Dixie & Darlin' Christmas Yorkies (Click to enlarge)

I know you know these two.  Heck, I just posted them in their LSU outfits last week.  They’re all over this blog — just search for Dixie or Darlin’ in the search feature on the upper right to see them.  The reason I’m posting them again in different outfits is to illustrate a point.

When you looked at the holiday photo a few days ago with the three Shih Tzus you had to smile, didn’t you?  Come on, you just had to.  They’re all about intensity and Sebastian (the one on the left) has his lip all funny…and it just makes you smile.  These two as well.  With their little red top knots, but with just enough sincerity to spread joy.

In my mind a holiday greeting is supposed to spread good will and cheer as well as keeping friends and family updated.  This is Sisters Pet Pics’ fifth winter holiday season.  When people come in to our studio to have their portraits taken for cards, I can’t help but think how many smiles they must spread with their human and animal family photographs.  I just know the people receiving the card with Dixie and Darlin’ on it will smile broadly and will feel the warmth of cheer sent by Dixie & Darlin’s mom and dad.  I just love my job .

Sebastian, Mike & Leo The Shih Tzus (Click to enlarge)

These three sweeties came in with three generations of the most generous and sweet women.  No wonder these dogs were sweet.  Leo arrived first with Nana.  She seemed a little nervous about how the dogs would act.  Leo, however, did not seem nervous at all.  He got up on the table by himself, looked straight at the camera and smiled.

Mom and her adult daughter arrived next with Sebastian (on the left in the photo) and Mike the blondish Shih Tzu.  I believe the dogs own the mother and daughter, but all three women clearly love these dogs.  Sebastian, Mike and Leo were pretty self-assured and well adjusted.  Hiya, hiya, hiya to Leo and we got to work right away.

I had the leashes removed, but left collars on for the moment, just to control them on the table until the humans got the drill.  For those of you regular readers of this blog, you know I use all the humans in the room to assist.  It’s a good idea to leave the collars on until the last minute.  In the case of these three, the younger of the three women was on one side of the table, the other two were behind me, and Terry was working the hair light side, as always.

Terry was pushing from the left and the young woman on the right, photog makes a noise, dogs stop, snap to attention and pose.  It doesn’t always happen like this, but using a couple of our whistle noises was all that was needed.  I love these three dogs so much I may use this as my holiday card.  Just kidding, but it looks like trick photography, doesn’t it?  Nope, just interested and interesting dogs.  We had such a good time with these women and their dogs.  I hope you enjoy the resulting photo as well.

I know it may seem early to be thinking of such things, but if you’re thinking of booking an appointment for your holiday portraits and cards, make your appointment now, as our calendar is filling up.  It’s never too early to pick a theme and have us photograph it at Sisters Pet Pics.

Brooke The Maltese Puppy (Click to enlarge)

Nope, not Christmas, it’s a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan.  You met this little Maltese sweetie in Who’s Your Daddy with her Doberman house brother, Buc, but here she is all by herself.  This is another example of using a prop, in this case cheerleader pom poms, to confine your subject.  Obviously the paper can’t hold her when she wants to leave, but she’s not quite sure she can move around freely yet.  Take advantage of those few minutes as she figures it out.

You can also have your assistant slip a hand under the boa, cloth or paper and actually rest a hand on the subject.  It serves two purposes.  One, they feel more secure, and two it’s further proof to them that they cannot move.  It gives you a few more minutes to get the shot you’re looking for.

We are still recovering from our weekend of events.  Pet Fest 2009, on Sunday, was absolutely wonderful.  If you were there leave a comment.  From my vantage point I saw over 30 rescue groups passing information and spreading good will.  I saw many, many products and services useful for all pet owners  It seemed a good time was had by all.  Mark your calendars for next year.  I know I will.

Next weekend – Boxer Bash!

Allie The Clown Shih Tzu

You’ve already seen a happier Allie in How A Costume Can Add Quality To Your Dog’s Life.  She really wasn’t as downtrodden as she appears here, but this image serves to remind everyone that Halloween may not be the fun for dogs that it is for children and some adults.

Things dogs don’t usually like:  breaking balloons and other loud noises associated with partying – and sometimes impaired – adults, costumes that hurt and children who are not respectful of their needs and limitations.  One thing dogs – and other animals – may like, but is extremely dangerous for them to ingest is candy, particularly chocolate.  Though some dogs have a higher tolerance for the stuff, please be mindful that it is listed as a poison for dogs and should not be offered to them.

