One of the very first images you will see on my website is a composite image.

I used this image previously in a blog about bold colors.  The photo of the pup was taken in costume at an October outdoor pet event, but the digital background was purchased (Lisa Blevins Fine Art Digital Backgrounds), and put the two together to achieve the image.

I do quite a bit of composite work, especially with Christmas and greeting card sessions during the holidays. 

I recently took an on-line webinar class with Judy Reinford, M. Artist, M. Photographer.  I love Judy's style and work and she is from my home state.  We were given a number of stock photos to incorporate into a composite.  Below is my composite from the class.

Yes that is a mantis in a cape painting the dog on the hillside.  Below is the image with all the components used.

I would by no means enter this in any competition, but you know what they say about practice...eventually, it makes perfect. It was fun trying to utilize all the components to tell a story.

A little over a year ago, a friend lost her beloved dog to illness.  She had a rough digital image taken with her phone and asked if I could possibly make it into a frameable piece of art.  I ended up doing a digital painting of the photo, using textures to improve some of the areas that were degraded and underexposed in the original picture.  The pup was laying on a patterned blanket, and I replaced it with a suitcase to streamline the image and draw more attention to him.  The resulting image is below, with the blanket removed and the top of the suitcase in view.

This is a cherished image in her household, and why compositing is a much needed skill in photographic work.

To see more composite work in the group this week, start the blog circle off with Jo Lyons Photography, the down-to-earth dog loving photographer for cherished dogs of Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle and the Great Lakes Region of NSW. 

I'm off to some winter events this weekend.  Check my Facebook page for resulting photos later in the week.  Enjoy!

Red is such a vibrant color.  A pop of red in any photo can give it the oomph that it needs.

This week we are have been transported to FROZEN (the movie).  Gee, I hope the theme song does not get stuck in your head now.

Since everything around us is set in wind chills of -20, the dogs run out of the house, do what they need to do, and run back in as fast as they can.  It makes for very hard conditions to capture photographs.

Nevertheless, Billie and I did put on her red sweater and RAN outside for a quick snap of the lens late yesterday afternoon.  That's the photo you see above.  The shadows had already covered the snowy lawn, but there was a little bit of sun still left in the trees behind her.  Red is great in snow, even in shadowy snow.  Billie wears red very well, since she has gray fur with bluish tinges.

Below is a photo I did of Billie a number of years ago around Valentine's Day.  It is one of my favorites, and was done before she started getting her current hair cuts.

Billie is my sidekick.  She follows me everywhere, worries about me, and waits for me by the window when I leave, until she sees me pull into the driveway again.  Normally she is my driving sidekick, but it's been too cold to take her anywhere, or even on the walks she loves.  I keep telling her that better weather is on the way!

To see more RED things, you have the blog circle ahead.  Start with Jo Lyons of Jo Lyons Photography, the down-to-earth, dog loving photographer for cherished dogs of Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle and the Great Lakes Region of NSW.  I think Jo may have better weather than many of us. Thaw yourselves out and enjoy your weekend!

I do believe that the eyes of animals are much more expressive than us humans.  While the eyes may be the windows to the soul, humans have learned to hide their feelings and manipulate their expressions to suit the circumstances.

Dogs, on the other hand, really hide nothing.

I had to throw this green grass photo in here, because right now we are covered in snow which is covered in ice, thanks to the rain we had today.  I am thinking about dragging my ice skates from the attic just to go to my car.

Yes, that's Lilah, above, as happy as a dog could be rolling in the grass.  I think once the grass comes back, I will try doing the same.

As a photographer, I am always focused on a pet's eyes.  They tell me a lot about how that pet is feeling at the moment.  I usually let pets get comfortable around me before taking any photos of them.  After years of watching, not just the eyes of my own dogs, but also the eyes of my clients' pets, I have a good handle on when it is safe to begin to photograph and get the best expression we can.

Before you read the next paragraph, what do you think Lilah's eyes are telling you here?
GIVING
YOU
TIME
TO
THINK

Answer:  She is a little nervous thinking way ahead of the game to the treat she will get once we are done with the photographs in the studio. She is actually looking toward where I keep the treats in a drawer in the studio.

