Blog Posts

My Favorite Frame Options

7/14/2023

You've finally decided it's time to have some professional photographs done of your pet.

You spend some time researching photographers in your area, hopefully looking for someone who specializes in and understands working with animals, both in and out of studio. Settling on your photographer of choice, you set up a free, preliminary consult, ready your pet for his or her photo session, and set out to your scheduled appointment.

Your photographer spends time getting to know your pet, then goes about taking some fantastic photos, even though you have no idea how she/he did it because your pet was not necessarily always completely cooperative.

You are excited.

Then it hits you: what will you do with the photos?

Dress Up Your Wall

Photos were meant to be printed. Since the beginning of photography, and in the early days when everything was film oriented, we waited excitedly for our photos to be printed. But in this age of digital, many are looking for a "downloadable" option instead of a print, under the theory they will have their photo choices printed sometime in the future.

My theory is that half the time digital downloads aren't turned into anything that can be glanced at on a wall, at will, to relive a time, place, or memory of that moment.

This, my friends, is why I am not a "downloadable" photographer. I am in the print and wall art business. I want you to see your photos staring back at you on a daily basis.

Clean - Fresh - Modern - Rustic

Framing your print for wall display, is an easy option that can match any decor. Over the years, I have come to love a few select framing choices that have never disappointed. I am always thinking along the lines of clean, fresh, modern or rustic.

A pure white frame, for instance, can complement just about any room.

White frames are one of my favorite choices for my own home, and depending on the subject, can work for many images.

Did you know that you don't only have framing choices for traditional prints, but also for metal prints, canvas prints, fine art prints and other photographic products?

Framing Metal, Canvas and Fine Art Prints

Float frames are a great way to frame metal, canvas or fine art prints. A float frame creates an illusion of the print floating within the frame, by leaving a gap between the frame and the artwork. Float frames come in a number of choices--from metal to wood.

Another great framing option, and my most favorite for rustic or country settings, are barnwood float frames. With a choice of sizes and orientation (landscape or portrait), prints can be mounted as a single or multiple format, and provide a great way to fill a wall with memories.

Each piece of wood is unique in coloring, due to being ACTUAL aged barnwood and not a manufactured "other" material product. (Click on the above photos to enlarge them for viewing.)

The float frames featured above all hold metal prints.

I use trusted lab sources to ensure the highest quality product in terms of frame choices, and because I have built relationships with my labs, I know that should a client not be completely satisfied with their framed pieces, my labs will step up to make it right.

Take a good look around at your walls. Do they hold wall art and photos of you, your family and pets that you love? If you answered "no," it may be time to set your sights on adding beautiful photo products that showcase meaningful memories. I can help you do just that.

Click Into the Circle

I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (Frames), start here with Toronto pet and family photographer, Terri Jankelow, as she explores creative ways to display framed photos from your pet and family photo session.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here, and have completed the circle.

Have a great summer weekend! Make some great memories, then put them on your wall!

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What Exactly Is Blue Belton?

7/7/2023

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We have owned many breeds of dogs in my lifetime. Two golden retrievers, one chocolate lab, one flat coat retriever, one Australian shepherd, one wire-haired terrier, one border collie, one Jack Russell/whippet cross, several setter mixes, and many English setters.

At the moment we have two English setters, the Jack Russell cross, the border collie, and the wire-haired terrier mix.

Coat Colors

Before I got into setters, my characterization of dog coat colors sounded like this: "There's a dog with white fur and black spots!" Seriously.

It was accurate, but certainly not a language anyone at the American Kennel Club would understand.

I must confess, I did know that our Australian shepherd was a blue merle, but it wasn't something I brought up in conversation regularly.

English setters set my sails in the right direction when it comes to discussing dog fur.

The Low Down

English setters are usually born white. Their "ticking" (or spots) do not really become prominent until they mature, although as puppies you will start to see the ticking darken and increase around 4 months of age. Eye patches seem to come in sooner, and some puppies show evidence of eye patches very early on.

