Meet the Photographer

This is me.

I don't go anywhere without that headband.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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