Every once in a while, I meet a certain combination of dogs, mixed with a certain combination of humans, complete with just the perfect combination of aesthetic and personality to create an incredibly dynamic photo shoot.  I like to think that every single pet portrait sitting is dynamic in its own way, but sometimes it just happens without effort… with ease and laughter and what feels like a little bit of magic… everything just falls into place.

My friends I would like to share with you to one of those portrait sittings…

When I finished proofing Allie, Opie and Charley’s photo shoot from a couple weeks ago I felt that there was something missing.  We did get great shots (even one that ended up in as a full page in CityDog Magazine see page 34) But, on the day of our first sitting it was pouring down rain. Without the opportunity to photograph them outside, I didn’t feel like I had totally told the story of these three amigos.

So, I called up Luke and Mareth and invited them out for more shooting at Lincoln Park (which, I am convinced, is one of the most beautiful places on earth.)

Yesterday we finally got our day with sun and a whole blanket of incredible clouds. Fresh from work, the crew arrived ready to rumble and we got right to business.

One of the many perks about this trio is their size differential. Small, medium and large canines, all of whom, have gigantic personalities. I really do think I could photograph these characters all day long and not get bored, it’s all I can do to keep up with their individual and combined antics.

We started with one of my favorite places – daisies + clover. This was especially meant for little Opie, who was just the right size to frolic amidst the flora.

Next stop, picnic tables.  I love to put a dog on a table and see what he does… these three did not disappoint. Allie, in typical Dane fashion, lept right onto her dad’s shoulders – to be as tall as possible – and let me tell you, a Great Dane standing on a picnic table is pretty dern tall!

From here we rambled down to the beach. I was determined to find cherry blossoms: they are my very favorite bloom.. I am pretty sure that Great Dane + cherry tree= true love.

{I am suddenly hearing the lyrics… Big black horse and a cherry tree…. if this Dane were black that would be too perfect!}

The trees I happened to find, of course, were on a dangerously steep incline (we’re talkin’ nearly vertical) so my plans didn’t exactly turn out the way I had hoped, but when editing I found I had been given one awesome little gift, and as it turns out,  floppy Great Dane face + cherry tree does indeed = truest love.

and this little arty moment…

After that we decided to wander towards the water. Charley, of course, was all atwitter with the idea of plowing head-long into the lapping waves. It was all his patient parents could do to keep him occupied with sticks on the dry land. For the time being… Opie had a nibble too:

Here we waited for the sun to sink and the ferries to come and go. What happened next I could not have even dreamed more perfectly. Just as the ferry left, the sun appeared in low blinding bursts through the clouds and I was given the opportunity to capture some of my favorite photographs of my career to date.

Now I will admit, I am a sucker for a silouhuette “dog on the beach” shot (check out Olivia in Ocean Shores at sunset,) but a silouhuette, dog leaping on the beach with a magnificent sky, a departing ferry, incredible golden side lighting AND little tiny water droplets is more than I ever could have asked for. Thank you, thank you, thank you universe.

So now, we have WAYYYY too many photos (just the way I like it) and I can’t wait to help M+ J pick out the perfect portraits for their new designated “dog wall” at home and to design their epic book. The choosing will now, most certainly, be tough.

In my mind, this was the quintessential Pacific Northwest three dog shoot and I fell asleep very, VERY satisfied last night.

Woof!