Edward Laverack, the breed's founder, loved to hunt in the village of Belton. So the ticking soon became known as "belton." Ticking can be heavy or light. If there is more ticking than white, the dog is called "roan."

The possible coat colors are BLUE, ORANGE, LEMON, or CHESTNUT BELTON.

When TWO colors combine with white, the dog is labeled a "Tricolor." There will be flecks of liver or lemon or orange showing up in the predominantly blue ticking.

To be named belton, the dog must not have any eye patches. If they do, they are simple called "blue," or "orange," or whatever the predominant color is in the coat.

Our dog, Danny, was a blue, but not a belton. He had double eye patches.

Many years ago, lemon and chestnut setters were culled, as they were thought to be inferior. I am glad that practice is no longer carried out, as both colors are beautiful in the breed.

The difference between an orange belton and a lemon belton (or orange or lemon if eye patches are present) depends on the color of the nose and eyes. A lighter nose (with more pink) and lighter eyes are hallmarks of the lemon belton.

Lilah and her ball.

Our Lilah would be considered a lemon, due to her light eyes and nose coloring. She is not a belton, due to her eye patches.

Variations on a Theme

I am really partial to blue setters. I actually love a coat with so much ticking, that it mottles together to make the dog seem even darker (known as roan).

A blue roan with eye patches and darker ticking throughout his coat.

A lemon roan English setter.

But, to be honest, I have never met a setter I didn't like. The breed is fantastic. Setters are great family and kid-friendly dogs.

A tricolor setter puppy.

No Matter the Color - Good Therapy

I have always wanted to own a therapy dog. When our puppy, Talley, came along, I did not have my sights set on "therapy" as a goal for her. But I did have a plan to go through the levels of obedience training, as Talley is deaf and has been since birth.

With puppy classes, basic obedience, intermediate obedience and socialization under our belts, we went on to pass the Canine Good Citizen test with flying colors (see what I did there?).

I then applied to have Talley tested as a therapy dog with Pleasure of Your Company Therapy Dogs in my region. She did not disappoint. Talley passed her test, and continues to show the calmness and friendliness so inherent in her breed.

We have gone on quite a number of therapy visits now (to nursing homes, assisted living centers, kids programs, safety dog programs, etc.) and Talley shows her love for adventure and people at every event.

Talley is a true Blue Belton setter.

Click Into the Circle

It's a small circle this week, but nevertheless, a circle. I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (Blue), start here with Angela and Bella of Big White Dog Photography in Spokane, Washington, who are back to hiking the hills of the Inland Northwest.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here, and have completed the circle.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy!

Note: All photos in this blog were captured by me...Elaine Tweedy...except for the cartoon dog (thank you Deposit Photos Stock).

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Down Time

6/30/2023

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Photography, as a profession, is a beautifully creative outlet.

But, it can be very taxing, especially during busy seasons.

In these past few months of spring arriving and blooms appearing, I have been busy with family sessions and headshots. It's the perfect time of year to do both.

Photography work involves spending quite a bit of time in the digital dark room, processing the images we take at each session. There is also a lot of detail work, sending reminders, invoices, readying galleries for viewing, putting together slide shows, fulfilling client orders and monitoring each client with an eye to excellent customer service.

Time for a Break

In between all the activity, it's good to take a break. I do this in a few different ways.
(1) I set my camera down and avoid computer work for three to five days.
(2) I take a class that adds to the photography knowledge base I am constantly building. (Often a fun class.)
(3) I go out with my camera and photograph things I haven't had time for, but love.

It's number (3) I'm talking about today.

Making Time for Things You Love

In my photographic journey, my first love has always been nature and landscape work. In fact, a number of the prints I put into competition toward my Master of Photography degree, had nature and landscape as their subject.

It's very relaxing to me to sit and wait for mother nature's gifts to appear, which always leave me in a state of wonder. I like to try and pass this wonder on in my photographs.

