Monthly Archives: June 2008

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South Lake Union for the doggies

June 29, 2008 – 4:46 pm

First off, summer is finally here, YAY!!! It’s 85 degrees in Seattle and Fergie and I just took a walk around Queen Anne and all of the people are out and the tourists are milling and everyone is happy and it’s beautiful out. (FINALLY).

In this post I wanted to finally share some images from one of my favorite photography assignments. 

Those of you who subscribe to or buy CityDog Magazine will see that the summer 2008 Dog’s Eye View article is on South Lake Union in Seattle. Yours-truly did the photography for the article last month and wrote about it on my old blog. It really was one of the best days I have ever had doing photography.

For those who live outside of Seattle, the South Lake Union neighborhood is on north edge of Downtown, and sits between downtown and Lake Union. It’s an interesting mix of parks and office buildings and condos and stores. Definitely a very urban neighborhood, and is quickly up and coming. 

Here are some shots from the article, along with some of my personal favorites. 

Urban beast, a great store for your, well, urban beast. 

They carry some of the most unique products you will find in a boutique pet store. Owner Katie Rockwell never ceases to amaze with her beautiful AND utilitarian finds. 

Cascade Park, at the heart of South Lake Union, also known as the Cascade neighborhood. This harlequin great dane was enjoying the same toy that is Fergie’s favorite- the everlasting treat ball. I recognize it a mile away. 

I really enjoy the dichotomy of the flowers against the urban setting. These were taken in the pea patch.

Lucy the neighborhood bulldog was enjoying an outing with her mom in the park. Her mom said she was so happy to just be outside and sit in the grass under a shady tree. She was so sweet.

The shop dog at the new City Hardware. I think his name is Bear (?). Ah, I feel terrible that I don’t remember!! He is awesome. 

Gotta love the trusty 5D for getting those great indoor shots ’sans-flash’. BTW: I just darkened this photo slightly and added a teensy bit of contrast- it’s crazy that his eyes really looked like that in the shot!!

The sun was streaming in through the window in this one spot in front of the paint cans. I ended up taking pictures of him there for about 10 minutes. They made a very unusual backdrop. It almost looks like he is sitting in the library of an english manor in the first shot. 

This next shot paints a pretty good picture of what the neighborhood looks like. Lots of buildings going up with new construction flanking wherehouse buildings that have been there for many decades. Below on the right you will see the South Lake Union neighborhood center, behind which is the park where the super fun Muttmazing Race and SLU block party will take place on August 8th. If you are in the Seattle area you totally have to go and bring your dog! Fergie and I went last year and had a blast. The show an outdoor movie and have a beer garden and lots of vendors and food and well, just a great big summer party for everyone. 

Some of you may have a Scraps in your area. We are lucky enough to have one in our city, and it gets a lot of traffic, sitting in the same complex as the new Pan Pacific hotel. Scraps has a really cool industrial vibe, and they have everything you could need for your pet. I was especially in awe over their huge clothing selection. I’m not normally a fan of clothes for dogs, but they had stuff there I would totally buy for Fergie if it fit her (and if she didn’t hate me for putting it on her, lol). I LOVE the signs. 

Inside the store. That amazing wall-sized photograph was done by my friend Emily Rieman, owner of Best Friend photography. BTW: you totally have to go check out Emily’s new website, it is FANTASTIC! Isn’t that wall amazing? Check out the chairs below it too. 

Below we have Lake Union Park, which provides stellar views to the north of Lake Union and Gasworks Park, and to the south of downtown Seattle. 

The Naval Reserve building you see on the left below is the water side of the building on the right in the photo above. I loved the building so much I could have stayed there all day photographing it. The shot on the right is at the Wooden Boat Center, which, as you can see, is dog friendly. The center sits directly behind the Naval Reserve. It goes, park, then building, then boat center, then restaurants. Here is an aerial view. And another aerial view of the neighborhood. And a fascinating article on the history of the neighborhood. 

Said Wooden Boat Center. Just to the left of the Boat Center are a bunch of great restaurants that sit on the shore of Lake Union. They all have decks overlooking the water and are the perfect place to have a meal and a drink and be happy to be alive. Jill the restaurants are right across the street from the Silver Could Inn, so it’s an awesome place to stay!!

Doing this kind of photography that day made me realize I really enjoy photography in general, not just of dogs and cats. Although I don’t think I’d ever want to make a living doing any other type of photography (nor do I think I’m good enough to), sometimes it’s fun to take the camera out and point it at things that aren’t covered with fur. 

And last but not least, we have the SLUT (South Lake Union Transit). Takes you from the hotels and restaurants in SLU straight to downtown. AND, it’s dog-friendly! Woohoo!

So as you can see, South Lake Union is a great place to live, and/or visit, with your pooch. Please do pick up CityDog Magazine though for the full article, which this post just can’t do justice to. The writer includes some really great out of the way spots that I didn’t visit while there, and also writes more about special things you can do with your dog while there. 

Hope you enjoyed this little peek into a corner of the city!

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in editorial | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (10)

the perfect laptop bag

June 28, 2008 – 2:06 pm

I know this post doesn’t have anything to do with photography or art or pugs or parties, but I wanted to put it up anyway in case it might be valuable to one or two people reading it.

Since purchasing my macbook pro several months ago I have been without a laptop bag. My camera bag contains a removable laptop bag but it doesn’t have any handles on it, and as I found when I fell and sprained my foot recently, it’s very easy to drop if you, say, fall (thank god the laptop was fine), or perhaps just have slippery hands. 

Over the last few months I have been searching online for the perfect laptop bag. I swear I have looked on every single website that sells laptop bags, including many I think most people have never heard of. After reading *a lot* of reviews I came to the conclusion that for many people, the search for the perfect bag for their portable electronic friend is challenging. I ultimately gave up my search, (something I very rarely do), and resolved myself to never leaving the house with my laptop.

So last week when I was in bed, having just enough energy to lie there and push a few buttons on said laptop, I found it. The perfect laptop bag.

It’s made by a company called Ogio, and it’s called the Hip Hop bag. (all images copyright Ogio)

It is a super deal at the moment as I think it may be in the process of being discontinued. You can find it for $50 at amazon! I was expecting to spend easily twice that much on a bag. I bought the black bag pictured above.

More pics:

It has a very large interior compartment, with plenty of room for your laptop and a large 3-ring binder, or a sweater or even lightweight jacket. Or maybe even all of the above! It also has plenty of thick padding, something that I was concerned about. It is very well made. 

This bag has all kinds of cool pockets and compartments and rings you can clip things onto. Even has large water bottle holders on each side. It has a place for everything you would normally carry and then some. 

it even has, get this, an AIRLINE TICKET pocket! Woohoo! See the pocket below that has the little white symbol? That’s an airplane. I mean, the little white thing is an airplane symbol. Oh whatever. Perfect for those who travel a lot. Hopefully I’ll be able to use it starting next year when I plan to take the show on the road. Can’t wait!

It comes in several colors, including royal blue, ‘Ron Burgundy’ pictured here, and also this really cool logo pattern on black. You’ll have to do a web search for that one. 

I got mine in the mail a couple of days ago and haven’t used it yet as I have been glued to my admin computer working. I can’t wait to use my new bag! I am actually waiting until I can get a new picnic blanket (I think I found one on amazon), so that Fergie and I can walk up to one of our favorite parks, and I can park myself in the sun and work while she chews on a stick. I may be blogging from the park next week, yippee!

Yay, new laptop bag, yay!

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in miscellaneous randomness | Tagged , , , | Comments (5)

Cowbelly 5-year anniversary party- Sunday August 3rd

June 27, 2008 – 9:01 pm

I am so excited about this post!!!!

I had been wracking my brain trying to come up with something fun to do for the 5-year anniversary party next month, and really wanted to do something not only fun, but be able to give back to my clients, friends and fans who have supported me over the past 5 years. Normally I have my anniversary parties at off-leash parks, so that people can come and bring their dogs and they can play and have a good time. The dogs all get goody bags filled with fun stuff, and I often have food and drinks for the parents. Last year I even had a client bake and make gourmet food for the party!

While that is all fine and dandy, it just didn’t seem *enough* for a 5-year anniversary party. Plus, it’s great for the dogs, but I wanted to do something really special for the parents too. 

So you want to know what it’s going to be this year?

A day of fun in the sun on Whidbey Island!! Not just any ol day, but a very special day. A day filled with sun and sand and forests and trails and food and playing and fetching and drinks and FREE photography (more on that later)! Sunday, August 3rd, all day. Start early-ish (but not too early!) and come home late. Please RSVP to info@cowbelly.com if you plan to go!

We will take the ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton. Just like Fergie did on her first ferry ride last year on her birthday.

We will then drive the short distance to Marguerite Brons park, a 13-acre gorgeous off-leash dog park with a wide-open field perfect for ball catching and romping with friends, and deep green shady grasses to relax in. 

As if that isn’t enough, Marguerite Brons has a wooded trail that is part of the park. The full trail through the woods is one mile, and, get this, FULLY FENCED!! Forest and field in one fully fenced dog park? Doggie heaven!! When Fergie and I were there she ran and raced through the trails with her new buddies. I had never seen her so happy. 

Then, when we are done at Marguerite Brons, we will leave and drive over to the very pretty little town of Langley, and eat a yummy lunch of panini sandwiches, cookies and gourmet soda at the Useless Bay Coffee Company. I am not in any way a roast beef fan, but when my sister and I and Fergie were there it was all they had left, and I swear it was one of the best paninis I have ever had. I still think about it whenever I want a sandwich. The Useless Bay Coffee company has a beautiful large garden/patio area outside with lots of great seating and even a grassy lawn. And of course, a water bowl for our canine friends. Wouldn’t you like to eat lunch with this view below?

Then, once we have had our fill, we will make the drive across the island to Double Bluff beach, which looks like this:

“What, no leash?” you say? Nope! Double Bluff beach is off-leash!! Once we walk past the on-leash part of the beach (about 8 agonizing minutes for the dogs), we will have fully 2 miles of beach to run and play on. Paradise for dogs of all sizes and types. (Saturated for premium impact).

 

This is what the bluff behind us looks like:

This is where the doggies will get to romp and play in the surf:

We will have plenty of opportunity to dig in the sand:

and chew on our tennis balls:

and beachcomb:

and chew on sticks:

and run down the hill with them (be careful when you do this!!):

and hunt for crabs:

and make your servants humans throw the ball for you:

and make new friends:

and just generally go nuts:

And the best part about the day? (I mean, aside from the fact that it will be the most awesomely spectacularly fun day EVER). I will be bringing my camera and doing FREE DOG PHOTOGRAPHY for all of the attendees!!

WHOOHOO!

That means, that if you are a client or friend or even just a longtime fan, if you’d like to accompany us on our Whidbey Island day trip/anniversary party, and bring your pooches, they too can have some beautiful shots like the ones above!

Although it will be very informal in terms of the actual photography (when I see a shot I’ll take it, as opposed to trying to schedule people), it will be my goal to get a handful of great shots of each pooch. I will even take shots of people with their dogs if they like. Hey, whatever goes! I just love doing photography and the parks are a photographer’s paradise, so I will be so excited to be shooting all day. 

Sometime after the trip, I will post the photos to an online gallery for everyone to see. Prints and other products can be ordered at that time but there is certainly no obligation to buy anything because that’s not what this is about. If you’d just like to bring your dog and don’t need any photos, then that’s totally cool too! Just come and have fun!

There are a few requirements:

1. Any canine you bring MUST play nicely with others. Although we may be able to control our group fairly easily we will come into contact with lots of other dogs and we don’t want to see anything bad happen. Scuffles do happen, but we’d like to avoid any real fights so no human or animal aggression please.

2. Every human must be responsible for their own water and sunscreen, towels and essentials. Same goes for ferry tickets and lunch. I’d offer to also provide lunch for everyone along with the photography but if a ferry full of people show up that would make me one broke photographer, lol!

3. All dogs must be current on their shots. Kennel cough bad, healthy dogs good.

There is no limit to the numbers of people who can come, and I can provide my cell phone number for everyone in case some folks want to head over for just a part of the day, or if the ferry they wanted to catch is full they will still be able to meet up with the group. We will most likely meet someplace central before heading to the ferry (a park and ride? mall parking lot?) so we can all get to the ferry line at relatively the same time. I expect the ferry to be very busy so we’ll want to allow plenty of time. But the day will be all about relaxing and having a great time with our dogs- no stress. 

If you come, here is a list of things you should plan to bring:

1. Bottled water. The kind you can carry for awhile and not have your arms fall off. Check out these awesome water bottles called MySIGG I stumbled upon online.  

2. Water for your dogs for the beach. I will provide gallon water jugs and no-tip bowls but there will be a limit to how much I can carry. Especially since my camera bag is about a million pounds fully loaded. 

3. Sunscreen. Lip balm. Hand lotion. Bug spray if you have it, although I don’t remember that being a problem last July.

4. A Change of clothes, socks and shoes. A warm coat. If you bring fleece remember the wind will blow right through it. Do not forget the socks, I promise you will need them, even if you plan to wear sandals all day. Definitely bring a change of pants/shorts too. A knit hat would also be great. 

5. Towels. For the dog and for you. Your feet will probably be wet when you get back to the car from the beach.

6. A blanket to sit on on the beach. Blankets for the pooch for the drive home. They will be cold and wet and tired so a nice cushy warm blanket will be appreciated. 

7. Food for your dog. They will most likely need dinner before you get home, so bring enough for a meal and a half (the other half they can have in the afternoon if they have been playing hard). Bring a tupperware container to put the food in that can also double as a bowl. Bring treats you can give your dog during lunch. 

8. First aid kit for your pup. I will try my best to remember to buy one beforehand (have been meaning to forever) and bring it with me. 

9. Your (charged) cell phone. Plus a car charger if you have one. 

That’s all I can think of for now. I may add to this list as I remember things.

Now, if you are interested in coming, please email me!

I will compile a list of the folks who plan to go, and we can coordinate everything through email. I will also need a head count because there will be special goodies for the dogs who attend and I want to make sure I don’t miss anyone! I also want to make sure I have plenty of charged batteries for my camera and enough memory cards. Last year for Fergie alone I think I took close to 900 shots!

I am so exited about this and I can’t wait to have a super fun day on Whidbey! If you have any questions let me know!

Dogs and parks and beaches and sun, YAY!!

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in Events | Tagged , , , | Comments (9)

June & Shelby part II

June 26, 2008 – 11:02 pm

It’s about time to have more images and less writing on this blog! More cutie-pie Junepug and Shelby Shepherd images since I couldn’t fit them all on one post.

Hmm, what’s that on the other end of the leash?

Ah yes of course, it’s Junepug!

Who me? I don’t drag my sister around by her leash.. nooooo… I’m innocent…

Ha ha, I love the one on the right…

I LOVE Shelby! When I crested the top of the stairs to their home, she came running to greet me with the biggest, brightest, sparkliest eyes, and a big smile, and gave me licks right away even though we had only just met. Then this little yellow thing started rolling around in my lap. It took me a moment to realize it was a baby pug. I was in heaven with Shelby and June.

At every shoot I ask my clients to tell me the story of where their pet(s) came from, and I am usually prepared to hear the answer. In Shelby’s case I wasn’t. Apparently she was thrown out of a car window as a young puppy, and was found in very bad shape by a neighborhood boy who brought her straight away to her (now) daddy’s house. Now here is the really amazing part. He was literally getting ready to leave to go to the shelter to find a dog to adopt. Long story short he never ended up going to the shelter that day. They have been together ever since. That was 15 years ago. Aw man, I thought I could type this without crying! Where are my kleenex! P.S. Now you tell me that you don’t believe in fate. 

It’s not always possible to get shots of pets together. At least not good shots, as is evidenced by these next two. ESPECIALLY not after the pet photographer sprinkles treats all over the ground only minutes earlier, causing quite a distraction. ;-)

BABY PUG BELLY!!

Ok, so you have got to go check out the gal who made this beautiful tag for the Junepug. She offers a great range of designs and shapes and they are all sterling silver and some of them have beautiful semi-precious stones, and they are all hand engraved with your pet’s name and phone number. (I mean, YOUR phone number. Your pet may have a cell phone, I don’t know. Mine doesn’t.) Her business is called Bella Tocca Tags and you can see all of the styles, and order one for your own pooch here. Fergie and I will be getting the ‘Woof’ tag with all of the fun words on it. Or maybe the beetle. I also love the ‘Gibson’ jeweled tag- stunning. 

I positively adore this next set of shots below. It almost looks like the sage old gal is consulting the young pup on the ways of life in the 2nd shot. 

Shelby is right where she wants to be. I wish she were here with me! :-)

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in Private client shoots, seattle dog photography, sneak-peek | Tagged , , , , | Comments (9)

Workshops updates

June 26, 2008 – 7:19 pm

The September workshop has 3 spaces left open. I expect it to be full within a week, or sooner if any of the ‘on the radar’ folks end up registering.

I will have a waiting list for Workshop I once it fills, and *may* do another 3-day intensive in October depending on the demand. I have a couple of people who can’t make the September date so we’ll see. Unfortunately it kind of depends on the weather, which has been so hard to predict this year! I may just decide to go for it and shoot in the rain if it’s crummy out. I have actually gotten some of my best shots in horrible weather, so it might not be a dealbreaker.

I have formally decided to have the October workshop II be an intermediate/advanced workshop. It will be for 2 days, and won’t contain most of the business information covered in the 3-day workshop. On day two however we will go into more advanced business details such as selling stock and getting into commercial and editorial and discuss issues that are more relevant to established businesses. Although it won’t have the breadth and scope of the business information in the 3-day, we will also talk a bit about marketing and branding, which I feel are oh so important. The dates of Workshop II will be Saturday October 4th and Sunday October 5th.

See the dates page of the workshop website for more details on the advanced workshop: http://www.cowbellyworkshops.com/dates.html

I have also added to the FAQ page so be sure to check that out too.

That’s it for now! I have sent several handfuls of emails on workshops today, so may have more updates very soon!

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in Workshops | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)