Leia! Courtenay Comox Photographer
Recently Leia came to visit me for a photo shoot. She is so funny! Leia is 3 years old and was a hoot to photograph. I love how expressive bulldogs are.
Leia definitely can be stubborn! But look at those eyes.
When my dog has one tooth sticking out we call it the "gressels". I don't know where the word came from but it stuck. Here is a perfect example of the gressels!
And one last cheeky one!
Is October too early to mention the "C" word? As in, what do you get a parent who doesn't need anything? You take their dog out for a "walk" and straight over to my place for a pet photo shoot. They will be happily surprised and you will be the hero. Contact me for more information!
Buster! Comox Photographer
Buster is a 10 year old Miniature Australian Shepherd/Welsh Terrier cross who is the life of the party! His owner Lisa has had him since he was a puppy.
I just love those ears! And with that head tilt I think he could be the next big thing in dog modeling! Can't you see that face on a dog food bag?
It was no problem getting Buster's attention with a treat. I wonder what he's thinking.
Good boy, Buster!
My Best SPCA Shoot Yet - Comox Photographer
This past Saturday I got to try out my new "Thunder Grey" backdrop, and where else would I go but back to the Comox Valley SPCA?! They had plenty of dogs and cats to photograph, including an adorable lab puppy who was only 8 weeks old. I think that photo is one of my all-time favourites.
As I write this blog, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are flying around outside. For 2 weeks every April this elite flying team trains at 19 Wing Comox, our community's forces base. They are amazing but so elusive. I have a shot in my head that I keep wanting to get: flying in formation in front of the glacier with the city of Courtenay in the foreground. But they never seem to fly that way! Guess I'll have to keep waiting.
So if you are considering adding a new addition to your home, please check out these wonderful animals! To find out more about the Comox Valley SPCA, check out their website: http://www.spca.bc.ca/branches/comox-valley/
5 Tips for Better Pet Photos - Courtenay Pet Photography
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to be featured in Shaw TV's "Andrena's Pics" with Andrena Koch Schulte. I talked about 5 tips for getting better photos of your pet. So I thought it would be a good idea to recap the tips here on my blog. These tips are relevant whether you are using a dslr camera, point and shoot, or phone camera.
Go from this:
Maggie needs a haircut, but that's beside the point! The ugly surroundings and the angle of view are not very flattering. We can do better!
To this:
Ahh, much nicer! I am at eye level with Maggie, and the background is out of focus. It looks like she's staring into my soul! (But I think she's just thinking about the treats in my pocket!).
Tip #1: Get Down Low
Most of the time we are looking down at our pets, so for a more interesting perspective, get down on their level. You get to see the world from their vantage point and it makes for a much more dynamic shot. Or, if you don't want to get your jeans dirty, have them jump up on a bench so you don't have to bend down as far.
Tip #2: Get Some Help
Unless you have a really docile pet, it will save you a lot of time and stress if you have someone to assist you. Your helper can position the pet, hold the leash if you are in a public place, get them to look in the right direction by holding up a treat or making funny noises. It helps if they hold the treat right next to the lens of your camera.
Be sure to take some action shots, too. Your assistant can help you out by throwing a ball over your head so the dog will run towards you.
In this shot of Aiku, I had my daughter throw a treat toward me then quickly move out of the way so she wouldn't be in the background.
Tip #3: Make it Fun
Your pet has a very short attention span, so if you want to get the best out of them, make sure it's engaging and fun. Rewards are a fantastic way to get your pet to cooperate. Just give them a little at a time so they don't get too full. My dog Maggie will do almost anything for a treat. But for other dogs, it could be a chance to play with a ball or chewing on a squeaky toy.
Tip #4: Minimize Distractions
Everyone has probably seen a picture of someone with a tree or light pole behind their head as if it's growing there. Not very flattering! So before you start clicking away, have a look at the background and adjust your position accordingly. Try to keep branches, trees, people, etc out of your shot so you can focus on the star of your photo: your pet. It also helps if you move them away from the background to create separation. This will throw the background out of focus and you will get a more pleasing shot.
