Big is DEFINITELY BEAUTIFUL!

Big is also relative.  What you might consider a big dog, I might look at as a medium sized pooch.

Today's professional photography blog circle theme is "I like big mutts and I cannot lie," so I thought I would talk about some of the nuances of photographing (ahem) "larger" dogs.

DEFINING BIG

I think it would be a good idea to establish my definition of "big."  Big, beautiful dogs in my dictionary, weigh more than 40 pounds.  This weight ratio can be found in tall, short and in-between dogs.  It just depends on muscle mass.

Big dogs have LARGER EXPRESSIONS.  Bigger tongues, larger snouts, wider frames overall.

TIPS FOR A BETTER BIG DOG PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE

Below are some tips for photographing big, beautiful dogs.  For me there is a difference in my approach, both in studio and outdoors.

1.  Give a big dog some time to get to know you.  They are usually calmer than smaller breeds in my experience (and I say "usually" because there are exceptions) and don't move as quickly.  While this is a good tip for all sizes of pets, it is an especially good tip if you are intimidated in any way by size.  You might need some time to get comfortable as well.

2.  Understand that while a big dog has a big expression, there might be more drool (larger jowls) involved in your process.  Take along one or two terry cloth towels for clean up.  I always have a few towels in my bag in case the pet owner has not brought their own.

3.  Don't use treats with big dogs.  I rarely, if ever, use a treat-based photo experience with big dogs.  Why?  Well, number two above--more drool--can even be more more more drool if treats are involved.  Instead I use stuffed toys or noise makers to ask for attention.

4.  Some larger breed dogs may have quirky sitting practices.  Gangly, muscled, or even older large breed dogs may not sit perfectly, or in a picturesque manner.  Be aware of this and look for angles that take attention away from an awkward pose.

5.  Choose locations that mask or hide avoirdupois issues.  My typical go-to, outdoorsy location has grass, brush or nice trees, where I can pose a dog so as not to show his/her possible weight issues.

SOME OTHER GREAT THINGS ABOUT BIG, BEAUTIFUL DOGS

Many big dogs have, well, big ears.  It's important to be sure you get every ounce of ear in your photographs.  I personally love big and expressive ears, and while I may be a bit creative in cropping out other body parts, I always make sure both ears are in the photo.

We are a family that has leaned to larger dogs for most of our dog-owning life.  We have had a few dogs under 40 pounds, most recently our Jack Russell/Whippet mix, Luke, is an example.

The one thing you really should know if you are thinking about opting for a larger dog in your life--buy a bigger couch.

Hope you enjoyed today's look at beautiful big dogs.  This is a professional photography blog circle.  To read more about this theme, start here with Jemma of JM photography in Suffolk, as she talks about the big dog breed the Boerboel.  Then look for the link at the end of each blog to move around the circle, until you find yourself right back here where you started. 

Enjoy your weekend!  Make it full of big, beautiful things!

No one said it was going to be easy.

The truth is, it is very difficult to keep a good garden in a yard full of dogs.  Yet, you want to have some flowers and pops of color to enjoy, right?

This week's blog circle theme is "blooms."  I thought it might be helpful to write a bit about how we, as a seven (7) dog family, manage to grow relatively good, scenic gardens.

Rule of Thumb

Besides the proverbial "green" thumb, there is a rule of thumb to follow when gardening with dogs:  KEEP TOXIC PLANTS OUT OF THE DOG YARD!  What are considered toxic plants for dog purposes?  THIS ARTICLE will give you a great rundown of plants you need to be concerned with that fall into the category of dog-toxic.

Larkspur (delphinium) species are not only toxic to dogs, but also to humans.  So you won't find this flowering inside our fenced-in yard.  

Because I love Larkspur, it is, instead, potted in a ceramic, terracotta planter on the deck of my studio.

I am, in fact, partial to terracotta and unique pots for just this reason:  I plant stuff out of my main yard (frequented by our dogs), but within visual range of the places we use to lounge in.

Does that mean there are no plants in the dog yard?

Well, no.

There are in fact quite a number of flowering plants within the confines of the dog yard.

They are all planted in pots.

However, there is another hard and fast rule that I have learned over years of gardening with dogs, that never fails, and doesn't require we buy enormous amounts of temporary fencing, or construct DIY contraptions to keep our dogs away from the blooms.

Use Containers and Place Them Off the Ground

All of the potted plants in our yard are placed on tables or plant stands.

I try to find fun iron or metal tables at yard sales or gardening outlets to use in the dog yard.

I also purchase cheap, dollar store solar lights, and use torch stands to hold them in various places in the yard, or place them directly into the pots with the plants.  This way, I have solar lighting for summer evenings, and the dogs can't get at them for a chew fest.

Train Your Dogs To Leave the Containers Alone

A key ingredient to success in using these methods, is to train your dog(s) early to leave the plants and containers alone.  

We use the "leave it" command with our crew.  This is taught relatively early in their dog life here, and most of them will immediately abandon any ideas they might have had on making flowers chew toys.

​Even though our dog, Talley, is deaf, we have "leave it" and "drop it" hand signals for her, and she knows exactly what they mean.

