contemporary, lifestyle, on-location animal photography

… then you’re a weirdo. i mean, seriously, who doesn’t immediately fall in love with those eyes and those ears, that face!

meet cinnamon …

a perfect example of everything to love about bassets. and she’s not as shy as she looks … in fact, she had her nose into everything, including my lenses, with no hesitation.

a real poser … although some of her looks gave her the air of a well-versed, been-there-done-that, yet underpaid model.

you might recognize the location in this shoot from Kiera’s shoot a few weeks ago. Kiera’s owner introduced me to this place in Elmira, and although i have great tromping grounds right here around the scruffy dog studio, this spot offers a great variety of backdrops, including it’s own beach!

you’ll also note in the previous two photos (and more to come) that i use a long-line for dogs like Cinnamon … 60′ of light mountaineering rope with a light caribiner. with a few instructions to owners, this line allows us some freedom and action shots without taking the risk of dogs like our darling basset here picking up a scent and tearing off. for images ordered, i always remove the long-line in post, but for purposes of the blog, it’s too much work … so forgive its presence here.

don’t you just love those ears??

did someone say something about ears? 😉

did i tell you Cinnamon had huge ears?

thanks, Cinnamon, for a wonderful shoot. and thanks Denis and Nat for bringing your girl to Waterloo for me to shoot. i hope you enjoy her huge gallery.

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i do! i do! and this little girl is cuter than a whole pile of cutes!

this is 7-month-old Sasha … adorable’ist of the adorables … with a good dose of giddy-up.

and she loves her mama …

still, i was able to coax her into a few good sprints away from her mom …

with a huge gallery of images for mom Kim, it’s very difficult for me to narrow down the images for the blog, so bear with me …

we had a blast in the park across the street … lots of running …

… and jumping …

… and, of course, keeping a close eye on passersby.

a real little poser …

although sometimes she could be a little coy.

and when this little girl gets her rip on, she goes like stink!

after a good romp, we took some photos at a historic home on the park grounds. an awesome setting for this sweet little girl …

thank you so much, Kim, for sharing your darling girl with me. glad you’re enjoying Sasha’s images … sorry I wasn’t able to narrow down the selection any more!

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9 comments

allison f.GREAT work as always! LOVE the hound face. Really great stuff.ReplyCancel
StacieThese are the most amazing pet photos…is there any way you can post them on your photos sections so that I can share your beautiful work with friends.

Truly amazing,

StacieReplyCancel
LainerI absolutely love this series of photos. My favorites are the pugs and pit bulls!ReplyCancel
MichelleWow! These photos are amazing. You really capture the essence of the dog’s personality. I am so glad I found your site and I am already looking forward to my next visit!ReplyCancel
Sandraillona, These photos capture everything you could possibly want in a moment. I just love them. You have such a gift. Thanks for sharing your link.ReplyCancel
tee4tiaIllona, you are so freaking talented, I have no other words.ReplyCancel
JeanIllona these are fantastic. You really captured the characters of the happy campers as they romp and play.ReplyCancel
Holly Garner-JacksonIllona!!!! Marvelous!!! Simply marvelous. I don’t know how you do it but you do it over and over again!!!! You and your camera rock!!!! 😉ReplyCancel
AndaOMG Illona, this is a gorgeous set! All the dogs are adorable, but the white faced Border Collie stole my heart (I am so predictable…)

I love watching your wonderful work, I am smiling from ear to ear! Gorgeous!!!ReplyCancel

