i got the shot photography

Where's Waldo?

8/15/2024

Yes, it's true.

I have not written a blog since May.

Here's what happened.

Competition Season

Print competition season actually starts in March. Since obtaining my Master of Photography degree at the national level and my Professional Photographers Association of Pennsylvania (PPAofPA) degree at the state level (and working tirelessly to get there with image after image), I no longer feel the urgent need to submit images into competition. However, I do like to support the professional associations that I am a member of, and went ahead and submitted a few images to PPAofPA's spring competition and Northeastern Pennsylvania Professional Photographers Association in May.

Our Silkie rooster Scruffy. This image is titled "Morning Song."

That went pretty well, as I received two merit/blue ribbon images and a President's Choice Award in the PPAofPA competition, and two merit/blue ribbon images and Best of Show awards in the NPPPA competition (different images submitted to each venue).

I have only been submitting two images per competition, where I used to submit four, but again, I am trying to be supportive without spending an inordinate amount of time on competition images. I am unsure if I will keep competing in digital image competition in the future. At this point I prefer helping others to achieve their goals and using some of the knowledge I have gained through my time with Professional Photographers of America to mentor photographers who are looking to climb the ladder of competition.

I did act as a juror for NPPPA's photo competition in May, not an easy job for sure.

Time Off

Every photographer will tell you that time off is an important commodity. I decided to take some time off to enjoy the summer a little more and do some "hobby" photography things that I used to love doing, but no longer had time for.

Spring Goldfinch arrival.

Bees loving the Allium.

I've also been keeping up with family happenings and covering those when my schedule allows, as well as trying out some camera equipment and new ways to photograph life in general.

Talley, photographed with an EOS Rebel T6 that I picked up for "a song" to have as a travel camera.

My nephew, who graduated from 8th grade in June.

Photographers don't tend to put their cameras down, even when they take time off. We just do some things we have put on the back burner for a while, that is purely for our own enjoyment.

Two of our grandkids just left last weekend, after staying with us for a week and attending a local day camp. I have loads of cell phone photos to represent their stay and our activities.

Talley (our Therapy dog) and I have also been maintaining our schedule of visits over the summer. I have been doing some cell phone documentation of her relationships with individuals at our regular visitation spots.

Client Scheduling

I have been taking on some clients during my break, but honestly, I have been picky. I did some Loving Memory sessions for those who receive not-so-welcomed news from their vets that their beloved pet may not have a long time left in this realm.

We lost two of our own most beloved pets in June, within 7 days of each other, both at the age of 15. I was glad that time off was my agenda, because the grief from these losses was overwhelming. During the time just after our second loss, I listened to this article on NPR. It was helpful in making me realize that the things we experience in this loss, are shared by many others who also experience loss.

Harry (left) and our deaf border collie, Piper (right) both left us in June.

I also did some family sessions for past clients, whose families visited or were brought together for celebrations over the start of the year.

Now, I am about to move into High School Senior scheduling and sessions, usually a whirlwind between September and the end of October.

Moving back into a regularly scheduled program of photography and blogging is on the horizon as we near the Fall. I will be covering some events in the near future, and I look forward to the hustle and bustle of everything photography has to offer.

Stay tuned to my Facebook page for future updates. I hope to blog at least once a month, maybe more, if time permits. In the meantime, enjoy every last minute summer has to offer!

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Old Dogs

5/15/2024

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It's been a bit.

Life, work, trainings, educational opportunities, print competitions...all have been on my schedule for the last month or so.

In March, I garnered the first ever President's Choice Award for my image "Golden Girl" during the Professional Photographers Association of Pennsylvania's Inspire Conference. While I mentioned this in an early March blog, I neglected to post the print photo. Here it is.

Golden Doodle Echo loves the attention.

More training is coming up this month, and I have been preparing some additional prints for competition, as well as holding some Mom's Day sessions in early May.

But that's not what this blog is about.

Time has been running like a scared jack rabbit. One day it's January 1st, then suddenly we are into May. It's been running that way for our dogs, too. It got me to thinking about how quickly our lives with dogs can pass us by.

Doggy Lifespans

As the above image by Canine Journal shows us, we really don't have a multitude of years with our doggy friends. Based on size and breed, as well as health considerations for different breeds of dogs, "fleeting" is an apt word to describe life with a dog.

