For as long as I can remember, my life has revolved around caring for companion animals and nurturing the bonds they share with their human families - first as a vet tech, now as a pet photographer. This blog is where I will feature my fave pet photo sessions, share pet tips - including how to take better photos of your own pet, home decor and pet photo display ideas, news, updates, special events, and probably a lot of rambling about dogs and how awesome they are.
Pet Photo Blog
2024 International Pet Photographer of the Year Awards
The results are in for this year’s International Pet Photographer Awards, and out of 10 images submitted, I received 1 Silver Award, 4 Bronze Distinction, and 5 Bronze. Not too shabby, considering there were over 3000 images submitted!
Photoshop Is Not A Dirty Word
Recently, I was asked to submit a video showing my photo editing process to the Hair of the Dog Academy Edit-Palooza Summit. It was a huge honour to be included alongside 40+ of the biggest names in pet photography, worldwide!
You can watch me edit this photo of Kelley and Declan from Snugapug in Edit-Palooza!
Best In Class For Animals and Fine Art In Eastern Canada Image Competition
The results are in from the 2024 Eastern Image Competition by the Professional Photographers of Canada. I had two images achieve scores of Excellence (the highest score), and they both also won Best in Class awards!
The Eastern competition includes members from Ontario, Quebec, and all 4 Atlantic provinces, so there is some extremely tough competition. There were so many amazing images, it’s a huge honour to have won in my two favourite classes, Animals and Fine Art. I also received the Bruce Berry Award for Best General Print by a member from the Atlantic Provinces.
Animal Study Accreditation
The Animal Study Accreditation required me to submit 5 photos of each of 2 animals, showing a wide variety in poses, locations, and lighting conditions. I was fortunate to have had so many beautiful pets to choose from - the hardest part was choosing which two to use. Going back through my catalogue really drove home for me how many amazing clients I have, so many of whom have trusted me to capture their most precious pet memories not just once, but on multiple occasions!
It was important to me that I use client work, and not my own pets, which would have kind of felt like cheating (though not actually against the rules).
PAW-SBA 2025 Pet Photo Calendar Contest
My 2025 Pet Photo Calendar Contest fundraiser for the People for Animal Wellbeing in Moncton is underway! This will be my 6th year photographing pets for their calendar fundraiser, I think it may be a tradition.
All pets are welcome to enter, as long as they can be safely transported to the pop-up studio session location (The Magic Touch Grooming and Cattery in Riverview) on either the afternoon of Sunday, August 18, or the evening of Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
Tails of the World: Moncton 2024
This year, I’ve been selected as the official 2024 photographer for the Greater Moncton area in the annual Tails of the World book! Over the past few years, these books have featured over 1150 dogs and raised over $130,000 CAD!
In 2024, our goal Is to raise $95,000 with Tails of the World: Volume 3.
This project offers 10 dog lovers in the Moncton area the opportunity to see their furry family featured in an internationally published coffee table book.
Hope and Sarge at Their Home in New Horton
I photographed mixed-breed rescue dog Hope and her little “sister”, Alapaha blue blood bulldog puppy Sarge at their home in New Horton for my Tails of the Chocolate River book. Here’s what their mom had to say about them:
"Hope is a beautiful mixed-breed rescue dog that my husband adopted before we were a couple. Once we spent some time together, we both very quickly realized that Hope was going to be my dog! We aren't entirely sure of her breed, but we're thinking blue heeler and maybe pitbull or boxer. People frequently comment on her beautiful markings.
Speaking About Animal Behaviour For Photographers at The Canadian Imaging Conference
Recently, I did something WAAAAAY outside my comfort zone. I agreed to be a presenter at the 2024 Canadian Imaging Conference, put on by the Professional Photographers of Canada in Victoria, BC.
The idea was terrifying to me. I am not a public speaker. I still remember attending my first Canadian Imaging conference, which was only 7 years ago, in 2017, and being soooo intimidated by all the “real” photographers. I could barely bring myself to speak to anyone there, I was afraid they’d ask me a technical question about photography that would expose me as the fraud I felt like on the inside.
2024 Canadian National Image Competition
I've been waiting to announce my scores in this year's Professional Photographers of Canada National Image Competition, to see if I was a finalist for any awards, and it was worth the wait!
For the 5th year in a row, I am a finalist for National Photographic Artist of the Year. Maybe this will be my year (probably not, you should see the competition! )
Free Resource For New Puppy Pawrents!
If you are thinking about getting a new puppy, have a new puppy, or know someone with a new puppy, here is a fabulous free resource to ensure that they get off to a great start!
I’ve followed Dr. Ian Dunbar for years. I can remember reading one of his books at the first vet clinic I ever worked at, back in the early 90’s. He has been a leader in the movement towards positive reinforcement-based dog training.