My Tribute to Maggie

It has been 5 months since I lost my little buddy, Maggie. Last night I realized that I had not done a proper tribute to her, so here it goes. I think enough time has passed that I can do this without crying. Pet grief is so strange. On the one hand you realize that they are animals and it's not like losing a human, yet at the same time they are members of the family, and you grieve the hole they leave in your heart.

2005

I went back to the first pictures I could find of her and this is Christmas 2005 (we had just gotten a digital camera!). Look how small those kidlets were! 

Maggie was a rescue, literally. Relatives of one of my co-workers at the time found her wandering the streets and they took her in. Unable to find the owners (the info on her microchip was outdated), we ended up giving her a permanent home.  

2008

To be honest, it took a while for us to get used to each other. Many rescue dogs have quirks and insecurities, and Maggie was no different. She did not like to be picked up or hugged, and loved to wander away if we ever accidentally left the gate open (perhaps the reason she was a stray in the first place). She liked her space, and Dave often remarked that she was more like a cat.

2012

Life went on and we all changed, especially the kids. As I got more and more into photography, Maggie became my #1 model. No complaining from her, as long as I had treats nearby. She was usually happy to do it:

2014

But sometimes she got tired:

2014

In her later years, Maggie warmed up to us more and more. Although she wasn't allowed on the furniture (except "her" chair), I would often pick her up onto my lap for a little cuddle. And, like most dogs, she loved to go for walks in the woods.

And the beach

A week before Thanksgiving 2017, Maggie started refusing her food, so we knew something had to be wrong. We took her to the vet and after the blood tests it was revealed that she had pancreatitis ("treatable, but no guarantees", said the vet). Seeing as she was 15 we prepared ourselves for the worst. 

A pet's death is hard enough, but having to make the decision about euthanasia was excruciating. At a certain point, though, it was pretty clear that Maggie was not going to get better and it was time to end her suffering. It was a pretty quiet Thanksgiving around our house. This is one of my favourite "later years" shots of her, taken a few months before she died.

2017

As spring approaches, I am starting to think about getting another dog, although I'm not rushing it. It's a little lonely walking by myself out at Kye Bay or Seal Bay Park, and I could use another model! :) 

Whatever we decide as a family, I will still have the memories of Maggie and the good times we shared. And, of course, the photographs. Always the photographs.

Buster - Comox Valley Photography

The other night I had the pleasure of photographing Buster out at Nymph Falls in Courtenay. Nymph Falls is a popular swimming hole along the Puntledge River and has some spectacular waterfalls. Buster just turned 11, but he looks like a puppy.

And of course we had to get one with his family. Happy Birthday, Buster!

Lewis - Comox Photographer

It is just so amazing to feel summer coming back to the Comox Valley. The warmth, the long days, and the sunsets are some of the things I love about this time of year. Recently I went out to Kye Bay to do some sunset shots of Lewis and his family. Lewis is a two year old Chocolate Lab who loves the beach and chasing balls (and ripping them to shreds)! He loves his family too.

I hope you get lots of chances to experience some amazing sunsets with your dog this summer! Thank you Justin for sharing Lewis with me for an evening. He is a fantastic dog!

Arsenault Family - Comox Photography

It was the last weekend of Spring Break, so the Arsenault family and I seized the opportunity to do a family session out at Kye Bay (my first outdoor family session of the year!). Jason and Katie are both teachers so I think they were enjoying their last bit of holidays before school started on Monday.

Even though the weather was chilly it was a great excuse to get nice and close together, and in my opinion that is what family photography is all about! Connection is everything.

But, you gotta have some fun too: 

One of my signature shots is the family walking along the beach, chatting among themselves. I always wonder what they are talking about! 

Amazing family, perfect location. Now if the weather would only warm up a little I'll be totally content! Is this your year for a family portrait session? I would love to create some beautiful wall art for you to cherish for years to come. Contact me for details.

Foxy

Foxy's just the cutest little thing. She is part chihuahua and part pomeranian and was rescued and brought to Courtenay by her owner Terri.  

Foxy was one of the easiest dogs I've worked with in a while.  And look at that face! She actually does look like a fox, especially when she lays down.

I love producing wall art for my clients. I have software that will help you envision what your prints will look like on your wall in different sizes and configurations.

For a complimentary consultation, give me a call at (250) 650-7389. I would love to hear about your pet and style a photo shoot just for them!

Goose Spit Sunset Portraits - Courtenay Photographer

Since I am almost half-way through my sunset dog portrait promotion I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite shots of the wonderful dogs I've met over the last month.

Charlie arrived early for his session so we had some fun running on the beach!

You wouldn't know it from this photo, but the night I photographed Tyson the wind almost blew us away! He was so focused and patient though. Good boy, Tyson.

Every night I go out the sunset is completely different. It's amazing. Roca kept a keen eye on her owner, Jules. I don't think she was as excited about the sunset as I was.