I do think that Lilah, and our dog, Danny, have the most expressive eyes of all of our dogs.  Our dog, Moe, has the most expressive nose, and can imitate Elizabeth Montgomery (Samantha on Bewitched) really well.

Of course the optimum photo is to have the subject look right into the camera with a very relaxed expression, just like Floyd did for the photo  below.

When lighting dogs, you have to be careful how the lighting will reflect off of their eyes, as the structure is different than ours, and it is easy to have too much light reflecting through them.

And what about CATS you ask?  Well, that's a whole other blog post.

To see more expressive pets, the blog circle today is all about EYES!  Forge ahead and have a LOOK!  Start here with Colleen of Simply Col Photography - for the love of photography and pound pups.  Have a great weekend!

This is me.

I don't go anywhere without that headband.

Well......okay, I do. But only on Sunday.

If you blew this photo up, you would find dog hair on my shirt. That's because we have seven dogs, all rescues.  We also have five cats, five horses and seven chickens.  Plus, I am usually working around a dog or cat or various other animals most of the time.  I have a small spot in my closet that contains "hair-free" clothing, which I put on in a plastic bubble when I have to go to a function where I know dog hair will be misunderstood. Since I spend most of my time crawling around in the dirt or on a studio floor, I also have a full hamper.

Needless to say, I love all animals.  As far back as I remember, I have loved all animals. I recently found a photo of me when I was a little girl visiting the zoo.  I was as happy as a clam, standing in front of a zebra in its enclosure.  I was probably trying to figure out how to release it.

This head band is very fitting, because May through October I raise monarch butterflies.  Last year I released 38 healthy monarchs into the world.  Since the monarch population has been steadily dwindling, it's the least I can do, especially since I could not release the zebra.

I think I was always meant to end up on the path of pet photography. That path was PRETTY winding leading here.  I did not study photography in school or in college, but I did take many photos during these periods in my life.  I worked for many years (23) in higher education.  That link to higher ed has given me a mindset that doesn't allow me to just JUMP into anything.  I tend to do quite a bit of research and devote time to studying what I need to know.  It's that mindset that led me to study many aspects of the art of photography, and over the course of the last seven years, I have taken many courses geared to portrait work.

My husband is an extraordinary builder. Besides building our barn and our Fort Knox of chicken coops, he built my studio over a year ago.

It's a lovely space to work in.  One of my goals this year is to develop a video about the studio and my work with clients.  I shoot both in my studio (for portrait work) and on location (for action, event, and lifestyle work).

I am a member of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), and I have passed the written exam portion of my Certified Professional Photography work.  My second goal this year is to complete my certification, by submitting my images for review. I am also a member of the Professional Photographers Association of Pennsylvania.  This year I will begin to compete in their print competition (Goal #3).

I L-O-V-E my clients!  They all love animals too.  I love making them happy and seeing their faces light up when they see their photos!

Below is a small slideshow sampling of my portrait work, taken in studio, on location, or at covered events.

If you would like more information about a photography session, you can hop out of this blog and head to the contact portion of my website, email me at elainetweedy@gmail.com, or follow me on my business page on Facebook.  I am also on Instagram.

I loved this week's theme, because now I get to join you in learning more about the photographers participating in the blog circle! Starting with Kim of BARKography photographing dogs in the greater Charlotte NC area and other cities around the US and Canada.

We have a snowy weekend ahead.  I am looking forward to taking some photos of dogs in snow. Enjoy yours, whatever it may hold!

Happy 2019!  It's another New Year. Before we know it, it will be summer.  I can't wait for that!

I have done a lot of preparatory work for another banner year of photography.  I took some classes between Christmas and New Years Day, ordered some new props and backdrops for the studio and built a platform for photographing larger dogs.

This year I have a number of goals on my agenda, which I will cover at some point during the blog cycles.  Suffice it to say, it's going to be a great year, if I can stick to my guns and get it all under my belt.

