Izzy and Cooper! Valentine's Day Photo shoots!

I hope everyone had a great holiday and enjoying the beginning of 2012. My holiday travels took me to Orlando to visit my mom and to Deep Creek Lake to visit my boyfriend Adam's family. After a busy holiday season photographing so many great dogs (and their owners) I soaked up the relaxation and emerged feeling refreshed for the new year.

So now my work is to post the loveliest of the photographs we took. This series is of Izzy and Cooper, two Vizslas that spent a chilly, sunny morning in December on the Capitol lawn. They are both sweet and exotic and oh my, how they can run! I had to really turn up my shutter speed so I could get more than caramel-colored streaks running across the frame. We got great shot of everyone, including a the quintessential DC portrait in front of the Capitol building.

I also wanted to let you all know that I am organizing mini-portrait sessions at Wylie Wagg in Tyson's on Saturday, February 11th from 12-5pm. Come and get your sweet one photographed! It will work just like before where sessions are $65 (plus $15 for each additional pet) and include either two high-res digital images or $25 to purchase prints. As always owners are photographed for free! Email me at houndstoothphotography@gmail.com for more information or to schedule your appointment.

Also, I am part of a fundraiser for Lucky Dog animal rescue at Wagtime in DC on February 12th. I'll have my studio set up from 10-1pm. Sessions are $35 (100% of which goes to Lucky Dog). You don't have to make an appointment--just show up!

Photographs from Wagtime's 10th Anniversary!

Worth a giggle

Steve, Jill & Baxter

Didn't Steve and Jill get married in the most picturesque spot? After being together for over 13 years, they got married this September at Lost Creek Winery near Leesburg Virginia. It was a small, family wedding that really represented the love they have for each other and the support of their family. And of course, their beloved Baxter was by their side the whole time! As you can see, he was very happy to be included in the festivities. I was so honored to be part of their amazing day where I could combine my loves of people and pet photography

I met Baxter for the first time while doing a Wylie Wagg photo shoot last November. Baxter was a perfect model--he has the most amazing honey-colored eyes--and we got lots of great shots from the day. I'm doing another shoot at Wylie Wagg in Tysons this December 4th from 12-5pm. I still have a few time slots open so let me know if you are interested by writing me at houndstoothphotography@gmail.com

Also, these illustrations on dog dream creations gave me a much needed laugh.

Hope you are all staying cozy on this foggy day!

La femme Nikki

Isn't Nikki a beautiful dog? Her owner Sherrie, who is also quiet lovely, agrees completely. We spent one of warm fall afternoons walking around Shirlington and getting some great shots. Nikki was super shy in front of the camera at first but she really warmed up and by the end she was posing. People always ask if my job is stressful and I tell them it isn't because I always have faith that we will get the picture. And up until now, it's worked every time.

In other good news, Lola (from the previous post) was adopted! Her owners Adam and Cassandra are really happy that she is going to a good home with people who will appreciate her "Lolaness."

And what is everyone going to be for Halloween this year? I just took some really fun Halloween portraits with my friend Matt and his friendly pack which I'll put up here on Monday. Here are the ones we did last year that that made it into People magazine's pet section.

As always, I am behind on posting but really want to share some of the fun work I've been doing this fall so expect to see some more photographs soon. Also, I am starting to sign people up at Wagtime and Wylie Wagg for the end of November and early December so let me know if you are interested. I'll send out an email early next week.

Stay warm and dry this weekend!

Adopt Lola!

Hi all! I am back from Costa Rica (amazing) and wanted to get the word out about lovely Lola, who my friends Cassandra and Adam have been fostering (their last foster, Chester, went to a great family in Mt. Pleasant)....

Lola (also know as Suzie Q by her friends at K-9 Lifesavers) is a wonderful 3 and half year old Southern Bell. Rescued from Vidalia, GA, Lola has had a rough beginning of life. Used by a backyard breeder for over two years, she was then abandoned to her fate and later found with a stick stuck in her mouth. Fortunately she was rescued by the K-9 folks and brought to the DC area where a new chapter in her life began. Unfortunately, while loved by everyone, Lola hasn't found a forever home yet, and a one year from her rescue she is now living la vida with her foster family and foster sister in Mount Pleasant, enjoying walks and the random squirrel and chipmunk chases (someone has to keep them under control). This Georgia peach is probably a black lab mix. Some think she also has some pit and beagle in her, given her funny and extremely devotional personality. Her foster parents just know that she has brought a lot of love and many (really, MANY) dog kisses in their lives. In spite of her first years of life, Lola is a loving girl. She is a little shy and at first tends to stay away from new people and new dogs, but give her some time and she turns in the silly dog that she is (her foster parents suggest to meet her at another scheduled time other than the adoption events, those can be a little overwhelming!). After a couple of months to become familiar with the city environment and work on her confidence, Lola is now looking for a family to call her own. If you're looking for a life long companion that loves yoga (she has the most fierce positions ever seen), green beans, and couches, please contact her adoption coordinator. You can find her contact info here (ask about Suzie Q). Lola would do great in a house by herself or with another dog after the necessary introduction, older children, and possibly cat-free.

Beautiful Wild Cumbe

Cumbe is a wild animal! Just kidding, Cumbe is just about the cuddliest, friendliest dog that I have met but she does have those beautiful wolf eyes that make her unique. Matt and Laura, her owners, met Cumbe when they went to the shelter to pick out their first dog together. Cumbe came right up to them and it was a match well made. They think she is a Husky/Terrier mix and in my opinion, it's an amazing combination. I photographed them in Flenview, Illinois when I was on my midwestern tour in July (I visited St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Chicago in 10 days and had a lot of good times).

I've been on the road and I'm hitting the road again. I'll be in Costa Rica for 10 days and I'm hoping to photograph some of the monkeys that live in the jungle trees along the ocean. When I get back I am going to be launching a new blog which combines my pet photography work with my human photography work in an attempt to streamline my online world and post pictures more often. I have a lot of great pictures stored up from these past few months so expect to see some of them soon. In the meantime, I hope all of you enjoy the last few months of summer.

Also, I wanted to mention that Willy, of Willy and Shakes the therapeutic bunnies, has to have surgery to remove a cancerous tumor that is threatening his life. The surgery is $3,000 and their handler Sherri is asking that everyone donate $10 to help cover his bills. These furry guys have brought a lot of joy to the people they visit and Sherri works tirelessly to spread their bunny therapy. If you can help, please make a donation to the address below. Make sure to mention "Save Willy" if you are paying with a credit card or write "Save Willy" on your check.

VCA Veterinary Referral Associates
500 Perry Parkway
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
(301) 926-3300

Attn: Melody / Accounting
(For Willy The Angora Rabbit !!)