This time of year, the earth is alive with things. Taking photos of wildlife is a fantastic way to practice all of your camera skills, especially those where patience is key.

While my specialty may be pet photography, all animals come with people, so it's important to be able to photograph and light people as well as dogs and cats.

Practicing wildlife and nature photography, my first love, helps me ground myself, gives me a break from the norm, and adds to that base of photographic knowledge.

The down time work only betters my regular job, makes me happy, and helps me fuel my creativity.

I know, I know....it does mean I am editing and spending additional time with my computer. But these photos are primarily for me. They also fuel my soul.

And, okay, every once in a while, I still slip in a furry friend. She is always patiently waiting for her Mom to be done with the nature photography, so she can pose and get a treat.

Click Into the Circle

I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (Photographer's Choice), start here with Las Vegas dog photographer, Nicole Hrustyk, of Pawtraits by Nicole, as she shares her favorite summer portrait session locations.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here, and have completed the circle.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy!

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Summer Vibes Summer Skies

6/16/2023

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This year the summer solstice joins us on June 21st at 10:57 a.m.

For those of us in the Northern hemisphere it really is THE LONGEST DAY. Personally, I have been waiting to celebrate this moment since the first snowflake fell in 2022.

Summer is my favorite time of year.

"The sky is the ultimate art gallery just above us." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

No truer words can be said to describe the skies that are available for our use as photographers in the summer months.

Summer Has A Color Palette

In the world of digital and graphic art, there is a color palette for everything. Not only does summer have its own palette, but every month of summer has a variance of that palette.

The all encompassing summer color scheme is below.

When I look around me, and especially when I look at the sky in the late afternoon and early evening hours, I find many of these colors represented there...often at the same time.

Late day photography work in the summer is not only the best idea because of heat avoidance, but also because the colors are at their best in the sky during this time of day, and the closer we get to sunset.

Timing Is Everything

From moment to moment, the summer late day sky can change in an instant. Timing is crucial to capturing the vibrance, or the soft muted color mix we are given on any given day.

I have a favorite field where the sky, and sun movement toward the horizon, make for a phenomenal light show as we near the end of the day.

We, as photographers, talk about the "golden hour"-- that 60 minutes before sunset-- as the prime time for outdoor photography work in the summer. You can see the light quality change and go through the summer palette spectrum, capturing somewhat brighter pictures in the first part of that hour for a variety of sky hues.

Check out the first photo above in the blog, taken 20 minutes AFTER the photo just above this text. There was a storm approaching, and the change in cloud structure and color made for some interesting (and brighter) light in this field photo.

They were taken at the exact same place, but at different angles and times.

It's Another Blue Sky Day

Of course, we can't forget those picture perfect blue sky days, where white contrasting clouds make for the perfect sky.

Those are the days we pop our dogs in the car and head to exciting doggy events.

Go out and find your skies this weekend. Enjoy every moment summer has to offer and every palette you are given.

Click Into the Circle

I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (Solstice), start here with Courtney Bryson. Want to plan the ultimate Summer Solstice with your dog? Atlanta dog photographer Courtney Bryson shares 3 fantastic activities to make the most of the longest day of the year.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here.

Be sure to check out the "Investment" tab on my website for any specials I might be running over the summer, and if you are interested in fundraising for a group or organization, or covering a summer event, do not hesitate to give me a call!

Enjoy your weekend!

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Remembering Danny

6/2/2023

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Danny: a fearful English Setter that came into our lives in January 2011.

This week's blog topic is BFFs. You know...best friends forever.

I have been absent from blogging through the entire month of May, not because I didn't have anything to write about, but because the planets that were all lined up so nicely, were swooped up by a giant clown and juggled and thrown back into position haphazardly. This caused the universe to decide that every one of our dogs was due to have a problem.

So between spending my time at the vet's office and nursing sick pups, I was spending what I knew would be my last days with our dog, Danny.