Allie didn’t wear this costume other than to get her picture taken for a few minutes.  But be aware that some costumes are uncomfortable for dogs to wear for longer periods.

Halloween can be fun for all, but as always, be aware of your companions’ needs and limitations.  Have safe fun.

Two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (Click to enlarge)

I began this blog in April of this year.  When deciding what photo to post since then, I tried not to show an overabundance of pets in costumes…in deference to my readers from other parts of the country/world.  But we’re in it now, folks!  From here through Mardi Gras it’s about the costume.  You may think that’s funny, but what’s even funnier is that this image was captured in JULY of 2008!  Uh huh.  July.  No reason at all to dress up, yet there they were playing the part.  That’s how we roll.

I speak often about directing the shot either in your imagination or your clients’.  I am inspired by the coats and colors of the animals and whatever their human companion has brought for them to wear or be posed with.  The only rule in my studio is that no one is allowed to be hurt or be put in danger.  After that, sky’s the limit.

So get ready to to see what my clients and I have come up with over these past 4 years.  Some will make you smile, and I suspect some will inspire you .

Dixie & Darlin' With Tiger The LSU Mascot (Click to enlarge)

You’ve already met these two sweeties when they were babies, You Don’t Have To Be A Professional Photographer To Get Great Shots.  Yeah, I know, they make me look good.  They’re all grown up now and these two cuties go everywhere with their mom and dad…yes, they go to the games too.  They travel in the family’s RV and party with the rest of the tail-gaters.  They just enjoy hanging with their pack.  As their mom told me a few days ago when this shot was taken, they don’t know they’re not supposed to wear clothes.

They’re always comfortable, so who cares that someone is always snapping shots of them.  The secret to memorable shots is the composition.  No props?  It’s still about the composition.  But the easy way to these cute shots is to theme it up.  It doesn’t matter who captured this image.  Someone is sure to say, “Ahhh, how cute”.

Weezy, Emma & Frisco Believe (Click to enlarge)

For those of you who are raising children and think you need to leave whimsy behind, take a look at this year’s Halloween composition from our very creative clients.  Every year they bring 12 year old Frisco (Peter Pan), 8 year old Weezy and 3 year old Emma into the studio to make their fantasy-themed Christmas card.  This is 2009’s version.  Take a look at 2008’s 1950 All Over Again.

It’s starts with the planning of fun.  Emma wanted to argue with Weezy about who was going to be Tinkerbell, but as soon as she saw Wendy’s costume, she let Weezy win the wings.  Frisco just thought it was another good place to rest awhile.  But Emma…she’s in her glory.  She believes.

Photography is a medium through which we express ourselves.  Perhaps you are the subject.  You can express whatever you wish just as any actor in front of a camera.  If you are behind the camera, you direct.  Either you direct your own vision or someone else’s, but you express yourself too.

These shoots are the most fun.  The collaboration makes everyone’s vision unfold.  So when someone else has a vision they would like you to capture, jump in, participate, enjoy…believe.

Ahoy Fellow Borzoi! (Click to enlarge)

Last Wednesday, the 14th, we were invited to photograph the Yappy Hour Howl-o-ween Costume Contest to benefit the future Pelican Bark Park.  To  see more images from this event visit Sisters Pet Pics Goes to Yappy Hour.  We love the people involved in this fundraising effort and the cause is past due and much needed, as there is not a fenced dog park anywhere in southern Louisiana that we know of.  Please check out their blog to find ways to donate.  We’re close to ground breaking…but not quite.

This fella or gal was a spectator Wednesday night.  He or she has a comrade who was absent that evening and I’m sorry to say I don’t have a name to go with this handsome face. (Anyone know it?  Please comment here!)  Today’s topic will be about photographing in difficult situations, like crowded, low light conditions.

The usual position of a pet photographer is squatting, kneeling or sitting…on the level of your subject.  However, in this crowded club venue squatting wasn’t always an option, so I looked for opportunities to…well, distort a little.  I bent as low as I could without falling on the dog.  I usually want eye contact.  Well, this is eye contact…of sorts.  Not focused on me, but eye contact nevertheless.  If I had stood over the dog to get both eyes, I don’t think it would have improved interest, as I wouldn’t have accentuated the snout length as much as I wanted.

