Bella and Brady

Jean came to my studio with Bella and Brady, her two rescue Weims. I met her through the Northern California Weimaraner Rescue event, Weim Gala, held at Clos Pegase Winery each fall. Anyone who has spent any time around Weimaraner's is aware of their energy, intensity and beauty! Brady and Bella were a lovely duo. Anyone for up some Weim-Love?!

Quote

"A heavy downpour. Stand and face the rain, let it's iron rays pierce you; drift with the water that wants to sweep you away but yet stand fast, and upright in this way abide the sudden and endless shining of the sun." Kafka

Help Save the Cheetah!

This fundraiser event is being thrown by client of mine, Nooshy Mobasher, and being the Leo that I am (!) I can't help but spread the word to help out the big beautiful cats! Here is what she told me about how she got involved with this project:

"When I attended the Wildlife Conservation Network Expo and Garden Party last year (held in SF every October), I met Dr. Laurie Marker whose story is remarkable. She explained to me that the only other country where a few cheetahs still exist , outside of Africa, is in Iran (where I was born). There are roughly 200 Asiatic cheetahs left in Iran. At one time there were thousands........ Dr. Marker is involved in training scientists from Iran to help conserve and grow the numbers of these cheetahs. She asked for my help in involving the Iranian community and educating them about the plight of these cheetahs. Since I am currently not working and have time I decided to organize the fundraiser at my house for 5/17. A live cheetah as well as Dr. Marker will be there, with food and wine to enjoy. Please feel free to extend the invitation to anyone who is interested. Dr. Marker will do a short presentation on her work and efforts to save the cheetah."

Here is a link to the Cheetah Conservation Fund to find out more information. Please RSVP by 5/1. Your support is very much appreciated!

Quote

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
~Nelson Mandela

Sadie

Sadie is a sweet and smart girl who loooooves her ball! She had a great time showing me around the property and chasing her ball. Sadie was recently diagnosed with lymphoma cancer and her parents decided it was time to get her portrait taken. We had lots of fun!

Killian & the belly

Maxima loves her Bodhi!

When I am setting up for a studio portrait session I often have Bodhi come 'sit in' so I am able see if I have the lighting is how I want it. He's a pro at being a test subject for me. So much so that when I begin to set up he immediately goes right to the 'spot' and lays down. He gets rewarded for his services with crunchy dog cookies. Maxima likes to nibble on the crumbs that he makes. This particular day she jumped up next to him and just started lovin on him!... What can I say?! Maxima loves her Bodhi!....

Happy Easter!

Valencia

I am often asked how I came to specialize in 'pet portraiture'... and although I have always had a passion for photography and strong connection with animals, I think the two really merged when my cat Valencia was diagnosed with cancer. We had a very special connection. I had a gazillion snapshots of him. But I had a panicky feeling that I wanted something 'deeper', something more of his essence that I could remember him by in photos. So I spent the last 6 months of his life documenting him, and all the little 'parts' that I wanted to remember. As we'd lay there I would think "how will I remember this little wet nose, or the how he tucks when he sleeps"...

I believe that is where my passion for abstract 'pet parts' emerged, not just pet portraits. I love doing portraits, but I believe that those little parts speak to those of us that love our pets. The ears, the nose, the eyes, the tail, the paws... We feel them in these photos.

New Eyes in New York

discovery consists not
in seeking new landscapes
but in having new eyes
marcel proust




For 4 years I lived in New York City. A place filled with people all in a hurry to get somewhere, including myself. But I carried with me two of my favorite cameras, the Holga. One had color film. The other had black & white. The camera itself is referred to as a "toy camera" because it is made of plastic and even has a plastic lens. It commonly has light leaks and vignettes and has only two exposure settings. But I fell in love with it. I learned all the nuances. Mostly I love the ethereal quality it gives to the final images. Someone once commented that my toy camera images look like snapshots of a dream! That was such a huge compliment to me!

The other thing I loved about carrying these two cameras with me at all times was that I began to see things differently. In fact, I began to 'see'. All those things and places that we walk by in our busy daily lives bacame fascinating to me. And my world opened up, visually.... I had 'new eyes'...

Mia

Recently my boyfriend Marcelo's daughter turned 10!... Yep, she's in the double digits now, woohoo! So we went out to the park for a portrait. What a treat it has been to photograph her over the years. It is truly amazing how quickly time passes and it isn't until we look at her previous portraits that we realize all the changes that happen un-noticed right under our noses!

Last night she asked me if I had ever heard of FreeRice.com. I hadn't. She showed me this awesome and fun site that helps feed hungry people around the world. For each trivia question you get right 10 grains of rice gets donated. So go ahead smarty pants, feed some people!... It's fun and it's worth it!.... What a smart and pretty young lady!

A sneak peak - Kirby

I am looooving this warm weather! Makes me think of a session I did recently, well, actually it was two sessions; one in the studio and one on location. And what a location it was! We had the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop! Kirby's adoring parents wanted the classic look of studio shots and the beauty of a classic location. So we did both! It's really a treat for me to photograph the same subject in studio and on location because each has it's unique feel. I am often asked which I prefer... I honestly don't have one preference, I love both! During the wet winter months we did our studio shoot and a little while later, once the weather improved, we scheduled our outdoor location. What fun! ( Oh by the way, speaking of great outdoor locations... Kirby's parents told me about a dog friendly camp that sounds way to fun! Check it out: Camp Winnaribbun in Tahoe!)

A sneak peak - Penelope & Natalie

This quote was in my head this morning when I woke up. It's a favorite. It doesn't need any explaining but it speaks to me about my passion for photography... It's been my passion my whole life but I tried a few other routes in life. It never felt right. Those 'desk jobs'... oh so tedious and taxing on the soul!... So I followed my calling. It hasn't always been the 'easy way' but I couldn't have any other way...

"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out
in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom
of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time." - Jack London

Pet Photo Event at Dog Bone Alley

Here's a special opportunity for those of you who want a nice studio portrait of your dog, but are not ready to invest in a whole private session. Once a year I a set up my backdrop, lights and camera right in Dog Bone Alley store and do "mini" portrait sittings. This year DBA has opened a store in Danville, too, so there's double the opportunity.

A single-image session is $30 for which you will receive a 4X6 print you can take home that day. Or a two-image session for $50 for which you will receive two 4X6 prints. Additional prints and other products will be available for purchase once the images are posted in an image gallery on my web site. Please reserve your portrait sitting in advance by calling Dog Bone Alley at 510- 521-5800 to schedule a time between 10:30am and 3:00pm.

Alameda Dog Bone Alley on Sunday, April 19th
Danville Dog Bone Alley on Sunday, April 26th

Walk-ins are welcome, but I have to warn you, this is a popular event!

Hope to see you and your furry friend there!....