We have been lucky. We had our dog Bethy with us for 17 years, and our dog Moe with us for 16 years (both medium-size dogs with a mix of English Setter and something else). We also have been unlucky, losing our Golden Retriever, Ollie, at age 8 to hemangiosarcoma and our Australian Shepherd, Phillie, at age 5 to heart disease.

It's a crap shoot.

Some Things That Help Longevity

I've found that there are some things that can help in our quest to give our dogs the longest lives possible. They include, but aren't limited to the following.

Good Nutrition
Heartworm Prevention
Regular/Yearly Vet Check Ups (vaccinations when due)
Appropriate Exercise
Interesting Life Experiences

Winston: Adopted age 10. Left us age 14.

There, of course, are individual dog considerations. When Winston (above) came to live with us, his mobility issues needed addressing. We put him on a course of hip and joint supplements that gave him a much fuller life. After a year, he was romping around our fenced yard with the rest of our crew.

We don't shy away from adopting older dogs. Geriatric pets are quiet and loving, and only need a caring hand in their lives, for however long that might be.

Here's another more colorful photo of Winston. One of the most handsome dogs we ever owned.

Hard to Say Goodbye at Any Age

While losing a dog is one of the hardest things we go through as pet owners, giving a dog a good/full life for the amount of time they have on this earth, provides comfort in the loss.

Right now, we are watching our deaf Border Collie, Piper (of kitty-manager fame), grapple with the sudden recognition by his body that he is 15 years old. May is the month that exactly 15 years ago we brought Piper home with us from Glen Highland Border Collie Rescue at the age of 6 months.

My husband holding Bethy, Moe, and Burton, and me cuddling Piper on the day we took them to meet him at Glen Highland.

Piper has always been a very shy and submissive Border Collie. He has, however, enjoyed living with all of our dogs, both past and present, and is especially fond of our kitties.

Luckily, our cats love Piper and seem to know he is a gentle spirit that watches over them. We often find them sharing a spot with him on his dog bed, sometimes cuddled into his bushy tail.

Whatever happens in the next few months with Piper, we have comfort in knowing we have given him a good life, with a job, plenty of treats, loads of love and furry friends.

Old dogs. They can break your heart. But it's so worth it.

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Photo Restoration

4/7/2024

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Several years ago (2.5), I set some goals to maintain focus on my work, my photography education, and increasing my scope of client services.

Receiving both my Master of Photography degree from Professional Photographers of America, and my Photographic Degree from the Professional Photographers Association of Pennsylvania, I feel happy to have met the goals I set, but also relieved. It's time to take a breather.

You learn a lot from print competitions, but you also have to devote a lot of time to it.

New Goals?

I think there will always be benchmarks to strive for, but I don't want them to encompass the total of what I do as a photographer.

So now I have started to take what I have learned in one area and begun to apply it to other areas. Things I have always had an interest in and a desire to pursue, but didn't quite have the time I could give up and devote to them.

I guess you could say one of my new goals is to "explore new things."

Restoration Work

A friend recently asked me if I could take a photo that meant quite a bit to her and her brother, and do something with it. I honestly did not have the answer, but I didn't say no. Instead I said, "Let me see what I can do."

This photo was a snapshot that had been taken over 50 years ago and had not been protected from discoloring.

Original snapshot print.

Along the way I have taken some classes in photo restoration. I learned early that the quality of the original photo dictates how good the restoration can be.

In this case, the discoloration, grain, and blur in the photo would definitely pose some problems.

Three and one half hours later, I was able to bring the photo to this state.

Restored print.

My friend was extremely happy with the rendering, and I had it printed for her and her brother. The printing was far better than I expected, due to the grain in the original (and now restored) photo. It's a wonderful memory, and I am happy that I was able to bring it back to life.

The Steps

Restorations work takes plenty of patience and time.

Often presented with an old printed photograph, the first step is taking a photo of the photo. I don't have a scanner, but some scan the photo into their workspace.
Next, the resolution of the photo needs to be built in a way that doesn't destroy the image or add to the grain. I found that this particular image could only be brought to 200 ppi (pixels per inch).
I removed all color from the image by converting it to black and white.
I then painted the image, in what I thought would be the appropriate colors for the day (period of photo).
I then used Topaz Studio to bring up the sharpness of the image and further build the resolution without adding grain.

The result is what you see, each step taking approximately 30-45 minutes, except for the painting, which took over an hour.

