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Spend some time with ‘The Cover Dogs of Kindred Spirits’
By Liz Palika
September 7, 2010
Do you ever wonder how all those photos in dog books come about?
This past Saturday we had a photo shoot at the Kindred Spirits Dog Training yard for my latest book project.
This is how I do it: Before every photo shoot, I create a list of photos needed to illustrate the book. Some can’t be done at the training yard; perhaps they need to be inside or need something special, so those go on a separate list. I try to organize the list so it will flow easily as we take the photos.
Then I invite the dogs and owners I need or those willing and able to come. There’s kind of a joke that bounces around Kindred Spirits, “If you hang around long enough you end up in one of Liz’s books.” It’s true.
We had a great turnout and I thank everyone who took the time out of their busy holiday weekend to come. The Kindred Spirits trainers and assistant trainers were there, as well as Love on a Leash therapy dog members, and a few Kindred Spirits students. It was awesome.
Although Australian Shepherds outnumbered other breeds (heck, I brought three!) the books is not a breed-specific book about Aussies, so I needed other breeds. Thankfully, we had several mixes, a Rottie, a Belgian Sheepdog, a Standard Poodle, two Jack Russell Terriers, a Rat Terrier, a chocolate Lab, a German Shepherd Dog, and several other breeds.
Once everyone arrived Saturday, Connie had my list on a clip board and she kept people and dogs arranged so that the photographer, Becca, could keep shooting. That way I was able to explain to the dog and owner, and to Becca, what I wanted illustrated in the photo.
We took photos of everything, from dogs sitting in front and not jumping on people to Walter the Wonder dog dropping a plastic bottle in the recycling trash can.
Behind the scenes, waiting their turns, people and dogs relaxed in the shade.
Overall, the entire shoot took about three hours. It was hot but we had shade, water and ice, and I think everyone had a good time. Plus we got all the photos taken we needed. Whew! That’s always a big relief for me.
My thanks, especially to Becca who the vast majority of the photos; Vicki, who took videos; Connie, for keeping things rolling along; and all of the dog owners and their dogs for helping me. Thanks, everyone!
Photos:
Top: Our photographer, Becca, with her mixed breed, Kody.
Middle: Bashir and Riker enjoy a block of ice.
Bottom: Walter the Wonder Dog drops a bottle in the trash can.
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My dream is to get this camera: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_D90
And take photos of people and their pets, specifically rabbits.
I just love photographing animals. When I had a pet-sitting business in my early and mid-20s, I would take so many photos of the dogs and cats I would spend most of my earnings on film processing! Yes, I was too dumb back then to charge the owners for the prints. “Here ya go,” I’d say and hand over the doubles.
I got some wonderful photos of a Siamese cat named Sophie. She would bark if I touched her.
Comment by Mary Mary — September 7, 2010 @ 1:00 pm
Liz, I love the one with the block of ice. Why didn’t we think of that? Narita
Comment by Narita — September 7, 2010 @ 2:04 pm
Photo shoots are fun and exhausting. And, I am an expert because I have done exactly 3 in my lifetime. LOL And, all with goldens. Henry (Dog: The Owner’s Manual) has now decided that he is a Supa Star and should be treated as such. Very demanding. :-)
Comment by Jill — September 7, 2010 @ 3:45 pm
That’s just because black retrievers are more difficult to photograph. Bah!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — September 7, 2010 @ 3:50 pm
Jill, I don’t understand. You seem to be inferring that Henry Dogge is not a supahstah (that’s how we say it here) and should not be treated as one. That can’t possibly be what you intended to say, right?
Comment by David S. Greene — September 7, 2010 @ 3:59 pm
One of the most memorable photo shoots ww did for my magazine Naples Dog (now shuttered) was a shoot in a J.Crew store. We had a Rottie and a Pit mix as models.
The manager knew we were bringing in two dogs. She did not expect these two. I guess she thought it would be a Golden and a Chihuahua? So, she halted our shoot to go and call two extra security officers (we already had one guard as the dogs were drawing crowds and our roster of stores to take the dogs in for the photo spread included Tiffany, Cartier, and of course J.Crew.
The Rottie and Pit were pets of two of the most incredible trainers in SW Florida. Needless to say, the dogs behaved better than the humans and I think the security detail found it humorous that e store manager had even called them.
Comment by Ericka — September 7, 2010 @ 5:57 pm
Um, no David, not at all (rolling eyes). I do, of course, blame Gina for his stardom and she should have to deal with his tantrums. The “Henry” paw stamp he is having made for his pawtographs is just too much. LOL
Comment by Jill — September 7, 2010 @ 8:38 pm