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Internationally-renowned, award-winning animal photographer Illona Haus created scruffy dog photography inc. as the province's premier pet photography business in 2007 ... the first of its kind in Canada ... and, still today, continues to serve clients across Ontario, the US and the world. Based in Kitchener, Ontario and photographing exclusively animals for almost 20 years - both commercially and for private clients - Illona is considered one of the world's leading and most influential pet photographers.

 

To learn more about scruffy dog photography, its creator, history, and the scruffy dog experience, feel free to browse through the menu above, and scroll over a decade's worth of blog entries below!

 

Please drop me a line! I'd love the opportunity to capture stunning, creative, one-of-a-kind photographic memories of your 4-legged loved ones to treasure in artwork for a lifetime, and show you just what makes the scruffy dog experience second to none.

missing my old man ~ {Ontario pet photographer}

with fresh snowfall almost every day this past week, i often catch myself lately as i pass by the back sliders or the reading-room window overlooking the backyard to where our little ‘forest’ lies in snow.  the neat little mound of snow that tops the old spruce ‘stump’ is such a vivid and memory-laden landscape for me now, even though this is only our second winter in this house.

i’ve always had a bit of a photographic memory — ironic that, huh?  well, maybe not so much ‘photographic’ as much as highly-visual.  and for me, with that little stump and its quaint mound of snow, sitting in the stillness of the backyard, this snowy yard always evokes memories of morley because of one of my favorite photos of the old man, taken during his last winter …

love your 4-leggers — past and present — and keep them warm.

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  • Sandy & RykerMany tender memories soften your grief,
    May fond recollection bring you relief,
    And may you find comfort and peace in the thought
    Of the joy that knowing your loved one brought…
    For time and space can never divide
    Or keep your loved one from your side
    When memory paints in colors true
    The happy hours that belonged to you.
    ~ Helen Steiner RiceReplyCancel

  • LaurenHaving lost a dog while decorating a christmas tree last year, I understand how strong a memory can be triggered by something visual (i.e. my tree this year). But I digress… thinking of you Illona as you remember Morley…ReplyCancel

  • michelle bradshawThank you for sharing your memories illona.ReplyCancel

  • Liz ~ elizabeth&janeBeautiful. Sending my thoughts, and lots of hugs.ReplyCancel

it wouldn’t be christmas without an elf hat ~ {Waterloo pet photographer}

those familiar with the scruffy dog portfolio know that SDP is all about capturing dogs being dogs, being their doggy selves in their natural environment — on the trails, in the park, at the beach, in the woods, or lounging around the house.  and although we’re not into subjecting our canine-models to sittings with Santa as though they were kids in furry coats, we’re not adverse to celebrating the season with a little … er … pet indignity in the form of, well, an elf hat …

… and a set of ‘velvet’ antlers.

of course, ball-obsessed Merrick was quite confident that the white fuzzy at the end of his new hat was, indeed, a spiffy new ball just for him, and he spent most of the session trying to catch it.

he’s quite a talented little goober.

but catching the ball on the end of your hat can be pretty exhausting work …

and of course, no holiday torture … er … photo session would be complete without trying said elf-hat on the household cat, Aslan.

have fun with your holiday props everyone.  but play fair … you never know what they’re up to when you’re sleeping!

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  • Jeanbwahahahaha. Matea wears her velvet antlers with dignity 🙂ReplyCancel

  • SonjaAhahahahaaaaa ….. LOVE this series – i was all bahumbug and then … Oh dear …ummm…elf ..ummm… well you know. Awesome!ReplyCancel

  • S. DAdorable !!
    I am going out to purchase one of those hats for my little doggy ! I am sure he will have the pompom off within 5 min. or he will go crazy trying! LOL
    Happy Holidays to you and all your little friends !ReplyCancel

  • amanda“but play fair … you never know what they’re up to when you’re sleeping!”

