Paws Pets Blog
1.7.08 Another busy month with several "dogs to be photographed in secret" so no mentioning their names! It culminated in also spending three days in the company of top Australian photographer, David Williams who is one hugely talented photographer and alll round good guy! Cooper, the Chocolate Labrador over from Ireland was also hugely entertaining in Troon, not to mention that swarm of flies that accompanied me around most of the shoot at that other mystery location.
10.6.08 Just back from a short trip hideaway on the Isle of Arran. Amazingly we bumped into the owners of a Giant and Miniature Schnauzer, "Bear" and "Tea." All that was missing was the middle sized "standard" Schnauzer so Millie kindly agreed to complete the trio for a photograph. The "standard" and "Giant" are the rarer of the three sizes so it proved an opportunity not to be missed. I'll add the image to the gallery soon.
3.5.08 It was great to see "Isla" up from London again recently for another photography shoot. This Labrador dog has a superb temperament and is one happy animal. It's hard not to be lifted by her spirits. Like most Labradors however, she can seek water out in a desert environment. It was essential to photograph her dry initially so some tactical diverted paths were used prior to her witnessing the welcoming water. Isla and Skye must also get a mention for their energy levels. These dogs can be seen on the services page, "header" image.
1.4.08 The book has now been listed on Amazon for all those wishing to place an advance order. It looks like a September release by all accounts.
11.3.08 Well done to the Gian Schnauzer "Philippe" that has won best in show this year at Crufts. I've been willing him to win for the last two years and for those that know me, a Giant Schnauzer is definitately on the short list should another dog enter the household. Thanks must be said to Lucas, the British Shorthaired kitten that was enjoying posing too much the other day.
7.3.08 An assignment to photograph 2 Polecats and 1 ferret, sneak, snuffles and I forgot the third character. Almost had one crawling up the trowser leg after forgetting to initially tuck the trousers into the socks! They are certainly inquisitive characters and it's easy to see why some owners keep them as pets.
1.3.08 February was a tough month to say the least, mostly due to joining the ranks of all those thousands fighting these winter ailments. The pursuit of 5 Labrador Retrievers up one of the hills in the Borders will also be a classic moment not to be forgotten. The selected shutter speeds on the camera were almost trebled in an attempt to obtain sharp images due to the wind that was battering both camera and myself.
1.2.08 Where did the month of January go? The weather has been tough and one or two shoots have been rearranged yet here's to a drier February. Isla from London, the Labrador cross was a delight to photograph and she will no doubt be appearing on the galleries soon.
7.1.08 The book is finished, just those crazy captions to write later this month. It is to be published in around 4 months after which time the i's will have been dotted and the t's crossed. It's title will be called Pet Photography Now. I'm also taking a trip to London later this month and am looking forward to the challenge of the "black" Labrador cross that awaits me! Oops, I forgot to mention dear old Edna, what an amazing Boxer dog you are, your name seemed to fit your personality and I could have taken you home! The sad news is that Poor old Poppy Rabbit, the house rabbit has passed away. She was a delightfiul rabbit that I photographed over two years ago.
1.1.08 Happy New Year, book nearing completion, more details coming soon.
8.12.07 Pet Gallery 3 finally launched.
1.12.07 Thanks to all those at the Dog's Trust in Glasgow, and the supporters and fund raisers that turned out to make the event a success. There was no opportunity to photograph Smudge due to his temperament around crowds of people yet we'll catch up with him on another day. Thanks also to the Scottie dog for creeping up on me and cocking his leg whilst I was photographing "Murphy"! If only I had 360 vision.
21.11.07 Today we sponsored a dog from the Dogs Trust in Glasgow. His name is Smudge and we hope to visit him soon and photograph him. I'd been meaning to sponsor a dog for a while, and finally got round to it. Gallery 3 is also in preparation since there have been more requests to see further images. You may have also witnessed "Millie" our Schnauzer in this month's Digital SLR User. We were asked to review a lens for the magazine and Millie volunteered to be the model for the day. It was a bizarre day, I found 3 lemons in the middle of nowhere and decided to throw them into the water for Millie to retrieve. At one point a seal popped its head out of the water close by to see what all the fuss was about. Anyway, enough of that.
31.10.07 Hope to refresh the pet galleries in the next day or two so there should be some fresh work for all to see.
The book seems to be infilling every spare minute of the day, together with my son calling me through for a game of Buckaroo. How difficult is it to put all those pieces on the horse! Thanks this month to Rogie, Buster, Benson, Spot and Suzie, plus the gang from Perth! I feel three stone lighter. On another note, if you wish for any sessions to take place before Christmas for gift ideas, please contact me as early as possible, since time is now more limited.
