Boss the Cane Corso

I have seriously been neglecting my blog…oops, bad photographer. But with Covid restrictions and winter weather I haven’t been as active as I usually am (ya, we’ll blame it on that). Nevertheless now that spring is here I am resolving to get back at it, and why not start with this handsome fella, one year old Boss.

I first met Boss and his owner Jessica last year when I photographed him as a puppy. Boy has he grown!

We met down at Airforce beach in Comox on a beautiful sunny day. See the Caribbean blue water? That is compliments of the annual herring spawn which takes place every year around this time in the waters off the coast of central Vancouver Island. It is an amazing sight!

Boss was great to work with. He has intense eyes but also a playful side!

I love to take images of dogs running. It is hilarious to see their goofy faces as they chase a ball or run to their owner. With Boss, you can really see how muscular and athletic he is.

I like to take portraits of dogs with their owners whenever possible, because I always enjoy seeing the bond that pets have to their humans. Here are Boss and Jessica together.

I hope you enjoyed the images, and I hope to blog again soon.

Spring is a great season for a photo shoot, so if this inspires you to book a portrait session for your pet, please get in touch! My phone number is (250) 650-7389.

Adah - 11 Years Young

I can’t believe that it has been almost 6 months since I did a blog post! Having just gotten back from a three week vacation to the east coast, I thought it was high time to get back into blogging. And what better way to start than to show off this beauty - Adah.

Adah is an 11 year old shih tzu, owned by Joyce at Pampered Dogs Grooming in Comox. Joyce works out of the Woofy’s Pet Foods in the Comox Mall and was looking for some portraits to adorn the walls of her shop. And her dog Adah makes the best model! We headed down to Kye Bay (my favourite beach) for a photo shoot. The soft evening light was perfect.

Adah was just celebrating her 11th birthday the day after our session, so it was extra special. Joyce obviously adores her, and the feeling is mutual!

I always like to get some action shots if the dog is up for it. It usually helps them to blow off some steam after sitting still for awhile. Adah was so cute! I always find the expressions on running dogs hilarious.

Thank you, Adah and Joyce, for a great evening! I hope you love your portraits!

Ranger - Comox Valley Photographer

Could it really be spring? I don’t know about you but this past winter felt a little long. Maybe because we had the coldest February on record. But I guess the upside was that we didn’t have nearly the normal amount of rain that we usually get in the winter. Anyhow, I was so excited this last weekend to get back out to Kye Bay beach I invited Jenn and her little bundle of fluff Ranger to join me.

Jenn is also know as the “Crazy Dog Lady” and she has a very active pet business taking dogs on 2 hour pack hikes every day. She is so much in demand that she isn’t in taking new clients at the moment! Way to go, Jenn! Jenn is also Josie’s dog-sitter so I am always at peace when I go away knowing that she is left in Jenn’s capable hands.

Ranger is just the cutest little dog. At 9 years old, he is still able to keep up with all the big guys in Jenn’s pack. He was just the best little model too (maybe because I spoiled him with treats!).

After taking some traditional portraits we went out onto the sand for a different perspective. The light reflecting in the tide pools created some interesting effects.

And here’s one of Jenn’s behind-the-scenes shots of me trying to get really low without getting my knees soaked. It didn’t work!

Then, you can’t go to the beach without playtime. Although the sun was setting quickly Ranger was happy to run to me and provide me with lots of kisses!

I hope you enjoyed Ranger’s photos! I’ll be available for beach portraits from now until the snow flies again! Please call me at (250) 650-7389 if you would like to find out more about my beach photo shoots for families or pets (or both!).

Jessica's "Trash the Dress" Session

My daughter Jessica has been a horse girl since grade 4, and when she got engaged to her man Elder, she thought it was fitting to have the ceremony at her horse Maverick’s barn, Dove Creek Heritage Farm. But alas, the weather didn’t cooperate and we made the decision to have the ceremony at the reception venue, the Little Red Church in Comox.

Jessica still wanted to have photos with Maverick, so a few days later we headed out to the barn to do a “trash the dress” session. I’ve never really been comfortable with the term “trash the dress” because I’m much too practical for that. But, I like the idea of brides being able to do some fun shots in their dress without fear that they might get it a little bit dirty. And, I like the thought that after the wedding is over, it’s time to get on with life (the marriage is of course more important than the wedding), and that she won’t need the dress anymore.

So here are a bunch of shots from our fun time together!

Bosley's Halloween Photo Shoot

This past Saturday I did a special Halloween-themed photo shoot at Bosley's Pet Food in Courtenay. Here are some of my favourite photos from the day:

Trudy

Oliver and Tripp

Bain and Mia

Jango

Tucker

Ivy

Watch for a Christmas-themed shoot coming up in the next month! Want to get reminded? Join my mailing list here

Hope you all had a safe and happy Halloween!

