Bonnie and Lou With Pebbles and Kee {Nashville Pet Photographer}

June 17, 2020 Heather Nelms

On the blog this week are Bonnie and Lou who brought with them not only their dog, but their cat too! I have never had a cat come to a location before, so that was super fun.

Bonnie and Lou met me last fall for a mini photo session at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park where I met Pebbles, who is a beagle/dachshund mix and approximately 7 years old. Kee, the adorable tuxedo cat, is 11 years old.

I asked Bonnie and Lou how they came up with the names for their pets, and they told me Pebbles came with her name from the shelter. “She seemed to know it so we kept it. I have a sneaking suspicion she may have been named that because she likes to chew on small rocks!” Kee’s original name was Boots before they adopted her at 10 months old from the shelter. She had many names in between but "kee" stuck because she would come to that sound or anything that rhymes.

Pebbles loves treats, sleeping, and going for long walks. She's a little timid and scared of a lot of things, but they love to introduce her to new experiences and see her confidence grow. Kee loves attention!! She is actually more dog-like than Pebbles. She loves her dog, too. There isn't much she doesn't like except for cat costumes.

Here are a few of Bonnie and Lou’s favorite things about their pets in their own words:

“Kee is so talkative and affectionate she makes me laugh all the time. Pebbles has such cute little sausage shaped body and I love how her little legs look when she runs. I love when they are sweet with each other, Kee loves to lick Pebbles and they like to play sometimes. I particularly love senior dogs and beagles because I had a 14 year old beagle. They can have such attitudes but that's also what makes them so endearing to me. And I just think tuxedo cats are so adorable and I love having such an affectionate cat.”

Both Pebbles and Kee are rescue animals adopted from Max’s Hope animal rescue in Hopkinsville, KY and Oklahoma City Animal Shelter respectively.

I hope you enjoy some of my favorites!

~Mandy

Bring Your Pets to Your Next Family Portrait 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!

Kaze the Great...Dane! {Nashville Pet Photographer}

May 21, 2020 Heather Nelms

On the blog today are Kaze and his people, Nicole and Adam! I took these pics on a beautiful, fall day in my backyard about one month before Baby Whitley arrived. (Which is why you are just seeing them now).

Kaze is short for Kamikaze because when he gets the zoomies and throws his massive weight around, it is time to watch out!

I asked Nicole and Adam why they chose to get a Great Dane. “Danes are truly gentle giants, massive lap puppies, huge couch potatoes, scaredy cats and great cuddlers.” I guess it makes complete sense that one of his passions is the couch and that he does not like the Roomba! If you can’t find Kaze on the couch, you might find him eating his favorite thing…cookies.

Kaze is a quirky Dane that attracts a lot of attention when Nicole and Adam go out, and everyone has to say hello or love on him. Take a look at some of my favorite pics from our session below!

~Mandy

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How To Take Great Pet Photos With Your Phone {Guest Post by Abi Pennavaria}

April 16, 2020 Heather Nelms

Want to share great photos of your pet, but a professional photo session is out of the question due to social distancing? You can certainly still get some pretty good shots just by using your phone! Here are some tips that can help you get the best phone pic possible:

Lighting

Making sure you have good lighting is important. The better the lighting, the clearer the picture! In low light, the shutter on a camera has to be open longer to capture enough light to make the picture visible. This causes it to record everything that happens while the shutter is open, which makes pictures blurry. Better lighting allows the shutter to operate faster preventing blurring from any movement of your pet as well as any handshake. Using the flash is not a good substitute; the shutter will still move slowly, and the flash will wash the picture out.

Get Low

When positioning yourself to take pictures of your pet, get down low. By getting down eye level or even slightly lower, you get the best angle of your pet, and gives you the chance to get a great background if you are outside.

Practice Sitting Still

Getting your pet to sit still may not always be the easiest thing to do. Training your dog in a solid “stay” or “place” command will really come in handy when it comes to getting the perfect shot. When you practice this command, it can open up the opportunity for some great posed shots. Practicing these commands prior to your photoshoot can help ease any frustration when trying to get your pet to hold still for pictures.

Bribe Your Pet

To get your pet’s most expressive face, get his favorite treat or favorite toy and get him excited with it. This is also where a good “stay” and “leave it” command may come in handy. If you want him to look directly at the camera, tap or wave the treat or toy right above the lens on your phone.

Framing

Framing is simply how you set up your photograph. For example, when taking photos from a distance, remember the rule of thirds. Instead of putting the subject of your photo (your pet) in the center, divide the photos into thirds. Then position your pet in one of the side thirds of the picture. Something about the way the human brain is wired makes this set-up more aesthetically pleasing.

Backgrounds

You can take a picture anywhere, but if you want to really get a good photo, try for an outside backdrop. Whether it be warm or snowy, take advantage of the beauty of nature. Not to mention, natural light is the best lighting.

Action Shots

Does your pet love to jump into a pile of leaves, climb trees, or jump into the pool? Whatever it may be, stand at the ready and get some action shots! Not all phones have the capability to do this, but if your phone has the option for burst photos, this will be your best bet to get the perfect picture!

Candid Photos

While posed photos are great, candid photos can also come out looking pretty fantastic. You may even end up catching a silly face. Taking photos while your pet is yawning or trying to catch a ball or treat can result in some pretty entertaining shots. Capturing a genuine candid moment can really help depict the true personality of your pet.

Even if you only have a phone to take your pictures, don’t let that discourage you from getting the best photo you can. All it takes is a little practice and a cute pet… yours!

Abi Pennavaria is a dog mom, avid veterinary volunteer, and co-author of the Saved By The Bark dog blog. She enjoys sharing tips and tricks for volunteers and animal lovers through thoughtfully researched blog posts and vet games.

Thanks Abi for all your great tips and insight!

Mandy