Zettersten Family {Nashville Dog Photography}

This week on the blog, I get to share a record for me of the largest puppy I have ever photographed! Yes! You read that right…the St. Bernard photographed below, is just a puppy! He is only six months old. His sister, who is seven years old, is another big dog breed - a Bernese Mountain Dog.

Johanna and Rolf Zettersten brought their sweet pups to my home in College Grove for their photo shoot. Winston is the St. Bernard and was named Winston because he “just looks like a Winston” and after Winston Churchill. Their Bernese Mountain Dog was named Scout (a girl) after the character in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Both Winston and Scout love everything. While Winston is still navigating kids, Scout is just happy to be alive. However, she doesn’t like thunderstorms.

Johanna and Rolf love to watch Winston grow, as he is changing everyday. They love discovering the world through his eyes. “He is such a happy little boy.” The Zettersten’s say Scout is just the most loyal, loving creature. When asked about why they love the breeds of their pups, their response was “We love big dogs and we can not lie.” In all seriousness, both pups are gentle giants with an even bigger capacity to love unconditionally.

I can’t end on a much sweeter note than that. Hope you enjoy checking out some of my favorite photos from their session!

~Mandy

Have pets you adore? Bring them to your family photo session!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!

A Nashville Extended Family Pets and Their People Session {Nashville Family Photographer}

Winter is upon us and maybe you feel like you can’t great pictures until Spring? Think again. These photos were taken at my home in College Grove, TN last February! Nellie and her daughter Melanie, along with Melanie’s sons, Jordan and Cameron help prove that you can have pretty photos even in the winter :).

Of course the photos wouldn’t be complete without their dogs! First, meet Pablo, a ten year old half bulldog and half Gator Pitbull. He was sort of a rescue....The family had been dog sitting Pablo, and when his owner found out he wasn't allowed to keep where he was living, Melanie and her family took him as their own. Since then, he has chewed through four couches, a recliner, cell phones, glasses and so many other things. He also survived eating a whole bag of grapes! (For those of you that don’t know - grapes are on the list of food you should never give a dog. So happy Pablo survived this!)

Pablo must have chewed his way into their hearts because even after all that, the family attests that “Pitbulls are the sweetest breed ever.” Pablo is a cuddle bug and hates drama. Melanie loves how pretty Pablo is and that he has a spot on his nose in the shape of a “P”. (Cute!)

Next, there is Ernie, who is probably about three years old. He was found in the apartment community where Melanie worked in October 2017. After two days, Ernie finally came to her and then wouldn’t leave her side. She took him to the vet and even though he was fixed and had a chip, the owners never claimed him. So, Ernie became the newest part of the family! Ernie had been named by his previous owner, so the family just kept it. Often, they will call him Ernesto, to go along with Pablo’s Hispanic name.

Whatever breed Ernie is (breed unknown, though possibly a min pin or a rat terrier), he loves to burrow under blankets, is stubborn and thinks he's the boss. He talks to you by growling, and while it might sound like he is being aggressive, he is just talking. He can even say "no" and he gives actual hugs!

Here are some of my faves from this winter session!

~Mandy

Contact a Family Photographer in Nashville

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!

The Fair Family {Nashville Pet Photographer}

Meet The Fair Family…the humans are Deb, Rob, Ian and Deb’s mom, Ayako. I have gotten the pleasure of photographing this family before! Please check out their first session here: https://mandywhitleyphotography.com/blog/the-fair-family-nashville-dog-photographer

We did this session last fall at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park with there three super adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel pups!

First, we have Tug McGraw Fair, the newest addition to their family. He’s ten months old and a rescue from The Cavalier Rescue in Alabama. He’s a Blenheim (chestnut and white color) Cavi and was a breeder release because he wasn’t thriving. He is a bit of a peacock and 100% boy. A destroyer of toys, and he lives true to his namesake – he loves to play tug of war with his toys and his hoomans. He’s going to be another tiny like Chloe (keep reading). “Tug is keeping us active and he is just such a funny little man!”

Next, there is Lily James Fair, a nine year old ruby colored Cavi. She was adopted from the same rescue in Alabama as Tug. Lily was being sold along with her mate at a garage sale and as rescued. Thank goodness, as she would have died if not for Cavalier Rescue! She’s the hunter, Guardian of the Fair Galaxy and a tom boy. She often likes to leave her family members special gifts on their back porch and will have that innocent look in her eye – “Look at what I brought you. Don’t you like my gift?” The Fairs love that Lily is the “teacher” of the pack and keeps the other two in line.

Last but not least, Chloe Stella McCartney Fair is a five year old ten pound Princess Pawfect Ruby Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Yet another rescue from Cavalier Rescue in Alabama! “Chloe is our tiny but Mighty Cavi” (weighing only three pounds at five months of age!). She is a Guardian of the Fair Galaxy right along with Lily. Fortunately for the Fairs, she was rescued after being discarded by a puppy mill. Chloe is a total cuddle bug and is the one that senses when you need that special puppy love.

Each dog kept their first name that was given to them at the rescue. “I’ve always believed that the names the rescues gave them was for a reason.” The second name for each pup was after a celebrity. The Fairs love this breed so much, especially because they are so sweet, gentle, and they are little cuddle bunnies who always look like puppies.

Enjoy some of my faves from our session below!

~Mandy

Have pets you adore? Bring them to your family photo session!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!