Even though I’m now officially on the waiting list for my next guide, Yara’s exact retirement date is somewhat in the air. Before then I wanted to make sure we got in one last set of photos together. I also wanted to do something different from the studio shots we’ve done in the past. Given the abundance of beautiful weather, I wanted to have a set taken outdoors, something more candid and in natural light. Due to a variety of reasons, not the least of which being my own indecisiveness, this ended up happening as three separate photo sessions with some incredibly fabulous photographers. Yara and I had a wonderful time and I’ve been bursting to get the digital images so I could share them with everyone! However, I won’t have the last set taken by Heidi Benjamin Pet Photography for another week or two and since I’m anything but patient I took the liberty of uploading the photos from Cindy Andreassen and Red Cottage Photography onto this Flickr set. Here are some of my favorites:
Lastly, my favorite of all is the photo below of us lying in the grass together. Yara has her leg positioned rather possessively over my left arm, which we all found considerably adorable. It’s taken from behind so the composition of it has me looking off to the side at Mike while Yara is facing forward looking at Lisa. I think it’s a very natural and beautiful shot of us. Especially when one considers that at the time my back was getting assaulted by bugs and the close proximity of Yara had me breathing in her incredibly raunchy breath with every inhale.
I’ll post again when I get the images from Heidi Benjamin, but for now much thanks goes to Cindy Andreassen and Mike and Lisa Dack for their time and expertise!
My fave is the last one, too, despite dog breath and the bug assault, LOL.
I think the reality of it just makes the picture more awesome. I really love the creativity and the simple naturalness of it. It’s exactly the kind of photo I was hoping for when I set out to have these done.
Though the last shot is spectacular, in some ways I’m more drawn to the air of camaraderie and respect the black and white portraits captured. Something about the contrast just commands the eye.
Which black-and-white ones specifically? Herein lies one of the limitations of lack of color perception, I’m ignorant of any of the differences between those in color or not. (Aside from the altered version of that last shot and the other two from that particular batch.)
Fifth picture from the start of the series, Yara seated before you on the bridge. I also like the shallow focus of the shot, how the background appears blurry. Such contrast highlights you both.
But they are all great shots.
I was quite pleased with the level of creativity Mike and Lisa showed. They utilized quite a number of different setups, lenses and angles while shooting us both. And really had an eye for the composition and background of the images. It turned out a lot of neat shots like that particular one, which the photographers and I both very much like. Plus, they were so enjoyable to be around.
Very nice. I really like the one of you two walking away from the camera by the lake and the last one of you two laying in the grass, just because they’re less like “traditional” portraits. :-)
I fervently agree!
LOVE THEM!!! Yara is such a beautiful looking dog! You look wonderful!
I love the shot of you walking along the side of the lake. As well as the black and white on the bridge and the ne of you walking along the bridge. It’s so soft.
And you’re right that last one is a keeper! Such a wonderful idea to have photos taken with your dog. I think we should consider it…
I’m loving the new layout of the blog – its great!
Not sure why this got stuck in the mod queue. Sorry about that.
Anyway, thanks Angie. There’s still another whole batch I am waiting on to upload and post and there are some other lovely ones among that. But definitely that last one above is my absolute favorite. Glad you like the photos! And the new design; I’m quite partial since it’s in colors I actually see!