A Piece of History

I was asked to restore a photo of an old train station for a display erected by the Luzerne County Historical Society. It's an interesting story. I thought you might want to read it.

newspaper article county historical display

And here is the display.

Mr. Hobo Hat pop up display Luzerne County

The photo in the article of the Delaware and Hudson Freight Station is the one I restored. It is also standing up (printed version) in the display above.

This time, the restoration was a bit more complicated, due to the fact the only photo of the station was taken from a historical record online, so the resolution (ppi) was at the very low end of the scale.

However, using the steps I had learned in classes, I slowly upped the resolution (only able to achieve 140 ppi in order to keep the integrity of the original photo), removed the distractions and cleaned up the photo, brightening it a bit so that the name of the station could be read.

The photo in the display case was printed at 6x4, and was mounted on board for added strength.

Restoration Work = Very Satisfying

It's a really satisfying thing to know that you were able to give back something from the past, both in the case of my friend's photo and in terms of the D&H Freight Station link to a great story like Mr. Hobo Hat.

I am thrilled to have some time now to invest in doing the things I enjoy more as a hobby, exploring new roads in photography, and helping others to keep their memories intact, while still specializing in pet, high school senior, family, and headshot photography.

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Horses That Heal

3/29/2024

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On a blustery, end-of-February day, I fulfilled a client request to take photos of seven horses. Despite the cold wind, the sun was bright in the paddocks. I am sharing a few of the images in this blog post.

These weren't just any horses. The horses at Equines for Freedom offer hope, life and healing to those that have experienced trauma.

I had arrived at Equines For Freedom (EFF) not knowing much about the organization. After my session in the fields, and meeting the gentle horses that wander the sloping landscape, I did some homework to learn more about EFF's work.

Veterans and First Responders

Organized as a non-profit, EFF uses equine therapy to help those affected by Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). No matter the cause of the trauma, the therapy program relies on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help treat PTSD.

Typical clients are active or former military individuals and/or first responders. Here is a quick promotional video for the organization.

The therapy offered at EFF is a partnership between a licensed mental health professional, a certified equine specialist, and a therapy horse. This partnership works to help mediate emotional issues that may have been caused by stressful and frightening experiences.

The horses of EFF are an important link in the equation. Because horses are prey animals, they are sensitive to their surroundings and those that interact with them. A horse reacting to a client's emotional state, helps the client to identify in themselves, the level of their emotions at the time of the interactions, helping the client stay grounded.

What's In A Name

As with any of my sessions, I look to find out the name of the animal I am photographing. While the horses of Equines for Freedom do have barn names, I quickly learned those names are there for staff interactions and communications. What I found to be a fantastic fact: clients are asked to name the horse they are assigned to for the length of their treatment program. Can I say how much I love this? I. LOVE. THIS.

"Gray" and "Spirit" are the working barn names of these two EFF friends.

Who Rescued Whom?

Truly one of those conundrums--each horse has its own story, some coming from rescue situations and others from questionable circumstances. The horses are not ridden, so their age does not matter, and any infirmities that might make them unrideable are quickly forgiven.

"Sundance" was passed to a rescue after losing her owner to cancer.

Personal Experiences

My own years of taking part in equine rescue, have given me a deep respect for those who welcome horses into their world from rescue situations. It's not always easy to heal their mind, soul and heart, depending on what they've had to deal with in their own existence up to the point of rescue.

The fact that EFF is not only healing them, but that the horses, in turn, are helping to heal others, is a thing of beauty.

From 2000 onward, we have housed three rescues on our own farm (over the years we owned six horses in total). They, much like the horses at Equines for Freedom, came with their own stories, a little bit of baggage, and a will to just stay in one place, be loved and treated with patience.

There is nothing quite like the relationship and bonding that a human can experience with a horse, and there is nothing like a horse to heal a human's heart.

I am thankful to have met the magnificent seven of EFF. After finalizing their photos for the group, I took one of Spirit's images and created an artistic rendering.

I am happy to know we have an organization in our local area dedicated to helping our veterans and first responders through Equine-Assisted EMDR. I am thankful I was able to meet and photograph these lovely horses.

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Spring Fever

3/17/2024

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A lot has happened since I sat down to write my last blog.

