This year with professional pet photography blog circle Project 52 we are doing something a little different. We are working through lessons in the book “The Visual Toolbox: 60 Lessons for Stronger Photographers” by David Duchemin. Obviously, with 60 lessons we won’t get through the whole book this year, but we will get through the bulk of the lessons. So, that brings us to our first lesson, “Consider Your Vision,” our Week Two theme. The gist of the assignment was to look at our favorite photographs we’ve taken and look to see what they have in common. Looking at our favorite photographs and figuring out what we like about them and what the common elements are the things that help us begin to recognize our vision. We were also to take at least one new image that reflected what we learned about our vision.
The first image I considered that is one of my favorites is one I took several years ago. Mr. Bojangles and I were at what is now our favorite park on one of our first photo shoots. I use this image om my business cards and other marketing collateral. I love the connection I feel when I look at it. It’s all about the eyes.
The next image is another one I took a few years ago, but this one is of my beagle, Stanley, who passed away in September 2012. He has my first dog and was adopted as a senior from a rescue group that had found him as a stray. He was such a good dog and I still miss him, especially taking him for a walk. He loved walks and was always so happy just chugging along. Again, with this image, I love the connection from his eyes.
Another of my favorite images is with Stella as the subject and shows her beautiful eyes. There’s a saying that eyes are the window to the soul, and I think it is never more apparent than with dogs. That is what makes these images some of my favorites. It’s all about the eyes and the connection.
These next two images were taken as part of a rescue photo shoot. I started volunteering a couple months ago with Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue in Cincinnati and these dogs were fresh off their freedom ride. This is Sandy. I love the connection. You get pulled into the image by her eyes. Who wouldn’t want to adopt this sweet dog?
There’s nothing like the soulful eyes of a basset and Molly (below) is no exception.
The next image of Mr. Bojangles is one I took this past Fall. He is very connected. I also love the warm colors.
This last image is one I took this week, so it reflects more coolness than warmth to reflect the winter. Even though Mr. Bojangles is a little more distant in the image, there is still a connection with his direct look. To me, the connection is what’s important and I can see this in many of my favorite images.
So, by reviewing my past images and seeing elements that I like and are connected gives me a better sense of what I should be focusing on (both literally and figuratively) with my work.
Now, for more vision, head over to Mutt Love Photography. Creative Lifestyle Pet Photography in Edmonton, Alberta, and then around the rest of the blog circle until you end up back here.
If you would like to book a custom pet portrait session with us, use the hot pink “BOOK NOW” button to the right of this post (bottom of page on mobile) or send an email to suzi [at] petlovephotography.com or give us a call at 513-288-1650 for the Cincinnati area or for those in the San Francisco Bay Area at 650-382-3242.