Tag Archives: Dog Photos

Mary Eklund, Kitsap County Pet Photographer, taking lifestyle images of your pawed, clawed and hooved critters. Bainbridge, Belfair, Bremerton, Gig Harbor, Kingston, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, Silverdale.

Studio Work at Cindy’s Grooming Styles – Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography

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This week I was delighted to be asked by a middle school student if she could job shadow me. The specific day was Friday, my plan was to edit and work on taxes – a realistic view of my workday, but not something I thought would be too exciting for a 13 year old! The weather did not allow for outdoor shooting, but Miss S’s mom happens to own Cindy’s Grooming Styles, which has a large area for doggie daycare (and some beautiful wall art by Four Foot Photography)! We have talked about doing some limited edition sessions in the shop for Cindy’s clientele, so this was a great opportunity to do a dry run. Without much time to put out a model call, I decided to work with my own four foots – unfortunately, my wingnut Bichon was still several weeks from his next grooming appointment, and I really haven’t worked with our rescue pug that much. To that end, Cindy agreed to work Fabio in to get him camera ready, and I thought I would set up my mobile backdrop and bring Gladys along for a realistic study on how it can be to work with an animal who doesn’t have much experience at posing or isn’t particularly trained (Gladys is quite deaf). We had a lovely day – Ms. S is a bright, eager learner, Cindy did a beautiful job on Fabio, and Gladys was a pleasant surprise. Over the past several years I have been looking for the words to explain how the process of having your pet (or family) photographed can be very validating to the strong connection people have with their pets (and each other) – and also it is so FUN! The shared experience brings an emotional element to the images that is reinforced every time you look at those photographs. This was first called to my attention by the fabulous Stephanie Wright, whose rats I photographed my first year in business (Click here to see the images). She told me later that the evening after the photoshoot she just couldn’t put her girls down, seeing them through the camera’s eye she fell completely in love and just sat and cuddled them. This was the best compliment, and after photographing Gladys Friday, I got a taste of my own medicine. We loved her right away, stinkiness and quirks and all, but I am now SO IN LOVE with her adorable little head tilt! Here are my babies!

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I genuinely prefer to shoot in more of a lifestyle format and natural light, but this really got my studio juices flowing! Miss S had an opportunity to photograph as well, I will add some of her shots in the next few days (I REALLY have to get my taxes done!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four Foot Photography, Mary Eklund, Pet Photographer, Kitsap County Pet Photographer, Dog Photos, Cindy’s Grooming Styles, Port Orchard Photographer, Pets and People, Portrait Studio, Bichon, Pug

McNeill’s Brogan Boy – Kitsap County Pet Photographer Four Foot Photography

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I never know what will come of an inquiry – sometimes nothing, and sometimes I meet someone I feel like I have known, or want to know, forever. I had a call in October that led to me meeting the fabulous Alicia Harck (I rarely use last names on my blog, but you really need to know that this angel woman is among us). Alicia is co-founder of The Big Dog Rescue Project, and coordinates for Seattle dogs coming in from high kill Texas shelters. She screens applications, picks up, fosters, places and delivers the dogs to their new families. It is an amazing, intensive constant, in addition to caring for her own sweet husband, dogs and horses. Alicia has since done some fostering for Pony Up Equine Rescue (in her spare time?). As much as I would go on and on about this fantastic giver of a woman, this post is not about her, but about sweet Brogan, her 11 year old yellow lab.  Alicia had seen my work at the annual Kitsap Humane Society Animal Krackers Auction, and was calling to set up a pet photography session. 2013 was a hard year for the Harcks, as they lost multiple four footed family members, horses, dogs and the cat. Darling Brogan had been treated at WSU College of Veterinary Medicine for a rare nasal cancer. Brogan fought hard and went into remission, but Alicia was calling me as the cancer was back. She wanted his session to be a surprise for her husband for Christmas, and we planned a lifestyle session featuring this darling boy on his (gorgeous!) home turf, being Brogan, while he was feeling healthy and happy. He certainly lived up to his billing as Chief Heartthrob, although Alicia’s friend Michelle tells me Brogan is HER boyfriend, so I had to take a number. The Harcks are making sure Brogan enjoys every day, and while cancer and treatment have taken their toll, you can clearly see his sweet, beautiful spirit, and the absolute love and devotion he has for his people.

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We made some beautiful custom Christmas cards, a gorgeous canvas, wood print, photographic prints and metal prints, in addition to their custom layflat session album. It is my fervent wish that their vibrant, personal artwork makes them happy every single time they look at it. I love these people and everything they stand for, I am truly blessed to meet such amazing people and animals through my business.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kitsap County Pet Photographer, Four Foot Photography, Mary Eklund, Port Orchard Pet Photographer, Gig Harbor Pet Photographer, Yellow Lab, Pet Photographer, Kitsap County Photographer, Professional Photographers of America

Kitsap Humane Society Adoptables – Kitsap County Pet Photographer

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I met some cutie-pies on Tuesday! Some of them have already been adopted – go to Kitsap Humane Society for currently available adoptable animals.

