contemporary, lifestyle, on-location animal photography

little ava’s big session ~ {Toronto pet photography}

February 25, 2014

meet little Ava … 01 toronto ontario pet photography ava winston-261 in an attempt to mount even a few of last year’s sessions up on the blog, i thought i’d give you a small selection of images from this little scruffnut’s session from this past fall.

02 toronto ontario pet photography ava winston-410 like a lot of our Toronto clients, Ava’s parents chose to bring her here for her scruffy session so they could enjoy some of the locations i’ve scouted out here … and i thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon with this saucy little girl.

03 toronto ontario pet photography ava winston-36

it took Ava a little bit to warm up to the camera … being only a year old and still somewhat shy, but with some help from Merrick who came along for this session as he he does with some dogs who need a little help to warm up to the idea of a photo session, or get out there and explore new surroundings, Ava came around quickly. Merrick is also very good at sitting by the camera gear, generally parked somewhere behind me, and then barking on cue when i ask … resulting in some pretty cute head tilts when i need them. 04 toronto ontario pet photography ava winston-47

Ava certainly had no problems showing off her running … or rather … flying skills while out at her session.

… and quite quickly she became the consummate little poser.

and yeah, this little girl’s got some wicked moves.

thanks, Carlotta, for entrusting me with your darling girl’s images. it was such a pleasure to meet you guys and to work with you at capturing these photos and putting them all together into your album, canvas and other products. big hugs from both Merrick and me!

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4 comments

Melanie CheungLovely photos! ReplyCancel
Monica SchwartzBeautiful as always! Little Ava, a multi-talented little girl: model, runner, howler, dancer, flyer and mushroom finder! Another old soul, just look at those eyes. And I love how Merrick is such a great assistant! 🙂ReplyCancel
Donna IcelandicAwesome ,awesome ,awesome especially those head tilts.You are MAJIC!!!
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Holly Garner-JacksonWonderful series! Those mushrooms on the log really add to the intrigue in that photo!ReplyCancel

another sad farewell ~ {tribute video, Toronto, Ontario pet photography}

February 16, 2014

this morning i want to share with you a slideshow i put together yesterday of Topolino. this little man was one of the most incredibly well-loved scruffies i have ever met. it was back in July of 2012 that i first met the amazing Topo and his equally amazing family … his strolling session through the park was one of my most memorable, due to Topo’s lovely and willing nature, but also through the laughter that Melanie and i shared throughout. Topo’s second session came after his difficult diagnosis of pancreatitis , and Melanie chose to bring her little man here to add even more wall pieces to her Topo gallery. Melanie is one of those clients i now consider a friend, and as such, i feel deeply for her loss today as she released her little man from his suffering. i know this struggle, this pain, and the emptiness all too well. i don’t wish it upon anyone, much less the amazing person and spirit i know as Melanie.

yesterday as i put together this video, drank my coffee out of the lovely Topolino ‘namesake’ ceramic cup that was given to me after our first session, my thoughts were firmly fixed on little Topo, Melanie and her entire family … and i cried as i imagined them letting go of him. it’s one thing to connect with clients and their scruffies during their sessions … but that connection becomes even deeper during the hours of editing and working on the images of these faces, expressions, and movements of joy. people always say that they believe they can see these dogs’ spirits and characters in the photos that i take … and i now realize that there must be some truth in that, since i DO feel i get to know these scruffies on an even deeper level through their images.

i miss the presence of little Topo on this earth, because while he was here i knew he was taking care of one of my favorite people.

Melanie, i know it may not feel like it, but i have to believe that our lost dogs stay with us. that their spirit stays with us, surrounds us… some people will tell you that when you think you see them out of the corner of your eye, lying in their favorite spot or walking into a room, they say that it’s really their spirit. i’m a little more pragmatic than that; i’ve always believed it’s just the light teasing old habits from my eyes and memories out of my synapses. but where i do see my Murph’s spirit every day, is in Merrick … and even Morley a little bit. i believe that our dogs live on in our future dogs … and with our future dogs.