There was no mystery here. Danny was in the final stages of degenerative myelopathy (DM), an incurable disease that strikes the spinal cord and results in weakness and paralysis of the hind legs. He was quite brave throughout the illness, and was managing very well, until these last few weeks when he wasn't, and it became obvious he was very tired and didn't want to manage anymore.

But that's not what this blog is about really. It's more about how a pack of dogs helped Danny to overcome his extreme fears to live the last six years of his life in an 80% "normal dog" state.

Dogs Helping Dogs

Below is Danny's shelter photo. He was not from my area, nor did he first come to my husband and I. He went to a couple in New Jersey after being pulled by a rescue that specialized in English Setters. It was a rescue I had done home visits for and some volunteering in the past. When things didn't work out with the couple, and because we lived close, the rescue contacted me and asked if we could take him, maybe evaluate what he needed and they would find him another place to land.

Danny's shelter photo.

When Danny arrived, it became very clear his fear quotient was stratospheric--and while not fear that spiraled into any type of aggressive behavior, Danny simple retreated from the world at large. He spent his first four days under my desk. I had to leash him to go outside and to come out to eat. Beyond that, we mostly let Danny be. We wanted every decision to be his, not ours.

That's when the pack of dogs took over.

Dogs Healing Dogs

There is no doubt in my mind that doggy best friends healed Danny to a point where he could live a nearly normal life. Our other more confident dogs taught him to sleep on the couch, play with toys, come when called (this was a REAL milestone), roll in the grass, beg at the table, bark incessantly at the UPS driver, and other key elements of dog existence.

We officially adopted Danny in September of 2011. We knew he would be happiest with his crew of cohorts, and we were unsure what another move might do to him.

Danny still had fears, and sometimes remembered them and regressed. But he always came back to his new life with gusto.

The one fear we could never get him past was his fear of cars and car rides. So we let that one alone. Our horse vet, who came to our property on a yearly basis to do horse check ups, would often examine Danny and give him his vaccinations when appropriate, Danny would shake the entire time. He was fearful of strangers, but eventually family members helped to get him over that as well.

Danny has had a Facebook page for many years. My Foster Dog Danny tells his story from day one. It also documents how all his doggy friends helped him through some of his most difficult moments. We felt it was important to share with others what living with a fearful dog was like, as well as try to show that fearful dogs could be rehabilitated.

Milestones

Every single one of Danny's milestones were celebrated throughout his life. From first bath to first time sleeping next to another dog, each sign of normalcy brought more confidence in Danny.

I don't know what happened to Danny before he came to us. He was between 1.5 and 2 years old when he arrived. I often told him I wished he had been ours since he was a puppy, only because I would have loved to have erased all the bad things from his memory.

I do know that Danny was a wonderful companion to the other dogs, was gentle with our family members, became confident enough to patrol our fence lines and give warning barks to whomever he thought was an intruder, and was very loved by all of us.

Danny was euthanized at home laying in his favorite spot under our cherry tree. He did not even know the vet was there. He was fast asleep and slept right into the next world. Peaceful and fitting for a once fearful dog. He was 14 years old.

Between the years 2011 and 2017, Danny worked hard at becoming a real dog. Six years. Progress, regress, progress, regress, then finally a learned behavior.

He loved our dogs Daisy, Moe and Winston the best.
He loved treat time.
He loved pizza night.
He loved his safe spots in the yard and house.
He loved to lay in the shade of the cherry tree in the green grass.
He loved to tear apart hats.

Danny was and will remain one of our best friends forever.

Click Into the Circle

I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (BFFs), start here with Angela Schneider and Bella of Big White Dog Photography in Spokane, WA, with 7 reasons why women and dogs are the best adventure buddies.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here.

Summer is finally here weatherwise. Have a great weekend! Enjoy!

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Three Keys to Photographing Doodles

4/28/2023

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I wanted to title this blog Doodles and Don'ts, but I can never figure out how to create a link using a contraction like apostrophe "s." LOL. Yes, I am technically challenged sometime.

This week's theme is Doodles.