Having the background blurry focuses the attention on Jazz.
Tip #5: Have Patience
This is probably the most important tip! Remember, your pet doesn't understand why you are pointing weird objects at them and telling them to do certain things. If you get stressed out you will not get the best out of them and it won't be an enjoyable experience for anybody. So just relax, have fun and take lots of pictures, knowing that it might take 5, 10 or 20 shots before you have the one you are happy with. Enjoy the time you have with your pet and do your best!
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I hope these 5 tips will help you the next time you want to get some shots of your furry friend. Here's the episode if you would like to view my segment on Shaw TV. Cheers!
More Adoptable Pets - Courtenay Comox SPCA
Yesterday I was back at our local shelter taking shots of the adorable pets who are waiting to find their forever homes. Even though I didn't make it over the holidays, I can't stay away from the Comox Valley SPCA for long. It is so much fun to play with the animals and take their pictures. I hope you will find one (or more!) that you would like to take home!
Adoptable Pets - Comox SPCA Pet Photography
This week I was back to the Comox Valley SPCA photographing all the beautiful dogs and cats that are up for adoption. I always make sure to stop and cuddle at least one of them! There are usually a few cats that miss their human companions so much that they crawl right up onto my lap and start purring.
Want to win a free portrait session? I am running a promotion in partnership with the shelter. Adopt a pet between now and the end of December, 2014 and be entered to win a portrait session for your new pet! $250 value! Check out my pricing page to see what it includes.
The Williams Family - Courtenay Comox Horse Photography
Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Bob and Caroline Williams, who recently relocated to the Comox Valley from Alberta. My daughter is working at the stable where they board their 5 beautiful horses. I spent the afternoon with them photographing the horses, and their dog Aiku, who was so much fun. I couldn't believe the expressions he gave me when he was racing towards me for a treat.
A Cat Like Me - Comox Valley SPCA
Now that we're getting settled in the Comox Valley and our routines are starting to get established, I'm setting aside some time each week to once again volunteer with our local SPCA. Photographing animals needing homes is a pleasure and I always hope that the pictures will help the animals find new families quicker.
As I was editing these photos and coming up with a title for this post it occurred to me that I have a lot in common with the cats I photographed today. I met one cat that was totally mellow, even seemingly depressed at his lot in life. It was if he were thinking "how did I get here and when am I going back home?". In the same room was a kitty who was a bundle of energy and couldn't wait to get acquainted. Totally friendly and outgoing, she just wanted to play. And then there was another cat who was totally ticked off and continually looking for a way to escape. He did not enjoy this change in surroundings and was fighting it tooth and nail.
Not to be overly dramatic but I can relate to these cats! Transition is always hard and I moving away from one's comfort zone can be very taxing. Some days I can't wait to get out and explore and meet new people and then other days I just want to curl up on the couch and sulk. Sometimes I do both in the same day. Anyhow, animals are great therapy and I feel like this is one more step in my journey of being more like the second cat I met today. Getting out and meeting people can be hard (especially for introverts like me) but it will make the Comox Valley feel like home faster, and that's something I really want to happen soon.
Are you looking for a new friend to love? Contact the Comox Valley SPCA at (250) 339-7722 for more information on adopting an animal in need.
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Caesar and Family - Courtenay Pet Photography
This week I had the pleasure of photographing a great new family with an awesome dog named Caesar. Caesar is well-loved by his owners Amanda and Ryan and their 2 sweet little boys. We shot at a great spot in Mission, BC - Fraser River Heritage Park, and then went back to their home to give everyone a chance to cool off in the sprinklers. Caesar had a great time fetching his ball over and over again while I photographed him. He was really happy to cool off in the stream after that. I think he probably had a really good nap in the afternoon because we tired him right out.
Chilliwack SPCA - Pet Photography
Our local shelter is busy! There are lots of dogs, cats and rabbits needing homes! Wouldn't you like to wake up and get a dose of cuteness like this every day?
