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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.

the hounds of the Caledon Inn ~ {Caledon, Ontario pet photographer}

well, okay … technically, not hounds … but run into these two on one of the meandering paths along the lovely grounds surrounding the well-known Caledon Inn in the dead of night, and you might not care whether they were hounds or not …

seriously though, they’re just two big lugs who would be more prone to strip-search you for treats and then lick you to death — meet Shoez and Sox.

that’s Sox on the right, and young brother Shoez sitting on the left.  now, i have to admit — although i’m generally considered one of the sharper blades in the knife block on any given day of the week — this one got by me.  maybe it’s the new migraine meds i’m taking.   but when someone tells me their dog’s name is “Sox”, well, i’m thinking they’re rootin’ for a team in Boston, see?  and when i was given the second dog’s name as Shoez, i read it as Show-ez.  not that i had any inkling what a “show-ez” is or could possibly mean, but show-ez it was.  … probably some native Indian reference connected to the land the Caledon Inn was built on, who knows?

well, nope.  the joke was on me.  because here you have Ms. “socks” and young mr. “shoes“.  and as owner Deanna says, you can never have just one or two newfs, and she’s pretty sure her third will be named Sneaks … or some spelling variation thereof.  but i’ll be ready next time.  yessir!

these two were a lot of fun … big, squishy, black, huggable bear-sized beasts …

but they sure had a mind of their own when it came to their photo shoot.  attention span? what attention span?

although, with the right snacks … and yes, that Sox’s own slobber on her face.

once on the grounds, these two were true adventurers … no corner of the acreage was left unexplored …

and then of course, my favorite shots of the day … the orange shed.  you’ll remember it from the sneak peek of Sox earlier in the blog.  here’s the little gooberhead Shoez in front of the shed …

and his sister again …

then back to the Inn …

and yet another orange wall … i just love these guys on these colors, especially with the color of Sox’s eyes.

and a little rough-housing …

thanks, Deanna, for introducing me to your two big lugs.  and thanks, Sox and Show-ez (i swear, i still pronounce it that way!), for a lovely afternoon in Caledon.  i think, for the record, that a future brother should be named Bewtz.  🙂  … but i’ll just call him Cowboy for short.

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  • Holly Garner-JacksonDon’t know how I missed these beauties! Must have been my dialup! Awesome work, illona! I loved the END!ReplyCancel

  • DeeDeeFabulous series! Not only gorgeous shots but you captured the personalities perfectly.ReplyCancel

  • Tula VeruscaOhhhhhh quantas fotos MARAAVILHOSAs!!!!!ReplyCancel

  • PennyThis is truly a spectacular session! Oh my goodness I could just eat them both up they are so cute. You really captured the essence of these two beauties. I almost melted at the Sox’s squinty eye shot. The exposure you so expertly managed here is superior! Bravo.ReplyCancel

  • Lori E.I love Landseer Newfies! You did a great job capturing these beauties. Love the shot where they’re laying in opposite directions.ReplyCancel

  • katewhat fantastic names. i also vote for bewtz. those head shots with the eyes are my favorites.ReplyCancel

  • DelwynBeautiful by far and my favorite dog. I can now just come back and dream and dream that I have one of my own.ReplyCancel

  • Marcia Aguiarlove their names! they are both gorgeous but Sox is my favorite.ReplyCancel

  • jennifer metzgerlove 218 (the black and white one) and 423. These guys crack me up, they are the complete opposites of my boy. I can’t even imagine having dogs that laid back! 🙂 Great shoot.ReplyCancel

  • marlesghillieReally great set of shots of two beautiful dogs. Particularly like the last one as they head off into the sunsetReplyCancel

peter the cat ~ {Guelph pet photographer}

meet Peter …

things you should know about Peter is that …

… she’s actually a girl

…  she’s got the most gorgeous eyes

… she’s very loved by owner Lori

… she’s all black except for a few white toes.

but what you should also know about Peter is that she’s not very friendly.

at least, not with newcomers.  in fact, Peter goes down as the very first and only client in scruffy dog history who went through a full three-hour shoot with not so much as a single pat or stroke.  frankly, that was Peter’s choice … and to be honest, i need my hands.

in fact, i worried that  — in spite of having worked with some pretty difficult, fearful, shy, and aggressive pets over the years — Peter was also going to be that first client from whom i got nothing.  within minutes of arriving she was spitting up a storm as Lori tried to coax her from trying to run away to the basement, having a small hissing fit, boxing Lori’s hands with some rather significant seriousness.  but don’t misunderstand …

… there’s love between these two.  it seems that Peter just doesn’t much like hands.  instead, Lori nuzzles her with her face …

… and there is definitely affection shared between them.

but me … i had to speak to the paw for most of the shoot.

… or receive the cold shoulder.