Life sometimes runs in fits and spurts, and sometimes it just goes full throttle for a while. I have been in full throttle mode these last few months. In the midst of the gas pedal being stuck on "fast," changes have been dropping in to say hello. Some of them are welcome changes and some of them are not.

But again, that's life. Let me catch you up.

New Blogging Focus

For many years (I really cannot remember how far back this started), I have been a part of a blogging circle of pet photographers. For those of you that followed this blog, you may remember when there were links to chain all of us together. That evolved into writing separate posts, but sharing the links to the blog post in a central location, so that all the other pet photographers blogging that week could read and comment.

As of this month, the circle is now defunct. While I will certainly miss blogging with my fellow pet photographers, it's nice that we built up a good friendship over the years and supported each other's work. Yet, in a way, I am excited to take my blogging beyond just pet photography.

I do consider myself a pet photography specialist, but I also photograph families, high school seniors, children, and do some headshot work. My hobby includes photographing wildlife--mainly birds and deer, as well as flowers. I plan on beginning to share more of that work here in the days to come.

Winter's Over...Right?

This Northeastern PA winter was certainly void of large snow storms. We did get a few, and my grandkids finally got to use the snow tubes they received at Christmas. After I took these photos, I realized how much they had grown since the last time we had a snow event that allowed us to slide down hills.

I'll be sharing more of my personal photos in upcoming blogs, with tips to help you take better photos in various conditions. Stay tuned for those.

Education and Competition

In early March I attended the Professional Photographers Association of Pennsylvania's (PPAofPA) Inspire Conference, and submitted two images into competition. Both merited, with one receiving the first ever President's Choice Award.

There I also received my state degree (I received my national degree in April of 2023) and was lucky enough to snag a photo with the new/current President of Professional Photographers of America, Mark Campbell.

I've been taking some online classes focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it can heighten my creativity and help in certain aspects of my artwork. Next week, I'll share how AI helped me to create some unique things for a local horse organization, and give you some insight into what I learned about this very mission-oriented group.

I do have spring fever, and with the first official day of spring arriving in the upcoming week, daffodils have begun to push their way to blooming, buds are appearing on the trees, and the first song birds are returning to sing me their morning and evening tunes.

As you read through the upcoming blog posts, I'd encourage you to comment or like the post within the blog itself. This will help me to catch your comments when they happen, and also helps my website. Consider it your support of a small business.

Enjoy your week ahead!

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Seeing Red

2/7/2024

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After a two-week hiatus from blog posting, due to a tremendously busy schedule, I am back in the swing of things.

This week's blog theme is RED.

I know the obvious thing for me to do would have been to set up some valentinesque photo sessions and celebrate the fact that we are in February, right? Well, I thought about that, for--oh--maybe five minutes. Then decided that wasn't going to work for me.

I waited until 2:00 a.m., which seems to be the time when all things in brain begin to create, and YEP--like a flash of lightening, I was jolted into the answer. Artificial Intelligence.

Some See Red Just Talking About It

It's pretty controversial. I am not about to get into the debate at any great length. I am just going to say, as a creator, I am very interested in seeing what, exactly, AI can do and where it goes from here.

To that end, I have begun to experiment with Adobe Firefly and text prompts. And, a word of warning, all images in the blog have been generated by AI and my prompts.

Prompts Are Everything

Prompts are pretty important to artificial intelligence usage. You have to be able to describe what you want and don't want in order to generate an image that works for you.

For instance, with the theme being RED, I asked Adobe Firefly to generate for me "a beagle dog with a collar with a red heart pattern on it sitting on a bench in the park." Here's what I got.

Adobe Firefly AI Generated Image

Not too bad. But look closely. I requested a collar with a "red heart pattern on it." Sure, there's a red heart on the collar, but I meant a collar design with hearts in the material.

I tried 7 different ways to say this: imprinted, emblazoned, stitched in, stamped with, embroidered with, material patterned with, and hearts in the material of the collar. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope.

I still got a single (sometimes two) red heart(s) looking very similar to the above on the collar.

By the way, did anyone notice the odd placement of the dog's toe nail on the paw camera right? Hmmmmmm. I am also a little concerned about the red thing lurking behind a tree in the background.

I tried the same prompt with a different breed of dog--a cocker spaniel.

Adobe Firefly AI Generated Image

I have to say, this one is pretty darn good. I used the word "embroidered" to achieve this lovely ENAMELED heart on the collar.

