However, watching the evolution of the relationship between my 6 yr. old Great Dane and our brand new French Bulldog puppy has been fascinating. He (Charlie the baby) is gregarious and fearless and persistent – while also quite laid back and patient. She (Olivia the Dane) is needy, barky, somewhat aloof and really would be perfectly content to be up on the couch or bed, alone with mom for her entire life. Charleston took and immediate liking to Olivia – her fondness for him is more of an acquired taste.

I have discovered that when I put Charlie up on things (bed, couch, chair) he stays there. He doesn’t even attempt to jump off. So I’ve used this to my advantage when trying to complete household activities that are easier accomplished without a puppy underfoot. One of these such days I was putting away laundry and plopped the pup on the bed (Olivia followed – she can’t stand the idea of him getting a privilege she has not been granted.)

During the half an hour or so that followed I absolutely HAD to get my camera. The light was soft and lovely, the colors in the room suited their spots and pinky skin and they were both in a fine mood to be documented. Here are some of my favorites… I love the “barky” ones because it really seems as if they are having a lengthy conversation

Then Olivia got bored and disappeared so I took the opportunity to make my bed and plopped Charlie back up there for a nap…

And of course, because a self-indulgent blog post about your own dogs is ALWAYS better with video… we have for you a fun little moment in our typical evening at home: Olivia and Charleston havin’ it out. They love each other, we promise

On a rainy Friday morning, I met Jasmine. Lighter and more compact than the camera I was toting on my shoulder, this little lady had me at * head tilt*.

I am so thrilled that Jazzy’s mom has hired me to photograph her 3 more times this year – that means we get to document this little fluff ball as she grows and her bold little personality develops. It’s days like this that I LOVE my job! (even in the rain).

Jasmine is a 13 week old “ShiChon” (Shih Tzu // Bichon) and she is all GO!  Typically my subjects aren’t much for holding still, but this little wiggle worm had about a 1.2 second attention span. We played with toys, we made some really insane noises and we rolled around and snuggled in the dreary morning light.

What I couldn’t get over with Jazzy is what a rag doll she is – not like my solid chunk-of-a-puppy Frenchie. She’s feather-light and floppy, floppy and boy does she love to get love!

Here’s a couple sneak-peeks from our first shoot of 2010!

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of venturing out to Seabrook (my #1 favorite WA ocean-side getaway). My purpose was to #1 attend the “Doggie Days” event held there (making an appearance for both dane + dane pet photography & Dog is Good). The #2 reason for the trip was to photograph the three canine kids of my new friend Ann, the proprietor of “Salty Dog”,  the new pet boutique coming to Seabrook this summer.

The event on Saturday was a ton of fun – there was a great turn-out of fun-lovin’ Fidos, all helping to raise money for the North Beach PAWS Animal Shelter in Ocean Shores. We all thought Olivia was a contender for the “lick peanut butter off a spoon” contest – but alas she was bested by a ravenous Golden Retriever. I guess all those “dainty eater” manners don’t always come in so handy There was also BBQ and cupcakes… add in the beer + wine garden and I really don’t think you can get closer to perfection: BBQ, cupcakes, sunshine, cold beer and dogs by the ocean?  Yes please! Here’s some photos that the good folks at Seabrook posted on their blog (you can see Olivia chillin’ in the car as we set up our booth): Seabrook Doggie Days 2010

The next day we had a lazy one – made yummy breakfast, walked the beach, rode the beach cruiser bikes around town, relaxed in the hot tub.  When the tide was out and the sun was low, we met up with Ann, Max, Gus and Henry to wander down to the ocean for some fetch, frisbee and photos.

I love, LOVE shooting on the beach – what scenery eh? Makes my job soooo easy   (well aside from all the sand that gets everywhere – and I do mean EVERYWHERE. Sheesh) Regardless, I am happy to have the opportunity to return Seabrook a few weekends this summer/fall for some sessions there – I cannot wait!  In the meantime, Ann has the tough job of picking which photos should go up in her store!!  Good luck missy!

When I visit, I stay at the home of Jon & Gila Kurtz (my partners in crime at Dog is Good). However, the house is also shared by their children: dogs Sasha and Henry and one human kid -Abby. Recently, earned through a variety of rewardable behaviors, Abby was given a Guinea Pig… a pet she researched thoroughly before purchasing and whom she promptly named “Sheldon”. Clearly this kid has great taste and a refined sense of humor.

If, like Abby, you’re mom is a dog trainer (as well as incredibly devoted to the household canines) you’d want your own companion too, and that’s exactly what Abby’s found in this squeaky little wonder-rodent.  (The fact that he does not need twice-daily walks was a big selling point.)

