I’m pretty sure Baxter the goldendoodle and his mom deserve an award or two… because although our session was a lot of fun, we had to jump through so many hoops (literal and figurative jumping!) to make it happen! So let’s walk through their awards (actual trophies forthcoming)…

First and foremost, they deserve a Really Fun to Work With award – because Erin and Baxter are a blast! We had a great time laughing and talking, mostly at Baxter’s antics, and I feel like I gained 2 new friends… although Baxter has rarely met a dog or person that he doesn’t get along with, so I’m probably just the newest person in a long line of his friends!

Let’s see – they also deserve the Most Patient Clients award, since the weather prevented the second half of our session from happening 2 3 I don’t know how many times! But trust me, it got to the point of truly absurd. I think Mother Nature was holding a grudge against us for some mysterious reason, because last I checked “June gloom” was supposed to end in June, not continue through July/early August! And yet here we are. Part of me can hardly believe we actually, finally finished our session – thank goodness Bax has a flexible schedule. ;)

They also earned the American Ninja Warrior Clients award – because our beach location was a little extreme! We jumped from a rock down to a hidden cove – and it was all very exciting until Baxter vetoed the big jump. Apparently that was a hallmark of his younger days (he’s 10 now, after all) but he didn’t want to try it this time. So eventually we headed to Ocean Beach for some safe, flat fun. And now I think I may add a clause in my agreement requiring future clients to disclose whether the locations they have in mind require rock climbing expertise… because that’s something I definitely don’t have, haha!!

Haha – this session was memorable in a bunch of very good ways. And I’m loving our photos! So enough talk – here’s Baxter!

I can’t resist his happy goldendoodle face! What a sweetheart!

One of his favorite hobbies is stealing his mom’s shoes, so we recreated his antics in the studio! (He was more than happy to oblige.)

After long last, we found ourselves at the beach. And Baxter wasted no time getting soaking wet!

A quick pause to make sure mom’s coming before he walks back to the car – because although Baxter is a social butterfly, he truly only has eyes for his mom.

Erin, thank you for your unending patience with Mother Nature. I’m looking forward to getting together again soon! :)