Rusty & Lilly | Atlanta Dog Photographer

Last week we posted images of Salty & Wrangler, two super cute Yorkie brothers who came into the studio. This week, we get to share images of their adopted brother & sister, Rusty & Lilly. There are times when I get dogs - and children, for that matter - in the studio that are just a dream to work with. The newborn baby that stays asleep for the entire session, or the 8 week old puppy that is just a ball of mush and is agreeable to pretty much anything we decide to do. Those sessions are fun in their own right because they allow me to be creative with an incredibly willing subject. Then there are other sessions with a completely different kind of subject... the reluctant child or dog, that simply finds very little pleasure in the process of the portrait session. Enter Rusty and Lilly. I knew we were in for a fun session when both dogs came bounding out of the car and mom looks at me and says "I even took them to the park this morning!" No problem, though... I enjoy a good challenge. Mom had given me fair warning about this pair, but honestly, I'd have these two sweet dogs back in the studio any day (mom is probably laughing as she reads this part). I know having portraits made can be stressful for the parents - whether they're parents of 4-legged children or 2-legged children. We use bribes, we use treats, we use toys, all in an effort to get that perfect expression. And while it can be challenging, it's all worth it in the end because we're creating treasured portraits of our loved ones. I absolutely love the opportunity to share a little piece of your babies - as challenging as it can be at times - because that's what it's all about.

2011 Puppy Calendar ready for pre-order!

It's official! The 2011 Puppy Calendar is ready for pre-orders! A great gift for the holidays, and all profits will benefit the Humane Society of Forsyth County. Order your calendars online today using the button below, or call the studio to order over the phone. Your donation of $20 per calendar will make a significant difference for this wonderful no-kill shelter.

Or call the studio at 770-888-3191 to place your order over the phone.

Salty & Wrangler | Dog Photographer Atlanta Forsyth County

I first met Salty at the Pet Fair last month. He was in very poor health at the time, so we created some images of him that day at our Pet Fair booth because there was concern that he might not make it through the next few days. He was such a sweetie, but he clearly didn't feel well. The great news is that Salty has made an incredible recovery. Mom tells me he's back to his old self, full of energy and loving life. I was so honored to have Salty and his brother Wrangler in the studio earlier this month. They were so full of love and puppy kisses (my favorite!), so we're sharing a few favorites from their session.

Newest addition to the Smith family | Dog Photographer Forsyth County GA

Never a dull day in the Smith house! Over the weekend we added another cutie pie to the Smith household. After an exhaustive search for the right breed of dog for our family, we decided on and found a Boston Terrier puppy. So far, our 7-year-old Lhasa Apso, Lucy, is acclimating well to the arrival of the new beast. The only thing more difficult than choosing the right breed is, of course, choosing the right name. I've always stood by the rule that it has to be a name that can be yelled - and in such a way that you don't look (or sound) like an idiot when you yell the name. With all of that in place, we decided on the name Mac. Mac, you say? Where the heck did that come from? It's a tribute to General Stanley McChrystal. I'm not sure what the good General would think about us naming a dog after him, but hopefully he sees it as a compliment. With a name in place, a new collar, and shiny new name tag, the only thing left to do was take Mac down to the studio for his first official photo shoot. It's remarkable how similar photographing puppies is to photographing human babies... it's all about patience.

Puppy Sitting | Dog Photographer Forsyth County GA

This week we have the pleasure of puppy-sitting for a friend. Meet Precious. She's a sweet little 3-month-old American Bulldog. She's taken to our house and routine just fine, and we've discovered that she's quite the cuddler. Of course, the only price you pay when we puppy-sit, is that you have to know that puppy will end up at the studio at some point! Well, Precious was no exception. One of the things that makes her unique is that she has this adorable heart-shaped nose. As a photographer, I simply couldn't resist that feature! She's actually the first dog to fall asleep in the studio - during the session. She got so comfy on the little pink couch that she just fell asleep... it was pretty darn cute. We had a great time with her in the studio and can't wait to see her back when she's bigger.

Puppy love! | Dog Photographer Atlanta GA

Let me introduce you to Bella. This sweet little bundle of joy is only 13 weeks old and full of all kinds of energy. I'm looking forward to photographing her through her first year and watching how she grows and changes. My dog, Lucy, is now 7, so she's relatively "boring" as my children like to remind me. She's pretty mellow... and is often referred to as a 'cat-dog' since she sleeps most of the day and enjoys a good blanket, pillow, or the back of the couch to curl up on. My kids got to meet little Miss Bella during our session and they couldn't believe how much energy she had. Oh, and sharp little puppy teeth, too :) The kids were able to wear Bella out pretty good - I think she slept well once we were done with her session. I think the biggest issue we had (other than attention span... hers, not mine), was the licking of the camera. When I photograph dogs, I typically get down on the ground, on the grass, on the cement to get the shot I want and the angle I want. Well, once Bella realized I had treats with me, she kept running from her spot over to me... and since I was on the ground, she would run over, lick the camera lens, and then attack me. It was pretty funny, I think. I don't know how many times I cleaned off that lens. That's okay, though... nothing better than a little puppy love.

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails | Newborn Photographer Forsyth County GA

That's what little boys are made of. When we photograph a newborn baby, we really like to get them into the studio within the first two weeks. There's a very good reason for that, too. They sleep :) They're pretty easy to get to sleep, and they're pretty easy to keep asleep. This sweet little baby boy was such a trooper - we moved him around, changed what he was laying on, jostled him around, and kept his diaper off the entire time. Now, I usually keep an extra set of clothes in the studio for me, and generally recommend that mom & dad have an extra pair as well, since we usually photograph our newborns in the buff. And when a baby is in the buff, there's usually one thing you can count on... getting tinkled on (or worse). Well, we really lucked out with this baby boy... not only did he stay asleep the entire time, he never tinkled! Life is good.