We are within sight of many of the largest celebrations and holidays of the year.  This is the time of year when I ready myself and the studio for Christmas Card sessions.  Christmas is just one of the holidays on tap.  Timing is everything, in order to schedule clients and their pets, order and have their greeting cards ready prior to my own personal deadline of the end of the first week in December.

Because I cannot show you the results of present sessions (Christmas cards are meant to be a surprise!), I will show you a few photos and card results from previous years.

These three brothers are whirling dervishes, but we always manage to get a few seconds of calm to create something festive.  This image used a simple backdrop and a large bench covered with a furry throw. Their Dad is adventurous, and is willing to wear costumes.  He and his horse, Zeppy, are the subject of one of my most favorite Christmas greeting images of all time. (Below)

The above image was taken outside in October, and those trees are indeed very real.  It was an easy backdrop.  I simply hung the very large ornaments all over the trees.  There was no snow, so I used a snow overlay.

Whether a client prefers a studio scene, an outdoor - on location scene, or a composite, I love to create fun images and a customized message that suits their style. Sometimes, there are even visits from Santa!

However you celebrate the season, why not be fun, creative and unique in the message you send?  And just for today's blog, I created a composite image of Billie while she was in the studio last week for Low Key.  May your days be furry and bright!

The subject is seasonal, and to see how other professional photographers interpreted that theme, read on in the blog circle, starting with Jessica Wasik of  Bark & Gold Photography, celebrating the joy and love between Pittsburgh pets and their people.

I am not a major fan of low key photography.  But, I have to say, it can be dramatic, sculpting, dynamic (in a shadowy way) and certainly does grab my eye to study the photograph a bit more to find the hidden nuances.

I had some gray paper set up in the studio from a previous session, so I grabbed Billie for today's blog photos, as I like the tonal qualities to be similar in low key photographs.  Both of the images you see here are done using only one light and a reflector.

Billie is a mover and a shaker, so getting her to sit still for even a millisecond is next to impossible.  In the end I tired her out and she just hoped that single light would burn out.

The upper image was taken with a 50mm 1.4 lens and the light set off over her right shoulder.  The second image was taken with a 70-200mm 2.8 lens and the light was brought a bit more forward.  Which do you prefer?

For more on low key lighting and images, check out the blog circle, which is, once again, somewhat smaller this week.  It's that weekend where we all set back the clocks one hour, and darkness comes at 5:00 p.m., so it's only fitting we are doing low key images.  Don't forget to set your clocks back before you go to bed on Saturday night, and enjoy that extra hour of sleep!

Next up is Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography, fetching portraits in Coppell and surrounding communities in Dallas - Fort Worth, Texas.

Well, this was quite the challenge this week as part of the blog circle.  I am not a videographer by far, and my cinematic skills are best described as finding a good movie at Red Box.  But, I am game for anything. So, my first step was reading up on cinematic photography.  My second step was finding some photos that a) used a prime lens, b) told a story, c) lent themselves to a cinematic makeover.  My first is below.

I had to dig way back for this one.  In the archives of 2014.  The color version was limp and lackluster, even though I thought the story was a good one.  I went to an extreme and removed the color, which immediately brought the focus on the doggy meet up. I then did a bit more work with the lighting and texture, and gave it that cinematic banding flare.  Heck, I even had fun changing my logo for this assignment.

In the second photo (much more recent), I went to an opposite extreme with the color, blasting it a bit and giving it a different hue.  I watched several tutorials to gain some insight into how to apply color grading in photoshop.

Basically, what I have come away with is that cinematic photography, and the processing of the image, leans toward creative color (or its absence), the use of a prime lens, the use of light, storytelling, and a large glass of wine.

So did I pass, or fail?  You be the judge.

There are not many of us in the blog circle this week. To see how other photographers answered this week's challenge, head over to the blog circle and start with Susannah Maynard of Pet Love Photography, serving Greater Cincinnati, the San Francisco Bay Area and destinations nationwide.  Have a great Friday, a fantastic weekend, and don't get stuck in a Red Box line!

Today's blog theme is "Photographer's Choice."  I am sure it will run the gambit in the blog circle, and I can't wait to read everyone's interpretation of the theme.  I only have one photo to share with you this Friday, and a story.

Our dog Moe turned 12 this year.  It seems like only yesterday he was a pudgy puppy.  He is loved by everyone who meets him because he is so laid back.  He nearly falls asleep at the vets office.  They can do anything to him.

Moe is a houndy setter cross of some sort.  His fur is exactly what you see--frenetic. He has allergies, and it took forever for him to, at last, get this crazy coat.  The colors you see, are the colors he has in his coat.  No camera tricks here. He bays like a hound sometime, but also roos like a setter. Moe came to us at 6 months old.  He was adopted from Another Chance for English Setters. We picked him up when we were going to pick up a horse for a friend in Massachusetts.  We were just supposed to foster him.  On the ride home we decided to adopt him.

