Contest Winner ~ Montana Dog & Wedding Photography

One of my photos from Allison & Paul's September wedding at Congress Hall in Cape May just won in the "Details - found" category of the Wedding Photojournalist Association's current contest. This was a fun shot to capture of a seagull helping itself to the leftovers from cocktails while I was awaiting the beginning of the reception. The entire day was perfection since the weather, location, families, and friends were all a pleasure to photograph - oh, and they brought their dog, Riley, down to the Cape too. Kind of made it perfect for me. I've included here the winning entry and a few of my favorites.

My Sanctuary as Muse

As an nature girl, environmentalist, and photographer I'm happy to announce that I have just been appointed by the mayor of my town to its Environmental Commission and will be in charge of protecting its open spaces. For the past year I was on the town's Shade Tree Commission but now I will be able to more closely protect my sanctuary and muse: the town's arboretum and wildlife sanctuary. There is not much open space left in the suburbs of NJ but I'm fortunate to live within 2 blocks of this one and have done some of my best work with dogs in there including the images below and my "Dogs at Play" series as well as some of my commissioned documentary dog and family portraiture.

Carli & JayJay ~ Montana Dog & Fine Art Photography

Appropriately after posting about my childhood photo album, and early love of dogs and animals, I just completed editing a portrait session featuring 2 best friends: Carli, 12 years old, and JayJay. We also squeezed in some time for the rest of their family too. It couldn't have been more of a pleasure watching them together and getting to document it.

Origin of the Species

Just recently posted about how I needed to become a dog photographer since Sugar demands so much of my energy and time but I now want to share how I think I was destined to do this since childhood. I've had many distractions in my career (ie paying the rent) but I recently rediscovered my origins as an animal/nature lover and photographer in my childhood photo album. Some of the images were co-opted from my older sister and mom but the round-edged square images were taken with my first camera. Apologies to my sister whose photo (taken by my mother) seems devilishly placed on the first portfolio page I ever dedicated to my animal photos which includes my friend's pet skunk, Faberge, and some sickly camels in a local drive thru safari. The scrapbooking section is quite funny and foretelling with a whole page dedicated to a weim.

Great Faces

In the middle of the process of editing my final wedding of the season I felt the need to post these 2 images. This is Kristen with two of the three loves of her life before the walk down the aisle to her third.

Why I Became a Dog Photographer

Or at least one of the many reasons. My weim, Sugar, can't relax which means she is always waiting for me to answer her dogged question: "What's next? What's next?!!!, so I usually end up photographing whatever it is she figures out to do to keep herself occupied. Proof appears in these surveillance screenshots of her at doggie daycare on a recent rainy day. All the other dogs, exhausted from hours of playing, are sleeping, but not my Shug, standing, waiting for what's next...

Holiday Gift Idea for the Dog Lovers You Know

Don't forget I offer gift certificates for all of my services. This is a great gift idea for the dog lovers you know, for your whole family, or for my upcoming wedding clients. Gift certificates can be used to purchase a photo session or for any products (prints, DVD movies, albums and folios). Put a shoot with me on your holiday wish list!

Dog Joy!

The editors of The Bark (my favorite magazine long before I was even a dog photographer) have published a wonderful new book entitled "Dog Joy: The Happiest Dogs in the Universe". It's a great holiday gift sure to bring a smile to all dog-loving humans' faces. My photo and muse, Sugar, grace the lead into the chapter on dogs with their more than just innocent smiles...

Dogs in the Snow Holiday Cards

My "Dogs at Play" series is now available as greeting and holiday cards, postcards and postage stamps too! Check out my store for other designs as well. Click on the cards below. Enjoy!

Jillian & Colin's Wedding Album

A beautiful digital flush mount Queensberry album.

WHO: Jillian & Colin (+ Seamus)
WHERE: McLoone's Pier House, Long Branch NJ