As a gift last holiday, I promised Abby a mini photo session of her and Sheldon – her precious little piggie. Here are a few of my faves

P.S. Abby fully intends to get a second pig and name him Todd.

Thought you’d enjoy seeing my little man filling out a canine couture prom dress

Update: we opened registration at 9am and have had a constant stream of registrations and confirmations – if this is something you want to do – get on it!!

Who: The Passport program is a collaborative effort between myself (J.Nichole Smith, founder of dane + dane studios) and Jamie Pflughoeft– of Cowbelly Pet Photography (who is a pioneer in the arena of pet photography workshops).  Read more About Us…

What: Passport Workshops are intense and interactive – crafted for photographers aspiring to make a full-time living via their new or “soon-to-be” pet photography businesses. These workshops also include an optional fourth day which is centered entirely around editorial and commercial pet photography- featuring guest speakers and a real client shoot.  To learn more, read the program itinerary…

When: The inaugural program is scheduled for August 6, 7, 8 of this year, with an optional fourth day on Monday, August 9th.

Where: These workshops will take place in destinations around the world, starting with arguably the most inspiring city of all – New York. The workshop itself will be held in the FANTASTIC Nest Loft in the Flatiron District of Manhattan.

Why: Because we have seen first-hand how hungry our pet photography peers are for information, advice, tangible resources and genuine collaboration- and we want to help in a major, life changing way. Both Jamie and I wish we had a program like this when WE were first starting out -oh the multiple “burn-outs” and expensive mistakes we would have avoided!

For more information visit the online home of the Passport Pet Photography Workshops at: CowbellyWorkshops.com

Nitty Grits…

Registration will open on May 14, 2010 – and not one moment sooner.  Because space is very limited and we do expect the program to fill quickly – we recommend you plan to register right away. Acceptance is on a “first come, first served” basis – so don’t miss the boat!  Check out more information about NYC Registration & Rates.

PLEAE NOTE: We do screen our applicants carefully to be sure that the program will be beneficial to all who attend. Also, out of respect for our own businesses and our local colleagues, we will not be accepting any applicants who live or work in Western Washington.

You may remember this face from my photo shoot last June for Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart.  This senior basset has a happy home thanks to Basset Rescue of Puget Sound in Woodinville. What you may not have known is that this rescue is not a shelter, it’s a home, the home of Alexa and JP. A home that recently burned down.

If you have $5, $10, $100 – PLEASE consider donating it to the effort of supporting these two and their rescue dogs as they recover from this tragedy.

To read more, see photos of the destruction and DONATE – visit here: www.adoptabasset.net

On April 16th I traveled about 90 miles to Crystal Mountain. Ladies and gentlemen – it was worth the wait.  I tell ya what, there’s no better view of Mt.Rainier than from that summit. It literally left me breathless – and speechless ( and if you know me, then you know just how rare it is for me to be sans commentary!}

More importantly, I was invited to mountain by Andrew and the Avalanche Rescue Dogs of Crystal.  Way back in November, Andrew saw me featured on the  “Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart” TV special and he tells me he thought to himself… “Now that’s the kind of person we need up here at to photograph what our dogs do” – I couldn’t agree more!

When I arrived in the Ski Patrol room – I was greeted with half a dozen sniffers and wags… I have had so much anticipation building to meet these dogs I was just as excited as they were!

I had to quickly surmount my epic fear of heights and hop onto two consecutive chair lifts to get to the top – here’s the view from behind me… happy dogs!

***I have to admit – many of these shots didn’t turn out because I was shaking so terribly. I don’t know if you’ve ever been on a lift with no board/skis, a pack full of gear and have turned around to photograph behind you (downhill) but for me it was terrifying. Luckily – I was surrounded by the mountains finest rescue crew, that made me feel a little better ***

When we got to the top the dogs went batty with glee – they loped over to the edge of the mountain – and once out of the flow of ski traffic – they chased each other, caught snow balls, tugged on their handlers and generally displayed the pure joy they felt to be in the snow, working.  Here’s portraits of each of the dogs I met that day… {and a few humans too.}

* * *

{Cirrus + Andrew}

{ Dee + Jen }

{ Skye }

{ Ari }

{ Kala }

{Newman}

{ Sierra + Ben}

** You can see how the clouds started rolling in – look at the difference between Dee + Jen and Sierra and Ben – bye bye mountain!***

There are a ton more of these photos I want to share with you – but I absolutely cannot wait any longer to post this blog!!

P.S. I should mention that we accomplished this entire shoot without treats, toys or other methods of bribery. These dogs are conditioned to respond to praise as their reward for the work they do – a new and challenging experience for sure (for me). But all these dogs are so obedient and fantastic and their handlers were so helpful, that it truly was a pleasure to photograph them all!