Goose Spit Sunset Portraits - Courtenay Photographer

Since I am almost half-way through my sunset dog portrait promotion I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite shots of the wonderful dogs I've met over the last month.

Charlie arrived early for his session so we had some fun running on the beach!

You wouldn't know it from this photo, but the night I photographed Tyson the wind almost blew us away! He was so focused and patient though. Good boy, Tyson.

Every night I go out the sunset is completely different. It's amazing. Roca kept a keen eye on her owner, Jules. I don't think she was as excited about the sunset as I was.

Yoshi is adorable and has lots of personality. He did stop long enough for a few shots but mostly had fun running in the sand. I like it when the tide's out so we have lots of room to spread out.

And here's one last one that I love. Even though the dogs didn't look all that enthused to be cuddling, Jules is obviously enjoying the experience!

There's still time to get in on my sunset portrait promotion, which goes until June 30. Click here to get in touch!

Happy Birthday Sash and Pia! - Courtenay Pet Photography

Sisters Sash and Pia recently celebrated their 7th birthdays! So owners and friends Corae and Christine thought it would be a great idea to honor them with a "doggie cake smash" portrait session!

The girls did so well to wait for their doggie cupcakes!

This was a bittersweet birthday as Sash was recently diagnosed with cancer and had to have a leg amputated. Christine doesn't know how many birthdays Sash has left so she wanted to make this one extra special.

Time to dig in!

Corae found the recipe for doggie cupcakes online, and they were a smash hit!

All that's left are the candles!

We did a couple of "takes" with the cupcakes just to make sure I got lots of shots. The dogs didn't mind one bit.

At the end we also did some group shots of everyone together, and of course the dogs got to have some fun playing at the beach.

Pia, Christine, Corae, and Sash

Do you have a dog you'd like to celebrate? Contact me to schedule your pet portrait session today!

Headshots with Home Soulutions Remediation

This week I had the pleasure of shooting headshots for Home Soulutions Remediation here in Courtenay. They were in the process of redoing their website and wanted some consistent, professional shots of the team to complement it.

Think "soulutions" is a typo? Nope, their motto is "caring for the soul of your home". Home Soulutions does mould and asbestos remediation here in the Comox Valley. It's definitely not glamorous work! But Roy and Corae handle it all with professionalism and a sense of humour. 

Roy Piper, co-owner

Corae Bracken, co-owner

Len Steves, Site Supervisor

Sue Johnson, Customer Service

They chose an outdoor location that had some really interesting blue detailing on the front porch. Unfortunately the evening we met was breezy and cool, but I think they did a pretty good job of hiding how freezing cold they really were!

If you would like to check out Home Soulutions new website, here is the link: www.homesoulutions.ca. I'll leave you with a cute shot of Roy and Corae's two dogs, who just happened to be hanging out while we did our shoot:

If you know of a business who needs to update their online presence, feel free to give me a call for a customized quote. Until next time!

Ben - Comox Cat Photography

Benny the cat came by the studio recently for his very own photo shoot, and I got the impression that he was totally stoked about being a model.

This cat has many talents! He can sit and shake a paw (I've never seen a cat do that before!).

Ben is owned by friends of mine, Julia and Amiel. They haven't had Ben that long, but they are sure in love with him. And I can see why. He has loads of personality.

Julia and Amiel found out about Ben through my daughter Jessica, who works at Woofy's Pet Foods in Comox. They often have kittens up for adoption from Kitty Cat Pals, a volunteer organization here in the Comox Valley that helps match cats up with loving homes. Jessica thought that Ben would be just the cat for our friends, and she was right!

Thanks for coming, Ben! It was a blast to play with you and take your portrait!

I'll sign off with a portrait of beautiful Julia, who took the opportunity to get a quick headshot while she was here with Ben. Amiel, you are a lucky guy!  

Mika - Courtenay Pet Photography

This week I got to meet Jan and Carroll and their 12-year-old miniature poodle, Mika. Mika has had some health problems of late, but she was still excited to meet me and pose for some portraits. 

I love smiling dogs!

Jan and Carroll were fortunate to win one of the prizes in the "Paw Prints Fundraiser", raising money to help low-income families with the cost of spaying and neutering their pets. The project was spearheaded by Carrie Lumsden of K9Kind and the kids in the Taking the Lead Canine Therapy Program.

I am still taking bookings for Valentine's Day Mini Sessions on Feb. 13th. Bring your pet to my home studio in Courtenay for a chance to get some professional portraits taken...(makes a great Valentine's gift to yourself or someone you love!). Call me at 250-650-7389 for more information.

I'll leave you with one more of lovely Mika: 

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.

