shine pet photos | modern pet photography

I’m such a farmer’s market whore - I love, love, love farm fresh produce. And we California people are so lucky to have a year-round growing season with access to amazing farmer’s markets all year long. I think almost every neighborhood in LA has their own market. You could conceivably visit a different market everyday of the week. So the absolute plus about moving into a house with a yard was the prospect of growing a garden!

The problem is, I have the most notoriously BROWN thumb ever. I’ve tried growing plants since college and without fail, they always die. Over the fall/winter, I started growing herbs from seeds and was so proud that those suckers actually grew. And then the inevitable happened - I forgot to water them and they too went to the grave.

So this time around I’ve been FEVERISHLY reading blogs, websites, and books about vegetable gardening. I’ve decided to go the container route ’cause I have no idea what the soil quality is like in my yard. 3 weeks ago I bought some tomatoes and peppers, and in a few weeks some eggplant seedings and my cherry tomato plants should arrive. Yes, I know I’m having some delusions of grandeur since I’m a plant murderer. But I’m keeping my fingers crossed that these babies make it because I am SO looking forward to eating some fresh-picked heirloom tomatoes this summer. So long, spending $4 at the farmer’s market on one measly heirloom! That $4 can go towards some fresh burata cheese to pair with said tomatoes instead.

So here’s my progress so far:

WEEK 1:

WEEK 3:

Tomatoes grow FAST. When I first planted these, they stood far below the first rung on my cage. Now they’re halfway to the second rung.

Those yellow things are fly tape. And yes, they work!

I am so proud that these plants have even survived to this point. I spend every morning out in the yard with the dogs, smashing bugs to bits. Never thought I’d actually like killing little bugs.

So who likes to garden, and who has some tips for me so I can keep my precious plants from the grave? Favorite blogs? Websites? Veggies I MUST try? Please share your wisdom with me!

EDIT: Here’s a link to a ton of amazing gardening blogs: http://gardening.alltop.com/

My client Jeff surprised his girlfriend with a photo shoot with me for Valentine’s day. (Everyone say AWWWWWW right now.) He only had 2 requests - meet at a location with an ocean backdrop, and get a photo of Buster’s infamous Elvis lip.

My boyfriend goes surfing at this amazing location in Palos Verdes, so the request for the ocean background? Check.

As for Buster’s Elvis action — that was totally up to his cooperation.

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I love the emotion in this black and white shot:

Adorable forehead wrinkle action!

How gorgeous are Drago’s eyes?

Huzzah Buster! Way to make your papa proud. Buster’s Elvis Lip: Check!

Jeff and Mindy, thanks for a great photo shoot- you guys were so cute! Hope you like the photos and can’t wait to show you the rest.

Up next: The CUTEST 3 month old ball of puff named Mikimoto

Meet Peyton (11) and Caña (10)!

They live in the coolest home in Los Angeles - their mom and dad have some amazing taste in all things design. Their dad is also a creative director at a huge ad agency so it’s no surprise that their house belongs on Apartment Therapy!

Oh to be Peyton and Caña and lounge around on such pretty, mid-century modern goodness. If only I could be a dog.

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Yes, being a supermodel is so incredibly boring:

Scott and Blair, thanks for your incredible graciousness and for such a great photo shoot! Hope you like the photos.

Up next: Buster and Drago!

Thanks to everyone who came out yesterday! I had SUCH a fun time and it was so great seeing so many old clients and familiar faces. Visit the Healthy Spot website in a week or so to see some fun event photos.

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Come join us for a fun Yappy Hour at event at Santa Monica’s hippest pet store Healthy Spot. There will be free gift bags for the first 50 guests, a vendor outdoor bazaar, raffles, refreshments and more!

Hope to see you and your dogs there.

Sometimes I meet these dogs that look so HUMAN. Cooley is such a prime example. I think it’s those gigantic eyes. Cooley has such a unique face and unique name . He’s actually named after a character in a book — that his dad happened to write. (His dad is a novelist and Hollywood screenwriter.) If this location looks familiar, it’s because I met Cooley and his mom and dad at the same place I met Lana and Rocco the day before!

(Click on small photos to enlarge).

Cooley is painfully cute in his skeleton outfit:

Dave and Lauren, thanks for a great time. And Josh - thanks for getting Dave a fun gift!