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Monthly Archives: August 2009

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Thriftway CityDog Cover Dog Model Search

August 26, 2009 – 8:34 pm


I would like to introduce you to Xavier – my new favorite dog model in the whole world. I have officially placed this image on my desktop to make me smile. I invite you to do the same.

I was lucky enough to meet Xavier at Thriftway at the CityDog Magazine Cover Dog Model Search Aug. 16th – It was a fab event.

In addition to the search for the next cover dog, with all the entrance fees going to the Doney Memorial Clinic, we collected donations of pet food for the West Seattle Food Bank.

We had a RECORD turnout of 117 dogs, up from 40 something last year – way to go West Seattle!! We were able to contribute over $1000 to the Doney clinic and of course we had a lot of fun in the sun. Check out the blurb about us on the West Seattle Blog.

To see all the dogs that came out to try for their chance at the Cover, check out the dane + dane gallery.

To learn more about CityDog visit them here or follow the CityDog blog or follow CityDog on  Twitter to find out when the next Cover Dog event is, and if you can make it to the next event to enter your dog in the contest!!

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I should also mention that during their “Dog Days of Summer” – Thriftway chose Dog is Good as their retailer of choice to provide tees and hats for all their staff as well as items to sell to benefit the Seattle King County Humane Society – Woof!  Thanks Thriftway!

By admin | Posted in CityDog Magazine, CoverDog Model Search, Doney Memorial Clinic, Uncategorized, dane + dane event portraits, seattle dog photography | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

CityDog Furry 500: Race to Raise $ for Animals

August 26, 2009 – 5:28 pm

Ok, how cool is this?

Visit CityDog Magazine today and subscribe!

Help them get to their goal of 500 subscriptions by September 30 – with $1.00 from each one-year, $2.00 from each two-year going to PAWS!

If somehow you follow this blog and you’re NOT familiar with CityDog Magazine – getcher buns on over to CityDogMagazine.com and check out this AWESOME Seattle-based regional magazine about “Life with Dog in the West”

To subscribe, click here

By admin | Posted in CityDog Magazine | Tagged , | Comments (0)

In the PorterHaus

August 24, 2009 – 8:02 am

About a week ago I had the opportunity to photograph Porter – the new, waggly little mascot of DenHaus (long-time dane + dane client and friend.) Porter is an energetic and serious-faced little pooch belonging to Becky, DenHaus marketing guru. Soon, Porter will be making his debut on the “In the PorterHaus” blog – the new social networking space for DenHaus and the “delightful discoveries of dog” theme they are promoting through the sharing of Porter’s antics.

This little floppy pup has become an EXPERT den model and will be a hoot to photograph in future product shots for DenHaus. He’s very well behaved and has a delicious little pout. Want to see some of our other past DenHaus models? (Including miss Olivia of course…)  See their profiles here!

In the meantime you can follow Porter on Facebook and Twitter… stay tuned for the launch of “In the PorterHaus” and some other VERY exciting announcements from DenHaus.

By admin | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Chelsea + Family (the C Squad)

August 23, 2009 – 8:50 am

Thursday afternoon I met up with Chelsea, Carrie, Courtney and Candace (C is for Cool) at Magunsun for some last-minute family portraits. Courtney lives in California (more C’s…) and will be headed home on Monday so we wanted to get some snaps before her departure.

I arrived at the park a bit early to scout some locations for us – the sun was changing rapidly from directly-sunny to overcast, so I wanted to be sure we had plenty of shade.

I should mention that I was lucky enough to photograph Chelsea (the dog) and her family last year (see the blog here) – We decided to return to Magnusun again this year because it’s one of Chelsea’s FAVORITE places – she’s been coming here since she was a wee pup.

Once we met up – we got right to work. Courtney is a singer and last we year we shot some head shots for her, in addition to family portraits, this year we started with the same goals. I was LOVING this bunker door which happened to be in the shade (with only about 2′ of shade to spare on either side – whew!) It worked perfectly with Courtney’s skin-tone, curls and turquoise tank.

