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Petunia the Shar Pei Mix in San Diego, CA

Tuesday, June 12th, 2018

Some dogs are lucky enough to call San Diego home for their whole lives… they grow up playing on the beaches, basking in the year-round sun, and maybe never see the snow. (Doesn’t sound so bad to me, haha!) But Petunia is a little more “well-rounded” than that; she’s from Chicago! This midwestern mutt just moved here with her mom about 7 months ago, and she’s experiencing the joys of San Diego for the very first time! (So many firsts!) I absolutely loved getting to know her because she’s a total sweetheart. For example: although treats & toys are helpful in getting her focus at times, you can tell that her biggest reward is attention & love from her mama! She’s absolutely head-over-heels crazy about her mom, and their bond really shone through during our session. I think she knows that they’re on a great adventure together – after all, isn’t moving across the country an adventure?! Petunia’s mom told me how this little lady is already guarding her from big scary repairmen, haha – she’s even barked at them so intimidatingly (is that a word?) that she’s literally sent them running!! I’m telling you, don’t mess with this girl – it’s a much better plan to be her friend and get big slobbery kisses in the face. :)

 

Petunia is a shar pei mix, as you can probably tell with all those forehead wrinkles – and probably pit bull, too! Isn’t she the cutest?!

shar pei mix dog

 

Oh, hello there – ready for your close-up? (Petunia wanted to make sure you got a better view of those trademark wrinkles…)

shar pei mix studio photo

 

We visited Balboa Park for the second half of our session – because how much more “San Diego” can you get? Petunia got plenty of attention from passers-by as we walked through the park; those people had probably never seen a cuter shar pei mix in their lives. :)  And by the way – this photo was taken after the Great Squirrel Sighting of 2018 – the moment at which Petunia discovered her life’s true calling. Squirrel hunting, of course. But I was proud of her for being able to take a break from “squirrel watch” to pose for more photos, haha!

shar pei mix

 

One blooper, just for fun! (Petunia had a hilariously good time!)

shar pei mix dog yawning

 

Elizabeth, thank you so much for introducing me to your beautiful, sweet girl. She’s just amazing. I’m excited to get together again soon! :)

 

 

Billy, Jasmine & Snickers: San Diego Schnauzers!

Monday, May 21st, 2018

I pulled up to their house, got out of the car, shut the door – and was immediately greeted with a cacophony of barks, yips and woofs from behind the fence! Billy, Jasmine & Snickers had all come out to greet me, and like all good schnauzers, it took several minutes for them to trust me enough for the barking to die down. (They had met me about a week beforehand, in my studio for our pre-session consult, but I’m pretty sure any absence of more than 5 minutes causes the same reaction… so I didn’t stand a chance, haha!)

We spent our session in their gorgeously-landscaped backyard in North Park, which provided the perfect mix of dog-friendly grass to run around on, pathways to pose on, and shrubbery to peek out from behind! Each dog had their own unique style, of course – and I have to admit, I really enjoyed working with Billy, the senior man of the bunch. He had such a feisty look in his eyes, even though he toddled around somewhat slowly on those 16-year-old legs… I think he really would have given me a workout a few years ago! But he let Snickers & Jasmine be the energetic ones for our session; they’re puppies by comparison at 4 years old!

All 3 dogs were really quite lovely to photograph; schnauzers are so expressive and not afraid to speak their minds! It’s that little dash of attitude that made our session so much fun. :)

 

This is Snickers! Can you handle that head tilt?!

san diego schnauzer

 

This is Jasmine, in one of her favorite spots in the backyard. I think she likes to be surrounded by the outdoors…

san diego schanuzers photo

 

And this is sweet Billy. That face, that expression, those eyelashes… he’s so amazing!

san diego schnauzer photo

 

David & Ton, thank you so much for introducing me to your beautiful dogs! (And Karen & Kimmy, thank YOU for introducing US!)

 

Chloe & Callie, Mixed Breed Dogs from Escondido!

Thursday, April 12th, 2018

There’s something amazing about mutts, don’t you think? There’s a special individuality, almost a defiance, about who they are to their core that stops you from putting them into a box. As if each of them is telling us, “You can’t label me – I’m one of a kind!” Mixed breed dogs are truly unique – and that’s why I was thrilled to work with these two mutts, Chloe & Callie!