The hydrangea bushes are not planted in our dog yard.  They adorn both sides of our walkway leading to the front door.

Plan Ahead for Special Circumstances

Two years ago we became an official Monarch Butterfly Waystation through Monarch Watch.  As such, we grow common milkweed as part of our non-dog yard garden, but along the fence that surrounds that portion of our property.  Because the leaves can grown through the chain link, we had to come up with a way to keep the plants on their side ONLY, so our dogs could not get to the leaves.  There can be a toxicity build up from milkweed, with the least symptoms involving severe stomach and digestive distress.

In the photo above, you can see the common milkweed growing to the left of our cone flowers.  In this area of the garden, the milkweed does not touch the dog fence.

Where it does, we have installed black netting that blends in with the fence and is hardly noticeable.  The netting keeps the leaves on their own side, as well as the daylilies, so we have no problems with ingestion by dogs.

Our setters are butterfly fanatics (butterflies are FASTER than setters, and can always get away), and we get to see the monarchs spend time laying their eggs among the plants. 

If we find any monarch caterpillars, we have all the equipment to house them safely until their transformation occurs, and we then send them on their way.

Flowery Places Make Good Photograph Spaces

My studio is directly adjacent to, but outside of, our fenced yard.  There are plenty of distressed outdoor furniture spots, which make great places to house some blooms (like these balloon flowers below), as well as snap a photo or two.

These balloon flowers are one of my favorites.  They bloom all summer and are such a vibrant purple. 

When the flower bud first appears, it looks like an inflatable balloon, then pops into this lovely, star-like plant.

​Look in the pot.  Can you see where I have hidden the solar light?

​Talley is also a big fan of the fire pit bench in front of the bee garden.

We are overrun with bee balm this year, and some of it is taller than I am, but the bees are happy.

I took a different slant with this week's theme, and I hope it might help you to think or rethink your flower gardens.  I do take quite a number of client pet photos in and among the flowers at various locations here in the Endless Mountains, as well as in my own backyard and studio gardens.

I think you are going to see a lot of lovely photos of pets among the blooms in this week's circle of professional pet photographers.  Take a peek, starting with BARKography by Kim Hollis photographing dogs in beautiful sunflowers fields near Charlotte NC.

Enjoy this beautiful summer weekend however you can! I cut some fresh blooms to brighten our table!

I might as well confess right now I am a collar nut.  I love stylish dog collars for all seasons.  

With 7 dogs in our household, I have a great opportunity to buy many different types of colorful collars, then mix and match among the pack.

But, just like people who come for their portraits or on location sessions, I often get questions as to what a pet should "wear" for their photograph.  And, if I don't get that question beforehand, I will ask one of my own:  "Do you want your photos with the collar on or off?"

As your photographer, I want you to have a memory of your pet exactly as you want to see them.  I am not bothered by collars in photographs, and for on location sessions, I prefer a dog be on leash with tagged (identification) collars.  In and around my studio, I will often use a slip lead outside, and do a few photos with no collar inside (where it's safe to remove collars and leashes). 

The slip lead affords ease of removal in post processing, as it is a slender piece of woven material.  It provides safety in the way it is designed to be used, and there are no tags hanging down from it that will also need to be removed, if a clean look is wanted in the photo.  The only drawback of slip leads is, if held to tight, they can be uncomfortable for a totally untrained pet, and they can also make the hair around the neck unruly and unnatural.

In the photo above, our Lilah's tags are hanging down from her lobster collar, but her great expression, and that pop of red color, serve to take the eye where it needs to go, and makes for a pleasing, comfortable photo.

My Favorite Leash

I do have a favorite leash that I not only use to walk our dogs, but also in my photography work.  It's a Ruff Wear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash.

In the photo above you can see the leash in action.  It is made to be worn around your waist if you jog with your pooch.  I don't jog, but I do walk pretty fast, and having hands free is lovely.  However, that wrapping end is FANTASTIC for attaching a pet to a railing or tree or bench in order to move away and grab a quick photo.  Moe is demonstrating it for us, as he sits quietly tied to a small footbridge locally, waiting for me to snap his picture.

The leash has give, which saves your human joints, and also saves the dog from quick jerk movements.  It is not at all like a retractable leash (my least favorite leash in the whole world).

The quick mini slideshow above, gives you an idea how easy it is for me to remove the leash in post processing.  This leash is a wonderful tool, and I recommend it to all of my pet parents, who often remark on it when they see it in action.

Collarless Studio Photos

I use the studio for fine art portrait work.  While I will leave collars on, should the owner prefer it, I do take a few shots without a collar.  To date, one of these type of shots has always been the most-ordered by clients.  

The studio is a safe space, where pets can roam and sniff and relax, so photos are often reflective of those features.

Some Additional Thoughts

I do welcome bandanas, as long as they are not overpowering and are the correct size for your pet.  I have a few crowns and flowered collars in house for divas, as well as a number of bow ties for gentlemen.

If a client plans on sitting in on a photo with their dog or cat, I ask that they dress to either highlight or match their dog.  Below are a few successfully-matched pairings.