It really is all about the prompts and the degree of "training" the AI system has encompassed in its path to world domination....(just kidding).

I think this system needs more training in what constitutes a blue Belton English setter, because here is the result for a blue Belton English setter sitting on a path wearing a red collar decorated with hearts.

Adobe Firefly AI Generated Image

Uhm....................no.

I don't even need the DNA kit to know this looks more like a Springer Spaniel, and I don't think that coat color is regulation, except maybe in Oz. Pretty dog though. Still no collar with a pattern of hearts.

What, Me Worry?

Honestly, I hear the entire choir singing the "AI steals images" song. I really do. And I don't condone it. But I also realize that if you are a creator, and you put your work out there, you have no guarantees it is sacred, unless, of course, you emblazon a giant, obnoxious watermark all over the image.

I used to get up in arms about this very subject, but over the years have mellowed to know that I am mostly working for my clients, whose images only appear in their homes (I rarely post all of my client images on social media), and their word-of-mouth drives others to my world. It's a happy world where I really don't worry about AI.

What Now?

I have taken a course or two in AI. I am looking at using it primarily to create my own digital backgrounds, using my own images in the creation process. I also like experimenting and seeing what comes of it.

If you want to know more about Adobe Firefly, CLICK HERE. If you are interested in buying a book that reviews how to text prompt for image generation, CLICK HERE.

And may the force be with you.

This Week's Featured Available Dog

Rio is approximately 2 years old and is available through Above and Beyond English Setter Rescue. Learn more about this beautiful Gordon Setter HERE.

Photo Courtesy of Above and Beyond English Setter Rescue

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Cozy

1/16/2024

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I have made it no secret that winter is not my favorite time of year.

I have tried to like it. Honestly, I have. I even bought snow shoes last year so that I could get out in the white stuff instead of just clean it off the walks and dog patio.

But, after two major snow falls this year, cleaning snow balls out of dog paw pads and underbellies, wiping 20 paws with dog towels, and watching my dogs WISH they could be lounging around outside instead of staying in due to freezing temps, winter can't be over fast enough for me.

Dogs Get Cozy

One thing about our dogs, though...when it's cold out, they know how to hunker down and acknowledge that fact.

Favorite photo of Lilah hunkering down on a snow day.

We have many pet bed options for them, and have tried many pet beds, but here are two that we really like, that have moved to the top of the list. (P.S. The dogs like them too!)

1. The Coolaroo Elevated Dog Bed

These beds are wonderful, as they allow air to circulate in both summer and winter. We have several and use them outdoors in summer, as we have a few dogs who do not like to lay on the patio surface or the grass. You can buy relatively inexpensive topper beds for added cushioning for older dogs. CLICK HERE for more information on these great beds. I also keep a few extra woven covers stored, in case there is a need for replacement, however, we have four of these beds and in the past two years, have only had to replace one cover and this is from constant use. They hold up to weather, wear and tear and even dogs trying to chew them.

2. Best Friends Shag Donut Dog Bed

The Donut Dog Bed is coveted by every animal in our house, whether dog or cat. You can almost hear them say "ahhhhhhhhhh" when they snuggle into one of these fluffy beds. We have one small, two medium and one large donut. We tend to use these in our bedroom, for dogs who are older and no longer want to jump on the bed. While we love them beyond measure, they do tend to lose their shaggy-ness, but never their comfort, over many washings. We throw ours in the washer and dry them on low heat air dry. For more info on the Best Friends version of this bed, CLICK HERE.

You can find versions of these products on other retail sites as well. Chewy does carry the Coolaroo, as well as the donut dog bed.

Luke and Lilah share a Coolaroo and fluffy topper in the sun.

Keep Them Cozy Outside Too!

If you have your dog groomed down in the winter, remember to keep them warm and cozy outside as well. Our wire-haired terrier, Billie, does get a winter groom which removes a lot of excess coat, so we have a cozy little sweater she can wear to keep her upper body warm.

Billie in her cozy sweater.

She is pretty stylish, don't you think?

There are many doggy coats on the market today. As we are horse owners, we tend to look for coats that have the same durability and wear as our horse turnout sheets and blankets.

I can highly recommend the Dura-Tech Insulated Waterproof High-Neck Dog Coat from Schneiders. Not only is it durable, but both the neck and tail have size adjustment abilities, and the lining allows the dog's fur to lie flat and remain sleek and unmatted. The cut allows for great shoulder movement and runs from sizes X-Small to XX-Large.