5 Tips to Improve Your Photos

This week I did a presentation at the Comox Valley Business Network on photography, so I thought it would make a great blog post as well. We live in such a beautiful part of the country that it is a given that we will come across scenes that we will want to remember. It is easy to take average, everyday photos, but with a few tips and tricks you can get photos that make people say, "Wow! Did you take that?!". (Can you guess that maybe this has happened to me? So annoying)...Anyways moving on...

I entitled this talk "How to get Compliments on Your Photos (Without Hardly Even Trying)".

1. You need great light

Below there's a photo without great light. It was taken in the middle of a bright, sunny day so the light is harsh (there are other problems with this photo too but I won't go into them right now). 

To the rescue: the "Golden Hour". If you have a choice in when you are going to take landscape photos, it is generally best to go during the "golden hour". This is (loosely) the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. At these times the sun is lower on the horizon and the light is much warmer. The shadows are less harsh and the sky has a golden glow. This next shot was taken at the same location (Kye Bay), but it was about 6am. I am normally not a morning person but this light was definitely worth dragging my butt out of bed for!

2. Focal Point

A general rule of composition is the focal point. Without it, the eye tends to gloss over an image quickly, as it has no place to "rest". In this next photo I quickly popped out the focal point. Although it has great light (golden hour!) there is nothing to draw the viewer in.

Here is the same photo with the subject added back in. Notice how the bee adds interest and impact to the picture. That's the beauty of a focal point! (off topic: bees are very difficult to photograph! Even at 1/2000 of a second it was  really hard to get it in focus!). But I digress...

3. Rule of Thirds

This is another general rule of composition. Pictures with the subject smack dab in the middle tend to look boring and uninspired: 

Now, imagine your image has a tic-tac-toe board over it, so that there are intersecting gridlines at 1/3 intervals both vertically and horizontally. Studies have show that our eyes tend to be drawn to the 4 points where the lines intersect, and this adds to the impact and the strength of the image.

Here is the same photo with the blue heron 2/3s to the right. The horizon is on the top  1/3. It is more interesting than having the bird right in the middle. (off topic: also try to have your subject facing into the picture, as it is above. If the heron were facing the other way it would draw your eye off the page, which isn't ideal).

4. Leading Lines

Leading lines give a visual cue that leads the eye into the subject of the picture. Roads and paths are often used as leading lines, but in the photo below I used logs:

The subjects are the boys, so on both sides of the image the logs draw your eyes to them. Again, it adds interest and impact.

5. Patterns

Last but not least, looks for patterns. They tend to been viewed as aesthetically pleasing to the viewer. But also look for patterns that are disrupted. In the image below the boat and sheds make a pattern. But the fact that there is one boat missing makes the photo a little more interesting. 

Here's one more pattern: The RCAF Snowbirds. Who does patterns better that them? (Betcha noticed the leading lines too, didn't you?!). 

So there you go! I hope you find these tips helpful the next time you are out with your camera. There are lots of other elements and rules of composition, but that might be too much to digest all at once. Just keep practicing and having fun! And don't worry, it is still ok to break the rules! Until next time...

Leanne - Courtenay Grad Portraits

The excitement of graduation is in full swing for the class of 2016 (I know because I have a graduate in the family!). It is time to think about grad portraits!

This is Leanne who recently came in for a graduation photo session. Leanne is a wonderful girl and an amazing cello player. She is graduating from Mark R. Isfeld school here in Courtenay.

I am offering a special graduate portrait package for Isfeld students. You will receive:

• A 45 minute session (at my home studio). Gowns are on loan from the school.
• An in-person ordering appointment
• Minimum of 15 images to choose from
• 3 digital images (suitable for web or printing to 8x10)
• A $50 voucher toward a family or pet portrait session

All for only $200! Please call 250-650-7389 for details.

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!

Halloween Pet Portrait Sessions!

Does your dog have the cutest costume in the neighbourhood? Or would you just like some quality portraits that you can enjoy for years to come? On October 31st, bring them to my home studio for a fun 20 minute Halloween Photo Session!  (Costumes are optional).

The session fee is $50 and must be paid prior to Oct. 31 to confirm your time (non-refundable). Print prices start at $40, packages start at $95, and canvas gallery wraps are 20% off! You will get to choose from 5-8 adorable photos of your pet, and with any photos purchased you will also receive a complimentary web-ready digital file.

Want to get your session for free? Refer 3 friends who confirm their bookings and you will pay no session fee!

Spaces are limited so call (250) 650-7389 to book your spot!

Kiki - Courtenay Pet Photographer

Kiki is such a cute little pup. She came all the way from Mexico! Kiki's owner Jenny and her parents rescued her when they were holidaying down south. 

Because she is a rescue, we don't know her exact breed, but Jenny thinks that Kiki could be part whippet and part lab. It doesn't really matter, though. She is adorable no matter what.

