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Category Archives: products and promos

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win a scruffy dog photo session! ~ {Ontario pet-exclusive photographer}

4 March 2011 – 11:56 am

here at scruffy dog, we, of course, shoot a dozen free sessions every year for the Humane Society calendar to help raise awareness and funds for the orphaned animals at the centre.  and there are other charity shoots that are scattered throughout the year — guide dogs, as well as silent auctions for numerous rescue organizations.

but i thought it would be fun to have our very own scruffy dog contest … to open up the possibility of a session to anyone.  you even!  or, well, your dog, actually.

so how does this work?  well, every contest needs a few boundaries and limitations, so here goes …

RULES:

  • the contest is open to anyone regardless of geography.  the only requirement is that, if you are the winner, you have to come here — the Waterloo region — for your shoot  [hey, scruffy dog clients drive from Ottawa, Windsor, and across the border ... in fact, our first client from California is due this summer.  what's a little driving?];
  • you are not eligible if your dog is already a member of the scruffy dog family, and this includes calendar shoots;
  • sorry Fluffy, dogs only for this one;
  • one dog per household;
  • the winner must schedule their shoot to take place before August 1st.

HOW TO ENTER:

  • entries must be received by midnight March 20th;
  • you must submit a recent photo of your dog, taken by you;
  • the size of the photo, ideally, should be 72dpi (low-res/web-ready) and 720 pixels on the long side;
  • mail your entry to info@scruffydogphotography.com using the subject header: “My dog wants to join the scruffy dog family!”  [without this subject header, your entry may end up in the Spam folder and promptly consumed by the resident scruffies];
  • be sure to include your name and contact information [your contact information will not be published];
  • also include your dog’s name and a short, one-line description.

HOW THE VOTING WORKS:

since we’re celebrating 600 followers, we’re using facebook for our contest!

  • several days after the contest closes on March 20th, all of the entry photos will be up on facebook and an announcement made;
  • if you aren’t already (and why not?), you’ll need to become a follower of the scruffy dog photography faceboook page … this is where you’ll be voting. really, it’s easy!
  • voting is done by “liking” the image, and anyone who follows SDP on facebook can vote!

IMPORTANT NOTE: you and other followers of the SDP facebook page can vote for more than one dog by “liking” their photo, but there’s only one “like” per dog per person possible.  so, tell your family, tell your friends … anyone can help you with the voting and win your Rover their place in the SDP family and a portfolio of one-of-a-kind photos!

the winner of the contest receives their very own Starter Session!  [of course, the value of the Starter can be applied towards a Standard if you should choose to upgrade to the full three-hour session, or even a Serious Session if you'd like to make a day of it.  to learn about the different sessions, you can visit the main website.] if the winner fails to schedule their shoot by May 1st (to take place before August 1st), the opportunity will go to the second runner-up.

so, get those photos sent in!  and get ready to vote!  i’m looking forward to seeing a whole crop of new faces!

By illona | Tagged , , , | Comments (5)

winter canvas sale ~ {Ontario pet photographer}

11 February 2011 – 4:59 pm

who doesn’t need a pick-me-up in the middle of February?  and who can’t benefit from a little shop-therapy?  i know i certainly do, although lately it’s been new equipment, gear and software for scruffy dog … but still, it’s all about making pretty things … and pretty things making us happy.  or as one of my clients would say: making her walls happy.

so after three recent inquiries from clients wanting to add new canvases to their walls, i figured, why not make some walls happy?

and nothing makes walls happier than canvases!  so …

… for the rest of the month of February, scruffy dog is having a sale on canvases!  and don’t let Merrick’s glum-chum face fool you … it’s a good one!

because we always encourage going big with the scruffy dog wallmounts, with this sale the bigger you go, the more you save!

16 x 24   ~   5% off

20 x 30   ~   10% off

24 x 36 +   ~  15% off

and because we also encourage framing, float-frames (as seen on the canvases in this entry)  are further discounted via a group rate.

16 x 24 floatframe  $100

20 x 30 floatframe $125

24 x 36 floatframe $155

30 x 40 floatframe $190

* this special runs only for the month of February, and is open only to SDP clients who have previously ordered one of the SDP collections/packages.  to order yours, contact the studio before the end of the month!

if you would like to read more about the canvases and frames, and see more samples, check out this recent blog entry and the blog entry about going big.

By illona | Tagged , , , | Comments (3)

more big canvases ~ {Ontario fine art pet photographer}

26 January 2011 – 11:26 am

after a full day of cataloging and packaging, as promised (via the scruffy dog facebook page), here are some quick shots of just a two of the several large client canvases that arrived to the studio this week …

since these two are longer pieces, they have special hanging brackets and I wasn’t about to start putting new holes in the walls.  so, not the best representation of their ultimate impact.

if you missed our original blog post on “going big”, please check it out to read more about the different types of canvases and wallmounts we offer, and how “going big” makes a world of difference.

again, without being able to hang these properly, it’s difficult to really light them and show them off properly.

looking forward to Julie’s and Deb’s pickups when they can see these in person, along with Michelle, Jackie, Donna and Bill, Andrea, Geoff and the other clients who are picking up their larger pieces and their photobooks over the next week.

