Horrible Blogger

I am a horrible blogger - but Facebook is pretty perfect for networking! Now if I could just get 1. more followers 2. more visibility for my followers, I will be set!

Anyways, here is a shot from last week!

Hey Baby...

April Love

More Shelter Work

Your Place or Mine?

I am trying a little something different with my promotional work... in addition to the day fostering I do, I am trying to work with more kennel dogs on the property and get them some quick attention showcasing their personality. Please follow me on Facebook so we can get these guys all the attention they deserve! https://www.facebook.com/JAKPhotographyAZ

Happy St. Patty's Day

Nikita wishes everyone a happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Of course she also would like to remind you not to party TOO hard with the green beer - hangovers Tuesday morning are the worst!

March Madness

I have been buying and remodeling a new house, and so I haven't had time to shoot much- but I am back!

So far, all of the puppies besides Ramone have been adopted from the shelter- and it feels amazing to think that I got to work with these wonderful beings. There are some that I have gotten very attached to and it makes it hard to go back and see them still waiting for their homes... but getting the email saying they found it makes it all worth while! I am trying to think of ways to do more...

Today I got to hang out with Nugget, who was very fearful and insecure, making him freeze in place. He took great comfort in physical affection, although flinched at times when I caressed his face, making me sad about what this gentle creature has experienced in his life. 

Here are some of his photos! The shelter has requested I leave the leashes in the photos so there isn't concern of uncontrolled dogs or other fosters replicating "leash less" walks (I completely understand), but you can see some of the edits below for the photos for my personal collection. Of course the theme was green for St. Patrick's Day!

 

Last week I hung out with Clarissa, who is one of the longest residents at the shelter. These black dogs for some reason continuously get passed up. I think they get lost in the shadows and people walking by cannot see their personality. Clarissa definitely enjoyed her day out, and she was super smart! She already knew most tricks and I was shocked when she came to me when called - in the middle of a park that is quite the test!

PS the "leaving the leash in" deal is KILLING me - how awesome would this photo look without one? Of course, since it crosses her body, it is not such the easy task. Since this one was more time consuming of an edit (at least for me) and it wouldn't be used to promote her, I left it in. However regardless of the presence of a leash, this is one of my favorite photos I have taken so far. So colorful (the greenness of this grass is VERY rare for AZ), she looks so happy and free, and it is a (somewhat) action shot. All of my favorite factors!

Also, any other pet photographers out there will know that shooting black dogs is a little bit more of a challenge. I opted to try full sunlight in these photos and try and shoot the dog running towards the sun, so the light hit her face. I was really happy with how these turned out because last time I tried it, it didn't turn out so well. An added bonus is how shiny Clarissa's coat looks and you can see her muscle tone! 

Catch Up

Ok I am a bad blogger! I get so caught up in these adoptable dogs that I keep forgetting to post on the blog! It seems that posting on Facebook is a great way to market these pooches and get people to see them, so I get a little distracted.

I am having a great time with these dogs and so far everyone has been adopted except the three below, who are the most recent I have taken out. This has been such a rewarding experience! I have problems with my artistic direction, as it is difficult to handle the dog AND take photos, so they don't always turn out the way I want, but I still think I am capturing more of their personality than their intake photos. I also think the notes I provide to put in their file really helps potential adopters understand how the dog is outside of the shelter and what they can expect. I am still brainstorming how I can get some better action shots too, as the dogs need to stay on a leash and the leash needs to remain in the photos as per request. Hopefully you will see more of those soon!

Take a Moment

My normal morning routine starts when my alarm goes off at 6 am. Nikita will gently step into the bedroom and place her head on the side of my bed, anxiously looking for signs that I have woken up. Once I give the slightest indication that I have awoken, she will jump into my bed and cuddle with me in the sweetest, groggiest way possible. We will snooze the alarm 2-3 times and then stumble our way outside so she can have her morning walk. As soon as we return from our walk she bolts back into bed, where she dishes out the biggest heap of puppy dog eyes you have ever seen begging me to return to the warm bed and cuddle. Since I imagine my dog has expensive taste, this cannot happen and I must get ready for work. She casually hops on her treadmill for her mile walk while I shower, toss around clothes determining an outfit, and primp with hair and makeup. Once I am done making myself somewhat presentable and she is done with her workout she keeps me company while I make breakfast (where I usually share my last bit of bagel) and she chows down her breakfast. I turn on iTunes for her and leave her for the day at about 7:15. It breaks my heart to leave her every time.