Though the Nikon D3 handles high ISOs very well, the light was so low as to make impossible the option of no-flash photography and still capture clear sharp well-lit images.  Solution?  For me, it’s an on camera speedlight.  Lately I’ve been at several events shooting in low light situations such as this, and the diffuser has garnered more attention than my groovy camera.  I use a Nikon SB800 with a 5th battery slot to improve recycling power.

The real key is the diffuser.  I use a Gary Fong diffuser.  He calls it a Lightsphere.  It’s really cheap and really good and it throws light all around my subject.  I don’t bounce the light because I don’t find it effective in these situations.  I use all sides of the diffuser.  This reduces red (or green) eye and still bathes the subject pretty well.

I’m not saying that I wouldn’t love to see this gorgeous guy or gal in my studio in a more controlled environment to make a dazzling portrait; I’m saying that when forced to shoot in these situations, I make adjustments and try to capture a moment.  Ahoy there, Captain!

Saints Fans Bailey & Her Mom (Click to enlarge)

It’s been difficult to keep the sports jerseys off the people and dogs these days.  Here in Louisiana everyone’s a fan.  Meet Bailey and her mom.  Whether it’s the New Orleans Saints or the Louisiana State University Tigers, the chill in the air is nothing like the heat in the sports fan’s heart.

Of course that means that people want to memorialize the season.  As photographers, it’s your job to record these moments, either for yourself or for your friends, family or clients.  The requested backdrop here is dark.  Bailey is black and the jerseys are black as well.  The challenge is to light the dog without blowing out Bailey’s mom’s face.  Under these circumstances, I make choices.  I find it more difficult to adjust the exposure in camera raw post processing if a black dog is under- exposed than it is to repair a few spots on a light face.  That’s the choice I made in this instance.

For this expsoure, I made sure Bailey was lit and tried not to blow out subtle details of her mom’s face.  It’s a fine line we walk.  But we’re all smiling today .  Go Saints!!

Frida Kahlo The Courageous Mexican Dog (Click to enlarge)

Sisters Pet Pics' Studio (Click to enlarge)

Hooray!  We’re in!

Yes, we’re recovered from our wonderful Grand Opening Bark Bash.  The only complaint I have is only 9 doggies came.  Apparently the dog parents wanted to have all the treats to themselves.  I hope the four-legged folks gave them what-for when the peeps got home!  But we were tickled and humbled by the human turnout.  We love you all!

I’ll be posting some of the attendees over the next few days.  In the meanwhile, for those of you who don’t know her, meet our precious Frida.  I made some captures before folks started to arrive.  Frida was dressed in her New Orleans Saints finery.  Just because it was a bye week doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten.

When going through the proofs, I found it quite interesting to note that the best photos of Frida were of her right side.  I had always thought it was me choosing to photograph the right (not the eyeless left) side, but no, it’s Frida.

Two of the attendees came all the way from Hattiesburg, MS.  They were interested in pet photography and wanted to see our set up.  I was so pleased to speak with them.  This blog is about Better Pet Photography.  It’s not magic, unless you subscribe to the notion that the subjects bring their own magic – as I do.  It’s learning the fundamentals of photography and working with the humans in the room to make those great captures.

This shot of Frida was made without a speedlight.  I bumped the ISO to 1250 – I can do that with little noise now that I work with a Nikon D3, yea!!!  On the steps of the French Quarter scenic it’s relatively dark so I chose an aperture of f3.2, which worked fine for me.  As long as that area around her eye was sharp, I liked it.

Frida was in her treat glory.  There were plenty of goodie-bags to go around, and the treats were flowing with only 9 dogs to share them!  Frida didn’t seem to care that the treats were hard.  She said, “No problem, mom, I’ll use both my teeth to eat them!”  Yikes.  She had a wonderful time.  We were still partying at 8PM, but Frida couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer.  She asked to have her dress taken off and crawled into her carrier.

I want to thank all those who brought plants, gifts and flowers, they were quite unexpected and touched us deeply.  I’ve said this before, but I’ll have to say it again.  We have the best people and animals in our studio…and it doesn’t seem to matter where the studio is!  Thank you all!