In case you were thinking you were out of luck if you don’t have four feet and a furry face, meet Amy, an aspiring actress who works for Ruth King at Mud Bay (ok, so she does have a pet connection…). I did some work for Ruth last year, and she has been most gracious about passing along my contact information (and the Gig Harbor store has a small display where you can pick up a business card. They have GREAT products if you haven’t been there, GO!). Amy needed head shots for a casting director she is working with. She hopes to work on television, and is about the cutest thing you ever saw. After some dynamic weather, we met in downtown Tacoma and here are a few of the shots she will be sending out for parts she would like, and also a few of my personal favorites. It was super fun, and we were fortunate enough to meet a kind security guard who found us a place with electricity so Amy could straighten her naturally curly hair for a different look. I got back to my car maybe a minute before it started to rain. Perfect!
Tag Archives: Gig Harbor
A Grand Old Dame with a New Lease on Life?
So a couple of weeks ago I was grabbing my gear, preparing for a shoot with a dog who is deaf (pictures coming soon!). In a moment of insight, I picked up a toy I sometimes use when photographing cats – and it caught the attention of my 19 year old Jasmine, whose kidneys are failing and most strenuous activity for the last year has been ambling to her dish, jumping into the window sill for a little snooze, or complaining loudly if her dinner is a little later than expected (she’d fit right in with the Senior Early Bird Special – get it?). 
If you have, or have had an old cat, you might be able to fathom how I stopped everything I was doing, picked up the toy in one hand and my camera in the other and played with her for the next half hour, until my wrist was burning and she looked a little winded. I was more than a little kerflempt, thinking about how she’s lived with me longer than anyone, and how much I count on her being there. 
It’s been a complicated relationship, but I adore that little furry body sleeping on my feet at night, even though she’s shedding like nobody’s business, and hacks up a hairball more often than I like to think about. I love you, Missy. 
“The bird is mine.”
Finn…Obedience School Graduate
Here’s Finn, a recent graduate of Shooting Star Service’s obedience class. April Franz is passionate about educating people along with their dogs. A lifelong animal lover, April has a Sheltie, a Belgian Malinois, two cats and a chinchilla (and a very kind husband). In addition to being a Certified Animal Trainer, April works at Woodside Animal Hospital and Pet Town in Port Orchard. 
Poodle-icious!
Some of you may be aware of my 4 year old daughter’s intense, year-and-a-half-long obsession with poodles, which was apparently brought about by eating at “The Poodle Dog” restaurant in Fife. She has been on me relentlessly, “When can we get my poodle dog?” – to the point that ALL she wanted for her birthday was a poodle. Nevermind that the family dog is a rescued Bichon Frise, about the poodley-est non-poodle you can find. As an appeasement, for her birthday we gave him a poodle cut (sorry, buddy!), which made her happy. NOW she’s in heaven, as I’ve been editing my session with not one, but TWO poodles! Ty and Brook are dear souls who reside with Janice in Bremerton. Apricot in color (it’s darker when it’s longer), Ty is a miniature poodle, and Brook is a teacup. They are 5 years old and love playing with their cousin, Oscar Meyer (!), a miniature longhaired dachshund, and gobbling up the delicious treats Janice bakes for them. The admiration, in this group, is definitely mutual.
A Whole Lotta Love…
Friend, Friend, Wonderful Friend! Married – my truly fabulous friend is getting MARRIED! Getting hitched…tying the knot…I almost don’t have the words to explain (but I’ll try!) what it means to me to see my longtime friend so happy and so in love. And then, to have the chance to document a love story in process, well, that is just cool beans. So meet Christy and Kevin, two people who know it isn’t easy, but who make me believe it is worth it. Don’t you love the way he looks at her? And Isn’t. She. Fabulous?
Wonderful World of Westies
As promised, here is a sneak peek of Molly and Angus, two of the luckiest Westies in the world. Molly and Angus live with Chris, who is devoted to them almost beyond measure, and Mufasa, who is…not. While he was singularly unwilling to pose with the dogs, the shot of the fabulous feline Mufasa is one of my very favorites. There is something magical about these little dynamos and the gorgeous yard Chris works so hard on – when you see the one with Molly in front of the bright flowers, you’ll know what I mean!
Something smells a little fishy…
OK, not really! I need some help choosing a favorite fish photo! Any opinions, please leave a comment or send me a message! TKS!
Hunter becomes the Hunted…
Poor Hunter is quite used to having his photo taken (I mean, really, just look at him, isn’t he fabulous?), but he was not prepared for the industrial click of “Big Momma,” my Canon. Hunter, who is one year old, lives with Tobey (see the previous post), Ally and Mr. Sprinkles (although he is not granted unsupervised visitation with Mr. Sprinkles, a Betta fish) . Sometimes Tobey is a little much for Hunter, and I added “stranger danger” and The Click. He was on High Alert, but was coolly professional, nonetheless. I think you’ll agree that Hunter’s markings make him one Super Model!
Walking the walk…
In case you’ve wondered if I practice what I preach, I took a few snapshots around my house today..
All except the metal in the dining room are traditional canvas, stretched on 1 1/2″ wooden frames, 16 x 16″ to 24 x 36″ – go big or go home, in this case, both! Just two are my own pets. I’m a firm believer in only having things on your walls that you love, things that bring you joy. In my house it is mostly photos of my kids and clients, with a few other pieces that I just love. Oh, and also a canvas I brought home from a garage sale that my husband says looks like the Apocolypse…Oops! Not to push the minimalist over the edge, but our homes often have wall space we don’t see – think over doorways and bookcases, between windows – in addition to the traditional space over the sofa. Often the size people are most familiar with (8 x10″) is what they think of first. Here’s a visual aid from Erica Clark Photography that demonstrates different sizes: http://tinyurl.com/6wcuxfrI’m a lucky dog…and cat…and dog…and cat, cat, cat
These fortunate felines and catered-to canines are so lucky to live with Ms. Sherry and her family! A more genuine, kind, animal loving person you will not find.
Four Foot Photography 