Several of you have been asking why I am soooo very picky about the images you send to me for a painted portrait. It is all int he details my dear friends, if they are not there how can I paint your furry friend? So, the quality of the image is important. If you are trying to photograph more then one furry friend….it just may be easier for you to take a few of them alone and then I can put them all together when painting. The above image was taken and just as I pressed the shutter release a squirrel jumped from the house to a tree….they did manage to keep their stay ….good dogs!

Send several images showing your dogs personality, the above shows Gemma…on a nice day when we are out in the yard you will often find her over seeing her surroundings…she keeps an eye on all of her pack members. Get them playing, napping and just hanging out.

All of the above images flash was used, notice that there is no red eye….make sure your camera is set for red eye control if using flash…rather then photographing your furry friends inside…do it outside in natural light and if flash is used it will be fill flash (best if your flash is off). If, you must get a few inside images do so near a window (natural light is really the best).

Don’t be afraid to get close, or make use of your zoom lens. Get close ups of your pets face (making sure your in focus). Bend down, lie down….whatever it takes to get several great shots. Please note your dogs will be so very excited, or some may even be a little frightened of your camera…relax, make it fun. Have a few tasty morsels, a fun toy….an empty potato chip bag (the noise will help get them to look at you). For some dogs you just may need a helper….you Can also make use of your leash for better control….just make sure nothing important is blocked! Cats….a few fun toys should do the trick!!!

During our mid morning break the pups managed a good romping around the yard and then, just relaxed. Lovely, cool fall morning…leaves falling all around us, nice breeze…and the dogs just enjoying taking everything in. Then…as I turned, camera in hand I noticed Niki sharing a few secrets with Rocky It was soon time for us to head back inside for me to resume work…I did so with a smile, thinking about how the three dogs so enjoy one another’s company.

Lately I have been looking at a few dogs to add one to the pack, another Golden. I am not at all in any rush as I want the right dog that can fit into the pack….also, would like to get past Thanksgiving before adding. I have been visiting a couple of the local rescue organization….several wonderful dogs looking for their forever homes. Always tough when you have so many to choose from….so stay tuned to see if we actually find another pack member!

Only a few more photography days left so if interested in a photo session now is when you want to make your appointment. Also, those wanting a painted portrait…only another two weeks or so to get your orders in to me Please know gift certificates available throughout the holiday season (for photo sessions, painted portrait, online classes).

Sometimes it just all comes down to a balancing act

Gift Certificates Available!

In this day and age…we all are so very busy…still we must make time to just play…in my case  I love to scribble (for those more sensitive to my choice of wording…simply put…Doodle). With my memories of the beach, the dogs and of course the fun we had I took the opportunity during a short break this afternoon to just scribble. Not a care in the world, no worries about exact likeness….just scribbling away…all the while I was smiling. Like so many of my scribbles, this one is not yet completed for it was time to get back to work….still, I had fun

When was the last time you took a little break to just play?

Last couple of days has found the Atlanta area with storms rolling through due to Fay. She has not yet fizzled out. We do need the rain so no complaints in that area….we can all do without the Tornado watches and of course the warnings. Sun is out at the moment so hopefully she has moved through.

Today found me standing in line at the local DDS for my license is about to expire. I could have done this online, however I forgot all about it until it was too late. So….standing on line and I noticed a young girl with her Mom. The young girl seemed so excited and very happy….seems she passed her test and was about to get her license. She was adorable and I so wish I had a camera for her expression was just priceless. I asked the Mom if her cell was a camera phone….why yes she replied looking at me very suspiciously. I smiled and said that a genuine look of happiness should never be wasted….as soon as she was given her license Mom should take a few photographs. The Mom smiled and said she had not even thought of that….out came the cell and a few photographs were taken.

Once back home I had so many things to do that, well are just not fun. Paperwork…sending out files to be printed…cooking a pot roast and making time to dust off the flash….something I just do not use that much and getting a few practice shots inside for I will have to use it this weekend. I have wonderful models If the weather holds out and sun continues to shine I will have to take them out back for some fill flash test shots. Always take a few practice shots when dusting your flash unit off…if it has been a while use fresh batteries….really, you will Thank me for that bit of advice

The above images are right out of the camera (just resized then cropped). Nikon D300, sigma wide angel and Nikon Flash.

Today found me in front of the PC finishing off a few portraits. Then it was time to turn my attention to the dogs, out for some fun…yippee. I brought my camera with me for the hawk has been hanging around and I would love to get a decent shot of him. Today was not to be that day for it seems the dogs are camera hogs. I mean really….why oh why would I photograph anything else but them

No matter where I went, or how I positioned myself…there they were front and center….just waiting for me to photograph them.

It always amazes me just how easy the pups make me smile… a good laugh is always had when we are just hanging out. I can think of no better way to spend an afternoon…can you

Nikon D300 and Sigma wide angle lens.

As for the hawk…tomorrow is another day!

I saw a tee shirt the other day and simply fell in love with it so did a very quick scribble and used Rocky as the model….yes indeed, he earned a cookie for being a wonderful model I am now sipping my tea in style.

**Please know that I would be more then happy to design something for your mug, however this design is not for sale. I will search the web to find the artist who so cleverly came up with the original

Earlier today found myself and my ever faithful pack wandering the yard….camera in hand and ready to stop and photograoh those findings that are interesting. The last of the lilies….seems such a short season however I know that this is due to me not feeing well and not making use of the camera and taking the time to enjoy the flowers in my yard.

While in the agility yard I watched all three dogs…last night I had a student from about 10 years ago stop by to introduce me to his new GS pup. What an adorable puppy Sasha….but then I have a thing for GS’s….love them. What a smart puppy, as she will again be stopping in next week and I will have a few pictures of her to post. Being a puppy she made use of the grassy area in the agility yard….while none of my dogs met her….they knew she was in their yard and this morning just had to investigate. Each had to reclaim what is theirs as they stopped at each location the little pup had urinated.

As all of my pups are now full grown we have been thinking of eventually adding another. Keep thinking something will just come along for in the past that is how we have gotten most of our dogs….or maybe another Golden for how can you just have one

This lovely portrait is of my sweet little Nik-Nak. I did a quick sketch (every once ina while they will actually let me do a live sketch) then quickly filled in with color….created in Painter X. Classes starting again in Sept.

Niki enjoying the large Bumper Bed in Brick and Sunset (twill fabric).

I am always in search of products that my dogs will give Paws Up…and these beds do just that. I have been in search of comfortable dog beds….made in the USA and found a company that is here in the states….what really sold me was that so too are they a green company as are the beds affordable ($79.00-175.00 plus S&H). Did I mention all covers can easily be unzipped, removed for machine washing….the perfect dog bed!

So, coming soon to Paw Prints Store will be several of these wonderful beds.

The Bumper Beds come in nine colors that by mixing and matching you have up to 81 different combinations to choose from. The Tuckered out comes in two colors (plus a Premium which is in cow print….fun).

Roomy enough to share!

These beds are stuffed with 100% recycled intelliLoft …and they are very well made!

Rocky and Niki in the x-lg Tuckered Out Bed in the Beach Glass / Chocolate (made with reinforced Berber material).

Beach Glass/ Chocolate & Oatmeal/ Chocolate

Each bed is well made and is zippered so covers can be easily removed and machine washed! So “Paws Up” from my pack!!! Please know that if interested and you just cannot wait until listed in Paw Prints Store, just contact us and we will order one for you!

Paw Prints Studio does it’s best to support local small business’s and business’s located in the USA and actually stands behind their products beings sold as Made in the USA products.