We wandered a bit – in and out of shade, of course ending with Chelsea’s favorite activity: SWIMMING!! She was a very patient girl as we forced her to sit and smile over and over just feet from the water’s edge. But… it all paid off and this happy hound got her share of splashing, fetching and paddling.

The weather by this time had turned just a bit breezy with some cloud cover – it was the perfect temperature – really quite delightful. It was so pleasant I had half a mind to go grab Olivia after our shoot and whisk her back there! (of course when I got home, plans changed and we settled for a neighborhood walk instead) but man – what a gorgeous day!

*** Don’t forget to mark your calendar: PAWSwalk will be at Magnusun Park on Sept. 12, 2009 (8-1) – sign up to walk for PAWS or just stop by to visit the awesome vendors or participate in the CityDog Cover Dog Model Search. Sadly, we won’t be there, we’ll be shooting a wedding on Orcas Island – oooh! ***

By admin | Posted in Seattle Pet Photographer, family photography, yellow lab | Comments (1)

Bella the Ball of Fire

August 20, 2009 – 11:48 am

Yesterday as I slogged through rush-hour traffic towards my shoot in Issaquah, I thought back on my early childhood memories there… swimming at the Issaquah pool and Lake Sammamish,  sticky-fingered Salmon Days wanderings, auditioning and performing at the old old “Village Theatre”, visits to Andy Wangs, La Costa, Boehms and of course Gullivers (the burger joint where I happened to find myself face to face with Ken Griffey Jr, Jay Buhner, Jeff Nelson and their families.)  All these visions came whirling back as I exited onto Front street, and rounded Sunset… streets I haven’t seen in nearly 15 years.  As you can imagine things have changed a bit, but even more surprising, is what hasn’t.

As I parked and walked across the grassy space ahead of me, I realized that “Memorial Park” (where I was supposed to meet my clients) is the same piece of grass to the right of the Library where I used to romp as a tike – only the Library is now a “Senior Center” and the park is much fancier than it used to be. I didn’t even realize where I was until I was passing the old-familiar brick walls.

Even better, when I met up with Jason and Julia I found out that we all went to the same middle school, and Julia and I went to the same Elementary school (go Clark Sharks!)- and we’re all just a year apart – bizarre!

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Ok, enough reminiscing and onto Bella!  Bella was very excited to watch me approach. Not sure if I smell of liver treats permanently these days, or if she is just that excited to meet every new stranger, but it was great to see her big, smiling maw straining towards me.  She was mid-hydration (we scored another 90-something degree day – whew!) and so of course her drippy cheeks and mouth parts dragged lines of wet drool all over my legs and hands as I greeted her. Now, this is where a non-pet photographer might get squeamish, but I was actually glad of the cooling effects her slobbery painting had – in all reality, it very refreshing!

Bella is alllll smiles. So much so, that during the whole 2.5 hour shoot, I got nearly the exact same expression: wide-mouth, panting glee.  That’s ok with me, it’s a good look for you Bella.

Bella’s mom and dad are engaged to be married and it was fun to get a few mushy-lovey-dovey shots for them… Bella seemed oblivious of our conversation and photographs that did not include her, she just stood wagging and panting pretty much the whole time.

I first met Bella and her family at the Yappy Howlidays party last December at the W Hotel. I took a portrait of the three of them and apparently it was well loved, because Julia booked her session this summer with a bit of urgency: Turns out Bella’s health is failing… she’s a bit limpy and will soon need surgery on one of her knees to save the other. Julia wanted to spend a day with Bella, photographing her in the sun, her favorite place to be.

We lucked out – we had sun a’plenty – we had to take a few “cool down” breaks in the shade (which may have also included some hot, melty cheese and chuck-it teases)

Ultimately, we headed over to the Pickering barn for a few last shots among the flora – nothin’ better than a big red barn for a summer portrait sitting! Oh, and did I mention the willow tree?  Yeah, there’s a willow *dreamy*

A big woof to J + J for letting me spend a couple hours enjoying Bella – she’s a fine, fine dog with a big ol’ head and a big ol’ heart.

