We had an extra special visitor in the studio this week. Anybody who came into the studio last Autumn probably heard me talk about a Lab who I had fallen in love with. He had spent all his life from about 6 weeks old to 14 months in the RSPCA shelter at Fairfield, and at the time he urgently needed a foster home, someone who could spend a lot of time with him to train him, exercise him, love him, and let him find his potential as the wonderful dog all who met him agreed he could be. After a lot of soul searching, Beck and I decided that we just couldn’t do this, we didn’t have the time he would need and it wouldn’t be fair on our old girls. But I couldn’t get him out of my head.
Until Dave and Jenny came into his life. They have taken a very boisterous, energetic and destructive dog (Think of Marley from the film ‘Marley and Me’ but with an extra gear) and turned him into such a beautiful boy. He still has that same sparkle in his eye, the same winning smile, but now he looks to them for leadership and is gentle and obedient. Dave and Jenny you have done a WONDERFUL job. I wish the session could have lasted all day, I hope I have done him justice.
Aside from Noah, its been another busy week. Thanks to all the Greencross staff at City Road, Beenleigh for your hospitality (I hope you like your photos!!) and to all who visited us this week. As promised here is a sneak preview… do let us know what you think!!
I’ve just spent a couple of brilliant days at the Queensland Australian Institute of Professional Photographers seminar called (appropriately enough for me!) Hair of the Dog. I’ve spent the time with lots of professional photographers from all over Queensland and the rest of Australia, learning from some of Australias best and most experienced photographers from all parts of the industry. Sam, our photo retoucher, was there too and we have learned a huge amount. Watch out from some new ideas soon. I think its important that I continually strive to be the best photographer I possibly can, and how could I not learn when in the same room as people who have shot covers for Time magazine (Russell Shakespeare), or been named Australia’s Wedding Photographer of the Year three times (Rocco Ancora)? There were so many great photographers running workshops, I had such a wonderful time.
We also had a brilliant week in the studio, I hope you enjoy the photos.
Its been a week full of pairs of dogs this last week, Labs, German Shepherds, Fox Terriers, and an old friend with a new brother. You might recognise Raz the Border Collie from some of our marketing, here he is with his new little brother Doza (very cute – Border Collie crossed with a Staffie as a best guess).
As always let us know what you think!
The weekly blog update is a bit late this week, Saturday was CRAZY busy (in a good way!) but here are the photos from the last week or so.
If you are reading this blog, do leave a comment and let us know your thoughts! Especially if you are a proud parent of one of the animals photographed. I look after the blog, Beck looks after our Facebook page, and she is crowing because she is getting loads more comments than I am.
Shadow, the black Kelpie cross in the first photo, is a very special dog, and is photographed in her working clothes. Can you guess what job she does? Keep an eye out for more on her soon… meanwhile enjoy the photos!
We had a fun night last night, at the RSPCA Montville Gourmet Food and Wine evening at the Poets Cafe, Montville. I gave a talk about how to improve your pet photography, including live demonstrations of me photographing Benjy. The top photos below are the last two photos I took of Benjy last night. Benjy is currently at the RSPCA Noosa shelter looking for a new home, so get in touch with them if you are interested in giving him a home. Also there was Bob Irwin, who spoke about some of the issues surrounding Australia’s wildlife and especially about the plight of Koalas (more information here), and Mark Townend (RSPCA QLD CEO) also spoke. Altogether about 150 of us enjoyed the evening. I didn’t get much time for the gourmet food but I did find some time for the wine …
Afterwards we stayed at Coolabine Ridge, a wonderful new Eco Sanctuary just outside Mapleton. We wish we could have stayed a bit longer… so we booked in for our Wedding Aniversary in April! Many thanks to Ron and Helen for their wonderful support of the RSPCA, and for putting us up. We woke up to the most wonderful views and total peace and quiet – shame we had to get up and face the Brissie rush hour traffic!
Photos below are of Benjy, myself and Beck with Bob Irwin, some of the ladies from the RSPCA with Bob, and RSPCA Mark Townend with friends.