One of the reasons I love photography, is that if you study and practice your art form, you can tell a good story, and save an image that might not otherwise look saveable.  The post processing (edit) tricks used by individual photographers are often a matter of taste.

To illustrate, I've used a somewhat lack-luster image of our dog Lilah, intently watching birds and squirrels at our bird feeders after our one and only snow event so far this winter.

This unedited, raw image was taken with a quick grab of the camera (which for once was actually nearby) to capture the intensity of Lilah's gaze in her usual hang-over-the-couch position.  I didn't have time to fool with settings, and, luckily, they were close enough to what I needed so that the image was not in total darkness.  The problem with shooting a subject in front of a window is the light.  Window light will not do an adequate job of lighting the side of the dog that isn't in that light.  You can see here how Lilah's features are darkened on her right side.  Plus, there are too many "extras" in this photo's story.  It needs to be edited (cropped) down, to focus more on the subject.

The great thing about shooting in Raw is all of the valuable data that accompanies a photo is attached to that photo, and can be recovered.  Above is the final version of the image, which really does highlight the subject (Lilah) and her intense gaze on the world outside.  She loves snow, and birds, and squirrels.  All three together are like a "you've got to be kidding me!!!!" doggy smorgasbord.

I am so happy to have caught her in this very Lilah look, and in one of our everyday life happenings.

I enjoy taking my time with every client photo to seek out the real story, and make beautiful afters of all the befores!

For more BEFORE and AFTER, a blog circle of photographers is waiting for you to just click on the links at the bottom of each page and travel around to see their take on this week's theme.  We have some new additions this year and I am looking forward to reading their blogs and welcoming them to the circle.  To begin, start with Kim of  BARKography, photographing dogs in Charlotte NC and other cities across the US and Canada.

I hope AFTER your weekend is over, you will be able to say you accomplished everything you wanted to do BEFORE it began!

My home is not just the physical building in which we live, but it is also the area that surrounds me in my region.  So this week, because I spent some time in shopping lines, and finalizing deliveries for clients, I thought I would share some of the things I love about spending the holidays at home. This will be a bit of a departure from my usual pet-filled blog, but I promise there will be a dog at the end.

I love decorating the house.  This is me, leaving to deliver photographic ornaments to clients who ordered memories for their tree.  I don't take that many selfies for sure, but thought I would take advantage of the fact I was having a good hair day, and also show you a bit of the decorated door.

I was out most of Thursday finalizing my Christmas list shopping.  One of my most favorite places to shop is the Waverly General Store.  Stopping there on a rainy evening around 5:00 p.m. presents some problems in not only crossing the street from the parking area, but also in getting the angles I wanted on photographs. 

Don't these shop windows look warm and inviting?  I am thinking that in better weather, a dog in the doorway could be a great shot.  Here is that window, up close and personal.  There are so many lovely things to gift from this store.  I have a hard time deciding.

I really enjoy living in the region where I am located.  I have lived many places, but find that, despite the wettest year on record, and the snow I complain about when it comes and stays too long, I love Northeastern Pennsylvania.  I also love my clients, and their pets.  This year I was fortunate to meet many new furry friends.

And, when I get home, there is always this girl waiting and watching for me.

I think she loves Christmas just as much as I do.

My last session for the year is on Sunday, and after that I think I will settle in for a long winter's nap.  Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!  Merry Merry whatever you celebrate!

For more insight into the holidays, the blog circle awaits.  Start with Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography fetching portraits in Coppell and surrounding communities in Dallas - Fort Worth, Texas.

There is nothing like a good "sit."  It's often a question I will ask an incoming client.  "Does your dog sit?" I ask this because if it's a portrait you want, then sitting may be the key to getting it.

All of our dogs sit.  Even our deaf dogs.  They sit for a treat, and no treat is doled out until they do.  It's one of the first things we teach after "look at me."

If your dog lacks a good sit, then it's off to Plan B.  You sit and hold the dog.  Often a dog will settle into a nice sit on its owner's lap, and then I can work on attention.

These tiny tots were much more relaxed on their Dad's lap than on their own.  It just so happens that their Dad is Santa!

What about cats you say?

