shine pet photos | modern pet photography

I absolutely LOVE it when clients decide to get coffee table books. Not just because it gives them the opportunity to showcase the best photos from our session in an amazing, personal book, but because I love laying them out! Designing the books is such a wonderful combination of my photography and design backgrounds and I love taking the time to lay the photos out so they tell a compelling visual story.

I call the first draft “the director’s cut” because it’s completely my vision — my favorite photos, my favorite layouts, my favorite order of photos. If it were up to me, the book would go to print this way. But usually clients ask for minor changes here and there - mostly swapping in their favorite photos - and that’s great! The coffee table book is all about telling their personal stories.

This is the director’s cut of Michael and Dexter’s book.Throughout our shoot, Michael told me so many stories about his relationship with Dexter. We definitely tried to capture some of those moments and I tried my best to convey those little vignettes in the design of this book. The “greeking” you see is placeholder text for Michael to include his own writing.

I love Michael and Dexter! These photos might be some of my favorite to date. As I designed their book and relived their beautiful relationship, I realized I really, really, REAAAAALLY want photos of me, the BF, Maeby and Zoey. I’m definitely hiring someone in 2009 for some photos!

By the way, I’m taking a mini-vacation until next Monday — my mom is coming to LA from Philly for the first time today in the two years I’ve lived here! We will enjoy the sights and sounds of LA this week and then fly to Arizona to see my sister. So if I don’t respond to emails now you know why. : )

Until next time.

Hey all you fabulously talented dog photographers out there –

One of my favorite websites Pampered Puppy is hosting an awesome dog photography contest. It runs from now until November 15th, and you have the chance to win some cool prizes. But more importantly, you’ll win the adoration of dog photo loving enthusiasts everywhere, plus the chance to add “award-winning” to the beginning of your name if you care about such things. : )

Don’t be shy!

I tearfully watched this amazing tribute video to Paul Newman off his Newmans Own website this morning.

Thanks to Paul, $250 million dollars have been donated to charities around the world. It’s amazing to think of the change a little bottle of salad dressing has brought to the world. I’ll be sure to support this company more from now on.

Rest in peace Paul Newman.

A lot of the times when I look at my dogs, I secretly wish they could talk to me. Especially Maeby — I’d ask her what her life was like in Mexico, who her original family was, and why the heck she’s always digging through my garbage can like I don’t feed her enough!

But when I met Clancy, a beautiful 10 year old pitbull mix, I was grateful for once that dogs can’t talk. Because you see, Clancy was a pitbull used for dog fighting. And while we may never know what exactly happened in the earlier years of his life, the scars all over his face and his nearly non-existent ears tell us the horrors he’s endured.

Clancy was rescued by the amazing Lori of Downtown Dog Rescue. I photographed her dogs Maya and Yuki back in April, and she contacted me a few months ago when she rescued Clancy. At the time, Lori wasn’t sure if he could be rehabilitated. But many months later and with a lot of dedication and hard work, Clancy has become Lori’s new best friend.

I wasn’t sure what to expect that morning. I mean, a former fighting dog? Ears cut off so severely that they’re barely there? A dog so scary that Lori wasn’t even sure if she could rehabilitate and keep him? I knew she wouldn’t put me in grave danger but I’ll admit I was a bit nervous.

Until I met him.

Clancy is the sweetest, silliest, happiest guy ever. Like I said he’s 10, but he has the energy of a 2 year old dog. When I met him, I saw the sad reminders of his past. But I also saw hope, dedication, and most of all love. I fell in love with Clancy and his big giant head that day. I think you might too.

(Click on small photos to enlarge)

Gawd, the cuteness kills me. I’m a swooning, melted puddle of pet photographer.

Helio is a little puppy available for adoption from the Paw’d Squad.

I want, I want, I WANT!

(Click on photos to enlarge)