 

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Kitsap Humane Society, FourFootPhotography.com, Adoptable Dogs, Rescue Dogs, Kitsap County Pet Photographer, Mary Eklund, Dog Photos

Winter Lighting Challenge – Catchlights

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Usually a willing poser, the wingnut was rather subdued.
Literally one shot of the boy before he was off. Meh.
Gladys was full of beans, and pushed her fur brother off the ottoman.
Grandma Kitty can still smolder the camera.
What happens when I tell her to look right into the lens…sigh.
Catchlights on a fish? If you look closely…
Oh, this one is trouble…
PCS – Photographer’s Child Syndrome.

Catchlights are the little reflection of light in the eye that give spirit to a photograph, bringing it to life. This is especially true for pet photography. Animals have such dark eyes, it is very important to capture the light and avoid the dreaded “shark” or “dead” eye. For this week’s challenge (easy peasy, right?), I thought I would photograph the kids and the dogs together – yeah, no. Not gonna happen. So then I thought I would do each of my babies – two footed, four footed and finned (ok, I don’t really think of the fish as one of my babies, but I have managed to keep him alive for 14 months now!). Well it seems NO ONE was in a cooperative mood, so what I got was kind of silly, but I love them all the same.

I think perhaps Batfish was the most cooperative…

Port Orchard Photographer, Mary Eklund, Kitsap County Photographer, Kids and Pets, Winter Lighting Challenge, Cat Photos, Dog Photos, Lifestyle Photography, Gig Harbor Family Photographer, 2014

Winter Lighting Challenge – Twilight

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This challenge is really firing up my creativity! For this week, images needed to be recorded during twilight – the soft, diffused light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon, either from daybreak to sunrise or, more commonly, from sunset to nightfall. It was a tricky week for me to be shooting, schedule-wise, so I was excited to see that twilight could also be in the morning – and last night we got a few inches of SNOW, which always gets my photographer juices flowing (I’m not alone, as evidenced by Facebook today!). We took our kiddos to see the Lego Movie Friday night, which was a big treat (expensive!), as they both had good reports at the dentist (also expensive!), and the sky was just GORGE. I was so unhappy I didn’t have Big Momma with me, but made do with the cell phone, and I am tempted to use one of them in the challenge!

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Yesterday I had the singular pleasure of attending Mr. Evan’s first birthday party, and I just happened to have Big Momma with me (oh and maybe I snapped off a few frames!), and I happened to be at the party at twilight, and it HAPPENED to be a lovely home with a jaw-dropping view! I had only brought one lens, but I like these, too!

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Last night it started to snow after I got home – I checked the almanac to find out when morning twilight would be, and snuck out in my jammies and boots (with my four footed escorts, natch), and here are my top picks from that safari:

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Of course, I spent the rest of the day photographing the snow on plants, kids on snow, husband on sled….how fun, and what a great way to start a week that is booked!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four Foot Photography, Photography Awesomesauce Winter Lighting Challenge, 2014, Snow, Kitsap County Photographer, Keyport, Port Orchard, Silverdale

Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography

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Wednesday I took my kiddos to help socialize some puppies (optimally puppies should be introduced to 100 people before they are 12 weeks old – this can be hard to do when they also shouldn’t be out in public before they are vaccinated) in foster care that are almost ready to be adopted. It is great to know that these 7 (7!) little fur bundles were not at all fazed by my 2 foots. Yup, I’m all about sacrificing for the good of the animals…Did I mention we got to play with PUPPIES?!

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I love, love to photograph animals of all ages, breeds, colors, temperaments, and also feel strongly about donating my time and abilities to rescue organizations – the opportunity to do both, and with 7 puppies…oh my! (Had I actually been planning to go this nutty cuckoo, yes, I would indeed have brushed my daughter’s hair!) So maybe I just HAPPENED to have my camera along….

 

The puppies are being fostered and are available through K.A.R.E. (Kitsap Animal Rescue and Education). They have been wormed, had their first shots, and have been bathed, handled, loved in a home with exposure to other animals, men, women, children, and even someone in uniform (great idea!). While we were there, they were extremely good about using the piddle pads! One has already been adopted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four Foot Photography, Mary Eklund, Kitsap County Pet Photographer, Rescue, K.A.R.E, Puppy Pictures, Silverdale, Dog Photos, 2014, Pet Photographer, Volunteer

Kitsap Humane Society Adoptables – Feb 5, 2014 Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography

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Kitsap Humane Society has an amazing corps of volunteers who selflessly care for the animals in transition, spending time away from their own furbabies, families, jobs and lives on a WEEKLY (and sometimes daily) basis, without recognition or compensation. These folks walk the dogs rain, shine, heat or cold. The dogs get so excited to go outside, not all of them remember their manners, but they all appreciate the kindness that is shown them. Volunteers help clean the kennels and the kitty boxes, socialize the animals, make soft blankets, collect food and funds, it goes on and on. Here are some of the cuties I met on Tuesday:

Be sure to check out the other adorable adoptables {here} on Shelter Buddy. Thanks, volunteers, for all you do!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kitsap County Pet Photographer, Mary Eklund, Kitsap Humane Society, Adoptable Animals, Port Orchard Photographer, Dog Photos, Cat Photos, Rescue, 2014, Silverdale, Gig Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Kingston, Poulsbo, Four Foot Photography

Old Dog Learns New Trick (New effect, really…but that’s not nearly so catchy!)

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Why yes, my subject IS an old dog (and also a wingnut, a tree, and two spazzed out Washington kids who got to play outdoors for 3 hours in January), and I learned something new! My lighting assignment this week involved something I had never attempted, and like so many of the other weekly challenges, I LOVED it, and am looking forward to perfecting the technique (this would be a great wedding shot – anyone?). For these images, I have a flash placed behind the subjects, and trigger it remotely (new gizmos!). It is all kinds of geeky fun up in here…

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Kitsap County Pet Photographer, Backlighting at Night, Awesomesauce, Port Orchard Photographer, Gig Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Wedding Photography, Kids and Family, Mary Eklund

Evolution Kitsap County Photographer ~ Four Foot Photography

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I really, REALLY hate to say goodbye – but that seems to have been a big theme for 2013. Family, friends, neighbors – it seems like everyone is moving. It is no surprise that April and Markus Franz are moving, as he serves in the US Navy, but I am devastated nonetheless! I first met April and Markus and Dobby in Lisa Ridens’ {Affordable Dog & Puppy Training} puppy class, held at Woodside Animal Hospital, after bringing home a particularly difficult youngish used dog. Dobby was only 4 months old, but ridiculously attentive and obedient, while my wingnut was, well, being himself! I was juuuust starting my business at the time, and got up the nerve to ask Lisa if I could solicit the class for volunteer models to build my portfolio (thank you, Lisa!). It was a class full of beautiful puppies, but April was the only one who took me up on my {free} offer. From that first little puppy shoot, the Franz family grew and evolved along with my fledgling business. It has been fun to go back through the sessions and see their family and my photography evolve and change. We did the last shoot less than two weeks ago. April’s mom was really looking forward to a maternity shoot, but since baby Franz isn’t scheduled to make an appearance for 4 more months, you have to use your imagination a little bit! I have truly appreciated their friendship. So, happy trails Markus, April, Snuggles, Phil, Dobby and Quint!

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Here is a little trip down memory lane – from the first puppy shoot for Dobby, to a Nebraska homecoming, Dobby’s first birthday, Quint’s arrival, promotional shots for April’s business, Shooting Star Services, graduation pictures from her first training class, April’s new truck, Christmas card pictures, real estate shots for renting their Port Orchard home, Halloween, New Years and Baby Shower parties, pregnancy announcement…Thanks for watching my goonies, and loaning me your boys, for long conversations and good meals and …This photographer is going to miss you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Port Orchard Pet Photographer, Mary Eklund, Four Foot Photography, Shooting Star Services, Affordable Dog and Puppy Training, Pet Town, Woodside Animal Hospital, Family Photos, Sheltie, Belgian Malanois, Cat Photos, Kitsap County Photographer

Tank ~ the English Bulldog

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I LOVE it when people gift my services – 1) I am an avid gift-giver myself 2) It is so thoughtful to gift something you know someone will treasure, especially if it is something they would not have done for themselves 3) I get to meet really awesome people and pets… But enough about me! In September I had a display booth at the PAWS of Bainbridge Wagfest, as I have each of the last 3 years: 2013 , 2011 – I will have to search for 2012! I met Derek, who was helping his friend at another vendor booth, and we talked about doing a gift certificate for another friend’s birthday. Derek and Tara surprised their friend Jessica on her birthday with a session and print credit for her English Bulldog, Tank. The day Jessica and I set up for the session was rainy and cold, but Jessica wanted to give it a go, so we met at Silverdale Waterfront Park. Tank is adorable, as is Jessica, and they were stoic about the weather, so we ended up with MANY fun images to choose from. Tank’s quirky characteristics, like his Dalmatian-spotted ears and fabulous underbite, Jessica credits to puppy mill breeding, and though her rescue dog’s health issues have cost her “enough to buy a new car,” her love for her companion, and his adoration of her makes it all worthwhile. Here are some of my favorites!

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Pet Photographer, Bremerton, Silverdale, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Kingston, Belfair, Kitsap County, Pet Photography, English Bulldog Rescue, Silverdale Waterfront Park, Kitsap Lifestyle Photographer, Mary Eklund