My other little model for the workshop shoot in Santa Monica was Sophie the basset hound. She was a delight to work with, and quite possibly the sweetest, gentlest basset I have ever worked with. I hope that her images really show her sweet, sensitive soul. She is a therapy dog, and helps those who need a little bit of extra support. I can see how she would be really really good at this.
We started her shoot in the Viceroy Hotel lobby (the images seen here), then finished at the beach and park nearby. Although the lobby would have produced some cool shots, it was noisy and busy and just not good for doggies sadly. We were only there for a few minutes before we hit the outdoors, my favorite place to shoot anyway.
It was a gloomy day but Sophie’s smile lit up the whole beach.
Check out the ears in the mouth folks. Ah the things you need to worry about when you are a basset. IMO there is little funnier than a running basset hound. hee hee
I love the canopy of palm trees on the right below.
Here I was demonstrating how you can get shots of the owner and their pooch without them having to be cheesy and posed. I just said to Sophie’s mom “pretend we aren’t here and do what you would normally do with Sophie” and this is what she did. Love them.
Ha ha ha ha, basset teeth!!
At the tail end of our shoot I noticed the palm trees reflected in the cool wall at the front of the Viceroy Hotel. Reason #14 why I always try and keep my camera out of the bag until I am back in my car.
Here is something really wacky and crazy. So I photographed two basset hounds in California- Sophie and Buster. Neither of which I had planned for, at least, not until 2 days before the shoot. This weekend I am photographing two more basset hounds near Seattle. And, what is even wackier, the weekend I was shooting my first two bassets, my dear friend Nichole Smith was also photographing bassets (lots of bassets) for a TV gig she did. It’s basset fever around here! When Nichole and I stayed together in Long Beach we compared our basset images in lightroom/bridge. It was a riot. 
Hope everyone is having a great week! I am trying to catch up on work and emails and getting ready for a super fun commercial job this Friday. It’s not a basset (lol) but it will still be a blast. I’ll keep y’all posted on that!
14 Comments
These are truly great! Love those running shots! It’s too bad the lobby didn’t work out for very long, looks like a very cool background.
bahaha ears flappin in the wind like flags!
I am cracking up here! I love the ear in the mouth shot…what a riot! I love this dogs personality and how you captured a little taste of it all
Her face does have that nice calming look
Gotta love those flying ears too!
Oh wow she totally exudes sweetness! I love the shots with her mom, too. Basset love!
what a sweetheart! you’re right — the ear flying/running ones ROCK.
i seriously love the running shots!! so good!
The flopping ears are too cute! I also love the last set of photos with her big paws and the beautiful glass background. Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity Jamie!!
hee hee… what a fun time!
I love the “teefs” shots!
: )
i can’t get enough of those ears!!!
I’ve never seen a Basset run– and now it is on the top of my to do list! I can’t wait to have a basset session myself– you’ve done an outstanding job here!
Hi Jamie! We loved our time with you on this perfect June day! We all had a blast! Can’t wait to see the work you did with Simba and Rey. You are a Basset magnet. Sophie’s pictures rocked! Did I tell you that Rey is a therapy dog too? He is one of the Reading with Rover dogs. Take Care! Chris G. 6.27.09
The floppy ear photos made me smile! Poor dog has to worry about biting it’s ears on accident.
Great photos as usual!
Sooo cute, calm and, sweet. My Bassett is the same way.