When in doubt, it's always good to ask prior to your session.  I do send each client a guide on how to prepare for photos, which includes many of the thoughts you have read here.

This week's blog circle theme is all about collars and photo shoots.  It will be interesting to read how others approached this subject.  You can start your trip around the circle with Nancy of Nancy Kieffer Photography in Syracuse, as she talks about collars and leads for your photoshoot.

Have a great weekend!  

Back in March, I wrote a blog post on the 5 Best Places to Walk the Dog in the Endless Mountains.  I tried to include only those places which provided easy-going walks instead of active hiking.

Today I am going to talk about what I consider to be THREE FANTASTIC LOCAL DOG HIKES!  

I don't put hiking and walking into the same categories.  Hiking can be rigorous, with sometimes difficult terrain and uneven footing.  You need to be dressed properly, especially with the right foot wear.  In most of Northeastern PA, you also need to be prepared for ticks during the warm months, and prep your dog as well.

If you are game, you will have an enjoyable hike.  On longer hikes, remember to take a portable water dish and bottled water for your dog.  I recommend  this one.

I don't think any of these will come as a surprise to locals, but if they do, YOU NEED TO GET OUT THERE with your dog and experience these trails!

(1) Ricketts Glen State Park
​
Ricketts Glen State Park has been around since 1942, and was named for R. Bruce Ricketts, a distinguished artillery officer of the Civil War, The park covers 13,000 acres of land and features 26 miles of hiking trails, two lakes, and a great campground.  There are 22 named waterfalls in the park, with Ganoga, the highest at 94 feet.

The popular Falls Loop Trail is 7.2 miles long, and takes about 2 hours to hike and can be dangerous, due to wet conditions from the falls, as well as some steep inclines and descents.  It features 21 waterfalls.

Mostly located within Luzerne County, the park has smaller portions in Sullivan and Columbia counties.  The official address is:  695 State Route 487, Benton, PA

​For more info on the hiking trails, follow THIS LINK.

I highly recommend the Evergreen Trail for a nice walk with your dog.  It takes you through very old forest areas with  easy, relaxed hiking.  Be sure to clean up after your dog, and stick to the trail.

The Evergreen Trail forest is unbelievable.  

Winding trails lead to wooden   footpaths.

Dogs must remain on leash.    Leashes were removed via   Photoshop in these photos.

​I think it is easy to see why I label Ricketts Glen and the Evergreen Trail a fantastic local hike!

(2)  The Countryside Conservancy Trolley Trail

Located in Lackawanna and Wyoming Counties, the Countryside Conservancy has linked together a number of areas for recreational purposes.  As described in Traillink: "The route uses the right-of-way of the former Scranton, Montrose, and Binghamton Railroad, also known as the Northern Electric trolley line, which carried passengers between Scranton and Dalton, and later to Montrose, from 1907 to 1932. A spur line from Clarks Summit ran west to Lake Winola, where the railroad company built a dance pavilion and amusement park that subsequently closed."

There are two main trail sections:  Clarks Summit to Dalton, and L:aPlume to Factoryville.  I am going to be talking about the latter, but the Clarks Summit to Dalton section does provide easy walking, biking and cross-country ski opportunities.

The 1.7 mile segment of the LaPlume to Factoryville trail, winds through the back of Keystone College, and has many hiking trails that branch off of the main footpath.

The main footpath of the LaPlume to Factoryville Trolley Trail has crushed stone and dirt footing, but can be traversed by foot, bike, and even scooter.

Almost all of the trails involve hiking hills or descents over some rocky and tree-rooted terrain.  If you like hill hiking, this trail will make you very happy.  I would caution to avoid the descent areas after heavy rains.

​My grandkids love this trail, especially exploring the lower sections behind Keystone College, which offers a very cool suspension bridge!

There are many native plants to be found along the hiking trails, including Dutchman's Britches, Trillium and Foamflower.  

On one of the more hilly hikes, there is a large pond with cattail, red-winged blackbirds, plenty of frogs and pond life for young minds to study.

This is truly a fantastic hiking spot, and one of my favorites very close by.

(3)  Promised Land State Park

Promised Land State Park is located in Greentown, PA.  The official address is 100 Lower Lake Road, Greentown.  The 3000 acre park has many activities available, and beautifully groomed trails for hiking.  Here is a short video about hiking in the park that I thought you might enjoy. ​​

I promise you THIS SITE will give you everything you want to know about hiking Promised Land, and all necessary trail information!  Don't leave the park without inspecting the boulder field.  You will be astounded.

Promised Land has something for every level of hiker.

​Some things to remember for all three locations:  a) bring treats and water for your dog; b) keep your dog on a leash at all times; c) obey all signage - it's there for a reason.  

To finalize the blog, here is my friend Robin's dog, Lotus, telling everyone what she thinks of trail hiking.

Yep.  That was a bath time day.

I hope you will check out at least one of the three fantastic hikes I shared today!  If you do, let me know.

For some additional insight into fantastic walks and hikes in many other locations, take a hike to the blog circle, starting with Jemma Martin of JM Photography as she shares her favorite dog walks in Suffolk.  (I don't know about you, but I DEFINITELY want to go there!)  Have a great weekend!

