contemporary, lifestyle, on-location animal photography

the blur that is my boy ~ {Ontario exclusive pet photographer}

July 17, 2010

as part of the very popular and extremely active 52 Weeks for Dogs group that i created on flickr last year, devoted to one-year projects of weekly photos of your dog, we sometimes present a weekly challenge for members to take part in. challenges have ranged from depth-of-field, selective focus, b&w treatment, pop culture, and this week: action blur.

as I lay in bed last night, an image suddenly formed in my mind which i felt would answer the challenge perfectly. all that was left was to figure out how to execute it with all three scruffies. i shouldn’t have continued setting up the shot beyond the initial click. the first one nailed it …

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… my lounging girl, a disdainful aslan looking on, and merrick — a constant blur in our world.

enjoy your weekend, everyone! i hope it’s not a blur!

added note for all you techies: no, there are no special effects or extra photoshopping tricks here. this shot was accomplished through a slow shutter speed and good dog-wranglin’.

Facebook Comments

6 comments

andrealove it!!! let me know if your 52 Weeks group ever has a spot open up, illona….i would love to join! 🙂ReplyCancel
JDVery fitting since Merrick is the most active of this trio.ReplyCancel
Emery WayThe best dog photos are from the people who know and love them best. Awesome image!ReplyCancel
Holly Garner-JacksonYou do amaze me woman! This is awesome and such a perfect answer to the challenge!ReplyCancel
StephanieWith a space like this, I would want to chill like Matea!ReplyCancel
emilyAwesome! He looks like a super hero!ReplyCancel

lexus doesn’t mind the bridges ~ {Kitchener dog photographer}

July 16, 2010

just had to share a few images from a shoot a couple of weeks ago with a real trooper. for those of you living in or around Kitchener-Waterloo, you know that unless you’re crossing via a highway, the only way you’re getting over the Grand River is over one of the four multi-span concrete bowstring arch bridges … and you are, no doubt, well familiar with how slow going it can be to get through these areas because of the bridges’ restricted flow, especially at Bridge Street or old King.

so i thought, in spite of most of us Waterloo’ites cursing these heritage bridges during rush hour, why not incorporate their architectural beauty into a photoshoot?

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of course, i’d try this only on a weekend, but still, even with minimal traffic, the cars blasted past. i was so proud of big girl Lexus for her bravery.

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she wasn’t keen on actually posing, but owner Joyce and I managed to coax her along several passes of the bridge …

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actually, i think Lexus thought she was just out for an afternoon walk. thanks, Joyce and Lexus, for the opportunity to show off our lovely bridge in — i hope — a new light.

oh, and absolutely Lexus was wearing her leash!

Facebook Comments

3 comments

Holly Garner-JacksonLove the setting and that you were able to incorporate it into a shoot! And safety first and foremost! You’d never know that Lexus was leashed! Great job!ReplyCancel
SylviaThe bridge is pretty, for sure, especially once it was rebuilt, but I think Lexus is still alone in loving it! Getting back and forth my home in Preston to work in Waterloo was always the low point of my day, only matched now by London’s dual set of train tracks on either side of downtown.

Still, lovely photos – bright and sunny and Lexus is certainly having a good day!ReplyCancel
Tatyana“oh, and absolutely Lexus was wearing her leash!”

That was one of the first things that ran through my mind when I heard traffic. Expert editing on your part, I wouldn’t have guessed from the shots.

Quite different from your usual nature shots but gorgeous nonetheless. Love the sun flares.ReplyCancel

when it all comes together ~ {Guelph dog photographer}

July 15, 2010

it’s been a tough month. i’ve overextended myself due to shoots beyond the usual scope: ailing pets and emergency sessions, the donation of my time for the KW Humane Society calendar, as well as some big orders and commercial projects. some of those shoots haven’t been quite so … shall i say … easy. my body is worn and battered, and i’m beyond due for a vacation … which, of course, isn’t anywhere visible on the horizon.

but i take my breaths where i can get them, and yesterday afternoon and evening, i had several long wonderful breaths with Lily and her wonderful owners Calli and Dave. i won’t be processing these images for maybe another month to better fit with vet Calli’s equally busy schedule, and even though they’re making the long trek home up to Thunder Bay today and might not see this for a while, i wanted to post a sneak …

Lily was the most gracious of models, and an absolute superstar in my books. i haven’t even gone through the entire session … just grabbed this one quickly … way more wheat shots, water shots, downtown alleyway Guelph shots, field shots, and so much more of this perfect girl. they don’t get much better than this.

and in case you think the shoot was all calm poses and sit-stays … think again:

so thank you, Lily and Calli, for making my week. and big time thanks to Dave, for schlepping all my equipment. my shoulders so needed the break. you’re all superstars in my book! enjoy the lake for me too!

Facebook Comments

10 comments

illonathank you, everyone.

rosemary, too funny! i’ve never been recognized while out shooting … well, at least not that i’ve been told. 🙂ReplyCancel
Annie KinmondWow! These are gorgeous! I love the texture of the wheat and the beautiful sky! The first is my favourite. You’ve inspired me to take my Wheaten Terrier to a spot like this next year;)ReplyCancel
sedonaohh what funny snarly lips! love the colors in that first one too!ReplyCancel
tee4tiagot to love those wheat fields. Lily looks like a honey. gorgeous photos.ReplyCancel
RosemaryNothing like a Golden. A lovely girl. I drove by you just as you were exited the field and almost stopped to say hi and let you know what a fan I am of your work.ReplyCancel
JulieSimply gorgeous! I love the perspective of the first shot.ReplyCancel
bublynskiOh, Lily – you are definitely a star! Sweetness and spunk together, that’s what you’ve captured here – beautiful photos!ReplyCancel
alexaLilly is such a gorgeous girl! Can’t wait to see the rest. 🙂ReplyCancel
Holly Garner-JacksonGorgeous shot. Nice you got a bit of a break. Nothing like a golden for for a mellower time. She’s a beauty!ReplyCancel
AndaWonderful image of Lily in the wheat field. Hope your summer will be filled with equally beautiful and well behaved clients 🙂ReplyCancel