Well, cats are a different story all together.  You have to sort of wait cats out.  Then when they finally sit, use something to get their attention.  In some cases, it's just easier to take a cat portrait and insert it where you'd like it.

Chair props are often handy with kitties, because most will jump on a chair if it's the highest point in the room, after exploring the whole-entire-every-corner-every-inch of the room first. 

We are getting close to the end of another blog year.  Just a few weeks to go.  To see what others have in store for today's post, sit yourself down and read on.  Start with Pawparazzi Pet and Animal Photography presented by Shae Pepper Photography.  Have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend!

It's that time of year where everything is sparkly and bright.  Very bright.

I have mentioned that working on designing Christmas and Holiday greetings have kept me busy, but what I haven't said is that creating unique and personal messages for clients is one of my most favorite things to do!

The theme for this week's post is "high key," and although I may have covered this topic before (several years ago), I realized that some of the design work I do calls for high key images.  I am going to take one example from my last year's work folder to show you how a high key image can make for a great design concept.

This is one very prized kitty.  He is well known in his inner-family circles and has somewhat of a reputation.

He was not too keen on a camera or off camera flash.  He could care less about my feather on a stick or catnip mouse.  His main thought, I am sure, was "when are you going to leave."

He was not a steady eddy, and often would move just when you thought you had the perfect "snap!"

Yet, his parents said, "if you can...make him our card."

I will usually do a few designs (in this case 4 x 8 card-sized) and send them on to the client for review and selection.  Based on Frampton's overall attitude, one of my designs centered around turning the photo black and white and bombarding the shadows to a more high key look.  I then added some verbage and a somewhat hasty, slapdash hat (believe me, he would NEVER wear one) which also fit his personality.  The result is below.

Frampton is suddenly bright and Christmassy.

I am not a fan of colorizing an image (taking a black and white and adding color to certain areas) EXCEPT for fun cards during the holidays, where the technique can serve to heighten a design.

As a Christmas greeting image, it would be pretty boring if I left it as just a black and white Frampton.

The planning of this design included my adding some of the words in now.

I can then use some stock images, backgrounds and textures to finalize the look of the greeting, and make Frampton stand out.

The final design (and the one selected as THE Christmas greeting) is below.  You can see how high key Frampton stands out from the traditional reds and greens of the holiday colors. The card was printed with a "pearl" finish, which gave it a festive sheen.

High key can be shot in studio with proper lighting, but Frampton's original photo was taken elsewhere with one light.  As you can see, it is possible to take an image and turn it into a high key photo if the photo lends itself to the switch and the conditions are right...and if you watch a cadre of YouTube tutorials.

To see what others have done with high key, you can read through this week's blog circle.  Start with Lynda Mowat from Heartstrings Photography, based in Hamilton, New Zealand. As we get closer to the holidays, we are once again, a smaller circle.

While I have finalized Christmas greeting session for this year, I am still fulfilling Christmas "GIFT" sessions.  I do have a few spots open and available during the week of December 10th, however the weekends are booked. Last scheduling day is Friday, December 14th in order to have photos selected and in before Christmas.

Didn't make it this year?  It's never to early to book your session for 2019! I do send out reminder cards. Have a great weekend!  Meow.

Right now I am thinking about a turkey induced nap.  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Day.  AND, since I am on this turkey high, I thought I would call this week's blog "Holiday High," because we know there is much more coming this weekend and in the weeks that follow.

I am also pretty happy that all of my client Christmas card sessions are complete, and the last of the cards will be ordered tomorrow.  This is another reason I need a nap.

The theme this week was "get high," which I took to mean take a high vantage point or put your subject in one.  Since I was standing on a pretty big rock to take this photo (that's about as high as I go), I felt it qualified. 

Now off I go to brew some strong coffee to wake me up, because goodness knows there are 50,000 more Hallmark movies yet to watch!  Enjoy your weekend of turkey leftovers.

To see a few other ideas on the theme, the blog circle is waiting.  Start with Linda from VP Shoots Photography serving Tampa Bay area in Florida. Find the links at the bottom of each post to move on to the next blog.  Enjoy!

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.