I discovered that our dogs LOVE when our grandkids visit, not only because they love our grandkids, but because they know in our limited, finicky-small-child menu, these treats are often on the agenda!

Just like kids, dogs do have favorite treats.

I think treats should be edible by humans.  It means the ingredients are good enough for both two and four legged diners.

Let me share with you MY favorite treats, which are loved by both kids and dogs in our household.

Dog and Kid Friendly Favorite Meatball Treats

These friendly treats are SO VERY EASY to make!  Here's how.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 TBSP Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp dried oregano or 1 TBSP fresh oregano
• 1/2 cup Italian Seasoned bread crumbs
• 1  lb ground beef
• 2 eggs beaten

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, mix Parmesan cheese, salt, oregano and bread crumbs. Add eggs and meat and combine, being careful to not over-mix.
3. Using a spoon to scoop meat, form meatballs, aiming for the size of a golf ball. Place no less than 1 inch apart on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes.

If I am serving the meatballs to my grandkids, I make a sauce of 1 TBSP brown sugar, 2 TBSP ketchup, 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce and drizzle it over the tops of the meatballs.

For use as dog treats, I sometimes make the meatballs with ground chicken.  But, our dogs also love the beef.  I remove them to a bowl and cool them, and if not serving as a treat immediately, I store them, covered, in the refrigerator.

Serving Up Favorite Dog Treats

When it's time to use the treats, I remove three meatballs from the refrigerator and cut them into quarters.  (Remember we have 7 dogs!)  If you have one dog, then one meatball will be enough.

I usually bring the meatball treats out to our patio, and our dogs need to perform some type of trick, good listening skill, or (in the case of our oldest dog) simply SIT.

Often, I give our dog, Lilah, her treat and then allow her back into the house, as she is a resource guarder, and can get grouchy when jackpot treats, such as these, are on the menu of outside activities.  Removing her from the situation is the best outcome.

There is no end to my popularity, or the begging faces, when these favorite dog treats make their appearance.

I hope you will try this treat recipe.  Sometimes, when our oldest dog, Moe, is off his eating routine, a meatball will kick start his appetite again, so they do come in handy.  They will keep about a week in the frig.  I always serve them cold to our dogs.  To rewarm them for human consumption, a quick microwave with a few drops of water in a glass bowl, will do the trick.

I am a member of a group of fantastic photographers who blog every Friday in a circle format.  This week's theme is "favorite treats," and I, for one, can't wait to try some of the others I will be reading about.  To access the circle, simply click on the link that follows, then look for a link at the end of each blog, continuing around the circle until you are back here again.  Enjoy!

Start this week's journey around the treat circle with Courtney at CM Bryson shares 3 Cool Summer Treats for Hot Dogs to help beat the hot southern summer weather in Atlanta, Georgia.

Every pet photographer has their own way of approaching a session, their own style, and, as we will probably see this week, their own thoughts about what types of photos need to be taken at a session.

Let me be the first to say, session photography is not an exact science when it comes to planning out photos.  Every dog and individual pet owner will be different.  They too will have their own taste, style, likes, wants.  

But...

​From my experience I have found there are 4 Great Shots that every single client absolutely loves to see in their galleries.

1.  A Nice Portrait of Owner and Pet Together

Whether in studio, or out-and-about on location, I have found that most pet owners love to have a nice, straightforward portrait of themselves with their pet.

I always meet a client and pet prior to a session to learn more about them.  In that conversation, we talk about what types of photos they are looking to achieve, what the end result of the session will be (wall art, framed photographs, desk copies, etc.), and if they are comfortable being in front of the camera.  

Some pet owners do not want themselves photographed, but would still like to show a great relationship.  There are ways of making that happen as well.

And there are times when an animal feels much more comfortable in front of the camera, when they can be close to their human, wrapped in their arms or feeling their touch.

2.  A Photo of a Natural, Everyday Occurrence

The life of our pets on an everyday level, is often what comes to our minds once that pet has left this world and passed on to the next.

Most people can't turn away from a good photo of what is a very natural occurrence that endears them to their pet.

A boy and his dog, reliving a daily partnership, is a good example of a piece of lifestyle photography I always strive to achieve if a session allows it.  Again, it's that early consultation before the session, that gives me insight into what the everyday might hold, and where I can start to build exactly how to capture it.

3.  Favorite Hangouts of Your Pet

Maybe you walk a certain trail every day, or visit a favorite park and watch ducks roll by on a lazy stream.  Maybe your dog loves a certain chair on your patio and sits in it all the time.

Maybe your cat loves to perch on the top of his cat tree and watch the world go past his window.

Whatever, the spot, the reason, the activity, capturing a moment or two of your pet indulging in their favorite hangout is well worth the effort.  Pets are often more comfortable in their favorite surroundings, as well, so the chances for more successful photos are very high.

Puppies, too, have favorite spots they like to snuggle into.  Sometimes it's a lap, but other times it can be as simple as a backyard, shady piece of ground.

And let's not forget those kitties!

