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!

Danielle and Bruce Wayne {Nashville Pet Photographer}

Today’s blog is a little different. I wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate the life of this handsome golden retriever, Bruce Wayne.  He passed away a few months ago, but I still wanted to honor him and his person, Danielle, by sharing some of my favorites from their last photo session.

Bruce Wayne was an 11 year old retriever who LOVED people. He would walk in to Yappy Hour like it was his own personal cocktail party and greet each guest like they came just to see him! Originally, Danielle had wanted to name her dog “Batman”. However, she thought it might sound silly if she was running around a park yelling for “Batman”. So next best choice: Bruce Wayne. The name suits him, as he lives up to the regal name 100%. 

Aside from loving people, Bruce Wayne also loved the water. They lived in California most of his life, and he would swim in the ocean jumping over waves or take a dip in her parents pool. He was often found sitting in the pool on the steps. Though, one thing Bruce was not a fan of - skateboards. They were too loud for him, but luckily Nashville does not have as many as southern California.

Bruce Wayne was loved through and through by Danielle. When I asked her what was her favorite thing about him, she responded, “There isn’t a darn thing I don’t love. Even his farts are adorable. The way they always surprise him. It’s pretty charming.” Another thing: Bruce Wayne can open gifts! Danielle loved watching him unwrap his presents, and how cute he was when he pulled at the wrapping paper to get to his gifts out. He would get on a roll at Christmas and start taking gifts from the tree that might not be his! “Gosh it’s so cute.” 

In fact, Danielle says Bruce Wayne got cuter every morning! “I asked him his secret for years, but really every morning I wake up and he did it again! Even cuter then the day before. It’s incredible.” She feels he was her perfect real life teddy bear.

Danielle rescued this handsome fella from the Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue. “You wouldn’t think so because he is so handsome”. The process she had to go through was quite extensive: a test/essay, an in-home inspection, and then getting approval just to get on a wait list. Finally, after two long months, they called her about a puppy. He had already belonged to another family, but after buying him at puppy store, they wanted to return him because he kept crying. He ended up at a shelter for a few hours before the rescue got him. He was only 6 weeks old when this pair met for the first time!

Danielle loves golden retrievers because they are so smart, friendly and sweet. There is never any concern when approaching a Golden, you know it’s always a sweet dog. Bruce Wayne was the epitome of all these great traits. 

~ Mandy

Pets Are Family, Too!

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!

Riley, Lara & George {Nashville Dog Photographer}

On the blog this week is another family and pet photography session at the Ellington Agricultural Center, this time with Lara, George and their super sweet pup Riley! 

Riley is a German Shorthaired Pointer, and almost ten years old! He's still got a ton of energy, and loves outdoor adventures both big and small: parks, the woods, a walk around the neighborhood. George and Riley even get up almost every morning for the last 8.5 years to go for a run, and they both love the time they spend together before the sun comes up. 

And apparently Riley really hates any beeping sounds! They had to turn the beep function off of many home appliances so that he wouldn't run outside!

Lara and George adopted him from a family living outside of Memphis. The family and their neighbors each had a German Shorthaired Pointer, and they created a litter of pups! Lara and George were on their way back home to Nashville from a family visit in Texas when they picked him up. 

When I asked what they love most about him, Lara said, "Riley is such a content and silly dog, and up for any type of activity or cuddling session. We've come to find out that these qualities are typical of the breed. One of the unique things is that we get stopped constantly on the street by people who want to compliment him, ask about the breed or tell us a story about a GSP that they have owned/own."

I hope you enjoy some of my favorite photographs from this session!

~ Mandy

Contact a Dog 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!