Pets and their people
If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. ~ James Herriot
Okay, let’s be real here. Anyone who knows me personally considers me to be the local “crazy cat/dog/horse/bird and everything in between lady.” My love for animals runs deep and growing up when asked the typical “what do you want to be when you grow up?” question my answer ranged from “famous female jockey/horse trainer” to “veterinarian.” In fact, although I always loved looking through photos and taking pictures even at a young age, I never considered that I would ever make a career of it. I graduated with a 4 year degree in Animal Science from Brigham Young University and worked in large and small animal vet clinics until my first child was born.
Fortunately my husband and family are like-minded animal lovers, and we are happy to include in our family “pack” a goofy, fun-loving Golden Retriever/Chow mix named ‘Henry’; a soft-as-silk and sweet-as-honey purebred Golden named ‘Abby’; an aloof but loveable Ragdoll cat with as many names as he has moods (one day Mittens, the next Curmudgeon); ‘Rusty’ the enigmatic and feisty Desert Lynx; ‘Penelope’, our affectionate and exotic Highland Lynx mama kitty; my fiery and spirited Arabian gelding ‘Nicholas’ who thinks he’s a racehorse but has a heart of gold and a puppydog personality; and finally, like a sweet ray of sunshine, ‘Sunny’ our parakeet. And if you care to follow my personal Facebook or Instagram feed you’ll see that they occupy a majority of my bed and of my heart (well, after my kids and husband of course!).
After a lifetime of studying about, working with, and living with all kinds of animals, I understand what makes them tick and how to connect naturally with them. And I know how easily they can worm their way into your heart and become like family.
Most people who come to me for pet or animal portraits wants one of the following sessions – but on occasion I get requests for custom projects (working on a book/greeting card line right now!)
PET SESSIONS
- If your pet is part of your family, why not include them!
- Studio settings, or outdoor settings at the park or beach are great – but shoots at your home are even better!
- Day in the Life or Lifestyle type shoots are ideal when pets are involved.
- Take the stress out of planning for your session with a pre-session consultation where we’ll design your session based on what you hope to end up with!
- Learn more about Family Portrait Sessions
- A session featuring your pet as the star! Other family members may be included as supporting actors of course but the main purpose is to capture the beauty and personality of your pet!
- Great when welcoming a new pet into the home and/or to document your pet growing up!
- At home, in the studio, around town, at the park or beach
- Does your Labradoodle catch a Frisbee like a boss? Does your Siberian Husky adore swimming in the ocean? Do you have a cat that likes to play fetch? Let me know about all of the quirks that make your pet unique so I can be sure to capture the parts of their personality that shines!
- Same beautiful Fine Art products available for my family portraits are available for your pets.
- Custom commissioned paintings also available.
- Ask about reduced rate sessions for terminally ill or elderly pets
- Did you know that having great photos of your breeding stock and litters/offspring – can make the difference between having a waiting list for people dying to have YOUR pet at the prices you charge – rather than waiting for the phone to ring? {I dare you to ask me how I know!}
- Come to me, or I can come to you. Or we can rendezvous together at a local park. But odds are 10-1 that your life and mine will be easier if I come to you!
- I can bring studio backdrops and lighting {and props!} if you prefer, or we can do a more natural, lifestyle approach.
- Photograph just your parents and facilities and/or litters for sale.
- Check out a sample puppy session for a Great Danes and some Weimaraners
- Check out some sample kitten-for-sale photos
- Custom packages available – inquire for details!
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- Themed mini sessions available through various pet stores such as Muttropolis and Passionate Pet, inquire for details.
- Custom-tailored mini sessions for your pet are also available. More information in the Sessions guide!
- Check out a sample Holiday themed mini session!
- Check out a sample Summer themed mini session!
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- Themed mini sessions available through various pet stores such as Muttropolis and Passionate Pet, inquire for details.
- Custom-tailored mini sessions for your pet are also available. More information in the Sessions guide!
- Check out a sample Holiday themed mini session!
- Check out a sample Summer themed mini session!
Equestrian Photography
Does your favorite pet whinny, snort and run on hooves not paws? Horses are my first love and I have a whole portfolio and page dedicated to them.
MEET OUR "PACK"
MEET HENRY
Henry is 65% Golden Retriever, 20% Chow, 15% Toy Poodle….and 100% pure, unconditional love. He loves his people, climbing rocks, going on adventures, playing with his buddy Abby, and taking up 90% of our king sized bed at night. His biggest claim to fame (besides his curly banner of a tail) is that he might very well be the most photographed dog that ever lived. He aspires to be in a children’s book one day so he can touch all of the kids he doesn’t get to lick up one side and down the other on a daily basis. He’s one of a kind and will always hold my heart!
MEET ABBY
Abigail,is a purebred Golden Retriever, Henry’s favorite sidekick and partner in crime, and everyone’s favorite puppy. No one loves her more than my daughter Kate who she belongs to, and who has done a fabulous job raising her to be an obedient sweetheart of a dog. Abby loves playing with Henry, swimming in the ocean, picking up sticks, and greeting any guests enthusiastically. She is known for always having to have a “softie” in her mouth before she greets you though…usually her favorite stuffed horse or pig (but might be your sock!)
MEET NICK
Nicholas. My dream horse. 1st on my lifetime bucket list. In your pocket, follow you around like a puppy dog kind of horse. He’s so athletic, he could excel equally at endurance, dressage, jumping, equitation, liberty- but he thinks he’s a racehorse! If you push his nose, he’ll pop his tongue out at you (if he likes you). Equal parts gentle and spirited, he loves learning new things, running like the wind, any kind of treat and rolling right after his bath. It’s almost not fair that with all of those awesome qualities, he’s gorgeous to boot!
MEET HANS
Hans. Mittens. Sir Thomas Mittens. Curmudgeon. Nus. This cat has as many names as he has personality traits and he answers to all of them (when he feels like it). With just an air of snootiness when you first get to know him, Mittens is a big lover deep down. A purebred Ragdoll, he came to us full grown and was the first family pet to bring us all together. Because he was here first he thinks he still rules the roost….and he probably does.
MEET RUSTY
For years my youngest daughter has asked for her very own kitten for every birthday, Christmas or other gift giving occasion. Her time finally came when she got to pick Rusty out for her 9th birthday. Rusty is a Desert Lynx cat, and Audrey’s “baby.” He’s got a big sense of adventure and loves to find ways to roam the outside world, much to our chagrin. He enjoys chasing bugs, climbing walls, jumping from great heights, chasing toes under the covers and catnaps in the sun.
MEET PENNY
Oh Penelope, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways….Penny is arguably the most awesome cat who ever lived. She has so much love and is super affectionate with all, even Abby who loves to carry her around in her mouth. She is wicked smart – comes when calls and will do tricks on command (see middle photo for her cutest one). And she makes the most amazing kittens ever – smart, playful, loving and beautiful. Check out her last litter right HERE!
Charity work
Do you have a pet-based charity and would like to collaborate? I have donated my time to several different rescue groups and shelters, and am always looking at ways to help local pet charities by collaborating on charity events, providing photography, etc. Let me know how we can help each other out!