preston casanova, los angeles.
September 1st, 2008I’ve been having these weird psychic moments lately.
I’ll say to myself, “Hmm, it would be really great if I could shoot a (insert cute dog breed here).”
And then a day or two later, a client will contact me with that kind of dog. It’s really strange, but so far it’s happened FOUR TIMES! (I should wish for something like winning the lottery and see what happens)
So my most recent wish was for a cute Pomeranian with a summer Lion cut. And lo and behold, I ended up having the most AMAZING photo shoot with Preston Casanova — truly the cutest Pom out there!
If you recognize Preston, it’s because he and his owner Laura were on the hit reality show The Greatest American Dog. It was so much fun hanging out with Laura and Preston on Saturday morning. I’ve never hung out with a celebrity dog before — and you would not believe how much attention this little man got! So many people recognized him from the show. And his owner Laura is one of the nicest people I’ve met. I could go on and on about all the incredible things about her that make me admire and respect her so much. But then I’d end up with a novel. So how about I show you some photos instead?
(Click on small photos to enlarge)
Preston on lifeguard duty:
“Don’t worry surfers, you’re safe under my watch!”
These 2 guys were kind enough to stop and pose with Preston and his skateboard:
Preston enjoying his morning paper:
Preston enjoying his morning coffee:
It’s pretty obvious why Preston’s middle name is CASANOVA when you see these shots:
I’ve worked with dogs on commercial shoots before (as the art director, not the photographer) and those dogs are IMPECCABLY trained. The trainer gets the dog to pose and do their thing, while the photographer just snaps away. On my typical client shoots, I’m usually the one guiding the dog’s behavior and eyeline. But this time Laura did all the work — Preston is so well trained he’d pose and look wherever we asked him to. This was probably the easiest shoot I’ve done to date!
Laura and Preston make such an amazing pair and I really thought they’d make it to the end of the show. They actually got eliminated in Week 6, but with all the amazing projects they have going on I’m positive this won’t be the last we see of these two.
If you want to see more of Preston, check out his website!
September 1st, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Wow, thanks for the story! Loved reading about the shoot and about Preston. What a little dolly.
September 1st, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Oh My Gosh Grace. This has got to be one the cutest shoots ever! I love his little outfits and the locations you’ve chosen really work in terms of colour. That skateboard shot just cracks me up.
September 1st, 2008 at 2:53 pm
OMG I can’t believe you met Preston!! I loved him on the show! He’s so cute!
September 1st, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Dearest Grace,
Thank you SOOOO MUCH for the wonderful morning photo session. What a perfect way to start my day… you, coffee, skateboarders, surfers, and of course, my mudder bear
we both had the BEST time working with you. And chatting with you! Every dog should be so lucky to play in front of your lense, you make it easy… fun… you’re pretty darn beautiful yourself… and smart as you are sweet! Momma lovvves all our new pictures, and says you truly have a gift of working with animals. We can’t wait to meet your precious “kids”, and of course, shoot with you again soon!
Licks, love,
Preston
September 1st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Oh my god!! you’re so lucky you got to photograph Preston!! He was my favorite on the show! And these are I believe my favorite photos that you’ve taken so far. I love ALL of them! It looks like so much fun!! I love reading the paper (with a little tie - so cute) and posing with the skateboarders. Wow!! Amazing!!
September 1st, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Ok - really? I would LOVE to have a session with that little guy. It really is quite a challenge to make memorable pictures while trying everything in the book to get a dog to look at you or look this way, that way, etc… The little ones are especially hard since they usually want to be right on top of you. What a dream client!! Really beautiful shots!
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:49 am
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September 2nd, 2008 at 4:47 am
Wow…these shots are amazing…that lightblue with Prestons white fur! I love the setting and the shots with the coffee are too frickin cute. Beautiful job as usual…
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:23 am
LOL!!! these are ridiculously fantastic — funny and beautiful at the same time. can’t believe the range you captured, and how incredibly well-trained preston must be! terrific session.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:02 am
Wow a fully directable model
Very nice session here 
Very unique haircut too hehe..
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Can you say, PRECIOUS? Amazing, amazing, amazing!
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
O. M. G. These are so amazing! Love everything about them…you are one lucky dog photographer! Sounds like a dream session! And he is absolutely adorable!
September 4th, 2008 at 8:33 am
These made me smile! I love the one of him reading the paper. And the “baywatch” photos are sooo funny! You did a great job!
September 5th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Grace - your shoots just keep getting better and better. I would never play favorites, but Preston’s pics are right up there.
Hope the fair goes well — as every time I look at those pups, I think about taking one home (which would be impossible)…it’s torture!
September 5th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
What a fun shoot, he is a real cutie-pie. Now…did you choose or suggest the location, or was it the owner’s idea?
September 5th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Whoa, thanks for all the comments everyone! When you look THAT CUTE, I guess it’s not surprising to get so much love from the blogosphere : )
Jen — Preston’s mama Laura asked for an outdoor shoot, so I suggested this location at Venice Beach. It’s one of my favorite places to shoot! I forgot to mention this in the post, but the Starbucks shoot was totally random. I wanted to give Preston a water break and buy my requisite iced coffee and thought it would be adorable to get some coffee shots. We borrowed the paper from the couple sitting next to us and attracted quite a bit of attention when people noticed there was a photo shoot going on
September 6th, 2008 at 1:01 am
some of my very favorites to date! LOVE all of them! the newspaper and latte shots are hilarious. fantastic. OH! and I have had psychic/precognitive moments lately too!! a few days ago I was in the shower envisioning a certain specific shot in a specific type of location, and when I got to the studio I had an email from a client asking for just that!! gotta love that.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
[…] hero… and well I think hes pretty darn cute too! Check out his latest photo shoot taken by Shine Pet Photos who is know for their “Extreme Home Makeover”. Photo Credit: Shine Pet Photo's LA, […]
September 11th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
i think preston is the cutiest little thing
i just got a dog that looks just like him
September 11th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I just wanted to let you know that I think your photography is amazing!!! I live in NYC now but I’m from California and I would love to have you shoot my little pup whenever I’m out there next. Also FYI I did a small feature on my blog of your shoot with Preston. http://www.pupscale.wordpress.com
Great work!!!
May 4th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
I love, love, love these pictures of Preston. My two favorites are the skateboard and Preston drinking Starbucks!
May 4th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Ummmm…..He is so freaking adorable I am left speach less. Totally digging his life vest and tie. Way to big pimp it Preston!
August 4th, 2009 at 1:55 am
one word for you preston: dashing!!!
(whew! what a casanova!)