Schneiders is RIGHT NOW having their winter sale on these dog coats. If you are interested, head on over to check them out.

Talley in a Dura-Tech Insulated High Neck doggy coat.

There's still more winter to go here in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania. I think I will grab a dog and find myself a cozy spot on the couch...at least for tonight.

Stay safe and warm out there!

This Week's Shelter Pet

Meet Molly. Molly is located at the Bucks County SPCA and would like to find a cozy spot in a forever home. Molly is a bit over a year old, is spayed, and can be visited at the SPCA's Lahaska facility. Here's some additional information about Molly.

Molly (Photo courtesy of Bucks County SPCA)

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Snow Day

1/9/2024

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When I was still in school, an impending snowstorm was a glorious thing. Whether it be grade school, high school, or college, a day off to enjoy the snow was a welcome event.

The activities changed--from sledding to skiing as I grew up--but the mindset never did. A first-snow day for the season was something to be celebrated.

So when our first "real" snowstorm of the 2024 winter arrived over last weekend, I planned to try to take some time with my camera to revel in the white stuff. A predicted 9 - 12 inches for our area, actually saw 7.5 inches when all was said and done--enough to have a great snow day, but not enough to bring normal life to a standstill.

Birds and Snow

When snow covers the ground, our feeder stations bring plenty of birds in for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They are pretty used to me filling feeders and some of them don't even wait until I hang the feeder back up to start sitting in limbs above me, so sitting with my camera on the patio is not something that scares them away.

Our winter bird population consists of juncos, finches, hairy and downy woodpeckers, phoebes, blue jays, titmice, nuthatches, Carolina wrens, and mourning doves. They are a joy to watch, especially on snow days.

Setters Love Snow

Our two setters, Talley and Lilah, are all about snow. It is one of the only times Lilah is so overcome with excitement, she actually allows Talley to play with her. Lilah is a princess who normally doesn't mix with the commoners.

Lilah enjoying her snow day.

I keep the setters groomed down for snow, making sure paws are clipped appropriately so snowballs don't accumulate between their toes, but both have baby soft coats that get extremely messy and hold snow. After dry off time, applying a quick brush will make sure to avoid matting, and a leave-in conditioner stops static in the coat.

With the photo I took of Talley, I decided to use an AI background to make it more interesting. Talley often HATES to come in from the snow, so she will sit as far away from you as she can in the yard with this exact look on her face. I thought the lone tree represented her feelings pretty well.

Our smaller dogs (Billie the wire-haired terrier and Luke the Jack Russell mix) don't really relish being in the snow. They will just run out, do their business, and immediately look to go back in the house. Our border collie, Piper, is somewhat older (13.5 years) and has a bit of arthritis in his back right leg, so while his coat is IMPERVIOUS to the weather, he is not as keen to run and play with the girls anymore. However, if a cat is on the patio, he will be RIGHT THERE to make sure the cat is herded back into the house.

Horses Love Snow

Our horses, Roo and Eagle, LOVE LOVE LOVE the snow. I put this photo on my Facebook personal page, because it was just the best moment to capture Eagle making horsey snow angels.

When we turn them out in snow, they come bounding out of the barn to enjoy it.

Eagle is in his winter coat right now, as is Roo. Both are good buddies, but Eagle is the boss. Eagle is a Pinto, about 15.3 hands and one of the best horses we have owned. Roo is a Percheron cross, and has his moments, but is generally an all-around good man.

Past Snow Days

We have had other dogs who enjoyed the snow day extravaganzas as well. Unfortunately, they are no longer with us, but here is a small tribute to them.

Danny (top two photos) hated the snow and mostly stayed on the cleaned-off side patio, unless he was interested in EATING snow. Then he'd find a tunnel of snow to hide in while chowing down (caught in the act in the above right photo).

Moe (bottom left) was up to his neck in snow, walking through the tunnels we make the dogs in the yard. I'd have to say he pretty much did not care for snow either, although he never gave up his patrol of the fence line, no matter the weather.

Our Bethy would romp with the girls if the snow was not above her head, but in the lower right photo, you can see it was much too much snow for her to do anything but walk the tunnels.

We certainly miss this crew, and not just on snow days.

