There are some photo sessions that go off without a single hitch; we schedule a time to get together, everything goes as planned, no surprises come up, and it’s a wonderfully simple process overall. No one has to reschedule, everyone is on time to the session, and there’s no pressure or time constraints that would limit us from rescheduling even if we had to. In a word, it just goes smoothly. And honestly, this is usually what happens with the vast majority of my clients.

However, this was NOT one of those sessions! :p

For whatever reason, crazy difficulty after crazy difficulty struck when Bella & Phalen’s parents & I were trying to get together. First, just 72 hours before our original session date, my car was broken into and my spare camera bag was stolen, unfortunately. Ugh. So we had to reschedule for a time when I could get new equipment up & running… and then I got the news that Bella had torn her ACL. The poor thing! So the surgery was scheduled for just days after our new session date, which meant there could be no-such-thing as rain that day! We simply didn’t have time to reschedule again. And finally, after a fun morning up at Earthwise Pet Supply‘s Halloween party on the day of our session, twenty miles away from the studio, my car battery decided to die. Gah!!! So after all these difficulties, and against the odds, I can still hardly believe that our actual photo session went off without a hitch, once we finally got it going! So I want to give a ton of recognition (and thanks!) to Bella & Phalen’s parents, for being so incredibly flexible & ready to roll with the punches. They’re champs and I’m lucky to have such incredible people as clients!

And as it turns out, Bella & Phalen aren’t technically brother & sister – they’re neighbors! That’s why I call this a “doggy best friends” photo session; these two don’t live together but they’re practically inseparable anyway! They go to the same doggy daycare and play together all day, and once they come home they’re still anxious to see each other & romp around! Honestly, these two have a connection that’s rare, in my opinion… their relationship is amazing. And I don’t usually accept sessions with dogs from different families, but these two are so much like brother & sister, I just couldn’t resist capturing them together. So enough talk – let me introduce you!

Bella the golden retriever is a decorated Canine Good Citizen with a huge assortment of obedience ribbons, medals & certificates; she’s an incredibly smart & happy dog that simply lives to please her mother!

Phalen the Keeshond hasn’t been through the same training regimen, but he has an unflaggingly cheerful personality and dashing good looks to make up for it! And he’s only the second Keeshond I’ve ever worked with; this is a rare breed, and his dad did lots of research before deciding that it would be right for him. And of course, they’re perfect together! :)

As much as I love the studio, and how it really lets a dog’s beauty take center stage without any visual distractions, there’s nothing like the natural light of the outdoors. We headed to the park for a few environmental photos, and I love the results!

Don’t you love the halo of light around each dog’s head? I love working with long-haired dogs in the sun!

Doggy best friends.

Everyone, Bella could use your prayers and happy thoughts as she heads into surgery this Thursday. I know I’ll be thinking about her! Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery so she can run around with Phalen again as soon as possible.

April & Arron, thank you again for your patience & flexibility! I can’t wait to see you both again soon!

Tags: dogs, park, pet photography, pets, photography, San Diego, San Diego Dog Photographer, San Diego pet photography, studio