I am back from Sonoma/Napa Valleys and feeling happy to be back in my home city. Every time I go away from Seattle, whether it’s a plane ride away or a simple car trip out to the burbs, I always get a big smile on my face when I drive up to the city and see downtown and Elliott Bay. I have tried to leave this place so many times, and think I have finally succumbed to it’s charms for good. It doesn’t mean that I don’t love to travel (I do!), but it does make the returns that much sweeter. And that I have the world’s sweetest most sensitive dog to come home to makes it that much sweeter. 
Here she is with her new toys from the wine country- a squeaky wine bottle that says ‘Kennel-Relaxin Chardonnay’ and a cackly witch. She loved both. Ah, that’s my girl- the boozehound.
BTW- Christina and my mom took turns staying with Fergie at my place while I was gone. The Fergs had an *awesome* time with two of her favorite people. Christina even took her swimming, whoopee!
First things first, I wanted to announce the winners of the Evening Magazine ‘Best Of’ contest. The first place position of ‘best pet photography’ in Western Washington goes to Kirkland Washington’s own talented dog photographer Erin Vey, who has been doing great work over on the Eastside for the past couple of years. Erin has become well-known on social networking websites like flickr and facebook for her high-end fine art baby, child, and human portraits and most recently dog portraits.
Then second place goes to yours-truly, of Seattle (Queen Anne Yo!). For those who are new you can read more about me and Cowbelly on my newly updated ‘about‘ page of this blog (BTW for those who DO know me, you may still want to check out the new page- I included some things I think nobody knows). Back to the contest, I don’t have words to express the feelings I get when reading the detailed and heartfelt comments left by my clients. I sometimes feel like I fall short of my goals when it comes to making people happy, and to have those testimonials from people I have worked with is the most affirming gift I could receive. Thank you to everyone who voted, and most especially- left those sweet sweet comments. I am truly humbled.
Third place goes to my dear friend and colleague Nichole Smith of Dane + Dane Studios over in West Seattle. For those who don’t live in this area, West Seattle IS a part of Seattle, for those who DO live here, yes I too believe that West Seattle IS Seattle. Go West Seattle!! Anyhoo, Nichole has been doing really beautiful work with pets and people since 2005- both in her studio and outdoors on locations from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest. She also shoots pet-friendly weddings and provides graphic design work to pet-related businesses. This woman is a one-woman army! Actually, Nichole has an army of people working for her- including the talented dog and wedding photographer Amy Soper.
Speaking of talented pet/dog photographers, I *finally* want to share with you guys some blog-links to a few of the really great photographers who attended my workshops this year. Go check out their blogs, comment, get to know them, and take a gander at their beautiful work. In no particular order we have:
Pam Biasotti- Pam Biasotti Photography- East Bay San Francisco, CA
Tracy Auckerman- Furrie Fotography - Jacksonville, FLA
http://furriefotographie.blogspot.com/
Jaime Rowe- Green Paws Photography-Morrison CO
http://greenpawsphotography.blogspot.com/
Angie Wojciechowska- Off Leash Photography- Vancouver BC
Jill Beninato- Sit. Stay. Smile. Photography- Virginia Beach, VA
http://www.sitstaysmile.com/blog/
Bev Hollis- Bev Hollis Photography- Leesburg, VA
http://www.bevhollisphoto.com/blog/
Beth Andrews- Hound and Hoof Pet Photography- Louisville KY
Stephanie Smith- Pawsitively Pictures- Tampa, FLA
http://pawsitivelypictures.blogspot.com/
Maria Carey- Charlotte Carey Pet Photography- Nantucket, MA
http://charlottecareypets.blogspot.com/
Debbie Dunne- Debbie Z. Dunne Photography- North Plains OR
This is by no means a comprehensive list of all of the attendees, and for the gals not on this list, please email me and let me know if/when you are ready for me to show you to the world! Also, I will be adding the photographers from the workshops to my blogroll once I am caught up on some client work.
Hope everyone is having a terrific weekend and had a safe and happy Halloween!