You know those cuddly, fuzzy, curly pups that have some of the greatest expressions caught on camera? That's the ones I'm talking about.

I have photographed a number of doodles, and developed a few tips that might help you if you are a doodle owner, whether you are taking your dog for professional photos, or just doing your own thing at home. I'm going to share them with you.

In the meantime, if you want to follow a really great doodle on Instagram, one of my favorite accounts is reagandoodle. Reagandoodle also works toward a very good cause: foster care.

Three Key Tips for Great Doodle Photos

Doodle Eyes

Doodles have great eyes and use them well in their expressions. The only problem is, sometimes their eyes are covered by the other hair and fur around their face. Since their eyes are somewhat recessed, they can be dark. You want to make sure you can see the full/real color of the eyes.

Eyes are SO INTEGRAL to the overall expression, that it's very important to be sure your doodle gal or guy have a bit of a trim before getting a professional photo done. Even with your own photos, you are going to want to make sure you can SEE THE EYES!

Doodle Beards

The adorable hair under the nose and mouth of a doodle is a very individual thing. Each doodle wears that beard differently.

The common denominator, though, is that beards can stain, collect drool, or get pretty messy in your photos. That's why, again, it's important to have their beards groomed regularly. You can also use an anti-stain product to combat the build up of bacteria, saliva and mucus that invades a doodle beard (some owners use the same products that mitigate tear staining on doggy beards).

Many dogs other than doodles have beards, like our wire-haired terrier Billie, so you can bet I am sure to clean her up regularly in case I need to pop her in the studio for a photograph or two.

The three easiest ways to manage a doodle beard are:

keep the beard trimmed properly
use dog grooming wipes or a damp washcloth to wipe the area daily after meals are done
shampoo just the beard once a week

When I am working to photograph bearded dogs, I always keep a nice clean, soft towel handy for quick beard clean ups if necessary.

Adequate Lighting

Whether you are outside in natural light, or having a portrait done in a studio, doodles need to be lit adequately.

The lighter the dog, the easier this will be to accomplish, but with darker doodles, or those with multi-coats of light and dark, light placement is everything.

Make sure there is ENOUGH LIGHT ON THE FACE to see the eyes and eye-rim hair. These areas tend to go dark if they are not lit well. If the sun is behind a doodle, you'd better have something to light the front of the dog, or you will get a muted and dark photograph every time.

If you are a doodle mom or dad, you may want to invest in a Lume Cube. The one referenced here is portable, runs on Bluetooth technology, is waterproof, and costs around $90.00. You can use it inside and outdoors and it will broadcast enough light for you to be able to light the facial areas of your pup.

I sometimes use a Lume Cube when pets who come to the studio are afraid of my strobes or off camera flash lighting.

Have Fun

I don't think it needs to be said that if there were a fourth tip in this blog, it would be to have fun taking your photos. I think it's one of the reasons I love Reagandoodle so much, because it looks like every single day is full of fun!

If you have a doodle, and need a doodlicious photo session, give me a call!

Click Into the Circle

I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (doodles), start here with Dog Photographer Kim Hollis of BARKography, as she talks about finding the best dog models for her commercial pet photography work.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy!

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Lifestyle: The More Natural Approach

4/21/2023

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I was grabbing some candid shots of my dogs in the yard this past week, when nice weather set in for a day or two. I mean REALLY nice weather. Like almost 78 degrees. In April, in Pennsylvania, you never know what you are going to get weatherwise.

I realized while shooting that:
(1) I hadn't concentrated on my own pups in this way in a long time, and
(2) it's a much more satisfying thing for me with my own dogs--to capture them in their daily routines.

That's Talley, Luke and Lilah above (left to right), just hanging out doing their hanging out things. I think Lilah may have been trying to nap, sitting by her "safe spot" near the fence.

Lifestyle = What You Love To Do

Maybe you like to run with your dog. Or is it biking? Swimming? Sit around in a park? Go on picnics? Walk or hike trails?