3.10.07 Another crazy month, the book is slowly coming together. Thanks to old Suzie too for mesmerising me in to donating half my ice-cream during a recent shoot. As they say, "You can't out stare a boxer!".
2.9.07 Eaten alive by midges venturing North - really ought to have closed the car door when I stopped to admire the view. Still it's been an interesting month. I can't forget the Weimeraner's "Millie & Maisie" from Edinburgh, who definitely checked me out before even taking a single image! Anyway, an enjoyable shoot. Thanks also to Ellie, the Spaniel helping me out on a recent project.
24.7.07 It's late in the evening, "Classic Northern Diversions" seems to be on repeat. Nevermind, its a great song. Anyway, the book title is official, an exciting project and this should hopefully be finished within about 5 months.
29.6.07 Thanks to all those that attended the Prestwick Agility Show. An exhausting weekend in the heat yet the event ran smoothly. I've been away in Spain for a few days and encountered some rather scary Spanish dogs! I'll share a few pictures with you shortly following this trip. There should hopefully be some firm news soon on a future book so watch this space.
1.5.07 Just a quick note to say Paws Pet Photography will be attending Canine Concern Scotland's annual fun event in Queen's Park this coming Sunday and are intending to be at Prestwick & District's agility show at Eglington Park on the 9th and 10th of June.
30.4.07 The Lakeland Terrier shoot this month has to be one of the funniest on record. For one, I never imagined I'd photograph a dog playing the piano and a little later, the cheeky monkey became camera shy and disappeared down a fox hole for several minutes, and then came out of the hole looking like Fred Dibnah.
2.4.07 I did pick up a supposed unburstable ball at Crufts and my Schnauzer was more than happy to test it out once back. The lady that sold me the ball said the more holes that appear in the ball the quicker it re-inflates. Well I could follow that logic. Anyway 3 weeks on and the although the ball still re-inflates it's certainly not ball shaped any more! I'll keep searching. Any suggestions for replacements please let me know. I'll post some further images to the galleries soon since there's been one or two pieces of magic on recent shoots.
1.3.07 Crufts beckons next week and its going to be one exciting week. I'm biased towards the Standard Schnauzers but its an amazing spectacle. I'll no doubt come back with lots of goodies if I don't restrain! Despite the awful rain this weekend, it was a great pleasure to photograph Fiona & Charlotte's dogs. As usual I came back like a drowned rat, but a great time was had by all.
06.02.07 Today, saw Alfie pass away after several battles with various tumours. I photographed him in his better days, (the ginger cat) on the galleries. You'll be dearly missed by all the Barclays. Take care wherever your new journey takes you.
21.1.06 More images added to the main galleries today after a quick look through the archives. Enjoy.
10.12.06 Great to meet Zakk and Freya finally, the two rescue greyhounds, I'll pop an image or two onto the galleries soon. The weather was kind and so were those greyhound ears, so often down yet the images look 100% better when they are upright.
22.11.06 A quick entry to say that I may be under more pressure to photograph our new baby boy now that he has finally arrived. With my night sleep all over the place, I may however attempt some dog night photography. Am keen to try out a few ideas and realise the odds are stacked against me (espciallay if I use Millie)-she'll be off on the rabbit trails and I'll end up chasing after her rather than taking photographs!
31.10.06 - It was good to catch up with dog photographer and friend, Nick Ridley this weekend and witness his dog being trained at Dunure on the Ayrshire coast. His dog, Sweep finally got to witness and taste the Firth of Clyde!
23.10.06 - A top weekend in persuit of Poppy (don't you ever stop running!), plus the rest of the cool Dunlop dog crew. "Poppy" a Dog's Trust dog, ought to team up with my own dog "Millie" for the Great Britain stamina championships! Hope to post one or two photographs soon. Thanks also to Carol & Eddie for that surprise bag of chicken - the ultimate temptation for Diesel and Kiera.
2.10.06 - More muddy feet for "Mable" & Irene - superb dogs you have and I'm sure they'll have a great sleep with dreams of those local rabbits and hares! Thanks once again for the team effort.
22.09.06 - Today saw the return of Heidi & Bonny, those two labradors from Maybole. Heidi had recently overcome an operation to remove some tumours from her mouth so it was great to see her in good health again and capture her in action once more. Sorry about the muddy feet Jane! Thanks also to the Jack Russell/Yorshire Terrier Cross's & Hamish (Border Terrier) of course for performing the necessary tricks to allow me to pick up the category winner in the UK Kennel Club's Dog Photographer of the Year competition.
18.9.06 - Welcome to the 1st entry in the Paws Pet Photography Blog. This area of the website will be used for all kinds of pet photography ramblings and perhaps other thoughts. I must first thank everyone for their support of Paws Pet Photography over the last few years, family, friends (especially Nick) and not forgetting our valued customers and their crazy animals.