Zettersten Family {Nashville Dog Photography}

February 1, 2022 Heather Nelms

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}

December 16, 2021 Heather Nelms

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 Ervin Family {Nashville Pet Photographer}

February 25, 2021 Heather Nelms

Meet the Ervin family on the blog this week. Levi, Amber, Wyatt and Nash brought along Quinnen Jeudy (“Quinney”), their one year old English Cream Retriever, to their family photo session. English Cream retriever’s are a part of the Golden Retriever family! Quinney is from Hidden Springs English Goldens all the way in Johnson City.

The family rule for naming dogs is they have to be named after a favorite Alabama football player. Amber is a self-admitted “crazy Bama fan”. They got Quinney for Wyatt, so he got to pick the name for her. There were a few discussed: Mrs. Terry (Nick Saban’s wife), Quinnen (for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams drafted to the Jets) and Jeudy (for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy who now plays for the Broncos). Ultimately, Wyatt chose Quinnen with Jeudy as her middle name. Now she is lovingly called Quinney Jeudy or Quinney for short.

Quinney loves food, but more specifically - treats! She knows the word and will do almost any trick to get one. She does not care for baths (and she gets many), but luckily she likes those treats, so they fixed bath time by putting peanut butter in the tub!

Quinney is super sweet but can also be on the mischievous side. It can be quite hilarious at times, as she likes to get into things she shouldn’t (like socks or bb’s). She will bring stuff to us just to show them just what she is able get into. You can see more of her finds on her instagram account @quinneyjeudy_the_golden.

Here are some of my favorites from our session at Ellington Agriculture Center this fall!

~Mandy