4.  The Daily Walk (Especially for Dogs)

A daily walk photo opportunity is a great way to not only see an older pet in action, but it allows owners to be incognito if they don't want to appear in front of the camera.  

You get the added bonus of surroundings which may have different textures and colors, like sidewalks, paving tiles, painted curbs, and leading lines such as building walls, fences and tree lawns.

​One of my favorite ways to capture a happy dog is on a walk.  I have yet to meet a cat client that is out walking on a leash, but I did once meet a kitty who has learned to stay on his deck, thanks to a harness and leash.

There you have it!  Four great shots you will want to have from your photo session!

Of course there will be others.

Maybe some of them will be discussed by the other blog circle photographers in this week's group of write ups.  I am looking forward to seeing what other pet photographers feel are the best things to capture in their sessions.  How about you?

Start here with Jemma Martin of JM Photography, who looks at the 7 essential shots for a pet photography shoot in Suffolk, UK.

Have a great weekend!  Enjoy!

I love living in Northeastern Pennsylvania, except when snow is predicted.

It's a laid-back, friendly place to live, and people here do love their animals.  There are quite a number of animal-oriented events held throughout the year (hopefully again, now that COVID restrictions are lifting), and a variety of ways to obtain the dog breed of your choice--whether through a reputable breeder, rescue or adoption situation.

Which Breeds are Popular in Northeastern PA?

I did some research on most-owned, most-requested, most-adopted breeds locally.  I matched my findings with what I not only photograph at various events, but also who I see coming for portraits to the studio or on location.  Here are the results.

1.  Doodles

Goldendoodles, Labradoodles and Bernedoodles seem to be the most popular locally.  These cuddly cuties are a favorite of mine to photograph.  Although the breed has received a bit of bad press (health related) in the past year, I have never met a Doodle that wasn't pleasant, cooperative and calm in studio.  But then again, as the old saying goes, I've never met a dog I didn't like.

Here is a great and thorough article on Doodles that I found while researching the different breed mixes. 

​2.  Golden Retrievers

My husband and I are very familiar with this breed, as we have owned two Golden Retrievers, on separate occasions, in our lifetime together.  Our first came from a local shelter at the age of four.  Sandy lived to the age of 14.  Our second came through a purchase from a local man who was an over-the-road truck driver and could no longer keep his dogs.  Ollie was one of my heart dogs, and was taken much too soon at the age of eight.  Goldens can be prone to cancer, and that is exactly what happened with Ollie.

Goldens are usually extroverts. Eager-to-please, they make great family dogs. They always seem happy, can be very  playful, and make great gundogs that are most willing to retrieve waterfowl for hours on end.  With an average weight between 55 and 75 pounds, goldens have thick, luxurious coats, which they do shed out in volumes.  Our Sandy was close to 100 pounds.  Her coat was reddish-golden and she was a large dog (big-boned, as they say).  Ollie was more in line with breed standards at 68 pounds and the best frisbee player we ever owned.

In the past year, I have seen four different goldens in my studio, and I am heartened to know the breed is still loved among many in this area.  Goldens can be loving, family-oriented pets, but they can also have a stubborn streak.

3.  Labrador Retrievers

Labradors are smart, outgoing, gentle, and trusting.  They possess an even temperament.  Their average weight can run anywhere from 55 - 71 pounds, and three coat colors are available: yellow, black or chocolate (brown).  

We adopted our dog Ike, a chocolate labrador retriever, from Caroline County Humane Society many years back.  He was two years old and he lived up to all of the labrador descriptive words.  He left us in 2011, at the age of eleven.  Ike was a one-of-a-kind dog, who we were lucky to have in our lives.  He taught me all about the good things that labradors bring to their relationship with humans.

4. Siberian Huskies

While doing my research, I am going to admit, this one surprised me.  While I have personally known Siberian owners, and have seen maybe one or two on my outings with my own dogs, I did not realize this breed was among the most popular in Northeastern PA.

I even discovered the Delaware Valley Siberian Husky Rescue in Horsham, PA.  

I do remember meeting a few huskies while doing photography work at shelters.  While huskies are friendly, loyal, family dogs, they do need their people to have breed experience.  They are relatively light for what they can do, weighing in at 60 pounds or less.  They are often quite playful, and like any dogs, need to be socialized from an early age.  The two pictured above were part of a sled-dog team I met at a winter event.

5.  Pugs and Puggles

I was not surprised at all by this breed being among the most popular, and I decided to put Pugs and Puggles together, as they seem to be almost tied in local popularity.  I do see them everywhere, from dog walking haunts that I like to favor, to the waiting room at the vet's office (just last week).

Puggles are a cross between a Pug and a Beagle, and carry the characteristics of both breeds.  

Pugs originated in China, and have often been the selected dogs of royalty (along with the Corgi). Their coat colors come in black, fawn, apricot and silver fawn.  They are playful and affectionate, love to snuggle, but can be barky (what my mother used to call - yappy).

Some Other Noteworthy Popular Breeds in Northeastern PA

While the breeds noted above were the ones that kept showing up in my various research sources, there are some others which should be mentioned.

