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.
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this boy has a story, and not a good one. but he’s making the best of things for now …
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merrick loves balls, and balls is what he loves. it’s probably the only thing he loves right now. these shots were possible only because of a ball … a chewed up, discarded, crushed old tennis ball.
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thanks for tolerating the camera, merrick, and working so hard at overcoming your incredible fear.
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more on this superscruffy soon … stay tuned.
meet Whiskers …
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… and Layla.
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two sweet senior sisters who are well loved.
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i had a lovely afternoon following these ladies around their house.
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the newly remodeled kitchen offered great light and colours, and fortunately Whiskers and Layla have no boundaries.
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and they were rather patient for their closeups …
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“patient” being a relative term, of course.
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all in all though, these girls were very comfortable with the camera.
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thanks so much, girls, for a fun afternoon. and thanks for introducing me to your lovely ladies, Maureen. looking forward to seeing you again at your studio consult.
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meet Ryder …
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… handsome, seven-month-old sheltie boy who loves the snow … and loves his mom.
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we had an early morning shoot, and in spite of the sun’s spectacular display on my drive over to Ryder’s home, it refused to make even a hint of an encore during our shoot.
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still, the diffused light of winter can make for some pretty wonderful shooting opportunities. and Ryder hardly cared about the disappearance of the sun. he just wanted to run.
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… and sniff …
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… and run some more.
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although he could be a bit of a poser too.
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but sometimes not. pups do tend to have a shorter attention span.
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this little guy has a wonderful future ahead of him, with a devoted mom who has a good handle on herding breeds and knows just what this active boy needs to keep his drive answered.
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of course, i haven’t met a dog that doesn’t have at least one bad habit …
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thanks, Ryder and Maris for an entertaining morning. looking forward to seeing you again at the studio consult.
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Holly Garner-JacksonWow! Deja vu all over again!!!!
You’ve come a long way Merrick….. a long way!!! Well done illona!
LaurenHi Merrick! You look like you are really enjoying life now! 🙂
Jenni Heffneryou rock and merrick knows a great gal when he meets one… YOU ROCK:) Happy Holidays
Holly Garner-JacksonHey your new boy is going to have a great life. He deserves to have someone like you in his life. These photos are awesome as usual. The diptych is great and the one with the flag makes him look so proud. I know he’ll be that proud soon under your tutelage 😉
BTW you need a new flag.
MargaretMerrick deserves all the balls he wants! 🙂
Susan HumphreysHi Ilona,
I have followed your wonderful photographs of your beautiful dogs for
about three years or so when my son showed me how to work a computer.
I absolutely adore Morley, he’s just the kind of dog I’d love. I hope you
don’t mind me commenting on here, (I haven’t got a clue how to get on
Flicker!) I just had to say that I know Merrick has found in you a
perfect owner, and it’s great he’s company for the mighty Morley.
I love seeing your pics all the way here in England,they really cheer
me up too, if I’m feeling a bit down. Your dogs are so lucky to have an
owner like you. Take care, and give Morley a big hug frome me.!
andreayour shots never fail to amaze me!! so beautiful! it’s always a pleasure to spend some time on your blog.. 🙂