I want a great photo of Moe, because I am not sure how much longer we will have him.  He has slowed down quite a bit, has trouble jumping up on things (we lift him more and more), and when he chooses to play in the yard, he pays for it for an entire day afterward.  We humans are so cheated when it comes to our dogs, because we don't get to have them but for a short amount of time.

My choice is this realistic, unfettered photo of Moe.  As an owner of a best friend that is not so spry anymore.  I don't want a cell phone photo, or a snap shot. I want a nicely lit photo that shows me exactly who Moe is.  So I will frame this.  And I will look on it and smile and remember many things once Moe is no longer here to give me this precise look.

I am always happy to have like-minded folks visit me at the studio or on location with their pets, because they too want something to look at and remember.  Because time just won't stand still.  But a piece of artwork will last forever. And a piece of framed artwork is always my choice.

To see more of what other photographer's chose for this week's theme, start your trip around the blog circle with Linda Perdue from VP Shoots Photography serving the Tampa Bay and surrounding areas.  Enjoy your weekend!

For this week's theme, I was inspired by the ordinary, everyday life of my own pets, a number of which like to seek solace, comfort, peace and quiet by being under things.

There is Matty, who likes to lay on the chair cushions under the kitchen table, where he can watch the dog world go by.  He always looks so comfortable there, and I sometimes wish I could shrink myself down and lay right next to him on one of the other cushions.

Luna also likes to lay under a chair in the family room, where she can be in the center of activity, just in case she wants to participate, and also close to the large windows, where she can jump up in a minute to watch the progress of birds in our yard.

I also decided to catch a different perspective by shooting under the obstacles between me and Luna when she moved out from this vantage point.

I think many animals feel safe under things.  Lilah hides under the family room table when she thinks she might be in trouble.  She also hides under the bed when it is thundering.

Our border collie, Piper, loves to lay in the cubby under the kitchen desk. The only time we can't find him there is when he is hiding from bathtime, which he is due for any day now.

I used my on camera flash for all of these images, because I was too lazy to walk over to the studio and get an off camera flash, and I was afraid that if I did walk over to the studio, I would lose the chance to capture these images while they were happening.  However, I used a lens which allowed me to stay far enough away from each subject so that the built in flash would not cause red eye or other issues.

Do you have pets that like to be under things?

To see how other photographers in the blog circle interpreted this week's theme, read on, starting with Linda Perdue of VPShoots Photography serving Tampa Bay and surrounding areas.  The weeks are flying by, and holiday season is fast approaching.  Cooler weather is finally coming in, and I hope that means NO RAIN!  Enjoy your weekend!

This is going to date me, but when I was a kid, and there were reruns of old movies playing on television, a movie star named Greta Garbo was well known for the phrase "I want to be alone."

Sometimes, we photographers, seek to isolate our subjects as best we can so that the focus is purely on them, and not on their surroundings, especially if the background is busy.    There are numerous ways to do so, which I am sure you will see in today's blog circle, but I will focus on three that I use.

The first you saw some of last week.  While doing some photography work at an event, I sought to isolate some of the subjects from the surroundings.  Here are a few more photos.

In the first I blurred the background. So, you can isolate by blurring everything but the subject.

In this case the background colors enhanced the colors in the dog's bandana, and the pup's cute and focused profile made for a very still shot.

In the second I cropped most of the background away.  Cropping is a technique I will use to isolate a subject as well.

I needed this cutie to remain connected to something, so I left the owner's feet in the photo.  There were a ton of tables and people in the background, so cropping enabled the pup to shine through.

The third technique is to simply find a "lone" subject to begin with.  Driving home from this event I happened to find a sheep who was "outstanding" in her field <--(very old joke, and now I have really dated myself!).

So let's review, because the test is on Monday.  Blurring the background, close cropping the subject and isolating the subject to begin with, are just three techniques I use to focus more on what's on the other side of my camera.

To see additional methods and how other photographers isolate what is in front of their lens, why not take a few and read through the blog circle.  Start with Susannah Maynard of Pet Love Photography, serving Greater Cincinnati, the San Francisco Bay Area, and destinations nationwide. 

Have a great weekend.  Don't isolate yourself.  Winter is coming.  At least for us.  Enjoy!

I have been attending quite a few events lately, and photographing people and pets in very differently lit environments.

Being outdoors in natural light means the big bright ball in the sky, or the lack of it (covered by clouds) is in control of the quality of light in the photos taken.  In studio, you can also use natural window light to highlight a subject, but more than often light is being controlled and "placed" on the subject to make them look their best.

While we don't have real control over the sun or the clouds, we can still find opportunities to use the available light to make a fine portrait.

A bit camera shy, this pup was in a very good spot on a somewhat cloudy day, with a bit of sunlight filtered from behind.  I haven't seen a golden retriever with this color since we adopted our Ollie.  His brother Oggie had this same coat color--almost, but not quite, white. While this pup was surrounded by people, dogs, tents, trees and leashes, I managed to keep it simple and find an angle that kept the light, but got rid of the rest.  On a bright, sunny day, this photo would have been a fail, as the light would have been much too harsh on this coat color.