If you live in a winter climate and got some snow, try to enjoy it. Beauty is all around us in the white stuff for sure. If you have snow loving dogs and would like a session focused on snow days, give me a call. I am always ready to capture a snowmageddon dog world.

And that, my friends, is THE END.

Danny and Lilah circa 2018 snow event.

P.S. You can click on any image in this blog to make it larger for viewing. Enjoy!

NEW IN 2024

When I can I will be featuring an adoptable pet at the end of the blog post. Be sure to take a peek at handsome, 10-year-old Elliot, available through Above and Beyond English Setter Rescue. His location does not matter, as transport is always arranged. CLICK HERE for more information on Elliot.

Photo courtesy of Above and Beyond English Setter Rescue

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Highlights of 2023

12/28/2023

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Whoa.

That went fast.

There is something to be said for getting through Winter at record speed, but the end of the year has really snuck up on me. I know we have big storms ahead here in the Endless Mountains of PA, but today's 51 degree weather sure is playing some kind of "fooled you" game.

I've been thinking through the year in terms of my photography journey. Honestly, I have shared much of what has occurred in previous blogs during the year, but let me just review the highlights.

Master of Photography

In April of 2023, after 2.5 years of hard work, I received my Master of Photography degree from Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

My top goal as a professional photographer, achieving 25 merits (13 images and 12 service) is no easy task, especially when focused on client work during the journey.

I am happy to say, I achieved the degree using ONLY animal/pet and nature photos. This was also a personal choice, since pets are my photographic specialty.

This achievement is the top highlight of my year, but it hasn't stopped me from continuing my education in the field of photography. I have taken numerous courses this year, not only to continue to enhance my work, but to also keep up with new technology and equipment.

Achievements and Recognitions

Professional Photographers Association of Pennsylvania

I was honored this year, at the Professional Photographers Association of Pennsylvania's (PPAofPA) Inspire and Capture image competitions, to have my work recognized by a distinguished panel of judges.

From left to right above: "Seaside Serenity" garnered the Best Illustrative Nature trophy at the PPAofPA Inspire competition, as well as a Judge's Choice award. "Unscholarly Activity" won Best Animal Portrait at the PPAofPA Capture competition. This is the second year in a row in which I have won a trophy for best animal portrait at Capture. "Suspended" garnered a Judge's Choice award at the Capture print competition as well. (Click on the individual photos to enlarge them.)

In the Spring of 2024, I will be awarded a degree from the state affiliate, PPAofPA, for having achieved 16+ merited images in competition. Competition is important to me, as the critiques received by my peers only help to make me a better photographer. I hope to help others to recognize and achieve their photography goals in the future, just as my mentors supported me in my efforts.

Northeastern Pennsylvania Professional Photographers Association (NPPPA)

Over the course of 2023, I competed in three local print competitions through NPPPA. Submitting four prints in each of the March, May and September events, the results were:

March - 4 Blue Ribbon prints, 2 prints made the Court of Honor
May - 3 Blue Ribbon prints, 2 prints in the Court of Honor
May - Director's Award for the Highest Scoring Print of the competition
May - Fassbender Trophy for Best of Show
September - 4 Blue Ribbon prints, 2 prints in the Court of Honor
September - Director's Award for the Highest Scoring Print of the competition

Below is the results announcement taken from the NPPPA newsletter that reported on the event and competition.

A Busy Holiday Season

I met new families, new pets, new high school seniors, and new businesses this past year. I love meeting and working with new people and pets, but I am also always glad to see my repeat clients return for more photo sessions. Puppies and kids growing up, new additions to the family, and special occasions are just some of the reasons clients return, but many have told me it's also because of the great experience they have had in the past when it comes to having their portrait work done.

This is always good to hear, as I definitely keep an eye to detail, offer new products, and keep an open and flowing communication line between myself and the client during the order fulfillment process.

My favorite part of the holidays is getting my creative juices flowing to put together unique and inspiring holiday cards, or simple holiday-themed portraits for pet families.

Sometimes all it takes is a Santa hat and some digital backdrops, or a decorated tree set up in the studio.

The bulk of my sessions are completed in November, but I was actually able to squeeeeezzze in some December quick sessions, and as usual, did my own holiday cards last minute after everyone else's were completed. Working with great photo labs is so helpful to the process of getting things on time, so I wasn't worried.

What's In Store for '24?

