Can I just start by saying that I love German shepherds? I simply adore them. I think they’re gorgeous dogs, and the way they can be tough & intimidating one second and goofy & happy the next second is just so amazing! So I was thrilled when Cherry, a stunning San Diego German shepherd, and her parents won a recent giveaway for a gift certificate toward a photo session!

I met Cherry at Presidio Park, where we braved a few June Gloom clouds for what turned out to be great photography conditions! And I started the photo session the way I always do, by slowly & gently acclimating the dog to my camera. I really take my time when I do this, because I don’t want the dog to feel unsure or scared about the camera or the lens – since that’s where I want them looking most of the time, after all! Cherry didn’t seem to be scared, even when I clicked the shutter for the first time – and then her dad explained why: Cherry had been active in Shutzhund training, which is intense obedience & skills training for German shepherds… and they regularly fire guns off around the dogs, to desensitize them to the noise! So, yeah, my camera shutter? Didn’t even matter! :)

And for the rest of our photo session, Cherry was a simply perfect model – she was willing to sit or lay down (“platz”!) anywhere we asked, and I was so impressed at how well she listened to the commands her dad gave. Of course, she’s still a happy-go-lucky dog, so there were times she showed us what she wanted to do, instead of the other way around, haha… but overall she was a dream come true to work with! :)

Oh, Cherry – you are gorgeous. I can’t even handle it.

Look at this girl move! She’s an athlete!

See what I mean? Cherry was willing to pose wherever we asked – even this unique spot!

Thank you, Beth & Ron, for such a fun afternoon! (And thanks again for the cupcake – it was delicious!) I’m excited to see you both again soon!