This morning was a little different. I was so overwhelmed by her attentive cuddling that we laid in bed extra long and she missed her treadmill workout. She kept me company in the bathroom for my normal primping routine and while I was eating she ignored her breakfast and enthusiastically brought me her blue ball. Her hopeful eyes looked up at me begging to play and lighten up before what was expected to be a jam packed stressful day. I melted as I realized how happy she is with the simplicity of chasing a ball and bringing it back to me. Needless to say, I caved and we played ball. 

She joyfully pounced after the ball and was thrilled when I got up to run around with her. I try not to get her too riled up before leaving for the day (especially when she didn't get her normal energy outlet of the treadmill) so I decided that when she chased after her ball, I would hide behind the open bedroom door. When she came to bring the ball back to me she stopped dead in her tracks when she realized I wasn't in the same spot. I shifted quietly so I could watch her from the crack of the door. 

She turned from where we had been playing in the living room and checked the kitchen.  I wasn't there. 

She scanned the dining room. No luck. 

She walked right past me and looked in the bedroom. Then the other side of the bed. I wasn't there. 

She bolted to the bathroom and closet. Empty. 

At this point she dropped her ball and I could see she was panicked. She frantically repeated her search pattern, continuously with no luck. I decided to give a soft whistle to give her a clue. This big, bad German shepherd could not pin point where it was coming from, but she knew I was still there! She paced back and forth and began whining, truly beside herself at where I could have gone. I peaked my head out from behind the door when she was in my line of sight, and the expression on her face crushed my soul. It was one of panic, concern, heartbreak and longing. 

I couldn't take it and came out from behind the door. She ran towards me and jumped in my arms, squealing with joy that she had me again. I fell to the floor crying; my fresh make up running down my cheeks. I couldn't help but think of all the shelter dogs out there, and in particular the ones abused by their previous owners. They still have that longing in their eyes, looking for someone to love them as they have so much to give. As Nikita rolled to her back so I could rub her belly, I thought of all the dogs who frantically search for their owners, only they never jump out from their hiding place behind the door. I am her world and it is such a huge honor to have her love. She will never know the feeling of waiting for me to come back to get her other than me going to work or going on a short vacation. She will always know love. 

In her true innocent canine fashion, she had no idea how moved I was by the experience or how my heart was breaking. After drooling on herself from her belly rub, she jerked up to run after her ball and bring it back to me. I was 10 minutes late for work. 

I am so grateful for the people out there that love their dogs and I admire those that love dogs that are not theirs. Dogs are so selfless; they do not care about the past but only spending time with you now. 

I hope everyone can take a moment to appreciate their companions and acknowledge the selfless love that is being given to them. We are their world.

~JAK

Handsome Boys

I have been slacking on the blogging lately, but I have been super busy! Both Celeste and Miriam from my previous post were adopted and Silva (pictured below) was adopted 3 days after our shoot! 

This project has been so fun and rewarding, I only wish I had more time to hang out with these beautiful souls. I am a little bummed because it was requested I leave leashes in the photos, but secretly I am a little happy because it saves me on some editing time :)

First Love Connection

I received great news last night! My first foster dog/model was adopted!!! I am not sure if I had anything to do with it, but what a happy ending! I am so happy for this love match.

Single Ladies

I am so thrilled to begin my new project. I am a day foster volunteer with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. I take adoptable dogs out of the shelter for a day of hiking and fun, and of course, they get a full photo shoot while they are out! I am hoping to capture their personalities and they will find perfect families :) Here are my first two single gals for the project "I'm a Keeper, Are You?"

Snow Day for Nikita

Nikita loves the snow! Although she didn't understand me telling her why we couldn't have snow all the time - but Phoenix doesn't really support a white Christmas! Good thing snow is only an hour or two away.