescue, he was adopted by the Butler family after they saw his photograph in an Anchorage Daily News Pet Patrol feature about ten years ago. They shared that clipping with me before we began our weekend photo session. I'm so touched to see that photo and am sharing it here with a sampling of what we created yesterday. <3
I'm excited to unveil our latest art exhibit celebrating companionship with animal friends at Centennial Village - a senior citizen housing community in North-East Anchorage. We began this project several months ago.
More than 20 dogs and cats are featured in this exhibition. Most were rescued. All receive and give love unconditionally. My favorite quote from this experience:
If you have the time, please join us for refreshments and plenty of fun dog and cat talk.
Centennial Center
Friday, June 5; 3-5 p.m.
9100 Centennial Circle
dj
Fantastic dogs with beautiful light today as we photographed Kate and Maggie. These golden retrievers were so well behaved, lovable, energetic and eventually, wet.
Flash stares at her tennis ball while tempting me to snag it away from under her nose.
It's a game we play often. She always wins.
We like to use our Facebook page as a gathering place for people who love dogs, cats and all animal companions. Occasionally we invite photo submissions. A sample of this is shown on the slide show presented below. It is an amazing collection of photographs and stories.
Please join in on the fun and LIKE my business Facebook Page: David Jensen Photography
Laura, Class of 2015, posed for our cameras a couple weeks ago. She's wearing a traditional; sun dress representing part of her Apache heritage. So beautiful.
A fantastic month is nearly complete. We've been collecting some fun images to share.
Hope you enjoy!
Layla and I strayed from our usual Sunday hiking adventure today. Instead, we drove to Palmer for a several hour photography assignment to highlight the magnificent dogs of Mat-Su Search and Rescue.
These dogs and their people are incredible. They silently work - sometimes on a weekly basis - to improve and hone their search and rescue skills. Throughout the year these teams practice for the inevitable. One day, when least expected, a person or entire community will depend upon their amazing life saving skills.
Here's a snapshot of what we captured today.
Summer is approaching. And bookings at the studio are stacking up (families, pets, high school seniors and more.)
In August, long-time assistant Taylor will leave for college and I'm so proud of her.
She's graduating from high school next week.
So, now we're preparing for the inevitable. This means hiring and training a new part-time employee that will begin his or her position by June 1, 2015.
Here's the job description. Perfect job for a high school student. You'll learn a lot from me and also pick up quite a bit of experience about running a small business while earning money.
* Email replies only *
Part-time/temporary office and photography studio assistant at 25-year established/popular Anchorage studio. The successful applicant will have a driver's license and their own car. The successful applicant will have an open schedule between summer-early winter. Position will require an average of 20 hours per week - some days, evenings and weekends. Stong organizational skills. This position will require a lot of detailed work. It also includes close contact with people and their dogs, cats, horses and other animals. This is not a primary photographer position. However, depending on your skills, you may be asked to create some images. Physical requirements: Assistant will sometimes be required to carry up to 20lbs of gear into the mountains - perhaps 1-4 miles at a time, and learn how to set up and operate lights and top of the line Canon cameras (Mark 1D X and others.) I will provide basic training. If you're not afraid of occasional scooping of the poop and some other day-to day maintenance; office tasks; full-on dog face licks; working under pressure with a smile; and putting up with a perfectionist photographer; this might be a good opportunity to learn and earn. Review my websites before expressing interest. Then, email me based on the contact info on either site. Provide a statement of interest, level of work-place experience and contact information. No Calls. No Texts. www.davidjensenphotography.com www.itsimportanttopaws.com
david@alaskaportraits.com
Spring is here and so are the Chickadees. This little fella found an open window and flew into the studio's gallery and sales room. He plopped right on top of one of my display albums, stayed there along enough for an iPhone and watched as I opened the door so he could fly away into the sunshine.
The coolest things happen around her.
Beautiful trails lured Layla, me and about 15 other dogs and their people into heave winds and an outstanding sunlit trail this morning. We hiked a little less than four miles - less than we had hoped - but it was excellent all the same. Tesse, our 13-year adoption from about two months ago came along for the hike. It was her second adventure with us. She picked up a little limp so we all decided she was a great excuse to call it a day.
On our way back to the GlenAlps trailhead, the wind practically flew us back in double-time as it pushed at our backs.
Carolyn and I enjoyed capturing a second session today featuring Andrea and Drew in anticipation of their June wedding. We'll both be there to photograph the big day - beginning at Botanical Gardens and completing the day with their reception at the Alaska Zoo. We really, really enjoyed visiting, hiking, laughing and eventually warming up after a chilly start to today's engagement portrait session.
Sam was a perfect gentleman dog today. He was a also a perfect joy to photograph with his family. Love, love the results from today. He's so photogenic.
Such a fun session with these two beautiful soul mates and their humans. Wow.
10-mile Alaska hike this morning that took Layla and me through trails with names including Powerline Pass, Williwa Lake Trail, Middle Fork Trail and Prospect Heights Trail. We used the exquisite light and scenery to work on Layla's action talents among other things.
Today, Layla and I reached another pinnacle in our bond with other.
I am so grateful to have her by my side. She's incredible to me.
Now, we nap.
dj
Unable to take Flash for long adventures, sometimes we sneak out of the studio for short walks and tennis ball fun on a nearby trail - just the two of us.
Flash is with me nearly 24/7. She's been a constant fixture at the studio for the past 11.5 years (ever since she was a 12-week old puppy.)
Each morning and each evening, she hears my words "You are the most beautiful girl in the world."
Each evening, she visits my feet while I'm sitting at the sofa. Flash begins nibbling at the tip of my socks - careful not to catch any toes - until she has a firm hold on the sock. Then she proceeds to wrestle the socks off of both feet. It's a ritual we both look forward to (even if she catches a toe every once and a while.)
Shown here, Flash and I at Ruth Arcand Park this afternoon during one of our short escapes from the office.
Another fantastic afternoon spent with Cowboy and his family. I have so much gratitude for Carolyn's assistance and Bobbie who worked behind the scenes (literally) throughout the session to help make these beautiful portraits happen.
Thank you to all. Great time spend with wonderful dogs.
Gwen and I worked together for a short time many years ago at Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. Today was a great way to celebrate a reunion - especially since it included time with her dogs and husband for a couple hours.
Mickie and Brutus were real troopers. They let us pose them in and outside of the studio. Then we visited Ruth Arcand Park to take advantage of excellent light that was filtering through the spruce trees.
As always, Friday portraits are usually my favorite hours of the week because they always feature the best dogs of Alaska (and their people!)
Kitten, Layla, Piper Honey and Julie are this week's photo highlights - a peek into our week.
Layla and I brought Kobuk and Tesse along for a hike along Turnagain Arm trail this morning.
We were joined by about 10 other dogs and their people. And --- a friendly moose watched as we passed by.
This early spring definitely has its advantages. Lots of us are working on getting into shape for a summer of hiking among the mountains.