Topolino from illona on Vimeo.

i don’t think Melanie will mind me sharing her words here:
“I am surrounded by the awesome images you captured of Topolino over two sessions. I smile as I look through the many photos and remember. And I cry for the same reason. His spirit radiates from these pictures, a spirit that has been dimmed by pain and discomfort over the last few months.

I am comforted (somewhat) knowing we have made the right decision to end Topo’s suffering. We will be saying good bye to him on Saturday – a day I dread but knew was imminent.

Thank-you illona – for creating so many wonderful memories of my little guy – memories I will carry forever.”

please, whatever you do, please take photos and videos of your animals. if it’s in your budget to hire someone to create artwork from photos of them, wonderful … but don’t be shy in taking photos of them yourself … crappy photos, blurry photos, funny photos … they will all mean something. it is so very important to have a visual record of these incredibly important members of our families and our hearts, who are with us for far too short of a time.

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4 comments

BrookeWhat a beautiful tribute to what was obviously a beautiful, and much-loved canine spirit. Our hearts go out to Melanie and her family for their loss.ReplyCancel
Margaret Chekouras DuerrThis was so incredible. What a beautiful tribute to a sweet sweet boy. His family will treasure these photos and this video forever.
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Bobby ClarkBeautiful pics and video for a beautiful dog. Run free Topo!ReplyCancel
Jackie Pwow….such a sweet and special tribute to Topolino filled with love!ReplyCancel

sweet girl emma ~ {Guelph, Ontario pet photographer}

January 20, 2014

this is Emma … she is no longer on this earth, but her spirit, i am certain, is firmly planted with her family, and lives on in the young Eleanor whom i had the pleasure of meeting this summer and is working hard to fill her shoes.

i had the pleasure of meeting this sweet dame for her Honor Session™ a year ago (yes, i’m that behind in blogging but trying really hard to catch up). we’d just had a lovely snow fall but the temps weren’t too cold for sweet old Emmie who suffered with arthritis. mom, Dr. Renee Fleming at the Guelph Animal Hospital, had been doing some stem cell therapy on her girl and she really did motor through the woods like a trooper … and certainly gave good face like any well-respecting bulldog!

Emma even played a little dressup with her fabulous poncho.

but mostly, she just wanted to go.

and gave me looks, of course, whenever i asked her to strike a pose.

… or not give me looks.

and Emma certainly loved her mom. that was without question.

Emma was the first dog to use the scruffy dog settee. i had spent three years searching for this settee — the right style, the right color — and had finally found it up in Oshawa only a couple of weeks before her session. i think she was the perfect dog to christen it … and certainly was more than comfortable up on it. then again, on her booking form Emma was described as “our princess” and “a spoiled bitch” … no doubt, Emma thought her throne had finally been delivered! warming up in the car, we headed to our favorite back alley for a few more shots …

… but of course, Emma was insatiable … having had a taste for her throne, she demanded it once again.

and finally off to find some graffiti for a splash of color … and yes, Emma, i think that says “Nipples”.

thank you, Renee, for allowing me the honor of capturing these photographic memories of Emma. i can’t describe the deep pleasure it was to meet her and you, to work with you both and witness the bond and love that bound and wove between you. i know this girl who saw you through your veterinarian college days will forever be in your heart, and her incredible spirit will always surround you with every future dog you welcome into your life.

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6 comments

LindaWhat great photos of this dog.ReplyCancel
Holly Garner-JacksonSuch a wonderful session. Rest well sweet girl!
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Joni A SolisPretty, sweet, snow angel. ReplyCancel
Roxanne Maguire<3 <3 <3 Beautiful, through and through. What a love!!! And SO wonderfully captured by Ilona <3
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Renee FlemingSo beautiful – thank you so much Ilona. I miss her like crazy. The beautiful photos you took surround me at work and home and I’m eternally grateful to have them. ReplyCancel
Vince SalmicWonderful, made me tear-up…ReplyCancel