… for the important things in life. and in my case, today, that would be merrick.
as a pet photographer, it’s often easy to get so wrapped up in pointing your cameras at other people’s dogs and cats that you forget to capture those special moments shared with your own … or, as is the case lately, to even take the time to enjoy those special moments with my own scruffies. i’ve been so swamped with shoots, administration, and post work, that i haven’t spent enough time with the scruffies who share my life and studio with me. so this afternoon i took a little time away from the desk and played ball with merrick.
first the tease … i let the dog’s out, but forgot the ball. it’s like the little monkeynuts reads my mind; he knows i’m coming with the ball vs. just letting them out to do their business …
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and then the madness ensues …
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if this next one doesn’t crack you up, well, you should probably check yourself for a pulse … 😉
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of course, there are always some misses when it comes to merrick … but he’s learning to focus.
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these shots were actually taken as part of a project i’m doing for a group on flickr (probably the #1 online photo management and sharing site). 52 Weeks for Dogs is a group i started almost two years ago at the request of a number of flickr friends after i started my own 52 weeks project for my girl matea. basically it’s about taking a photo of one dog every week. the group is populated with a variety of photographers of varying talents and is a fabulous and busy pool of doggie information. who knew it would take off and become the beast it has? unfortunately, its popularity has forced us to close its doors temporarily in order to maintain that intimate feel, and new members are admitted as there is room, and at the beginning of each new year for the new project.
anyway, i have to thank the 52 Week group for so many of my favorite photos of merrick — without the challenge of our weekly photos, i know i wouldn’t have dragged out the camera except for client shoots.
so, 52 Weekers, these are for you! merrick loves ya!
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and for those of you who haven’t ‘met’ merrick yet, this boy has been with us less than four months. we rescued him off of a puppy mill/farm where he was used for stud and clearly had been beaten and kicked around for the first five or six years of his life. you can read more on his story here. hopefully it’ll make you rethink pet stores, kijiji, classified ads and backyard breeders.
you’ve come a long way, baby! (this taken on day 3 after we snagged him … terrified of the camera … using sweet morley as his security blanket) …
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hope you’re all enjoying your weekend with your own scruffies, and taking time to enjoy the balls life throws ya, whether they’re curved or not.
jane dolanGood grief! I have stumbled across someone famous!! I joined flicker for handmade felting and branched out to some dog/pet photos, I follow a few 52 weekers and now have found the starter of it all. Love your photos, and your comments with them.
Thanks, you sure have made some special moments for so many people.
Kelly (Neptune)I’ve enjoyed watching Merrick become this wonderful little beastie under your care! You’ve done an exceptional job with him, he seems like such a special child, and I’m glad he got that second chance with you. I can’t wait to see more of this boy.
And I still think he is a Dock Dog trapped in a little body.
Since finding out about your 52 weeks project I believe I have improved my photography considerably. And with just starting pet photography myself it reminds me to find the time to capture those special moments with my own beasties. Thank you for that.
MargaretThe change that Merrick has undergone – absolutely flourishing in your care – is just amazing!!!
LizI was thinking about this the other day – that i need to have a session with each of my pups. I get so wrapped up in photographing others that I haven’t been taking the time to photography my own pups. These are great shots!
ciscoloIT’s amazing to see how much Merrick has changed in such a short amount of time. I still remember that scrared little pup from your first shots….and look at him now!
So joyful and happy, it’s wonderful to see:) *smile*
SandraMerrick is a natural with the ball. Enjoyed the photos.
Carol CamanhoHi Illona!
How are you doing?
Well, let me introduce myself: I´m also a pet photographer but from Brazil and your photos really inspires me. I really love what you do.
I confess that I take a lot of pics from others and my dog doesn´t have so many.. probably I should enjoy 52 weeks for dogs too! 😀
One more time: Great job!
Love,
Carol.
Holly Garner-JacksonThese are great illona!
We at 52 weeks are ever so grateful that you that you started the group. I tend to take photos of my dog almost every day but the group pushes me to get something special each week. Thank you for that and for all he help you’ve given me to help me improve my photography.