15 comments

SandraThese photos of Cinnamon are wonderful. Love those big floppy ears, they’re almost as big as her.ReplyCancel
illona S.First I must say that Cinnamon is an absolute lens hound. Then there is that the photographer has just the perfect name. Until today I thought that I was the only person in the Western hemi who had that handle. Congrats on just stunning pics of Cinnamon!!!!ReplyCancel
leesiawhat an ADORABLE face!!! all the ear shots are to die for — and i love that paw shot too. so many favorites to choose from; one of my favorite sessions from you ever!ReplyCancel
Lenora Davis MendelmWe had a Basset for 14 years. Her name was Bags. She did exactly what she wanted for 14 years and we loved her with a passion. After that, we had two Bloodhounds. Male named Memphis and female named Beulah. Amazing dogs and quite a challenge. Now we have 1 Standard Poodle named Juliet. We had Romeo, but he passed away at 12, 1 1/2 years ago. Juliet is 11 and as spry as a puppy. Love your shots.ReplyCancel
moonfloweryour photos warm my heart so! you capture everything one needs, to know that the world truly is a beautiful place …. if you look!ReplyCancel
LainerI like the one with the ears hanging. It’s funny. I love them all.ReplyCancel
Cat =^..^=Absolutely love these shots Illona, perfect! Her character shines in these! Such a beautiful and wonderful girl!ReplyCancel
Cat =^..^=Wow, I absolutely love these shots Illona, perfect, her character shines in these photos, such a beautiful, wonderful girl!ReplyCancel
tee4tiaI’m knocked over by these photos. They are just amazing.ReplyCancel
Holly Garner-Jacksonillona once again you have captured the essence of the dog! Cinnamon is such a perfect little basset hound. We adopted a huge 5 year old basset hound when i was in high school. these photos bring back fond memories of our Morgan, thanks !!!!
and who couldn’t fall in love with those ears!!!!!!??????ReplyCancel
AnitaBasset puppies are my favourite…when they’re ears are so long they’re tripping on them!

Great shots, you did an awesome job capturing this gorgeous lady!ReplyCancel
dianeAmazing shoot! What gorgeous pictures! Love the ear shots, for sure.ReplyCancel
Meredith RamsayThese pics are sooo great! What a cute dog!ReplyCancel
wendyThat one in the forest is GORGEOUS! And I love the over the shoulder one too!ReplyCancel
DenisExcellent selection on the blog. You show Cinnamon off so well. Nat and I are narrowing down our choices from all the great images you took; and such a selection at that. Natalie’s Mom loves them too, since she is like Cinnamon’s second Mom.
For those just finding Scruffy Dog Photography, I highly recommend a photo shoot with Illona. As you can see above she does excellent work, and that is only a small selection of what we can choose from. If you’ve been thinking about photos, book now.ReplyCancel

12 comments

Kathy MasonYup, you caught the spirit of the Havee – when they’re flying through the air, ears streamlined, you got it! After 21 yrs with my spaniel (and Bert), it took something very special – and she’s it. I actually took her to him before agreeing to purchase – his opinion – ‘she’s a keeper’ – to the extent he is her guardian! He adores her. Buck is moving to Bridgeport Plaza in Dec. – I’ve gone to the old office for 50+ yrs.
Bella is definately something special (I have 31 yrs +ive training).
At almost 6 mos, she is a beautiful example of the pure breed. Stands about 5″, absolutely gorgeous coat ranging from 4 white paws to blond, apricot, chocolate tips. Loves to pose, a true dancer.
How do we get in touch with you?ReplyCancel
Holly Garner-JacksonI don’t know why I never commented on these before… must have been my dialup problems! An amazing shoot and boy has she ever changed!ReplyCancel
Talemaker HavaneseIt was delightful to see Sasha’s images. We own the sire of this litter, Katsura and she looks a lot like him.

We hold a puppy picnic each year in Richmond Hill. We will have to talk to you closer to the time to see if you are available and what your costs are.

It is always nice to see your own dog in another dog’s face.

Your eye is wonderful.ReplyCancel
YvonneYour photos are gorgeous and I love the different perspectives you bring to the animals!!
Just one little point, Sasha is a Havanese and not a terrier. This breed is descended from the Bichon family of dogs and originated in Cuba. They are known for their exuberance and love of all things!! They especially love to “runlikehell” so your comment the she “goes like stink!” brought a smile to my face.ReplyCancel
Cat =^..^=These are such beautiful shots Illona! Such a little darling, can see the personality shine right through with these wonderful photos, bet Mom loves these, splendid work!ReplyCancel
LainerThe kinky fur on the top of her head cracks me up. She looks like a wild child. Great pics!ReplyCancel
Annie KinmondYour pet photos are the best I have ever seen! Honestly, you are sooo good at capturing the personality of a pet with gorgeous, magazine quality results!ReplyCancel
leesiaso stinkin’ adorable i can hardly stand it!!ReplyCancel
LizOh man is she ever cute!!!ReplyCancel
karenI love the one in the park with the leaves, where her hair is standing straight up! Adorable photos and pup.ReplyCancel
tee4tiaOh my dog Illona, your talent for capturing their personality is huge. These photos are awesome.ReplyCancel
dianeGreat pics! You sure captured Sasha’s personality! Love the running pics – you can just see the wind whipping through her fur.ReplyCancel

an afternoon at Country Paws

if you don’t love a basset …

who doesn’t love a scruffy?