    Oops. My guys have been in antlers and a santa hat for weeks. LOVE Merrick, Aslan and the elf hat.ReplyCancel

  • StephanieHoly hilarious. Not only are these shots awesome but entertaining as well. I laughed with every single one 🙂ReplyCancel

  • JDThanks for including Aslan. His photo cracks me up! I wonder if the pet store carries other novelty hats??? heheheheReplyCancel

  • Joni SolisLOVE it! LOVE it! LOVE it! Where did you find the elf hat. I need to get for for my foster pups! Happy Holidays!ReplyCancel

  • Liz ~ elizabeth&janeI just love these!! So festive and fun. That Merrick is a sneaky little bugger isn’t he?? So funny!ReplyCancel

  • JackieI can imagine that Matea’s thoughts went something like this “Sigh. Merrick, just sit still so she can take the picture already!”ReplyCancel

  • DarleneI havent had such a good laugh in a long time…..you can keep torturing, errrr I mean using artistic license with your scruffies any time you want.
    Aslan is such a good kitty, and Matea keeps it all grounded in her own special way. I would expect nothing else from Merrick where a ball of any sort is concerned.ReplyCancel

  • LaurenBetween the red walls, the red blankets and the expressions, I think you could have a great personal Christmas photo card! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Sandy & RykerMerrick is a hoot, love that shot with the “ball” in his mouth! But I think Aslan wears the elf hat best. Very impish expression on his face. Did he get his name from Narnia?ReplyCancel

  • JustynaThis just made my day!ReplyCancel

  • Jenniferlove love love. made my day!ReplyCancel

  • michelle bradshawI’m still laughing, thank you for the holiday cheer.Awesome shots illona!!!ReplyCancel

  • sarahawe.some. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • MarlaThese were just priceless LOLReplyCancel

  • S in MTOh Aslan looks just “thrilled” about that option! haha I’m amazed the hat stayed on and Merrick IS a talented boy. What fun that is. Merry Christmas and your prop pictures turned out way better than any of mine ever have (must be the photographer — and probably the more cooperative subjects).ReplyCancel

  • Annie KinmondSo festive and bright! That Merrick sure is a funny guy;)ReplyCancel

last day to vote! ~ {Ontario pet photographer}

here at scruffy dog, as the last of the Christmas orders have been shipped out, pickups are a flurry, and we find ourselves catching up with post-production on our incredibly busy fall schedule, we’re looking forward to some fabulous snowy winter shoots coming up …

but today’s entry is just a quick reminder that there is only one day left to vote for your favorite pet photographer servicing the GTA.

as a lot of you already know, scruffy dog photography had the honor of being nominated for Best Pet Photography in The Toronto Pet Daily Readers’ Choice “Best of 2010” Awards.  we’d love for you to head on over to The Toronto Pet Daily’s site, check out the other photographers nominated, and VOTE!   it’s easy, really!  there’s no signing up, no account to create, just a “click”.

but this shouldn’t be a popularity contest, so please do take a look at the other three photographers and vote for your favorite.  (polling is down the right-hand column)

then, get out and enjoy the snow!

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  • California GirlI haven’t visited in a while but as I’ve kept a link to your site on my site, I did today. Lucky for me as I read about the contest and decided to vote. Out of respect for your kind words for your competition, I reviewed their sites. It’s only fair. Perhaps the other competitor who comes closest to capturing the unique quality of each dog’s face is Piotr Organa. But I like your work best. Dog in its element and surroundings and glory. You’re an artist.

    Good luck!ReplyCancel

    • illonathanks so much, California Girl. it’s very important to me that people check out my fellow photographers and that this isn’t just a “vote for me!” type of popularity contest. everyone shoots different styles, different approaches … and i know i’m a bit of a dreamer when i wish and hope that everyone truly votes for the photographer THEY feel best captures our pets, truly shows dogs being dogs … not just their favorite person or friend, etc.ReplyCancel

  • Sandy & RykerSome really fine Photographers and Photos there. I gotta say that I like your perspective the best. You have a fine eye for interesting details.ReplyCancel

  • kim kailathis photo is SOOO COOL! Just awesome!!! I’ll go look at the other contenders now!ReplyCancel

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