You and your photography and your dogs ROCK!!!!
YazminI guess I’ve just been involved with this whole baby thing, but I’m so glad you urged us to stop by your blog to get the rest of the photos and the full story. Having read the backstory on Merrick in the other post, I think you’ve done a great job getting him integrated into your family. I’m so glad you were able to rescue him, even if you had to pay money to his abusers. <3
Oh – and ball chasing dogs unite! Snickers and Merrick would have a blast chasing balls…now if I could make great photographs like you do! 😀
JeanIllona these photos are fantastic and you’re quite right they bring a great big smile to my face. I have only seen a chuck it ball squashed like that by Ouzo!
SydneyMerrick brings a smile to my face!! I understand having a ball crazy nutt, my mutt has snuck them from a neighboring yard and I had to go return it. I love these photos, so much action and fun. The last one of him and the ball is brilliant!!! I love the mid action catch, the squishing of the ball down.
May I also say thank you for starting 52 weeks. It is one of the best things I have ever done to grow my talent at photography, meet people on flickr and of course be closer to my dog. I started this when he was young, out second year, and it is such a wodnerful experience that I hope to carry on in the future with Cody and my future packmates.
kelli (alice's mama)perfect timing! is that a rubber chuck-it ball? and he’s squishing it when he makes the catch?!?? jaws of steel! he’s looking fabulous, love that long, silky coat. so different from morley’s. i want to thank you as well for starting the 52 weeks group, and for letting me join! i have learned more from the members of the group than i ever could have on my own or in a class. i’ll never be a pro, but i can see tremendous improvement in my hobby just from seeing the pics in the group pool (such quality!) and joining the discussions. inspiring! i’m glad you picked up the camera and shared these happy pics with us.
emilyGreat photos, great dog and great watering can! 🙂
illonathanks, everyone. it’s so cool seeing the 52 Weekers here!
Vicky, i thank god every day that this dog loves balls … balls are his doorway to the world. without them i wouldn’t be able to get him through half of what i’ve been able to so far in regards to introducing him to the world. of course, i can’t take all the credit — matea is teaching him in leaps and bounds.
Lynne, this is all about good aim and shooting from the hip … or the ankle, as the case may be. and timing has a lot to do with it. i put him in a sit-wait about 10′ away from me, then bounce the ball toward him with my left hand, and snap with my right. the accuracy rate was actually extremely high with this session … i think i had about 4 images out of 25 where the focus was off. … what can i say: my camera loves this dude. 🙂
thanks again, guys!
StephanieI am in love with the bottom right pic, above the two boys…..
As for me, 52 weeks has pushed me to be more creative looking through my camera, for sure…..and is a great documentation of my boy’s life…I look forward to each week and the occasional challenge.
Thanks for making me look for a way to capture him in a different light!
LynneThese are the greatest photos! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them! I do have a question, though – how do you have time to grab the camera and focus AND throw the ball? When I try it I am all klutzy! You are VERY TALENTED! 🙂
bublynskiOh, Merrick – you sweet, funny thing!!
I love all of these joyful photos. They show a happy little dog with a LOT of heart who is living the way he was meant to for the first time in his life. 🙂
Vicky (tv writer)It’s so heartwarming to see how far he’s come, in a relatively short amount of time. I LOVE his interaction with the ball here…and the one you posted on Flickr just now is amazing… those teeth, yikes! I wish I had the time to do 52weeks this year. I really loved the experience last year, and it forced me to take out the camera every week – in fact, I think my best shots were when I had NO desire to shoot. So, thank you for the group and your dedication, Illona, and I’ll be back in January!
tee4tiaThese are so hilarious. Being one of the flickr folks that have watched this scared little being flourish. These brilliant photos especially warm my heart. Thank you for starting 52 Weeks. It’s been inspiring for me. I love looking back on my 52 Weeks sets of my spoos This is something I would have never done, but will treasure forever.