Corgi
German Shepherd
Sheltie
​English Setter

I live in close proximity to a reputable Sheltie breeder as well as a reputable English Setter breeding kennel.  I have a number of friends who own Corgis, and who tell me the breed is popular across other areas of Pennsylvania.  I see many German Shepherds on my walks.

If your breed was not mentioned, please send a comment with the breed you own.  It will help my future research.

I am a member of a professional photography blog circle, featuring a number of pet photographers both nationally and internationally.  To read more about various breeds in other areas, start here with Linda Perdue of VP Shoots Photography, capturing memories of your pets and family in the Tampa, Florida area.  Look for the link at the end of each blog post.  It will take you to the next blog.  Follow the links until you find yourself back here again!

I am always interested in photographing your breed.  Give me a call to schedule!  

Enjoy your weekend!

If you are thinking about adding a furkid to your family, there are a number of options and places to start your quest to find the right match in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

As a photographer, I have been offering my services to local pet rescues and shelters since 2014.  My objective is always to showcase dogs, cats and small animals seeking homes, and to provide a professional photo that can be used on any of the agency's available animal and adoption sites.  I will cover more about this at the end of the blog today.

In the meantime, I have been happy to work with a number of groups in the past, not only by visiting the facilities themselves to snap photos, but to also participate in any fundraising activities and events that will further the adoption or rescue process for the animals.  This blog post will be peppered with photos I have done for various rescue and shelter groups.  

I am a member of HeARTs Speak, an international organization that unites artists in the goal of increasing the visibility of shelter animals, to ensure more animals are seen and saved each year.  

SHELTERS

The shelters (and their fosters) I have worked with are:
1.  Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, Clarks Summit, PA
2.  The Lehigh County Humane Society, Allentown, PA
3.  Pike County Humane Society, Shohola, PA
​4.  True Friends Animal Welfare, Montrose, PA
5.  SPCA of Luzerne County, Wilkes-Barre, PA

Each of these facilities has an application process.  My recommendation has always been to check out their websites, find their application, fill it out and return it, then follow up a week later with a phone call to make sure it was received and get the status or timeline for an approval decision.  Or, now that things are easing up from COVID-related restrictions, visit the shelter and fill out an application in person.  This will give you an opportunity to also meet and/or review the pets at the shelter that you might be interested in.

RESCUES

Rescues are treated a bit differently than shelters.  The key question when dealing with a rescue is "do you adopt to residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania?"  Many rescues that you might deal with may not actually be located within the region, but their adoption guidelines will give you a summary of where they allow adoptions.

Naturally, I could list quite a number of rescues that fall into this category.  I have worked, mostly, with English Setter rescues, but I have transported animals, along with many others on the "rescue railroad" for rescue groups across the United States.  Whenever I transport, I bring my camera and photograph the pets for usage by the agency at a later date, or in the case of fostering, when they are ready to be made available for adoption.

Here are a few animal rescues in the region:
1.  Laura's Hope Rescue, Hop Bottom, PA
2.  Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, Dallas, PA
​3.  Camp Papillon, Stroudsburg, PA
​4.  One Life to Live Rescue, Scranton, PA
​5.  St. Cats and Dogs, Scranton, PA
6.  Meshoppen Cat Rescue, Meshoppen, PA

If a breed-specific rescue is what you are interested in, there are many that serve the Northeastern Pennsylvania area.  A simple google search that looks something like this " breed name + the word 'rescue' + in the northeast," may be of help. Using this formula, you should be able to find a rescue that adopts to this region.

Once again, I would advise you to do your homework.  Check out the website or Facebook page of the rescue and find their adoption application process.  Fill out the application and return it.  Most rescues I work with will not even consider you for adoption until the form is on file.

Sometimes the adoption process is not very quick.  Patience is key.  Remember, most agencies are staffed by volunteers, who are trying to do their best to help animals as well.  Sometimes you might not agree with their process.  Guess what...it's not relevant.  It's their process.  Whether you agree with it or not, they have probably run into countless situations which has caused them to think and rethink how they handle adoptions.  So, just go with the flow.  Ask questions if you need clarification, and ask for timelines and estimated dates along the way.  Always be friendly and courteous.

You will notice that today's blog is titled in the past tense "rescued" and "adopted."  All of the pets you see in these photos were adopted.  It's a testament to a number of things:
(1) a clear photo of an animal that is not in a caged area or "behind bars" is the best representation of that animal,
(2) photos that are USED by the shelters and rescues you provide them to, get positive feedback and results,
(3) shelters and rescues who maintain an active presence on line and through social media, are the best advocates for their animals.

As a photographer who has quite a bit of experience working inside and outside shelter facilities, I can attest that it isn't an easy thing to do.  Many times I wanted to take animals home with me. 

Often you work in a confined area, with poor lighting, or outside where it's too sunny, raining, snowing, or doing whatever mother nature has to throw at you. 

​Sometimes animals were fearful, and needed human connection.

But, knowing that ultimately, the photo you take might be the difference between a shelter or rescue pet finding a forever place to land, spurs you on, and makes the job a labor of love.