By illona | Tagged , , , | Comments (9)

going big ~ {Ontario fine art pet photographer}

14 January 2011 – 10:40 am

a scruffy dog photo shoot is about more than capturing memorable photos of your 4-legger.  it’s more than action shots, lazy home shots and those expressive moments that have your loved one jumping out of the image at you.  a scruffy dog photo shoot is truly is an investment in artwork of your loved one.

of course, although the SDP collections include a full range of prints, digital images, proofs and luxurious coffeetable photobooks, it’s the “wallmounts” that make the biggest statement in your home.  canvas is the Cadillac … put a floatframe on it, and you’ve got yourself a Maserati.  of course, if canvas isn’t your cup of tea, there are other options like floatmounts and standouts which also give you significant wall coverage … and the sky is the limit as far as variety of size. whatever the “mount”, i always advise clients to go for the look they prefer, since each does have their own unique appeal.

still, canvas is the overall, paws-down favorite.  and in the case of canvas and art, more often than not, well, big is truly better.

i should mention that the above bed is a queen-sized, which makes client, sweet old Cassy pretty much life-size.

the workmanship, as with all SDP products, is top-notch …

although  a lot of clients love the look of a ‘naked’ gallery canvas wrap …

… where you can see the image wrap around the edge …

… i do encourage clients to consider the float frame.  it not only finishes the piece, but with the frame acting as a border, it allows the piece to be hung on almost any coloured wall, anchoring the image without fear of it fading into its surroundings because of similar colours to your paint choices.  this way, throughout the years, you can hang your artwork no matter how often you redecorate.

whatever product you choose, going big truly makes a statement, and it turns your images into artwork as opposed to just “a photo of your 4-legger on the wall”.

this is why, when ordering one of the SDP collections, clients receive their collection-discount on any upgrade and upsizing of wallmounts.

…  big truly is better.  and i’m so grateful that my clients recognize and embrace this sentiment as well.  2010 saw some absolutely stunning wall pieces leaving the SDP studio … it was difficult parting with them!  and currently there are more 4′-plus canvases sitting at the lab waiting for pick-up.  if i get a chance, i’ll share those with you as well.  but in the meantime, if you’re planning your order (now or in the future) think big.  measure your walls and calculate the dimensions you’ll need.

trust me, the only regret you’ll have is going too small.

By illona | Also posted in your images | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (14)

Winter/Summer special ~ {Ontario pet-exclusive photographer}

10 January 2011 – 10:09 am

pull out the Kodiaks and the parkas, the goose-down mittens and the toque, eh?  the snow’s here!  and as we do every year, scruffy dog photography is offering our Winter/Summer special!

what is the Winter/Summer special?  well, it’s a dual-season, double-shoot opportunity for all those who simply can’t decide whether Rover would look better in snow or grass … a package designed for those all-season dogs for whom one season simply isn’t enough.

it’s also an awesome way to achieve a final portfolio busting with huge variety.  of course, with any SDP shoot, variety is key, and the finished gallery is always big on variety … but the Winter/Summer also gives diversity of season.

the Winter/Summer is intended for those aiming for an SDP coffeetable photobook, not just a few images on the walls … to fill up the pages of your photobook with the stark white snow and frosty beards of winter and the bright greens and blue skies of summer.

but to get you in the mood for a brisk winter shoot and everything that the season has to offer, i’m going to share only snow photos in this blog entry!

sure, it’s a little cold — but check out who in your house is wearing a fur coat already.  they’re ready!  and yeah, on very rare occasion a sudden squall sweeps in.  but you know what?  that can be pretty cool too!

what a lot of people fail to recognize is that — although a little cold — winter is a fabulous time of the year to shoot!  with a snowy backdrop, the season can offer up some fabulous minimalist shots …

so, what does this special session entail?  well, it includes both a Standard Session (a 3-hour shoot  incorporating multiple locations of your choice, including the home) and then a Starter Session (a 1-hour session shot in Waterloo region at an outdoor location).  to learn more about these individual sessions, please visit the scruffy dog photography main website and check out the prices page, or email us.

the cost of this dual-season, double session is only $375, and — like the Standard — includes travel to Toronto and most other areas for your main shoot (and remember, for local shoots, a print credit applies).  this dual-season session gives you a savings of $70.

but there’s more!  with the Winter/Summer you also receive 10% off of your SDP collection — that’s an additional savings of $145-590 or more.

this is your opportunity to capture Rover frolicking in the snow, lounging around the house, and THEN catching some rays … or a stick or frisbee … in the summer time.

book now by contacting us through the main website as there are only a limited number of openings available.  this package requires the first shoot to be shot in January, February or March, with the “summer” session to be shot between April and July (inclusive).  (sorry, no fall shoots available with this package.)

so what are you waiting for?  you know Rover loves the snow.  don’t miss the wonderful opportunities winter has to offer for photos …

… and yes, i’m willing to freeze my fingers a little for Fi-Fi too.

By illona | Tagged , , , | Comments (4)