Toby the Labradoodle finding a ball at the "beach"

Image available on shirts, mugs, puzzles, mouse pads and much more.

If you’ve been following Sisters Pet Pics over the years, you will have noticed our growth and changes along the way.  Here we go again!

As we’ve added products and services, we’ve also expanded our focus to include many other styles, subjects and locations.  Although our specialty will always be pet & family photography, we have been adding to our portfolio for quite some time.

This growth called for the biggest change yet…a new business name.  Sisters Studios was born!  Here’s what WON’T change: our love for animals and the people who share our love, our studio location, 3979 HWY 190, Covington, LA. and our dedication to providing our customers with high quality depictions of their vision.

Here’s what did change:  our web site for one!  Check it out, Sisters Studios.  You’ll notice all manner of things to enjoy.  All new galleries – see if you or your pet is featured!  And we have a store!

We’ve been working on our on-line store for quite some time and we’re proud to announce that it’s ready for viewing.  You’ll see the link on the new web page, Sisters Studios Image Store.  There are several galleries, including Wildlife, New Orleans, and a few of our digital paintings.

All images are available as prints, but some are also available on other substrates such as T-Shirts, mugs, puzzles, tote bags and my personal favorite, stamps (!).  We will be adding images weekly.  If you don’t see what you want at first viewing, check back soon.  There will be more.  As always, the strike-thorough watermarks will not appear on any print or item purchased.

Okay, that’s enough change for one day, huh?  I hope you enjoy what we’ve become and appreciate the journey we’re on.  We’ve enjoyed being on it with you!

Maggie May knows the Saints won the Super Bowl - then pigs have flown! (Click to enlarge)

I’m still here and kickin’.  I haven’t posted in a while because we are about to make some really big and exciting changes to Sisters Pet Pics and I’ve been working on the new web site to reflect those changes.  Keep checking back…you’ll be the first to know!

In the mean time, here’s a reminder to Louisiana readers.  The Saints have opened more than twenty (yes 20!) practice sessions to the public.  The first two are on July 30th, in case you want to see our guys shake off the rust.  I for one would like to see some of the new kids on the block.  Perhaps I’ll see you there!

St Tammany Humane Society's Woofstock 2010, Covington LA

Easter Bunny & Poodles!

Last weekend we had the pleasure of attending Woofstock 2010, which is a major fundraiser for our St. Tammany Humane Society.  Although the weather was brutal – 40° and very windy – spirits were high and the entertainment was superb.  If you get a chance, seek out Four Unplugged and Ghost Town.  Both groups put on a super show under difficult conditions.  They donated their time and totally rocked out.  The hardy souls who got to hear them felt very lucky indeed.   Of course we were there and we brought our number one bunny friend!  We have the humane, environmentally friendly,  real live Easter Bunny!

I want to remind those who are tempted to partake in live rabbit sales or promotions, rabbits grow, become hormonal at 4-6 months, and will not remain the cute bunny you first met for very long.  They can bite and scratch and are not suitable pets for very young children.  If you truly wish to be friends with a rabbit, there are organizations which rescue the discarded rabbits who desperately need homes.

Santa & Allie The Shih Tzu (Click to enlarge)

Spoiler alert!  Get the kids out of the room.  That’s Terry as Santa .  This was Sisters Pet Pics’ 5th winter holiday.  We’ve offered Santa as an option before, but this year we had the three dimensional French Quarter scene as an option too.  We just thought some of those shots were just as cute as can be.

Allie is one of the sweetest Shih Tzus ever.  Sweet and inquisitive, she always brings it when she comes into our studio.  Oh yes, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen her.  Just type her name in the search feature (upper right on this page) to see other shots of her.  She loves the attention she gets when she’s dressed up, but her dad still prefers her naked self.  I’ll be posting more of Allie soon.

In my opinion, when a small dog or animal is posed with a person it’s best to get the heads close or you’ll lose the dog.  You will have to be aware that at the moment when the ears go up or the head tilts, part of the human face will be obstructed, which may impact negatively on the composition.  So set the animal up to allow for this, because when you make your noise and you get the animal look you want, you may not get another chance.

Yorkie With Family (Click to enlarge)

I hope you made many captures over your holiday season.  They will allow you to have those feelings as often as you desire.  It is the only sure way to capture a moment, yet it still amazes me that families get together once or twice a year or less and neglect to record the experience.  Life is short…memories are frail.

Meet Sweety and her family.  You could call any one of the three sweetie and you’d be right.  I loved these folks and though the humans aren’t wearing the same color on top as I’ve recommended in past posts, you can see that it works nevertheless.

I want you to notice the triangle the three faces make in this photo.  When you’re composing your shot look for the lines and shapes your composition makes.  This shot would be a lot less interesting if the heads were in a straight line.

I’d love to see your holiday shots.  Post them here!

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!

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 .

Robbie The Black Lab (Click to enlarge)

Robbie is gorgeous.  Let’s not quibble.  There’s not a photog alive who could not make a stunning portrait of him.  This is the thing to remember: light the coat from all angles so the sheen is evident.  If you’re looking at the small thumbnail, click the image again.  Regardless of your backdrop, if you light the coat you’ll get the shot you’re expecting.  Use a hair light.  That will help.  Refer to How To Set Up Your Pet Photography Studio for an explanation.

Although it may seem to some that it’s too early to be thinking about the holidays, I would say, au contraire, mon ami.  As a photographer you are not only recording the moment you’re in, you’re recording the moments to come.  Sound crazy?  Not so much.  Consider the bride.  She’s photographed before the wedding…sometimes well before the wedding.  She wants to be sure to get those all important studio shots.

My point is that in our controlled studio environment we often shoot out of season shots, because it’s about the mood the client is (or you are) in.  After Katrina we had requests to shoot themes people had taken elsewhere, but lost the pictures.  They wanted to duplicate them with us.  Remember, your studio is your set, and your set is wherever you’re controlling the environment.