For any shelter or rescue folks reading the blog, as noted in the opening paragraphs, I do offer my services FREE OF CHARGE to shelters and rescues.  There are no strings attached.  I do not even put my logo on the photos, which can be formatted to the precise measurements of whatever medium you use to showcase available animals (petfinder, petango, etc.).  My only requirement is that you ACTUALLY USE THE PHOTOS.  That means you can attest you have an on line presence, and you do advocate for your animals in a way that showcases them in your social media interactions. I do have a contract, so there is no misunderstanding regarding photo usage.

My typical approach is to do one headshot and one full body shot for each animal.  I prefer to do photos of cats in a cat room or other non-caged location within the facility.  Shelters and rescues are also welcome to bring their animals to my studio location, or have their foster families contact me to set up photo appointments.

For shy animals, I will most likely use a container of some type and/or human contact.  I will never photograph an animal in a caged environment.

If I am transporting for your agency and you would like photos, please let me know in advance.  Taking photos on transport IS doable.  Some examples below.

Being a strong animal advocate all of my life, and having had the pleasure of meeting so many dogs and cats through rescue and shelter work, I can say that I have never encountered a single animal that wasn't on their best behavior.  Even though they are often thrust into an environment they are not used to, handled by a number of individuals and are typically not receiving a normal dose of human contact, each and every one has been a joy to work with.

​I am always happy when I hear they have been adopted.  Finding their forever home is what it's all about for me!

Now, to see what other photographers in the blog circle have focused on today, and to find out about rescues in their areas (a good resource for sure), start here with Nancy at Nancy Kieffer Photography, Capturing the Journey with your pet. Serving Syracuse, Central New York, the Adirondacks and Beyond. 

Enjoy your weekend!

A recent client asked: "How did you ever get started in doing animal photography?"

Well, photography had been a hobby of mine for many years.  When I decided I wanted to make it a career, I began classes, followed by more classes, and, yes, even more classes.  And then, of course, there were the dogs.

Our farm is named Silver Mark Farm, not for any reason other than we live on Silver Mark Drive and we aren't very inventive people.  I am limiting my blog to ONLY the dogs who live on our farm, or we might be reading until 2022.

We do have a pack of seven at the moment.  We just recently lost our Bethy (who was almost 17). She was dog number eight, and we had been at eight for quite some time.  In fact, there was a time when we were at 10.  (Yes, you read that right.)  But our older dogs transitioned to spirit and we promised ourselves we would not replace them.

We have rescued a dog, in the-name-of-a-dog-that-has-passed, for many years, but we now have decided that we are getting to an age where we have to consider what might happen to our dogs, and other animals, should something happen to us, so we need the numbers to be manageable in case other people must step in.  It's a serious thought, I know, but with the issues the world has been dealing with in the last two years, you never know what the future holds.

MEET OUR CURRENT DOGS:

​BILLIE

Let's start in alphabetical order with Billie.  Billie is a "she" and we kept the name (see not really inventive above).  Billie was adopted from Griffin Pond Animal Shelter in 2012 at the approximate age of two.  She had been a stray, was found with her sister, Molly, and was pregnant.  Billie had six puppies in the shelter.  All were adopted.  I know where three of them are located, and we have met her puppy Miles again.  She is a wire-haired terrier type, but I did have someone tell me she looks exactly like a Bedlington Whippet, so I did my research, and sure enough, that is exactly what she looks like.  Depending on whether or not she has been groomed, she has very different looks.  In the photo below she has just had a haircut.

Here Billie is her scruffy self.  When her coat grows out, it is a very light, silver-gray over her dark body.  She really is quite lovely, very smart, and is a member of the lurcher family.  She would have squirrels for breakfast every day if we let her.

DANNY

Danny (no name change here either) came to us in January of 2011.  He was a dog brought into rescue by the then Ohio English Setter Rescue (now since changed to Our English Setter Rescue).  Danny had been taken in by another family at first, but they did not know how to deal with his fear issues.  We thought that Danny might be able to benefit from living in a pack of dogs, so he originally came to our farm for evaluation.  Within a few months it became quite clear that Danny's fear issues were extensive.  Rather than uproot him again and move him into yet another changed environment, we adopted him.  He has his own Facebook page devoted to his story and transition.  While Danny will never be fully "normal," he has come a very long way and is a good and contributing member of our pack.  Danny is an English Setter.  He does love walks in the woods, but never car rides.  Spring and summer are his times of year.  He loves to nap in the grass.

LUKE

​We adopted Luke in March of 2016 at the age of 10 months from Jacks Galore Russell Rescue.  We had never owned a Jack, but we know plenty of Jack owners and were familiar with the breed.  He may also have a little whippet in him, as he is lankier and taller than a normal Jack.  His name was Duke, and we did, in fact, change it--but as you will notice, we found a name that rhymed so he might recognize it faster.  He has the very best ears on the planet.  Luke is a really great little dog, and our granddaughter just LOVES him to pieces, and he loves her.  He can't wait until she visits.  Luke does not walk or run, he boings from place to place.  He loves Billie.

