Why I got into dog photography
I got into photography because of my love for my black lab named Buddy. But if I really think about it, my love of photography started way before Buddy.
I grew up with dogs. As an adult, as soon as I was able to have a dog of my own, I did. Her name was Sloan. I fell in love with her on the car ride home.
I only had my camera a few weeks when I took this photo. Even though it isn't technically correct, I still love it and I'm so grateful to Buddy for leading me down this path.
I took a bazillion photos of her. I even printed a lot of them and do you know what, they all stink.
I could say the same for my 2nd dog Sam. I have lots of photos of him too and 10 years later, they are still sitting in frames in my house because that's all I have to remember them by.
Enter Buddy into my life in December 2008.
The rescue group told us Buddy was between 7-10 years old. Not long after we got him I looked at my husband and said, "however long we have him, it won't be long enough."
He was that kind of dog. He was really special. I'm so thankful for the 6 years I got to spend with him.
In the summer of 2014, Buddy had a health scare. Within a few days, I went out and bought my first pro camera.
Since that time I've spent a lot of time studying photography. I've attended dog photography workshops and learned a ton from some pretty amazing photographers. And I fell in love with photography.
Photography is hard. It has taken me a lot of effort to get to where I am. I remembering telling one of my first instructors, "I want to be so much better it hurts." That's why I've put so much time and effort into getting better.
I'll forever cherish this photo of my Moose.
This is what I'm supposed to be doing. I want everyone who loves his dog to be able to have images he can cherish forever. I don't want anyone to feel the regret I have because I don't have any decent photos of my first two dogs.
That's why I do this. That's why I got into dog photography. This is what I love to do.