Here is another pup photo, taken at the same event, but showing some of the draped tables.  The natural light coming from the left made this particular spot the opportune place for a quick snap.  When I am attending an event like this one, with so many people and pets, I am constantly walking around looking for opportunities where natural light and open surroundings come together.  I do not want to be carrying equipment, such as reflectors or off camera flash, if the natural light of the day is workable.

The beauty of natural light is how it diffuses on the subject. I was happy to find this pup sitting quietly by while Dad finished his ice cream. The light was perfect in this spot in the park.  What a happy face!

And finally, one of my favorites of the day, featured on my Instagram as well, is this face.

Weimaraners, as a breed, are typically hard to photograph because their coats are so reflective.  Thankfully, the cloudy day and quality of light worked to my advantage.  Just enjoying some music with Mom and Dad, and trying to figure out what my purpose in life is with the big black camera in my hands.

Some tips for photographing in natural light:

• it can change in a minute (be sure where you started is where you are going to end with the light reflecting on your subject);
• learn to look for and recognize good light opportunities;
• don't use light as an excuse not to shoot, just realize how to expose the photo for the best result.

The event covered in these photos was Woofstock 2018 at Lazybrook Park.  So many people, so many dogs, not a single problem.  Proceeds benefited True Friends Animal Welfare Center, one of the best shelters in my area.

For more on natural light, check out today's blog circle!  Start with Darlene of Pant the Town Photography serving MA and NH. Have a great weekend!  Fall is in the air and everywhere!

Being happy is one of those life things that is hard to define.  Happiness means different things to different people.  This week, I am using my interpretation of "happy" and my own life experiences to show you what I think it might mean to some I've met along the road.

Happiness is finding Mom in the crowd, and then getting a drink.

Happiness is growing up with a good horse.

Happiness is going for a ride on a beautiful day.

Happiness is being with your people, no matter where they go.

Happiness is what you make it. Go out and be happy this weekend.  But first, check out the blog circle for more happy things.  Start with Lynda Mowat from Heartstrings Photography, based in Hamilton New Zealand.

The color brown happens to be one of my favorites.  There was a point in my life where almost every piece of clothing I owned was either brown, or had brown in it.  Something about this earth tone really attracts my eye.

This week's blog circle theme is "brown," which can be interpreted in a vast number of ways.

After the green of summer, we are coming up on browner landscapes as autumn approaches.  I have been using more earthy backgrounds in the studio as well.

Here is what I have come up with this week for brown.

Our little Luke in a reflective mood in a brown toned portrait.  His coloring lends itself well to the browns around him. He is not a huge fan of the camera, but every once in a while, I can catch him being quiet.  Think big, expressive movements wrapped up in a little dog, and that's Luke.  So I was lucky to get this photo.

I think mostly white colored dogs show up well on earthy tones.  I added a texture to the background of this photo.  Burton does have one brown eye and one blue eye, so you are not seeing things.  He is typically cooperative for photos.

Even kitties show up well with a brownish treatment.  The brown flecks in Barney's coat are highlighted much more in this toned setting than they are on a white background.

There are many different options for earthy tones in the studio, and soon nature will follow with her own palette.  I also sometimes use digital backgrounds in earthy tones, like the one below. 

For more on the brown theme and to see what's going on in the circle, start your trip with Darlene of Pant the Town Photography serving MA and NH.  I'm happy to be back in the circle and hope to continue now through the end of the year!  Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

Many people do not realize that beyond the studio portrait work, I also photograph events.  Whether public or private, I have the most fun when large groups of people gather.

Several weeks ago I published a blog on a Native American event I attended and photographed.  While hard to believe, I don't just attend animal-related events, although I specialize in pet portraits.

Most of my event work revolves around good candids and "relaxed" posing situations.  I want to capture people doing what they love to do and having fun, so you won't see stuffy poses or staged photography work in my results.

I was happy to photograph a private event for Penelec recently.  Their Family Safety Awareness Night had so many fun things to do and try.  Employee family members were invited to learn more about how things work as part of the job at a utility company.  The bucket rides were an especially enjoyable feature of the night.

Followed by the dancing mascot! And Mannings ice cream truck!

The Penelec linemen and women are some of the hardest working folks in our region.  We have all experienced lines down and power outages, and these crews are often out there in the worst weather bringing back all things vital.

And, they sure know how to put on a grand event!

Of course it's all fun and games until someone has to be carried home...because they are way too tired to walk!

The most enjoyable part for me, as a photographer, is meeting the people behind the images.  I want to be sure to cover your event in a way that showcases all of the fantastic things you have worked hard on, and all of the people involved!

If you are interested in finding out more about event coverage, and what it includes, head over to the contact page and fill out an on line form, or simply give me a call at 570-575-1705.  I will be covering more events of the season as they arrive, so check back here for additional event photos!