shine pet photos | modern pet photography

The latest issue of The Bark, the best dog magazine in the universe, hit newstands yesterday and guess who’s on the cover?

That’s right, it’s little Rocky, the adorable Yorkie I photographed back in the beginning of the year. Yeah how funny is that - the photo was shot in the middle of winter for a summer cover. Ah, the joys of living in sunny Los Angeles.

Congratulations Sharyn on having a supermodel of a dog. And Rocky, don’t let fame get to that sweet little head ok?

By now I’m sure you’ve heard that Pabst is the winner of the 2009 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma. Aside from worldwide fame and glory, Pabst and his owner Miles Egstad won $1,600 from the Sonoma-Marin Fair, plus another $1,000 in prize money from sponsor House of Dog, a table of House of Dog “bling” and a year-round modeling contract with the doggie design house. Pabst also won a professional photoshoot with me, so he can show the world that ugly is the new beautiful.

We met the morning after the contest and despite the extreme heat (poor Pabst!) we had a great time. Pabst is modeling gorgeous collars and leashes from House of Dog like an old pro. I have a feeling I’ll be referring to these photos anytime I’m in a really crappy mood - Pabst just makes me happy!

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When Pabst isn’t frowning like an old man, he actually has the sweetest doggie smile. Check out how long his bottom jaw is.

He’s also a dog of a million faces.

Grumpy Pabst:

Adorable Happy Pabst:

You can really see HOW FAR Pabst’s underbite extends in this next photo. Celebrity judge Doc Halligan estimated it at almost 2 inches!

Congratulations Pabst, Miles and Veronica! Hope you have an amazing year as the World’s Ugliest Dog and we’re rooting for you down here in sunny Los Angeles!

Congrats to Pabst, the sweet and toothy boxer mix who stole the show last night at the World’s Ugliest Dog contest!  Stay tuned for more photos from the contest and for pictures from our professional photo shoot this morning. And for more info visit Sonoma-Marin Fair 2009.

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** *For an update on the contest click here! ***

** *To see photos of my shoot with Pabst click here! ***

The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest 2009 is this Friday night at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in the Bay Area! The event is being covered by Animal Planet again this year (coming soon to a TV near you) and features new celebrity judges, a “Ugly is the New Beautiful Fashion Show” and special prizes fit for a Hollywood star: $2,000 in prize money, a modeling contract from House of Dog (they’re the same people who made Teddy Hilton’s gorgeous collar + leash set), a prize package of collars, leashes, bowls, toys and a carrier, and a professional photoshoot with ME!

Whew. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.

I’ll be the official event photographer of the night so stay tuned for lots of behind the scenes photos. And dear Future World’s Ugliest Dog: Hope you’re ready to pose for me.

PS: If you’re waiting to be scheduled for July/August I apologize for being so MIA. I’ve been running around town like a headless chicken looking for a new place to live and finally moved this weekend….. only to leave again to shoot this event! Thanks so much for your patience and talk to you soon.

The moment I met Trevi, we bonded like we were old soulmates.

It literally went like this:

He gave me a sniff.

And then plopped right into my lap like we’d known each other for five years.

So the rest of our shoot was amazing, because I find that when dogs are willing to connect with me, our photos turn out pretty great. These photos are some of my favorites to date - I think the sunset light is magically delicious.

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If Trevi were my dog, he’d be a big fat butterball - how could I resist this face?

Dear Gabi, Jay and Trevi - thank you for an absolutely amazing photoshoot. Wish I could have taken Trevi home with me but you’d probably miss him too much ; )