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Dogs are the family!
Family portraits are an important marker in the life of a family. It is sad for me to say that families don’t have portraits made like they used to. When the family is the dogs it is even more critical because as we know all too well, our dogs are not with us as long as we wish they would be.
When just the dogs are the family, whether the kids are grown and out of the house, or if there were no children, these portraits are really special. The more I photograph people with their dogs the more I am humbled with the love and connection they have with their beloved pets. I is my great pleasure to capture them together in portraits that they will treasure for years to come. Of course, in a portrait like this particular one there is a tremendous amount of activity going one while the portraits are being created.
The couple is following my directions and I am keeping the dog attention focused on me by all the tricks and various noise makers I have acquired in the course of photographing more than 1000 dogs.
However, the most critical part in a portrait like this one is that the couple look relaxed and comfortable of the action going on around them. I think they did a darn good job!
Fun Family Portrait in the Park
Outdoor portraits. I have taken hundreds of outdoor portraits in the past 37 years. They have been engagement portraits, high school senior portraits, wedding portraits and of course, family portraits.
Their are a number of goals I have when taking family portraits in the park setting, Nice lighting, in this case an overcast day with just a bit of electronic flash added to soften any bit of shadow under the eyes and to add a little sparkle to their faces. In the big park that I uses I have lots of choices of which particular background the I use. For this portrait I chose one that had boulder, trees and a walk bridge to give the portrait what I think is a very interesting, even compelling background.
This casual pose was actually very carefully posed so that it would look like it just kind of happened. By doing so everyone looks great and it keeps that casual, loving family feel.
Puppy Portraits, but don’t wait too long!
As you may imagine, photographing puppies can be and incredible challenge. Anything and everything that can go wrong will happen. The secret for me is to be totally prepared befor the puppies arrive at my studio. The first thing is to know the number of puppies that are coming. Once I know that I will create a set for them. In this portrait I had my little bench that I used for children’s portrait. It worked really well, it kept the puppies in place and was a nice contrast against their white coats.
It is probably obvious that I could not do a portrait like this one by myself. Indeed, I do need help from the ‘wranglers. In this case it was the owner of the puppies and her frieind. Each was kneeling by the bench, one on each side. As I was taking the portraits, I would give the wranglers directions to move and turn the puppies as needed. In addition, I would use my various whistles and squeekies to get and keep the puppies attentions. Of course, working fast is critical and part of that includes encouraging the wranglers if they start to get discouraged if and when the session gets a little chaotic.
Here is where my two-fold philosophy is so importaing for a successful portrait session. First, I am blessed with endless patience and I never get flustered. Second, nothing that occurs during a portrait session is ever a problem. Bathroom accidents occur and we clean them up, no big deal. What a great feeling it is when a session like this comes together and the pups are posing great. Of course, I take a bunch of images when that is happening. Then, as is inevitable it will fall apart. But not to worry, because we are done and the proud puppy owner will have lots of winning images to choose from.
But don’t wait too long, they will be on their way to various loving homes.
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