Whatever you normally like to do in your life with your pet...well, that's lifestyle photography.

It's a much more natural, relaxed way of capturing the REAL moments with your pet...you know the ones you live on a daily basis. It's less posing and more doing.

Lifestyle = Comfort and Interaction

I find that clients are more comfortable DOING and interacting, than they are just posing, so I often explain that Lifestyle is one of the options they can choose when deciding on how they would like to remember the moment.

What to wear is simple: dress for the activity you want to encompass in your lifestyle session.

Where Do Lifestyle Sessions Happen?

Lifestyle sessions can take place where you and your pet are most comfortable. That might be in your home, your own backyard, a nearby park you always visit, or on a road you often walk, on a fishing dock, in a kayak--choose whatever it is you do with your pet regularly in your life.

It might even be bath day in your bathtub!

Wherever it takes place, there's one thing I know for sure...you will have fun, stay relaxed and have a much more natural end result geared to your own daily activities.

I also find that if you are looking for some phenomenal art work for your wall (see below), there is nothing like a relaxed photo of you and your pets, in an environment that you love!

Click Into the Circle

I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (natural), start here with NW Indiana and Chicago Area pet photographer Denise of Denise Duriga Photography, as she shares why natural dog food is better than highly processed kibble.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy!

Framed Lifestyle 20x30 Print

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Do Dogs Experience Joy?

4/14/2023

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There's a simple answer.

It's YES.

But there is a longer explanation. For anyone interested in "longer," read on.

Australian Shepherd enjoying a shallow creek and a stick.

Dog Emotions

Much research has been done on dogs. The conclusions? Dogs can experience basic emotions, including joy, fear, love, sadness, and anger. But they experience it like a toddler.

Dogs can also MIRROR your emotions. How? Two ways.

Smell - your emotions trigger chemical changes in your body--your dog can smell that.
Behavioral Changes - you know how well you know your dog? They know you just as well. Facial expressions, mannerisms, tone of voice, gestures, etc. will clue your dog into your emotions at any given time.

Modern Dog has a great article on dog emotions. To read it, CLICK HERE.

Bernese Mountain Dog having some snow fun.

Signs of Happiness

When you know your dog, you can tell when they are happy.

New toys at my house mean plenty of upside down time, just chewing away on the new thing. Our Jack Russell cross and English Setter Lilah are especially good at giving us this sign of happiness. But Lilah also looks like she is smiling while romping around with a new toy.

Lilah with her new red ball.

That wagging tail may also be a sign of happiness at any given time. But tail wagging can be many things, just like in Hawaii where Aloha means both Hello and Goodbye. Tail wagging, depending on other body signals from our dogs, can also mean nervousness, fear, and other emotions.

Suffice it to say, our dogs DO IN FACT, experience emotions. Joy is one of them! I don't know about you, but I'm HAPPY about that!

Click Into the Circle

I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (joy), start here with Nicole Hrustyk of Pawtraits by Nicole as she honors her dog's memory with a tribute blog post.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy!

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Best PA Trails for Fresh Air on Horseback

4/7/2023

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If you are not from this area, you may not know that in another life I rode horses extensively. The horse community here pretty much know each other, and the more years you have as a rider, the easier your name is recognized locally.

Mainly a hunter rider to begin, I also rode dressage, showed quite a bit, and after the years of experience turned to knowledge, I trained both horses and riders for about 8 years.

My horse Pharaoh and I took the Baby Green Hunter yearly championship the very first year we showed on the local circuit. In the second year, we won Pre-Green Hunter Reserve Champion. Pharaoh was also the horse I rode with the Abington Hunt, a chapter of fox hunters, where I became a whipper-in. (A whipper-in is responsible for maintaining the fox hounds, both on and off the hunt field, and is part of the hunting staff. Your horse must essentially be used to "running with the hounds.")

But, my most favorite thing to do was trail ride. Pharaoh (and later our other horses) and I would go out for two to three hour trail rides often.