I love it when one ear flops over!

I recently donated a pet portrait session to the "Paw Prints Fundraiser" put on by the Taking the Lead program in Courtenay. Proceeds from the raffle will support Van Isle Vet Clinic's fund to help spay and neuter pets of low-income families in the Comox Valley.  For more information on the raffle and the Taking the Lead program, click here. 

Come back and visit anytime, Kiki! (you too, Jenny! :) )

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!

Mowgli - Comox Pet Photography

There aren't too many things in this world cuter than puppies. So when I get asked to do a puppy portrait session I get very happy. Add in the beauty of the Comox Valley and I know that there are some great photos to be made...and that was definitely the case with  Mowgli, a  3 month old Weimaraner, owned by Laura and Jeff.

Mowgli was actually bigger than I expected (and calmer!). Like all dogs he was more interested in all the smells of the forest than posing for the camera, but after a short while he settled down and I was able to get him to look up! His coat is so shiny.

Although we had a very dry summer, the forest is still green. I love the moss carpet on the logs in the woods.

Fall is here. It's a great time for portraits! Whether it be in the great outdoors or in studio, I am able to capture some unique images of your furry friends (and your family too). Contact me for availability!

Piper - Courtenay Therapy Dog

Recently I had the pleasure of photographing Piper - a cute Bernese Mountain Dog cross owned by Jan Higham. Piper isn't just an ordinary house pet. He has a job to do! And his job is with the St. John's Ambulance Therapy Dog Program here in the Comox Valley. 

Part of Piper's job is to visit seniors' homes in the community and provide comfort and joy to those in need. Jan explained that it is very rewarding to see dementia patients brighten up when Piper visits, presumably stimulating memories from when they had pets of their own. 

According to the St. John's Ambulance website, www.sja.ca, "the Therapy Dog Program yields many benefits. Studies have shown that holding or petting an animal helps lower blood pressure, release strains and tension, as well as ease feelings of loneliness and depression. A dog can give comfort that sometimes no words can offer. They provide more than just a warm furry body; many dogs instinctively understand when some needs comfort and offer it unconditionally - without judgment and without obligation". 

And of course Piper is just half of this team. Jan has trained Piper from puppyhood to be the easy-going, lovable dog that he is. Not only does Jan volunteer with St. John's Ambulance, she also helps out at the Comox Valley SPCA (in addition to holding down a full-time job!).  Thanks for all you do, Jan!

Do you have a dog with a job? Time to celebrate them with a pet portrait! Contact me for availability.

Princess - Comox Pet Photography

Princess is an 11 year old Jack Russell cross with a heart of gold. Always eager for attention, Princess often would come over and put her head on my lap waiting for a scratch. Living out in the country, Princess has had some dangerous encounters with coyotes. But, she has pulled through and continues to thrive and remain a loyal companion to her owners Jeff and Kathy.

Gotta love a dog that smiles for the camera!

Pitty Pups and More - Courtenay Dog Photography

This week I got to meet 6 adorable pups awaiting adoption at the Comox Valley SPCA! I only got to photograph 3 however, because the other 3 had just gotten back from getting 'the fix'. They were so adorable I had trouble deciding which shots to show. I'm sure they won't have any trouble finding homes. 

This little gal was my best poser!

Why so glum, chum?

Her brindle colouring is beautiful. And look at those eyes!

Many thanks to Jed my wrangler for the afternoon. This is not a task you can do by yourself. He got rewarded with puppy kisses!

And it's not all about puppies. There are also adult dogs needing forever homes. I love smiling dogs!

This guy had tons of personality and 1 floppy ear which made him even cuter.

Look at those eyes!

These are just a few of the dogs up for adoption. There are still many bunnies and cats available too! Please call 250-339-7722 if you would like more information on any of these animals.

And if you are in the market for some professional portraits of your pets please give me a shout! My phone number is 250-650-7389. I'd love to chat.

1 Day, 1 Dog, 2 Different Looks

Saturday was such a beautiful day! We took a day trip down to Coombs in the morning, and worked and played in the yard in the afternoon. My main model Maggie was on hand when I spotted one of our "flower beds" in good light. I actually think these blue flowers are weeds, but they sure looked pretty, and the sun on the leaves in the background added a nice touch. Time for a portrait!

In the evening I wanted to take advantage of the clear skies and do a sunset photo shoot at the Comox Goose Spit. This is a public area where lots of families have bonfires in the summer and it is a really nice spot to hang out. Maggie was again a willing participant because she always gets lots of rewards for her modeling. The sun was quickly disappearing but I managed to get this shot and I think it turned out pretty well!

I am available for more sunset shoots with animals and humans this summer. Please contact me if you are interested!