By admin | Posted in Issaquah Pet Photograhy, family photography, pet portrait photography | Tagged , | Comments (6)

Sushiwhore.com goes sustainable

August 15, 2009 – 7:08 pm

As some of you know we’ve long-been Mashiko fans (In case you don’t know – Mashiko is our favorite sushi joint- and a West Seattle icon.)  Last year, we had the opportunity to re-create their web site (sushiwhore.com) in a way that reflected their quirky, fanciful and delicious nature. Well now Mashiko is shakin’ things up and owner/Chef Hajime Sato is once again pulling into a league all his own…

Mashiko’s is the FIRST established sushi bar in the WORLD to go 100% sustainable.

Wow. Go Hajime!

We had a chance to preview the new Mashiko menu on Monday night and let me tell you – if you’ve been to Mashiko before, you’ll still love it – if you’ve never been, now you REALLY must visit!  (Ostrich anyone?)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEATTLE, Washington (August 10, 2009) He’s breaking the model of sushi chefs being behind the sustainability curve.

Hajime Sato, chef/owner of West Seattle’s esteemed Mashiko will make the switch to seafood that is sustainable on August 15, 2009.  A few (darn few!) sushi joints have opened their doors as sustainable, but Mashiko will be the first established, successful sushi bar in the world to make the switch.

“I have always had so much respect for the oceans.  Learning about some of the common fishing methods left me no other option – Mashiko had to go sustainable.”  Chef Sato continues, “The process has been so inspirational.  Instead of just cutting things from the menu, there are now more unique options than before.”

With information available from so many sources, Chef Sato’s sustainability education will be ongoing.  He has put his head together with the Seafood Watch department at Monterey Bay Aquarium.  Chef Sato is in close contact with the experts at Select Fish, the seafood division of Whole Foods Markets.  He is also consulting with noted fisheries analyst Casson Trenor, author and “sustainability guru” for San Francisco’s groundbreaking Tataki Sushi & Sake Bar.

“The sushi industry draws from some of the most depleted fish stocks on the planet,” Trenor said recently.  “The five most popular sushi items in the United States – long-line tuna, farmed salmon, imported shrimp, farmed freshwater eel (unagi), and farmed Japanese amberjack (hamachi) – are all generally unsustainable.”

Vowing that this is no green-washed marketing ploy, Chef Sato will make Mashiko fully responsible.  He says, “Sushi lovers will be surprised how delicious sustainable choices can be.”

Sushi done conscientiously can include B.C. spot prawns, domestic albacore tuna from the North Pacific, hand-lined yellowfin tuna, farmed California striped bass, suspension-farmed Hokkaido scallops, farmed almaco jack (kampachi) from Hawaii, farmed Washington State Coho salmon, and much more.

Mashiko, well reviewed and thriving since 1994, is known not only for its classical sushi but also for Chef Sato’s innovative departures. The hot menu has always been known as one of the most interesting and unusual in Seattle.  Hours M-Th: 5:33pm-9:30pm, Fri: 5:33pm-11:00pm, Sat: 5:03pm-11:00pm, Sun: 5:03pm-9:30pm

By admin | Posted in Food photography, design, press | Comments (3)

Miko the Model

August 13, 2009 – 5:19 pm

Yesterday I was able to explore a bit around my new Eastside neighborhood.

At 5:30 (which at this particular point in the season is the PERFECT time for pet photography I’ve decided) I meandered into Medina to meet Linda, Ralph and little Miko. We scored a gorgeous sunny afternoon and spent the evening rolling around in the grass, chatting on the deck, relaxing in the family room and generally ooohing and ahhing over Miko, who slowly but surely got VERY comfortable with being photographed.

