Leila the Golden Retriever by Nicole Begley Photography

Pet Photography 20 May

When someone says the word family, so many people will think of a couple with 2.5 kids and a white picket fence. But for me a family is where love is. A nana and her granddaughter. A group of friends that celebrate the holidays together. A man and his dog. So when I first laid eyes on this gorgeous session by Nicole Begley Photography, I not only saw a beautiful couple and their smiling Golden Retriever frolicking at the beach. I saw a family.

From Nicole:
My pet photography business is based in Pittsburgh, PA but I do get down to Southwest Florida periodically during the winter months to meet some clients in some sunshine and warmer weather.

I absolutely LOVE when clients have a dog that loves the water and want to hold their session at dog beach. It can be tricky to shoot there because there can be quite a few dogs, and the evening of our session was no different. However if you walk down the beach just a bit you can find a spot with little distraction and some delectable lighting. We held our session about an hour and a half before sunset and were graced with a spectacular Southwest Florida pink sky backdrop for our session.

Leila was the star of the show, a 9 year old golden retriever that loves the water….and her frisbee. She also loves her parents, and you can tell through the images that the feeling is mutual.

About Nicole Begley Photography
Nicole Begley is a pet lifestyle photographer based in Pittsburgh, PA, specializing in pet and equine photography. She spent 13 years in her first career as a zoological animal trainer working with a variety of animals from birds, to seals, to primates so specializing in working with pets was a natural transition. Nicole is also the creator of Hair of the Dog, a blog that was created for the pet photographer focusing on business and marketing tips.

Find Nicole Begley Photography WEBSITE | BLOG | HAIR OF THE DOG | FACEBOOK

Review: The Fundle Pet Sling

Reviews 17 May

Every so often an innovative product comes along that opens up a whole new world for dog owners. The Pet Sling is one such product.

Similar in concept to a baby sling, the Pet Sling is a hands free pet carrier designed specifically with your dog’s comfort and wellbeing in mind.

THE SLING

What’s unique about the Fundle Pet Sling is that it allows you to carry your dog as if they’re resting in your arms. Unlike conventional carriers which have you dog lower to the ground, the pet sling allows your dog to nestle close to you. This is a huge win for anxious and sensitive dogs, allowing them to feel close and protected.

FEATURES

The rounded base of the Pet Sling allows your dog to sit comfortably and nestle within the sling. With a removable zip-on/off cover, the top of the sling features padded cushioning around the edges – allowing your dog to rest their chin and look out on the world without impediment.

A padded shoulder strap, and storage space for a water bottle is a bonus for the owner!

PERFECT FOR OLDER AND INJURED DOGS

While on first glance the pet sling seems designed just as an alternative carrier for small dogs, it’s use for older and impaired dogs sets it apart from the rest. For dogs recovering from injuries or surgery, the Pet Sling allows them to get out and about without physical strain. For puppies and aging dogs, the pet sling is a great option should they tire of walking.

HANDS FREE

Possibly the #1 benefit of the pet sling for owners is the convenience of a hands free carrier. The design of the sling allows your dog to be carried safely while you have both hands free. This allows owners to walk other pets, carry their shopping, push prams etc – all the while knowing their dog in the sling is safe and comfortable.

WHAT WE LOVED:

Hands free pet carrier.
Sling design allows dogs to feel naturally close to you, easing anxious or shy pets.
Padded design ensures comfort for dog and owner.
Sewn in restraint leash for safety.
Compact, flexible and lightweight – no bulky parts.
Comes in a large range of colours, sizes and styles.

BEST FOR:

Small dogs up to 8 kilograms.
Shy or anxious dogs that enjoy being close to their owners.
Puppies or elderly dogs that tire during long walks.
Recovering or invalid dogs who enjoy outings.
Multiple dog owners who need a hands free carrier option.

The Fundle Pet Sling can be purchased through My Shadow Dog. CLICK TO BUY

For more information, photos and the full range visit My Shadow Dog.

