Sunday, September 15 was the date for this year’s PAWS Wagfest at Battle Point Park on beautiful Bainbridge Island! It is one of my favorite events, so my enthusiasm was up, despite having attended ANOTHER of my faves, Harbor Hounds in Gig Harbor, just the day before, and logging 7 hours of driving time (mainly for childcare) in just over 24 hours. The weather was a bit dicey, and we ended up having some early thunder and rain, although the big nasties held off until later in the day. Huge shout out to my friend Jen Vroom, who attended both events with me, and brought coffee! I was so impressed with the stoic canines who were nonplussed by the thunder, and their human companions who came out to support PAWS of Bainbridge and all the good work they do for the animals. There was a terrific group of vendors and I saw several of my fave fourfoots – notably Dexter, Tucci and Casey, who were featured on my acrylic samples, and made some new friends, too! Super fun events included contests for best costume, waggiest tail, look-a-like, biscuit stacking (human), tricks, pie eating (canine), and the ever popular races. Voting was held and awards were also presented to winners of the fundraising Picture Your Pet contest, and those who raised the most for PAWS. Generally I am near my booth, photographing the attendees, but in this case was asked to document the events – I had only brought one lens, but the images will give you an idea of the fun that is had, and I hope to see you there next year!
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Harbor Hounds 2013! Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography
OHMYGOODNESSSOMUCHFUN! Saturday, September 14, 2013 was Harbor Hounds, put on annually by Gig Harbor Mid-Day Rotary. It is a FANTASTIC event, and I so enjoy all the doggehs and their people. Bichons, Pugs, Frenchies, Danes, Newfies, Goldens, Bulldogs, Poodles, Spectacular “ComboPacks”, Shepherds (White, Australian, German), Chinese Crested, Boston Terriers, Yorkies, Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Shelties, Beagles, and even a Bedlington Terrier! I loved all the stories of rescue and devotion. I will be posting some of the cuties on Facebook as well – please visit and like the page at www.FB.com/FourFootPhotography – feel free to tag yourself, share, like and use your dog’s image – please do not crop out the logo, or give photo credit to Four Foot Photography, this really helps me promote my {very small} business! Gig Harborites (and Pierce & Kitsap Counties in general!) ROCK! Here are some of the furry faces as they came by, thanks for coming out to support this terrific charity event!
Of course, if you would like to order a photographic print, I would be happy to remove leashes and enhance the image and pop it in the mail! info@FourFootPhotography.com
Zander the Magnificent
Sue, Zander’s mom, called me after seeing some of my work on display at Kitsap Veterinary Clinic. Zander is okay, but needed to see Dr Sarah Buck for an eye injury – check him out in his camo “Doggles” below, because you just can’t be too careful. Oh, and he has red ones, too. Zander is getting older, and Sue wanted me to create a portrait of him that captures his fun-loving spirit, and celebrates the huge joy he has been to her and his dad, Harry, since they rescued him. While he is as poised as a professional model and has the looks to be one, Zander is first and foremost a cherished member of the family. He is humble and well-mannered, great with the grandchildren, and enjoys the spectacular life he deserves, complete with RV vacations and his very own fire hydrant (no, really!!!) one of his human brothers installed for him when the back yard foliage had to be removed to protect him from damaging his eyes crashing through the bushes – is that not the coolest thing? Sue always has a towel handy, but I managed to sneak a shot with a spit bubble, which is the image my kiddos ask to see the most. He is a big boy, but if I could have tucked him in my pocket and snuck him home, I sure would have. I like to think Zander is fond of me, but then I am the treat and attention lady. His devotion to Sue runs deep and true, and I am a better person for having witnessed it.
Sue and Harry have invested plenty of time and training and love into Zander, and it has paid off richly, with many years of companionship and devotion. I love, love the people and pets I meet as a pet and portrait photographer in Kitsap County and beyond. *LOVE*
Six Months Old – Already? Port Orchard Photographer
Time does fly – especially that first year – and this little guy is already blasting through his milestones. I can hardly believe that Evan is six months old – and already on his first cruise. Livin’ the life, Little Dude! Rob and Pattie made time to appease the paparazzi (yours truly) the night before they left on vacation – yikes – for Evan’s 6 month pictures. He is just the yummiest little baby, I love those bright eyes and his interaction with his parents. It has been my unwavering pleasure to be their family photographer (and self-appointed weird auntie).
Kitsap County Photographer, Mary Eklund, Lifestyle Photography, Family Portraits, Baby Pictures, Milestones, Silverdale, Gig Harbor Photographer, Key Peninsula, Pierce County Photographer
The Belinski-Cashmans
Nothing makes being a photographer more enjoyable than photographing good lookin’ people who love each other, in a beautiful location, and here, I give you Exhibit A: The Belinski-Cashmans.