I particularly like the shots of the family… Linda and Ralph just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary (no small feat) and these photos were a gift to commemorate this time in their life. I was lucky enough to share a sunny afternoon, chasing mighty little Miko around with a camera and basking in this little Lhasa’s majesty.

Aside from forgetting I am allergic to grass and rolling around in it (while wearing a tank top to boot – nice one Nichole) the shoot went flawlessly! Congrats L + R – you’re an inspiration!

By admin | Posted in Medina Pet Photography, family photography | Tagged , , | Comments (2)

Art for Animals’ Sake

August 12, 2009 – 10:20 am

This Friday night (Aug. 14), you should make your way to South Lake Union ( 2200 Westlake; above Whole Foods on Westlake and Denny) to see some great pet art, drink some Dry Soda and most of all, celebrate N.O.A.H.

Best Friend Photography and Pet Portraits by David have put together a great evening of silent auction art sales (yup, we donated) to benefit a great Northwest animal organization. Check out the recent “Puppy Mill Bill” that NOAH helped champion.

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By admin | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Seattle Pet Photographer: Where have you been?

August 3, 2009 – 8:39 am

Well I have been terrible about updating this blog. Something about being on the road for a month that makes it hard for one to concentrate on things like editing photos for web and writing blogs – which is such a shame, because I really love this part of my job.

I suppose the fact that I actually enjoy it makes it feel like an indulgence, which then makes me push it to the bottom of the daily “to-do list” in my journal (along with pedicures, long walks around the lake, and happy hour with my buds.) *sigh*

So here you have it – a confession of neglect and with it a promise to be better!  To give you an idea of what I’ve been up to I will give you a list – partially to remind myself what the heck I’ve been so busy doing, and partly to give you an idea of the awesome back-blogs that are to come, and maybe point out a few awesome ones you might have missed :)

The madness started mid-June…

June 13: Day 1  filming + shooting (10hrs)  for “Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart”

June 14: Day 2 filming + shooting (8hrs) for “Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart” + drive to Portland (3hrs), stay at Hotel Lucia

June 15: Shoot at Hotel Lucia, drive from Portland to Calistoga, CA (11 hrs): Stay at Calistoga Ranch

June 16: Shoot at Calistoga Ranch, drive from Calistoga, CA to Hop Kiln Winery in Healdsburg, CA – meet pet-sitter to drop Olivia, shoot at Hop Kiln, drive to Santa Rosa, CA to pick-up Olivia, drive to stay at the Meritage in Napa, CA

June 17: Shoot at Meritage, drive to Kenwood Inn + Spa, meet BEST santa rosa, CA pet-sitter EVER to drop Olivia, shoot at Kenwood, meet consulting client who just happens to be live in Napa, drink wine + relax at Kenwood.

June 18: Meet pet-sitter to pick-up Olivia, drive to Hollywood, CA (7hrs) to meet Jamie – drive to Seal Beach, CA

June 19: Jamie and I work all day to the melody of leaf blowers and lawn mowers before finally indulging in a dinner of In-and-Out at 10pm and deciding to wait until the next day to head to San Diego

June 20: Jamie and I pack up and head to San Diego to check out the Coronado Bay Surf Dog competition, stay at the Sofia Hotel and meet up with fellow pet photog friends for yummy mexican dinner

June 21: Wake, eat, drop Jamie off at the San Diego airport and head to the Westin Gaslamp to meet up with buddy Janine + Beau of Luxurypaw.com – explore the Gaslamp district, listen in on  a Padres game, dine, shop, pass out. (Happy Father’s Day!)

June 22: Check out of the Westin, drop Janine off at Rancho Valencia and head back to Seal Beach to get down to business!

June 23: Dog walk on the beach with the pups + photo shoot with Roxie Heart in LA

June 24: Screen check in Long Beach, CA for our new Dog is Good tee (6 hrs) Very excited about this one!!