Pharaoh and I at an Abington Hills Hunt meet. (Photo courtesy of Debbie McBride.)

Choosing the Best Trails

In our region, while much of the old land we used to ride on has been developed or is now owned by those who do not allow riding on the properties, there have been encouraging moves toward adding land back to the horseback riding landscape.

In reviewing research and my own experience/knowledge for this blog, I made a decision to include what I consider the top three places to trail ride that are open to the public. This does not mean there aren't other spots that have beautiful trails, but they may be privately held boarding facilities or trail ride establishments. I limited this blog to those places you can go with your own horse and enjoy the fresh air. To be listed here, there must be maintained trails, and the sites must have safe places to park horse trailers. Three localities immediately fit those limitations.

Map of Lackawanna State Park Trails

Lackawanna State Park

While I know the map above will be difficult to read in this medium, it's easy to look at an online version for better viewing. All the little marching horses indicate the trails open to riding.

Trailer parking is preferred off of Wallsville Road (a right hand turn off Route 407 coming from Clarks Summit, and just past the park entrance). That being said, I have parked a trailer in the first parking lot on the left as you enter the park, all the way toward the end of the lot, and no one has said "boo." All trails are accessible from Wallsville Road, however. Here's a close up of the area. Look for the little trailer to the right near the end of Wallsville Road on this blow up.

The park trails are normally maintained, however, wind storms will knock trees down, and reporting non-accessible areas to the park office is recommended.

The Abington Trail is the recommended riding trail. It is very scenic, with hills and water access. In fact, many moons ago, I helped to clear this trail, and rode it many times from the barn where I boarded. Some of the access and egress is now blocked by home development, so best to trailer in and ride from designated parking areas.

D&H Rails to Trails

In our region there are many reclaimed rail corridors, named for the primary railways that used them. The D&H is one such corridor and covers 38 miles of converted trail tracing the former corridor of the Delaware & Hudson Railway, a line that primarily carried anthracite coal out of the Lackawanna Valley in the second half of the 19th century.

The trail follows the Lackawanna River and crosses it four times. The scars of coal mining are evident in the early access points near the Lackawanna Heritage Trail, but lessen after passing Forest City, about 5 miles along the route, where the trail passes into the scenic Endless Mountains Region, and farmlands, stone walls, and forests take over the views.

For horseback riding, your best bet is to trailer to the Forest City parking access. It's where you will find the largest trailhead and ample parking. If you ride from Forest City to Union Dale (five miles), you’ll reach a trailhead with parking and a portable restroom. Also at this location you'll find the office for the Rail-Trail Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania, which manages the trail. Stop in for trail information, or grab a sandwich at the deli next door (open 6 a.m.–6 p.m.; closed Wednesdays). This is a good loop on a nice day, and we have plenty of nice days coming up.

Map: Forest City to Union Dale Trailheads - D&H Rails to Trails

Bucks County Horse Park

About a 2.5 hour trip from my back door near Tunkhannock, is Bucks County Horse Park. If you want to make a day out of your trail ride, there is no better place than this lovely horse park, located at 8934 Easton Road in Revere, PA.

If you go on a Tuesday, you can watch some Tuesday Evening Dressage before heading home (summer only). While on Thursdays you can find plenty of competitors at the Thursday Morning Horse Shows (again, only summer months).

A day pass to the park is $35.00 for non-members, and you must sign a liability release in order to use the facilities (it's kept on file). The 123 acre park is open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset. The Park depends on membership dues and revenue from over 50 events held each year to support the costs of maintaining the trails and facilities.

The trails are easy to use with color coded trail markers. Most trails start below the schooling rings or in the tiered parking lot below the secretary's building. Trails are continually refurbished and maintained to provide safe footing and a pleasant ride.

The Purple trail is the recommended choice for first time trail riders or when the weather has made footing muddy and deep on other trails.

I give this facility an 11 out of 10, as it meets all the requirements and then some. You just have to make the trip. For more information contact the Park by email or phone:

Email: Office@buckscountyhorsepark.org
Telephone: 610 847 8597 Fax: 610 847 5507

The left photo showcases Tuesday evening dressage. The right Thursday Morning Horse Shows.