These rescue dogs are not only unique and un-label-able in their breeding, but also in their personalities. You might think that siblings would rub off on each other, that they’d have similar traits after spending so much time together? NOPE! (Okay, to be fair, you probably only thought that if you’re an only child. Trick question, haha!) Chloe is a beautiful senior girl who’s more than happy to relax with her mom all day. No need to run around, or expend too much energy – unless you have food! Food is VERY interesting and worth jogging across the park for, not to mention sitting/staying/being a very good girl. Whereas Callie is a little firecracker – I’m pretty sure she thinks life is meant to be lived at top speed, all the time! I absolutely loved capturing her boundless energy and mischievous spirit. She’s such a cutie too! And honestly, I have to give kudos to their mom, Julie, since she handles both of their personalities in stride: she’ll walk quietly down the sand at the beach with Chloe, making sure not to go too fast, before bursting into a sprint to race Callie to the water! These girls simply couldn’t have a better mom, and they know it: she rescued both of them from pretty scary situations. I don’t know what would have happened to Chloe or Callie if their mom hadn’t stepped into their lives, but I know it wouldn’t have been good… so I’m really thankful that these three found each other! #cutestfamilyever

 

This is Chloe! Don’t you want to snuggle her sweet fluffy face?! She’s such a beautiful, lovely girl. (Although she’s not allowed near any high ledges anymore – turn out she hasn’t forgotten her younger & more agile days!)

cute mixed breed dog photo

 

And this is Callie, in a rare moment of sitting still. We also ended up with plenty of action photos of this little speed demon, when she let loose at the Del Mar dog beach. (But honestly, the next time I get a blowout I’m showing this photo to my hairdresser! Look at those flowing waves, haha! #goals )

mixed breed dogs photo

 

Happy girls. Who just happen to be crazy about their mom (and vice versa).

mixed breed dogs

 

Julie, thank you for introducing me to your amazing dogs! I can’t wait to get together with you again soon! :)

 

More Photos of Casey & Brittany, Golden Retrievers from San Diego

Friday, October 20th, 2017

Two beautiful golden retrievers deserve two “sneak peek” blog posts, right?!

(They do – but truthfully, I wanted to share more portraits of Casey & Brittany because of a few scheduling difficulties that have delayed their parents’ Viewing & Ordering Session. This is my busiest time of year – and my calendar is definitely feeling the crunch! So hopefully these images tide Casey & Brittany’s parents over until they can see the whole session!)

If you saw their previous post, you already know that I visited Balboa Park with Casey & Brittany on a gorgeous fall day. We had a great time playing fetch, exploring the flowers & architecture, and generally being fawned over by every passing person. (Obviously it was the dogs getting fawned over, not me, haha – and you can take one glance at their photos and see why. They’re such beautiful girls! Showstoppers, really.)

 

This is Brittany, posing like a pro.

golden retriever standing

 

And this is Casey, getting cozy with the flowers.

golden retriever with flowers

 

Together, they account for 200% of your suggested daily serving of sweetness.

golden retrievers in archway

 

Thanks for being so patient, Rene & Miles! I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!  :)

 

Pepita, Effie & Ralphie at the Park in Coronado

Friday, August 18th, 2017

Every dog has their own personality, of course – but I can’t remember the last time I had a session with 3 dogs that had such distinctive personalities as these three awesome pooches! I’m so thrilled to introduce you to Pepita, Ralphie & Effie!

 

This is Pepita, little leader of the pack in every way. Don’t let her size fool you, she’s the boss – and she’ll speak up to make sure you know it! Pepita is crazy about treats, has attitude coming out her ears, and recently developed a little snaggletooth that makes for some really cute expressions. But for now, I’ll share her big, classic smile with you!

coronado dog in a park

 

This sweet guy is Ralphie. He’s the shyest of the bunch, and his personality (plus his big eyes & floppy ears) have earned him the nickname “Mousie”. But luckily, the yummy treats that his mom brought to our session were enough to coax him out of his shell – and once I had a few in my hand, he became very interested in me & my camera!

coronado park dog photo

 

And last but certainly not least, this bundle of happiness is Effie. She’s the biggest of the pack and probably the most food-motivated (which is saying something!). And she was thoroughly confused why the entire photo session wasn’t just a belly-rub marathon. Oh Effie, you made me laugh so hard!

dog in coronado

 

Oh my gosh, I adore this family photo. For all having minds (and personalities) of their own, these pups sure do make a cute pack together.

coronado family photo

 

 

Andrea & Phillip, I had such a great time with all 5 of you all around Coronado! Can’t wait to get together again soon! :)

 

 

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