June 25: Hop a plane back to Seattle for the weekend to work – stop in at Urban Beast for their Yappy Hour

June 26: Treck down to Tacoma (braving rush-hour traffic) with Amy to the Hotel Murano – eat at “bite” – fall in love with Fried Green Tomatoes and Fries + Gravy

June 27: Shoot the Hotel Murano, spend FOREVER trying to find an open Tully’s (seriously testing our sanity) – score our Yerbas and some snacks  + water to sustain us for the day – head to find our bride at her hotel and then off to the Tacoma Museum of Glass for a gorgeous wedding (Congrats Crystal + James.) Dinner with the boyfriend at Benihana and then collapse.

June 28: Venture to Lake Union to meet up with bride + groom at the Skansonia Ferry. All day wedding (with Opus, the most AWESOME ring-bearer EVER) and then home again to upload and collapse.

June 29: Meeting with potential commercial client, errands then product shoot + pizza at the studio with two Great Danes and a black lab mix. Weeeee

June 30: Fly back to Seal Beach, CA

July 1-9: Work like mad on Dog is Good: Greeting Card designs, new hat designs, tee screen-check, booth configuration, choosing a commercial space etc. etc. + LOTS of beach walks with dogs

July 10: Pick boyfriend up at Long Beach airport, shop for road trip snacks,  test out local sushi joint

July 11: Wake early, one last beach walk with pooches, pack, shower hit the road- drive to Carmel, CA (9 hrs) – check in at the Cypress Inn and hit the beach for sunset.

July 12: Breakfast at Cypress, hit the highway, following the coast up to San Francisco (2 hrs)- Lunch at awesome an Burmese restaurant in the city, kite flying in the Presidio, photo shoot with the lovely Pam Biasotti + Karma at Baker Beach then off to Santa Rosa, CA to drop off Olivia with Mandy (super awesome-amazing pet-sitter) and on to Kenwood Inn + Spa again.

July 13: Amazing breakfast at Kenwood, pack + acquire the the pup and head up to the coast, through the Redwood National Forest, stopping at beaches here and there– all the way to Portland (12 hrs) to the Hotel deLuxe.

July 14: Shoot at the Hotel deLuxe, breakfast and back on the road to Seattle. Unpack, laundry, collapse.

July 15: Breakfast at Luna with the roomies + catch flight to Tucson, AZ for Family Reunion

July 16: Drive to family cabin near Sho Low, AZ  (6 hrs)  lose, cell reception + internet

July 17-19: Family reunion goodness – visiting and exploring and getting dirty in the sand car

July 20: Drive back from family cabin to home in Tucson, AZ (6 hrs) see the new Ice Age + eat pie with the fam

July 21: Fly back to Seattle

July 22-31: Catch up on many, many, many projects… (including this blog!) *whew*

By admin | Posted in Dog is Good, French Bulldogs, LA Pet Photography, Orange County Pet Photography, Seattle Pet Photographer, Tales for the Pet Lover's Heart, Uncategorized, dane + dane travel, pet portrait photography, press, san francisco, seal beach | Comments (1)

My favorite Sundays: Dane style

August 3, 2009 – 8:18 am

There is so much I could say about our awesome outing at Marymoor yesterday (Olivia even submitted to a bath at Wash Spot,) but I am going to let this incredible little Harl pup say it for me… The day was gorgeous, the grasses were tall, the glee was tangible.

He looks nearly identical to my Olivia at that age ( 4 mo.) – I couldn’t get enough of sir Omar and his floppy romping.

Notice in this first one…. miss Olivia’s pink nose in the upper right…

He’s got two different colored eyes as well, just opposite of my Liv

Look at those ginormous ears!!!

Olivia thought Mr. Omar was great fun – “Mini-Me”

Oh and that pink, pink nose — YUMMY!!

Just for fun, another Dane friend we met and adored, look at those floppy lips — Totally Dane!

To see more of our Marymoor friends, watch the slideshow…

To buy prints, visit our Pet Photography Gallery on Zenfolio


By admin | Posted in Great Dane, Pet Photography, Uncategorized, pet portrait photography, seattle graphic design | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)