I know Momma Michelle from Tender Touch Animal Hospital, where I did employee photographs a few years ago. I was delighted when she asked about Senior Portraits for her second son, Garrett (Class of 2013) last fall. Scheduling and the weather did not cooperate, but after I had such a great time with another reluctant to be photographed Senior (Hayden) in January, I checked back with Michelle (I try not to be pushy, but am always willing! Did I mention their gorgeous Kingston farm? You may recognize the dog, Max from my business cards), and not only did she still want me to do a Senior session, she hadn’t had family portraits in years. This is something I preach all the time, we ALL need photos of our families! Doesn’t matter if your family is you and a spouse; you and a child; you and a dog; you and your girlfriend; you and a spouse and 3 children; you and 9 cats; you, your spouse, your kids and 2 dogs; you, a cat and your boyfriend – YOU are the common denominator and YOU need to be in the photos! Get your friend and a point & shoot camera, your cellphone, your fancy camera or hire a photographer if you are able, just validate your family by preserving the images. Print them! Hang them! Look at them and remember the fun of doing it, it will get you through some hard times. I have never met anyone who said, “Gee, I’m sorry we did that family session and I wish I hadn’t bought so many photos.” Nope! I have, however, met plenty of people who wished they HAD taken photos. OK, off the soapbox, and back to the Belinskis! We had a lovely evening session at their property with all three kiddos, which was a sweet send off as the family has since sold the farm and moved to a newer house – the boys are off on their own adventures now, and the horses went back to their original home in Hawaii. This is a perfect representation of the fun and love shared between these five individuals, and there is a big, beautiful canvas of the three gorgeous children prominently displayed in the new home.
Four Foot Photography, Mary Eklund, Family Photographer, Senior Portraits, Kingston, Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Silverdale, Bremerton, Belfair, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor
What?! I didn’t blog THIS session?
Oh I was so excited about this super Clairetabulous Kingston family session, which took place before I left for a mentorship in the spring, and I haven’t shared it. Selfish! This is my darling, creative, superwoman friend Claire, her goofy and very tolerant-of-me hubby, Josh, and their two adorable kiddos, shot in lifestyle, documentary fashion. I give you “A Kingsbury Morning”:
As you can clearly see, this household is filled to the brim with love. A lifestyle session is a terrific way to cement and build on these memories. Jus’ Sayin’.
Four Foot Photography, Kitsap County Photographer, Child and Family Photographer, Lifestyle Family Session, Kingston, Poulsbo, Gig Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Port Orchard, Bremerton, Belfair, Silverdale, On Location Family Sessions
Shiba Girls
I had the opportunity to spend a little time with three pretty girls in December – one of them only had 2 feet, but she is wonderful, and here at Four Foot Photography, we do not discriminate!
My Little Men – Memorial Day
If you’ve talked to me, you have probably heard at least one story about my little men, my first babies. Jake, my only puppy ever, and how he was my heart, or Faux (pronounced “Fox” – we were really into “The X-Files” and I thought it was a good joke since he was a hound and not at all a fox to spell it “Faux” – not so funny when you are waiting at the vet and they call, “Fo….Fo…”), and all his crazy Beagle antics. Although he was 10 when we adopted him from the Cowlitz County Humane Society (“Tired old boy, needs a place to live out his twilight years…yeah, right! He was a wild man, and rocked our world for the next 8 years), and had been scraped up off the highway after tangling with a car, we still had all sorts of puppy behavior to work out. These two got me through…well, they got me through. They hung in there for me waaaay past what was reasonable, and it was still agony to lose them (in 2006, but I’m still tearing up). I wish I had decent photographs of them, but one thing we always did was a “family Christmas card” – oh, my husband is a good sport! Yesterday my mom and Sandee stopped by – having recently moved, my mom often brings me “treasure” – and in the stack was a holiday card from around 2000 – my BOYS! This image is scanned off the old card – I have the photos somewhere…but what a find!
Eklund Family, 2000
Squishy, Shiny and New
Look who came to see me?! How great is it to have repeat clients? Great, great, GREAT! Especially when they produce such magnificent subject matter. EVAN could not be a more perfect baby, AND his parents brought me coffee. Jus’ sayin’.
Just look at those sparkly eyes, squishy toes, fuzzy hair. Argh. So. Stinkin. Cute.
Baby Pictures, Lifestyle Photography, Four Foot Photography, Kitsap County Photographer, Mary Eklund, Pierce County Photographer, Family Photos, Newborn, Port Orchard Photographer, Key Peninsula, Gig Harbor Photographer, 2013
Juicy little baby…
Introducing Micah, sweet juicy little nugget. Micah was born in January, and we spent a lovely hour or two together, which I am fairly certain I enjoyed more than he did! He joins big brother Levi and spectacular parents Nathan and Jennifer.
Four Foot Photography 