LILAH

Lilah came from a local breeding facility.  She was the runt of her very large litter, and the breeder was kind enough to allow her to find a home.  At the time, I was helping someone else pick up a new pup at the facility, and happened upon Lilah.  Her eyes were the biggest thing on her.  So she came home with me.  She was so tiny at eight weeks, she wore a cat collar and a sweater from a stuffed teddy bear we happened to have stored away. Lilah joined us in January of 2013.  Lilah is a whiner extraordinaire.  I am definitely her person.  She is a head sniffer.  Lilah can definitely find birds in the field, trees, the sky, just about anywhere.  She can be Miss Growly Pants, but only when she is stressed.  She hates thunderstorms and hides under the bed.  Lilah loves being in my studio and will pose in a minute, or get herself onto any set up I have put together, then sit and expect a treat.

MOE (Aka M.O.E.)

Moe was adopted from Another Chance for English Setters in 2006 at the age of four months. He will be 15 years old this year.  His name was Sherlock, when we met him, and we changed it to Moe (short for Moriarty in keeping with the Sherlock theme). He is the most laid back dog I have ever met, and I have met a lot of dogs.  Vets love him.  Moe knows how to spell his name.  If you spell M.O.E., he knows that's him.  He had severe allergies in his first few years, and very little hair.  After seeing various vets, we finally found a skin specialist and got it under control.  Moe thinks through things before he acts on them.  Even now at 15, he will walk around the fence line until he has made up his mind about what to do next. Every night at dinner, he sits to my right and waits quietly for his piece of something.  As the oldest dog, he knows that is his privilege--a tidbit from the table.

Moe hates bugs, and will often lay on the yard glider or patio or pet bed on the patio to avoid insects crawling on him.  He is the only dog in our pack who will wear hats, shirts and sunglasses without moving a muscle.

PIPER

Piper is our unassuming, totally deaf Border Collie.  Piper was adopted from Glen Highland Farm's Sweet B Border Collie Rescue in May of 2009 at the age of six months.  If you visited me, and did not know he was deaf, you still would not know.  He knows over 20 signs, watches our body language, and knows our routines better than we do.  He is a rough-coated border collie.  His breed is very different from any other we have ever owned.  When we adopted him, we had another deaf English Field Setter named Burton.  Our knowledge and training of Burton, our first deaf adoption, was what allowed us to adopt Piper.  Piper is scary smart. He manages all of our kitties, and they all love him.  It's his BC job.  If you ever want to teach a border collie not to nip, don't.  Let your other dogs do it.  Piper learned in one week not to nip, because he was chastised by our non-border collie dogs about nipping. He has not nipped since.   Piper is a lovely, gentle dog, and it's hard to believe he will be 12 years old this year.

TALLEY

If you've made it this far, our latest and final addition to our dog family came in June of 2020 (you remember, that year we could not go anywhere or do anything, so we brought dogs home).  Talley was born in April of 2020.  Her hearing test showed she was bilaterally deaf.  We were home, and knew we would be for a long time, so taking in another puppy seemed feasible.  Talley joined us at the age of eight weeks.  She has been the best puppy.  Arriving at the beginning of the summer months was extremely helpful in her potty training process, and Talley, to this day, has never had an accident in the house.  Being home is important to puppy rearing.  Puppies really should not be left alone for long hours.  Talley has already learned a number of signs.  She loves to point bees, eat flying bugs (we really keep her from doing this as much as possible), and torment all the other dogs.

HOW DOES THE DOG PACK OF SILVER MARK FARM GET ALONG?

Well, as long as no one minds head sniffing, they all get along just fine.

I hope you enjoyed meeting our dog pack!  We are looking forward to more warmer weekends with them.  

This week's blog circle theme was Photographer's Choice, so I am excited to see what everyone picked to write about.  Join me by starting with Jemma Martin of JM PHOTOGRAPHY based in East Anglia in the UK. Specialist Pet Photographer.  Look for the links at the end of each blog to move forward to the next one.  Enjoy your weekend!

It is very true that happiness is "whatever you make it."

As a photographer, I am happiest working with clients and their pets, and seeing owner faces light up when they see their images.

I am also happy when:  (1) I get a new camera, (2) I learn something new that makes my life easier, (3) I meet new people and their furkids...and the list goes on!

So it's hard to focus on just one or two things that makes happiness a driving force.

BUT...

If I had to pick a few things, I'd have to say that happiness is: kittens and puppies.  I mean, who can't smile when they meet a purr-fect little kitten?

I have to say that kittens are one of my most favorite things to photograph, because they DO make me smile...ALL THE TIME.  For their whole session I am smiling from ear-to-ear, and also saying AWWWWWWW a lot.

I typically photograph foster kittens who are looking for new homes.  

And then, of course, there are puppies.  I mean, who doesn't like puppies? Especially pudgy, furry Golden puppies!  YIKES!  Cuteness overload right there.

Need some good tips on photographing your puppy?  You will find them here.  How about tips for photographing kittens?  Click here. 

To see what happiness is to other photographers in our blog circle today, start here with traveling dog photographer Kim Hollis of BARKography on location in the Pacific Northwest.