Yoshi is adorable and has lots of personality. He did stop long enough for a few shots but mostly had fun running in the sand. I like it when the tide's out so we have lots of room to spread out.

And here's one last one that I love. Even though the dogs didn't look all that enthused to be cuddling, Jules is obviously enjoying the experience!

There's still time to get in on my sunset portrait promotion, which goes until June 30. Click here to get in touch!

Happy Birthday Sash and Pia! - Courtenay Pet Photography

Sisters Sash and Pia recently celebrated their 7th birthdays! So owners and friends Corae and Christine thought it would be a great idea to honor them with a "doggie cake smash" portrait session!

The girls did so well to wait for their doggie cupcakes!

This was a bittersweet birthday as Sash was recently diagnosed with cancer and had to have a leg amputated. Christine doesn't know how many birthdays Sash has left so she wanted to make this one extra special.

Time to dig in!

Corae found the recipe for doggie cupcakes online, and they were a smash hit!

All that's left are the candles!

We did a couple of "takes" with the cupcakes just to make sure I got lots of shots. The dogs didn't mind one bit.

At the end we also did some group shots of everyone together, and of course the dogs got to have some fun playing at the beach.

Pia, Christine, Corae, and Sash

Do you have a dog you'd like to celebrate? Contact me to schedule your pet portrait session today!

Pamela - Courtenay Portrait Photography

I am so ready for spring. This winter has been dark and drab, even for the "wet" coast. I even saw a Seattle tourism ad recently that proclaimed, "gray is just our backdrop", or something to that effect. Not sure if that really puts a positive spin on it, but ok, at least they're trying.

So over the winter I have been working on putting together a portfolio of women's beauty photography, and Pamela was kind enough to model for me. Pamela is a working mom with 3 kids, so she definitely deserved a morning to be pampered!

We were fortunate to have the services of Corynn, from Shabby Chic Beauty Boutique, for Pamela's hair and makeup. She looked awesome.

Pamela brought some pretty dresses along so I could get a few different looks.

Working with natural light on these gray days is a challenge, but we had success, and Pamela was great to work with. 

Is it time you got some beautiful portraits of yourself? Contact me for details.

Valentine's Pet Portrait Sessions!

Is your pet your #1 valentine or are they high up on the list? On Saturday February 13th I am offering you a chance to cherish your pet even more with a special Valentine's portrait session.

These sessions are fun and fast. Each session is 20 minutes long and will feature a variety of poses (some with a Valentine's theme and some without). Due to the limited time slots these portraits are for pets only (1 pet per session). Packages start at just $99 with special pricing on all my printed products.

Spaces must be booked in advance and a $50 non-refundable deposit will be collected. Sessions will be held at my home studio in East Courtenay.

Want to get your session free? Refer 2 friends who confirm their bookings and receive the base package at no charge! ($99 value!)

Need more info? Please call (250) 650-7389 or contact me by clicking here. 

Seeking Ladies for Elegant Women's Portraits

* Update: this offer is now closed. Thank you to the participants *

Hi Friends, I am starting a new genre of Beauty and Glamour Photography and am looking for ladies who would like to help me build my portfolio!

Here's the scoop: each Friday morning in January and February I will hold a portrait session at my home. These are complimentary and will last approximately 90 minutes. For your participation you will receive 5 small-resolution digital files to share on social media, and the option to purchase prints at 50% off.

What do I ask from you? Not much, just that you have your hair and makeup professionally done (I have a hair and makeup artist available for a reasonable fee), that you bring 4-5 outfits along (cocktail dresses are great), and that you sign a model release allowing me to use your portraits for promotional purposes. And since it's Friday, you should definitely plan an evening out because you will look and feel beautiful!

I am looking for women from a variety of ages, from 25-70. Since I expect that there will be lots of interest I can't guarantee that everyone who volunteers will be chosen to participate. I will be collecting a nonrefundable $50 deposit to confirm booking. This will cover the cost of my hair and makeup artist (it will not be returned if you do not show). 

Interested? Great! Please get in touch, preferably by phone, so that we can make arrangements. If you haven't already, please "Like" my Facebook page as that is where I will be showing off your beautiful portraits. I look forward to hearing from you!

5 Tips to Improve Your Photos

This week I did a presentation at the Comox Valley Business Network on photography, so I thought it would make a great blog post as well. We live in such a beautiful part of the country that it is a given that we will come across scenes that we will want to remember. It is easy to take average, everyday photos, but with a few tips and tricks you can get photos that make people say, "Wow! Did you take that?!". (Can you guess that maybe this has happened to me? So annoying)...Anyways moving on...

I entitled this talk "How to get Compliments on Your Photos (Without Hardly Even Trying)".

1. You need great light

Below there's a photo without great light. It was taken in the middle of a bright, sunny day so the light is harsh (there are other problems with this photo too but I won't go into them right now). 