Great Gatsby Inspired Pet Accessories

Shop It 15 May

Hands up who has Gatsby fever*? It’s hit me hard. The latest masterpiece by the ever inspired Baz Luhrmann has me shopping for feathered boas, slipping into vintage frocks and downing Gin Daises. But why should we have all the fun? Here are my top picks for Gatsby inspired pieces just for the pooches.

From Top:

6 Row Swarovski Crystal Dog Collar in Silver from On All Paws – Made in Italy, Pet Follie’s Crystal leather dog collar is encrusted with six rows of dazzling Swarovski crystals and lined with metallic silver Italian leather. Perfect party attire! CLICK TO BUY

Emma Black Designer Pet Bowl – This chic dog bowl is made of hand-painted quilted polyresin base and a removable stainless steel insert for easy washing. Ensure it’s kept full with water – not gin. CLICK TO BUY

Dharf Vintage Mint Bow Tie – Take your dog back to the 20s with this vintage doggie bow tie – available with matching collar. CLICK TO BUY

Dog Perignon Champagne Dog Toy: Bottle Plush Squeaker – The perfect way for your dog to hit the bottle and party like it’s 1922. With an inbuilt squeaker it’s ideal for playtime. CLICK TO BUY

Puppylocks Puppyclip in ‘Natural’ – What’s a flapper without her shining accessories? These clips on feathers accent all pet coats, without the hassled application process of permanent featherlocks. Eachpiece is handmade and unique, attached to an alligator clip and tippedwith silver accent. CLICK TO BUY

Hartman and Rose Original Leather Dog Lead (Gold) - The perfect accessory for a trip to The Plaza! Handcrafted in Canada from 100% Italian full grain leather, this lead features Italian hardware and polished 22 karat gold plating. CLICK TO BUY

Luxemutt ‘Heart of Gold’ Martini Bow Tie Dog Collar – Is it just me, or could Muffin (pictured) fit right into the movie poster for Gatsby? The ‘Heart Of Gold’ bow tie collar is crafted from solid gold super-soft high grade leather and is custom made just for your pooch. Did someone say dapper dog? CLICK TO BUY

The Great Gatsby opens the Cannes Film Festival this week and opens in Australia on May 30.

* Signs of Gatsby Fever included visiting Speakeasies, singing Jazz melodies and trawling through vintage stores for flapper dresses. Although there is no cure, physicians recommend 1 x movie tickets and 1 x popcorn taken weekly til symptoms desist.

Autumn the Australian Shepherd by Charlotte Reeves Photography

Pet Photography 14 May

Ever wonder how those gorgeous dogs that end up on your dog food bag, or modelling the latest leash, are found? Today this gorgeous session from Charlotte Reeves Photography goes behind the scenes of the doggy modelling world…

From Charlotte:
As an extra service for my commercial clients, I maintain a commercial dog model database which is always open for applications. When I received the application from Autumn’s mum Esther, I was so impressed! Not only did this girl have a gorgeous look about her (gotta love those David Bowie eyes), she is also super talented with a list of tricks as long as your arm.

With exceptional dogs like Autumn, I like to organise a mock shoot where I can see what the dog is like to work with in real life, and also obtain some promo shots of them to use with their model profile.

We decided on Bribie Island as the location as it has a good mix of beach, jetty and bushland. Unfortunately on the day it was super windy, but that just served to reinforce what a pro Autumn was to work with – the loudly screeching jetty and blowing sand didn’t phase her in the slightest! I love how the resulting photos turned out and I’m so excited to have Autumn in my database for future commercial modelling opportunities.

About Charlotte Reeves Photography
As an award-winning pet photographer, Charlotte loves discovering and telling you and your pet’s story with beautiful, natural fine art images just begging to be displayed in your home and shared with friends and family. Her photography sessions are low-pressure and are approached with a sense of fun and adventure, specially designed to bring out your pet’s personality and unique character. Charlotte is located in Brisbane, Queensland and also service the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and other south-east Queensland locations. She loves to travel so sessions are available Australia-wide by special request.

Find Charlotte Reeves Photography WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER