Monthly Archives: October 2008

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Gunner Greenlake sneak-peek

October 18, 2008 – 2:10 pm

I am loving the fall dog sessions! Fall is my favorite time of year, both in general and for photographing dogs outdoors in parks. Especially goldens, I think because their golden fur creates such a nice look with the golden sunshine and foliage.

It’s pretty cool that we can get shots like these in the middle of the city.

The subtitle to this post should be “Gunner and his stick”.

You see, I gave Gunner this stick at the beginning of our shoot, and he decided it was his favorite thing ever in the history of favorite things. Through the entire shoot he cracked his mom and I up with his stick antics. We tried hiding it, we tried taking it away, we tried distracting him, and he wasn’t having any of it it. Gunner is awesome. 

Nicole this next one is for you because I know how much you love black and whites. :-)

Hope everyone is having an awesome fall. It’s gorgeous in Seattle! 

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in Private client shoots, seattle dog photography, sneak-peek | Tagged , , , | Comments (10)

Zoe & Peanut

October 17, 2008 – 8:00 am

Zoe & Peanut’s shoot was at Kinnear Park on Queen Anne. Their parents drove for a good 90 minutes in traffic to do the shoot with me. I am so not worthy but I was so glad they did- I had a blast with Zoe & Peanut!

Because I so rarely do black and whites, and because the girls’ parents requested them, here are a couple of regular black and whites. (I still want to do a ‘from the archives’ post with my original black and white film dog photographs- someday!).

I love when clients ask for things by name after seeing them on my blog. There were a total of maybe 3 images in the gallery of 50 that worked for the requested low-key black and white shots, and I think two of those three (seen here) turned out pretty well. 

Peanut is a cutie-pie and very shy.

And then there were the balloons. You know I will be using these again. :-)

Can’t you just hear the ‘POP’!? hee hee… Check out Zoe’s face on the right below. 

Hope you guys enjoyed Peanut and Zoe!

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in Private client shoots, seattle dog photography | Tagged , , | Comments (8)

my trip to the eye doctor

October 16, 2008 – 8:00 am

So I have been needing to have my eyes checked for awhile. A *long* while. 

I am more nervous about the health of my eyesight than anything else. I’d almost rather have a root canal done than wait for the eye doc to give me the final analysis. I’ve been seeing lots of floaters recently and have some problems with nearsightedness, general eye fatigue and vertigo. And don’t even ask me about the time a couple of years ago when suddenly everything turned into a Picasso painting. 

So yesterday afternoon I went to the bank, and there is an eye clinic right next door. I decide to just pop over and find out how the whole thing works. I decide I should probably do my appointment sooner rather than later so as not to prolong the anxiety.

Much to my surprise (and chagrin) they have an appointment available. When? Oh, right now. “OK!” I say nervously, feeling like I either want to run or vomit or both.

So I had the appointment, and tried not to have an anxiety attack as the doc put things on my eyes and flashed lights and dropped weird drops in them. I tried to keep my head from shaking which happens when I get really nervous. 

And you know what the lovely eye doc’s final assessment was? I have “very healthy eyes”. Whoopee!

I have nearly 20-20 vision, and would only need mildly corrective lenses for up-close work, like working close to the computer screen on images. I am not at all opposed to glasses, so may go back next month to pick up a cool funky pair. 

I am shocked! Delighted! Thrilled! I swear that made my whole year.

And the floaters? Apparently they are totally common, especially as one ages (yes, my 36 year-old eyes are ‘aging’). And the eye fatique? Um, try working a little less Jamie. :-)

Ahh, sighing relief right now as I type this. Thank you eye doctor. Thank you eyes. 

P.S. That’s me with Besa, a very dear old friend who is no longer with us. This was my first bio shot taken for my biz. 

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in miscellaneous randomness | Tagged | Comments (7)

Sammy the pug with life lessons for us all

October 15, 2008 – 8:00 am

A few of you may remember awhile back when I posted a little sneak preview of Sammy the pug in the form of a few pano crop images. I have been wanting to tell you more about him since then but alas, haven’t had the time. (Not that I have the time now, but I couldn’t wait any longer).

Sammy is not only cute, but he is a very special pug as well. You see, Sammy has liver failure. 

He has been sick since he was a little puppy. He has had more surgeries than most people you know combined, and has deep 12 inch belly scars to show for it. He has been in the hospital more times than I think even his mom remembers. And he is not even 2 years old. 

His doctors now say that he has not just one, but multiple liver shunts. Essentially this little guy is a ticking time bomb. 

The good news?

Sammy loves life! You will never meet a happier little pug, or a pug that is so easy to please, and so full of joy. It’s very clear from spending just a little bit of time with this special creature that he lives life to the fullest.

Sammy doesn’t sweat the little stuff.

Sammy takes advantage of every opportunity to play.

Sammy doesn’t forget to get and give love and always says yes to a snuggle. 

Sammy treasures the relationships with those he loves, and makes sure to spend quality time with them every day. 

Sammy doesn’t care if he is having a bad fur or face day, or even if people think he’s cute, he just wants to be happy.

Sammy never loses touch with the child inside of him, or his sense of wonder and awe at the world. 

Sammy vehemently defends the underdog and is a champion for justice for all. Sammy always believes in doing the right thing and being honest and operating with integrity. 

Sammy is not afraid to be vulnerable. 

Sammy never forgets to stop and smell the flowers, no matter their color, type or size. 

Sammy doesn’t care what people think of him because he knows life is way too short for that. 

Sammy loves a big wide open blue sky, just like Cowbelly! (BTW: I *love* that shot on the left. It touches me in ways I can’t express in words.)

Lastly, Sammy is at peace with the fact that he is a mortal, and isn’t afraid to wear his emotions (or his yawns) on his sleeve, er- collar.

Dogs have so much they can teach us, and in Sammy’s case this is abundantly true. Although it’s hard to live life as he does, and remember the big picture, I think if we remember just one of his teachings every single day we will be happier, more loving, more joyful and more contented spirits. 

Sammy we love you. :-)

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in Private client shoots, Pugs!, seattle dog photography | Tagged , , , | Comments (14)
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