mama | los angeles dog photography
December 3rd, 2009Holy cow, has it really been a month since I’ve blogged? It’s been insanely busy around here since October and I haven’t had a chance to share any photos from the last 12 clients I’ve photographed!
But this session was really special and I just had to share.
Mama was an 18 year old chihuahua rescued from the shelter less than a year ago by Kim, my amazing Studio Manager Extraordinaire. As any 18 year old dog might be, Mama was a little rickety and had her share of health problems. But don’t let her age fool you- she still had a lot of fight in her and was the feistiest little senior dog around.
I have the utmost admiration for people like Kim who rescue senior dogs, especially at such an advanced age. It’s only human nature to want to share life with a dog for as long as possible - so to adopt a senior dog is such a selfless, heroic act. I am so grateful for Kim and others who are willing to provide a loving, safe environment for the end of a sweet, older dog’s life.
We had our photoshoot towards the end of October. Mama was so present that day, like she knew we were doing something really special. She really connected with the camera, as you’ll see in the shots below. And it was just beautiful watching Kim and Mama together.
Exactly a month after our shoot, Mama passed away peacefully in Kim’s arms.
Mama looked like a little bat and had the cutest little ears that curled at the ends.
Thank you Kim. You are an inspiration and I’m proud to call you my friend.
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Talk about capturing the connection. You did that and MORE! What you gave to Kim will be more special than anything she could ever hold, smell or feel from Mama. You gave her lasting, beautiful and heartfelt memories. The b/w with the sun rays is extraordinary.
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
wow! i’m speechless. mama will be missed.
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I’m in a pool of tears… absolutely gorgeous photos of the most precious little dog and her truly beautiful (inside and out) human mother… These images are super super special and the image quality, spectacular! (couldn’t be a zoom???) Kim is so lucky to have these amazing memories.
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I’m tearing up!! these are so so stunning..you really out did yourself here.
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
So, so beautiful! As an animal lover myself, Mama’s story and your photos melted my heart! Older animals hold a very special place in my heart and deserve human love and companionship as much as they did when they were puppies. Thank you for posting this!
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Wow, these are so beautiful, and that little mama was darling little girl. Like you I commend Kim for adopting a senior dog. It’s something I would like to do someday, because those sweet dogs really deserve a loving home.
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:27 pm
what a little sweetie. bless her and Kim.
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:47 pm
sniff sniff as I blink away tears. 18 years old? what a soul.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:55 pm
wow, what a selfless person with such a great heart. the pics are amazing, she was a beautiful dog. love the snuggle bunny costume too! i dunno how you do it unnie, but you are definitely the BEST!
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:21 pm
beautiful photos and beautiful story! i’m so happy that kim came into mama’s life. i’m sure mama knew how much she was loved.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:48 am
These are beautifull images, really tell a story, she really connected with the camera, and they make a great little memorial for her.
December 4th, 2009 at 4:21 am
RIP mama!
i love the last 2 shots grace — they will be a fond memory of the bond that kim and mama shared.
on a side note….you have been missed in the blog world.
December 4th, 2009 at 10:02 am
wow, grace. these images are breathtaking. i love how you are able to capture the bond b/w a pet & owner in a way that is palpable. she will cherish these images. the b&w on the stairs made me gasp… stunning…
December 4th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
this brought tears to my eyes — what amazing work and a wonderful gift you have given kim. the third and fourth with her little munchkin smile…perfection.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Grace, amazing photos and beautiful story. It’s SOOOOO awesome to see somebody as passionate about dogs as we are, and recognizes the importance of rescuing older animals. It’s so easy for people to be selfish and get puppies, but the real love and personal character is shown when people act selflessly like this and make an older pets last days as happy as their first. Kudos on capturing a beautiful moment of a couple beautiful souls.
December 6th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Such precious pictures. What a beautiful old lady Mama was. It’s absolutely admirable that Kim adopted an older dog. I plan on doing that when I adopt my first dog–and I agree with the folks at Modern Life Photo, that the real personal character is in adopting the older dogs. Way to go Kim!
December 7th, 2009 at 4:16 am
holy cow grace, these are amazing! mama looks exactly like a little bat, and yes you can totally tell how she connected with you + with HER new mama. lovely story.
December 7th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Oh my god that is the sweetest little face! She did not look 18 at all. Wonderful story.
December 7th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
These are gorgeous. Every now and then you look through the lens and realize you are doing something SO much more than just taking pictures. This is one of those instances. Gorgeous and heartfelt ♥
December 9th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
What a touching story & beautiful photos. Kim, what a great thing you did by giving Mama a loving home for the time she had left.
December 10th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
This is such a touching story captured in photos. Beautiful work!