New camera alert. I am finally a member of the mirrorless tribe, and over the holiday being busy did not give me much time to experiment with the new addition. So in the New Year I will be getting used to working with the Nikon Z5.

At the end of January, I will once again coordinate a juried Photography and Art Show at the Clarks Summit Ice Festival.

As noted above, in the spring I will receive a state affiliate degree. I also hope to receive my Animal Image Makers Accreditation in the spring. I only need ONE MORE IMAGE to merit to meet this goal.

I've signed up for some artificial intelligence (AI) classes. AI is showing up in all things, and while it is not allowed in PPA print competition, it is an effective tool in enhancing creativity in other areas of photographic work.

Well, that's 2023 in a nutshell.

I hope you all have a Happy New Year! Stay healthy, happy and safe. I'd love to add you to my ever-growing client family in 2024.

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Christmas Ghosts

12/20/2023

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This past week, while having a bout of insomnia, I watched the Patrick Stewart version of "A Christmas Carol." I hadn't seen this particular version before, although the older rendition has been a part of my Christmases for many years, and I did read the Dickens story in high school.

Everyone has their own way to approach the season. When our family was much larger, we'd spend much of our time decorating, baking, cooking, shopping, sending Christmas cards and wrapping gifts. All of it would culminate in a late night church service on Christmas Eve, followed by a morning of discovering what was in all those brightly-wrapped boxes under the tree.

As our human family dwindled over the years, our pet family grew. Our pets have always been an important and cherished part of our lives, and most took part in the Christmas holidays with gusto.

The Ghosts of Christmas Past

We may all bring the ghosts of Christmas into our hearts during the holiday season. It's hard NOT to think of friends, family and pets that have transitioned to spirit, especially if they were an integral part of celebrating Christmas.

For me, remembering family members and pets in special ways is important, whether it's burning a votive candle on their angel days, or looking through old photographs to spark memories, like the one below. This is where photographs become so very important in our lives.

The photo below became our Christmas card many years ago, featuring our dog, Burton. Burton was born deaf, but was a most willing participant in antler-wearing and would sit quietly just about anywhere if a treat was involved. I still have a few of these cards stored away in a "past cards" box, and every Christmas I go through the box to look back on the (mostly) pets featured.

It's kind of fitting that I am writing this blog on December 21st, which is the day we lost our lovely Moe. December is a month that could easily weigh our hearts down, due to pet and people losses. But, instead, we choose to celebrate their lives by remembering moments like the one below.

Our little deaf field setter, Burton, wearing his Christmas antlers.

The Ghosts of Christmas Present

Every one of our present dog family have been featured in our holiday lives in some way. Talley loves the outdoors and snow, so I try to capture her there. Lilah likes sending letters to Santa when she isn't whining about something. Luke's cute-as-a-button nose has been gracing the entrance to my studio since the photo was taken in 2016 (it's an acrylic), and both Billie and Piper have had their 15 minutes of fame (Billie is on my present business Christmas card to clients; Piper is Mr. May in our 2024 family calendar and has appeared in every family calendar since 2014).

Having just spent one of the busiest Christmas client seasons, capturing these same types of memories for families who love their dogs (my orders are all finalized and all will arrive in time for Christmas), it's the time of year when my grandkids are also featured in a studio Christmas photo (sometimes with one of our pets).

I often let them decide how they want to set up the photo, but my favorites are always the out takes, which I normally use on our personal Christmas card. This year, we went sans pet and opted for a large candy cane.

(Click on photos below to view them in a larger size.)

My grandkids have come to expect a Christmas memory, and that's a good thing.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come

While we can't stop time from encroaching upon our strongholds of people and pets, we can use time to move us forward and learn new things.

Adding to an arsenal of already accumulated knowledge there are plenty of classes, both online and in person, that have peaked my interest.

Artificial Intelligence in no longer just "on the horizon." It has sailed into port. It's something I will be experimenting with in coming months, along with my new mirrorless camera.

But, most importantly, Christmas yet to come will see more building of a "family" of clients, making their experiences good ones, and giving them memories to last for many Christmases into the future.

A black and white AI enhanced image of Lilah using a very old image.

Have a Merry

I am sending you happy and merry holiday wishes for whatever holiday you celebrate. Make sure you capture those special moments of the season, and if you haven't already, make a plan to visit a professional photographer and have them help you create lasting memories for your walls.

Merry Christmas!

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