Life With Horses

At present we have two horses living with us on our farm. Roo is a Percheron/Thoroughbred cross. He stands almost 17.5 hands and is a dapple gray, with white mane and tail (when he is clean).

American Eagle, our Pinto is 15.3 hands, an Overo in coloring and markings. Below is a past cell photo (taken by a friend) of Eagle and I taking a standing break at a local clinic.

Neither of the boys know it, but they are both getting back under saddle this summer. There is nothing like riding a horse!

Click Into the Circle

I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (fresh air), start here with Pet photographer Erin Schwartzkopf, of Erin Kathleen Photography, as she shares some of her favorite escapes to cure cabin fever in eastern Wyoming.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here.

Show season is quickly approaching. If you'd like to schedule individualized photos of your rider at a local show, give me a call!

This is Easter weekend for us! Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

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Stuck in the Middle

3/24/2023

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The past few months and weeks have been a part of competition season for me. So when the topic came up for this week's blog--center--I immediately heard a juror's voice saying "this image has everything going for it, but it's centered." That was a negative comment, not a positive one.

The Concept of Using Space

Space is not only THE FINAL FRONTIER, but also something photographer's use as part of their story telling. There is a RULE OF SPACE as it relates to the subject in the photograph and it says:

the direction the subject of the photograph is moving in, or even just looking in, dictates where the subject in the photograph should be placed.

The Rule of Thirds is somewhat tied to this, because if you allow more space in the direction the subject is moving or looking, and less space behind the subject, you are most likely going to be placing that subject about a third of the way in the photograph.

Let's examine.

The photo below is a completely centered image of our dog Billie. She is sitting on a picnic table at the park on an overcast day in the Fall. There is nothing really interesting behind her, in fact, there are many distractions in the environment.

This is an instance where I believe CENTERING the image is helpful to focus on the subject (Billie) and not on what is happening around her.

Centered portrait of a wire-haired terrier

A very different image of our dog, Talley, is below. Talley is looking to her left (our right), so you can see I've left space in the direction she is looking (as if she might move there), and only a little bit of space to her right (our left) where she has planted herself.

This is why you will often see photographs with the subject off-center. We are attempting to create "an illusion of movement." If Talley were to pick up and go, we've left her space to do it.

There are opportunities where a center-placed image can work and make the image balanced, strong and steady. But many in the industry today feel that center placement is boring, unmoving and static. They gravitate toward the Rule of Thirds.

Below is one more example of a portrait where more space is given to where Lilah's gaze is moving than to the area behind her.

Offset studio portrait of orange belton English Setter

I just took a class with a top notch landscape photographer, Joe Brady. He has developed his own "rule of thirds" in his photography work, and captures stunning images as he travels both nationally and internationally for teaching and training.

It was interesting that he advocates for CROPPING OUT anything that doesn't have to do with the main subject, and to use a visualization process while photographing that will help you design that final crop in camera, while taking the photo.

I am looking to incorporate more landscape work into my animal and pet photography, and his class was amazingly helpful as a start to working my way toward that goal.

Click Into the Circle

I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (center), start here with MA and NH dog photographer Darlene Woodward as she shares her new swoon-worthy artisan framed portraits, perfect for making your dog the center of attention.

Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until ou find yourself back here.

Enjoy! Have a great weekend! Spring has finally sprung!

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My Favorite Frame Options

What Exactly Is Blue Belton?

Down Time

Summer Vibes Summer Skies

Remembering Danny

Three Keys to Photographing Doodles

Lifestyle: The More Natural Approach

Do Dogs Experience Joy?

Best PA Trails for Fresh Air on Horseback

Stuck in the Middle

i got the shot

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i got the shot

(c) Copyright I Got the Shot Photography All Rights Reserved

(c) Copyright I Got the Shot Photography
All Rights Reserved