To the rescue: the "Golden Hour". If you have a choice in when you are going to take landscape photos, it is generally best to go during the "golden hour". This is (loosely) the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. At these times the sun is lower on the horizon and the light is much warmer. The shadows are less harsh and the sky has a golden glow. This next shot was taken at the same location (Kye Bay), but it was about 6am. I am normally not a morning person but this light was definitely worth dragging my butt out of bed for!

2. Focal Point

A general rule of composition is the focal point. Without it, the eye tends to gloss over an image quickly, as it has no place to "rest". In this next photo I quickly popped out the focal point. Although it has great light (golden hour!) there is nothing to draw the viewer in.

Here is the same photo with the subject added back in. Notice how the bee adds interest and impact to the picture. That's the beauty of a focal point! (off topic: bees are very difficult to photograph! Even at 1/2000 of a second it was  really hard to get it in focus!). But I digress...

3. Rule of Thirds

This is another general rule of composition. Pictures with the subject smack dab in the middle tend to look boring and uninspired: 

Now, imagine your image has a tic-tac-toe board over it, so that there are intersecting gridlines at 1/3 intervals both vertically and horizontally. Studies have show that our eyes tend to be drawn to the 4 points where the lines intersect, and this adds to the impact and the strength of the image.

Here is the same photo with the blue heron 2/3s to the right. The horizon is on the top  1/3. It is more interesting than having the bird right in the middle. (off topic: also try to have your subject facing into the picture, as it is above. If the heron were facing the other way it would draw your eye off the page, which isn't ideal).

4. Leading Lines

Leading lines give a visual cue that leads the eye into the subject of the picture. Roads and paths are often used as leading lines, but in the photo below I used logs:

The subjects are the boys, so on both sides of the image the logs draw your eyes to them. Again, it adds interest and impact.

5. Patterns

Last but not least, looks for patterns. They tend to been viewed as aesthetically pleasing to the viewer. But also look for patterns that are disrupted. In the image below the boat and sheds make a pattern. But the fact that there is one boat missing makes the photo a little more interesting. 

Here's one more pattern: The RCAF Snowbirds. Who does patterns better that them? (Betcha noticed the leading lines too, didn't you?!). 

So there you go! I hope you find these tips helpful the next time you are out with your camera. There are lots of other elements and rules of composition, but that might be too much to digest all at once. Just keep practicing and having fun! And don't worry, it is still ok to break the rules! Until next time...

Leanne - Courtenay Grad Portraits

The excitement of graduation is in full swing for the class of 2016 (I know because I have a graduate in the family!). It is time to think about grad portraits!

This is Leanne who recently came in for a graduation photo session. Leanne is a wonderful girl and an amazing cello player. She is graduating from Mark R. Isfeld school here in Courtenay.

I am offering a special graduate portrait package for Isfeld students. You will receive:

• A 45 minute session (at my home studio). Gowns are on loan from the school.
• An in-person ordering appointment
• Minimum of 15 images to choose from
• 3 digital images (suitable for web or printing to 8x10)
• A $50 voucher toward a family or pet portrait session

All for only $200! Please call 250-650-7389 for details.

Buster! Comox Photographer

Buster is a 10 year old Miniature Australian Shepherd/Welsh Terrier cross who is the life of the party! His owner Lisa has had him since he was a puppy.

I just love those ears! And with that head tilt I think he could be the next big thing in dog modeling! Can't you see that face on a dog food bag?

It was no problem getting Buster's attention with a treat. I wonder what he's thinking.

Good boy, Buster!

1 Day, 1 Dog, 2 Different Looks

Saturday was such a beautiful day! We took a day trip down to Coombs in the morning, and worked and played in the yard in the afternoon. My main model Maggie was on hand when I spotted one of our "flower beds" in good light. I actually think these blue flowers are weeds, but they sure looked pretty, and the sun on the leaves in the background added a nice touch. Time for a portrait!

In the evening I wanted to take advantage of the clear skies and do a sunset photo shoot at the Comox Goose Spit. This is a public area where lots of families have bonfires in the summer and it is a really nice spot to hang out. Maggie was again a willing participant because she always gets lots of rewards for her modeling. The sun was quickly disappearing but I managed to get this shot and I think it turned out pretty well!

I am available for more sunset shoots with animals and humans this summer. Please contact me if you are interested!

My Best SPCA Shoot Yet - Comox Photographer

This past Saturday I got to try out my new "Thunder Grey" backdrop, and where else would I go but back to the Comox Valley SPCA?! They had plenty of dogs and cats to photograph, including an adorable lab puppy who was only 8 weeks old. I think that photo is one of my all-time favourites. 

As I write this blog, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are flying around outside. For 2 weeks every April this elite flying team trains at 19 Wing Comox, our community's forces base. They are amazing but so elusive. I have a shot in my head that I keep wanting to get: flying in formation in front of the glacier with the city of Courtenay in the foreground. But they never seem to fly that way! Guess I'll have to keep waiting.

So if you are considering adding a new addition to your home, please check out these wonderful animals! To find out more about the Comox Valley SPCA, check out their website:  http://www.spca.bc.ca/branches/comox-valley/