… or the paw again.

but when mom wasn’t looking, i did find this girl’s soft spot when i pulled out one of my cat-nip ‘marinated’ mice.  just look at her whipping that thing around … and then: “oh wait, did mom see me actually having fun? can’t have that!”

moving Peter from one ‘location’ to the next wasn’t always easy with peter … it almost always involved some hissing and yowling, but each time she settled quickly for her next round of photos.

but when Peter was done, she was d-o-n-e … headed to the basement where she’d wanted to go from the beginning.  and with enough photos for her final portfolio, i let her go in peace at last.

thank you, Peter, for putting up with me.  you’re a sport.  hope you enjoy our gallery, Lori.

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  • DeeDeewow – just a perfect photo series of difficult Ms. Peter. gorgeous images and once again, you’ve captured the personality so perfectly. I bet Peter’s mom loves these.ReplyCancel

  • PennyI’m new to your blog and have to say wow, wow, wow – you are uber talented! Gorgeous pet photos beyond my imagination! I love this black cat session. It’s always so difficult (for me at least 🙂 to get a black pet exposed to well – you’ve really nailed it! Beautiful.ReplyCancel

  • kelli (alice's mama)the pics are fabulous, but the narrative really makes it for me. i was giggling at times and tearing up at others. glad i got to “meet” you, peter, and i’m so glad you have a mama who loves and understands you. awesome job, illona!ReplyCancel

  • CarinaThese pics are great. I find it really difficult to take pictures of pure black cats. You’ve done a wonderful job especially with Peter being so difficult.ReplyCancel

  • MARCIA AGUIARShe has the most amazing eyes!ReplyCancel

  • Holly Garner-JacksonHaha! With my dial up I read all the text before any photo showed up! It took me awhile to realize you were talking about a cat not a snarling, snapping dog! Of course cats have their own sharp points to get across! 😉
    These are great, illona! You truly are the cat whisperer!
    Those eyes are gorgeous!ReplyCancel

  • RogerBlack enough to be like shooting a lump of coal. Not easy for sure! Well done.ReplyCancel

  • MargaretIt’s just amazing what you can do, Illona!!! I mean, this cat didn’t want to be a part of a photo shoot, but you not only got some pictures, but got some MAGNIFICENT pictures!!! Lovely cat.ReplyCancel

big boy bentley ~ {Drayton, Ontario pet photographer}

this is Bentley …

yeah, he’s just that happy.  and he’s especially happy when he’s sniffing …

this boy would definitely excel in a tracking class … in fact, he’d probably make a great search dog.  sniffing is his favorite thing.  well, and running …

other things that strike you instantly about Bentley is his amazing eyes …

that big fan of a tail he swishes around …

and the love he has for his mom and dad, Katy and Rob.

we had a great time virtually in Katy and Rob’s back yard … a series of lovely trails along the river, maintained by the neighboring homeowners.

and when i spotted this little field and saw the magical light, i knew we had to spend some time there.

oh, and you might recognize Bentley’s awesome collar.  this is the collar i recommended in an earlier “things-we-love” blog entry.

Bentley wears the collar well and it’s perfect for this mucky-river loving boy.

crazy, stick-fetching beast …

then off to catch the last few rays …

and before heading back to the house we backtracked a little to a wheat field that i’d spotted on my drive to the shoot.  it had to be the absolutely last wheat field standing in all of ontario, and it seemed Bentley was almost as happy as i was to have found it.  i think Bentley calls this stuff wheeeee-at!!

and finally home for a few shots there.

thanks so much, Bentley and Katy and Rob for a great afternoon and evening.  i hope you’re enjoying your gallery.  see you tuesday for your consult!

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  • Katy BrunkardJust got back and took a look! Thank you so much Illona for capturing the spirit of our happy boy!! You captured all the things we love about him… well, maybe not his need to sniff EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, at ALL TIMES! lol!! How are we ever going to choose?! Love, love, love them!ReplyCancel

  • Jenniferthe light in the second shot is amazing, I can’t stand it. Love the HUGE log shot on land and big stick shot in the water too, looks like a fun boy to photograph. P.S. to his owners, it is nice to see someone who knows how to keep a dog’s nails the proper length!!!! LOL! Gorgeous boy.ReplyCancel

  • SimonAnother amazing set of pictures! Lot of them, too, with no filler (and a fine compromise with the WM, looking so much nicer)ReplyCancel

  • katelove his expression on the bridge shot.ReplyCancel

  • Jean (allegrolhw)Ok, I don’t know where to start! How are Bently’s folks going to choose? The eye shot, the magnificent tail shot, stick in the river are all so beautiful. That movement in the last shot is so cool!ReplyCancel

  • brianna phelanLove love the first shot, the one of the tail and the one on the bed. Gorgeous dog, gorgeous shots.ReplyCancel

  • toxehWhat a handsome golden boy! It’s hard to pick a favorite because I’m in love with all your location shots, but I’m absolutely thrilled you took a photo of his paws. My old retriever’s paws were my favorite thing about them and they’re still my soft spot!ReplyCancel

  • DeanneBeautiful work, as always!ReplyCancel

  • girlybar the first photo, what a serious face on that guy! love the fan tail tooReplyCancel

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