Urban Look, Rural Setting - Courtenay Photographer

I love finding new locations! I have been wanting to shoot at Headquarters Townsite Park ever since the fall, but alas, the rain, snow and lousy weather kept me away. Now the sun is starting to shine a little more regularly so I rounded up three beautiful young women and headed out there for a photo shoot.

The graffiti provides a totally interesting and colourful background to shoot against. First we did some "modelly" shots and then finished with some fun ones.

You can't do a friends photo shoot without some fun and crazy antics!

There's the Charlie's Angels:

The Ninjas:

And the Jump Shot!:

Thank you Noa, Makayla, and Jess for being good sports! I hope to do another photo shoot here soon...the options are endless.

Here's to many more sunny days to come!

3 Different Outfits, 3 Different Looks - Women's Beauty Photography

This week I had lovely Shannon in the studio for a women's beauty portrait shoot. Shannon is one of the first people I had the pleasure of meeting when I moved to the valley a few years ago, and you'd have trouble finding a more sincere and genuine person.

Women's beauty is a new genre I am adding to my photography business this fall. What's it all about? Well, it is an experience that is meant to make you look and feel gorgeous! 

Shannon brought 3 very different outfits to be photographed in. So what I thought I'd do with this post is show how I can work with my client, the backgrounds, and the light to create 3 different looks.

The first was a casual grey outfit that looked great on a light background. This is a friendly look appropriate as a casual business portrait, Facebook profile, or gift for family and friends. 

The next outfit that Shannon brought was a bright red top and black pants. I knew that the red would look great against a black background. I actually got a couple of different looks here, one more "corporate" (a little more serious) and one fun.

Lastly, it was glamour time! Shannon brought in a beautiful black cocktail dress that I knew would look amazing in the backlight. This was where we really had a lot of fun!

Doesn't she look amazing?!!

If this is an experience that you would like to have for yourself, I have a special promotion until the end of October with a maximum of 5 openings. Your beauty portrait session consists of: professional hair and makeup, portrait session, viewing appointment, and 5 matted 8x10 prints, for only $325! This is half price! 

Please contact me at (250) 650-7389 to book your own beauty portrait session. I would love to hear from you!

Canine Conduct - Courtenay Business Portraits

Recently I had the pleasure of photographing Jane Neve, owner of Canine Conduct (and her furry and feathered counterparts!).  She was in need of some new promotional images for her website and social media. It was a great fit because it allowed me to combine two of my specialties, business portraits and pets!

Jane offers dog training services here in the Comox Valley. I met Jane at her property, which is a lush acreage in the Black Creek area. She even has an agility course set up in her yard. Her dogs obviously love it there.

Ella the Conure also posed sweetly for the camera. She seemed totally unfazed by all the commotion. I think she felt safe on Jane's shoulder. 

For more information on Canine Conduct's services, please check out Jane's website: www.canineconduct.ca. 

Valentine's Pet Portrait Sessions!

Is your pet your #1 valentine or are they high up on the list? On Saturday February 13th I am offering you a chance to cherish your pet even more with a special Valentine's portrait session.

These sessions are fun and fast. Each session is 20 minutes long and will feature a variety of poses (some with a Valentine's theme and some without). Due to the limited time slots these portraits are for pets only (1 pet per session). Packages start at just $99 with special pricing on all my printed products.

Spaces must be booked in advance and a $50 non-refundable deposit will be collected. Sessions will be held at my home studio in East Courtenay.

Want to get your session free? Refer 2 friends who confirm their bookings and receive the base package at no charge! ($99 value!)

Need more info? Please call (250) 650-7389 or contact me by clicking here. 

Big City Dogs Find Home in Comox Valley

Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting Alicia and her 3 dogs: Rosie, Roscoe, and Prince. These little chihuahua crosses were rescued from a high-kill shelter down in Los Angeles and Alicia brought them home to BC to live in the Comox Valley (the day before they were going to be put down!).

For strays these three were very well behaved. Rosie was the biggest cuddler of the three. She definitely was the most outgoing too. Part corgi, she has the ears to prove it.

Prince was a little more aloof, but he is hilarious. He has what is called in my family, the "gressels" (the ever-present protruding tooth). Prince is a chihuahua/pug cross.

Roscoe was pretty laid back. I love his big eyes. He enjoyed snuggling on my fuzzy rug.

Watch for details on my Valentine's Pet Mini Sessions coming up soon. This is your chance to get some great quality portraits of your furry friends! I'll leave you with this adorable shot of the 3 amigos:

Check out Alicia's trendy clothing store, "Finders Keep Hers" in downtown Courtenay or at www.finderskeephers.ca.

Leona - Courtenay Beauty Photography

Leona is a wonderful person and one of my first friends here in Courtenay. She is a hard-working lady with a big heart and it was a privilege to photograph some beauty portraits for her the other day.

My living room get converted to a natural light studio and it actually produces some pretty great light! Leona and I got to visit and catch up on news while I photographed her. I didn't have to worry about getting a nice expression out of her...she nailed it every time.

Watch for more beauty portraits in the days ahead. It is much better than being out in our west coast rain!