LOGO DESIGN: Surf City, Surf Dog

So, given my somewhat recently renewed dedication to blogging - and my very recent completion of a fun logo - I thought it would be a good idea to start sharing some design work on this blog as well. I mean, it might be nice to SEE some of this graphic design we keep talking about, right?

The problem with starting to blog about these things, is that it makes me want to go back and add a ton of my other favorite projects retroactively - I don't want anyone to be left out!? However, I will do myself the favor of accomplishing one task at a time, and just start here :)

So, with that I give you: Surf City, Surf Dog! This logo is for an event that will take place annually starting in October of 2009 in Surf City USA - Huntington Beach, CA. If you've not been to HB - and you're a fan of surfing and or off leash beaches and or palm trees - then by all means... GO!

I first discovered what the locals refer to as "Dog Beach" (which is actually Huntington Beach) in January of 2008 and man - is it HEAVEN! This is where a great majority of my So. Cal client shoots take place (yet one more thing I should start posting on this blog, right?!)

At sunset it's hard to get a BAD shot. When the swells are good you can even score some great surfing silhouettes in the background *swoon*.





Ok so back to Surf City, Surf Dog! This event will be a dog surfing event (yes that's right - dog's surfing!) supported by local surf schools and other pet businesses on behalf of local charities.

Now that they have their logo, the website will be up soon - but for now I leave you with the new look of "Surf City, Surf Dog" designed by dane + dane studios.


I think it's totally tubular dude!

Evening Magazine: Best of Western Washington

We here at the studio just wanted to extend a big Dane thank you to all who voted for us for Evening Magazine's "Best of Western Washington."

As you may or may not know, we discovered that we had been nominated for this honor only 3 days before the voting ended.

Thanks to all your enthusiastic support, we went from non-existent to the top-five right away, and by the end, we came in 3rd place! Click here to see all the pet results!

Congratulations to Erin Vey and Jamie Pflughoeft who came in 1st and 2nd - and of course long-time Seattle Pet Photographers Emily Rieman and Bev Sparks who deserve the highest honors - they've were on the pet photography scene before any of us new-comers :) We are honored to be in the same category as these ladies!

Also a high-five to our friends at: Rain City Pets (owners of Zak and Zoe) who came in second for best Dog Walker, Jean-Marcus Strole who came in second for best Seattle Wedding Photography, the Alexis Hotel which was scored second for best Seattle Wedding Venue and of course, the delicious Mashiko which came in fifth for Best Seattle Sushi - All of you are 1sts in our book :)

Cheers!

Lucky Dog, Lucky Me!

On Sunday I had my first visit to Lucky Dog Outfitters in Tacoma. Not being one who ever really stops in Tacoma, I have missed out on the wonderland that is this refreshingly outdoorsy, wondrously tantalizing pet boutique. Smack dab in the side of an unassuming strip mall, this 2,000-something square foot space is packed with vibrant merchandise of all kinds - when I walked in I truly felt like a kid in a candy store. The best thing about Lucky Dog though, is not the Chilly Dog sweaters or Happy Tails shampoo - it's the staff. The LDO girls are genuine, helpful and fun.

I was there for their annual Halloween Pet Portrait day- this was a last minute addition into my already jam-packed schedule (OK, I admit it, I was going to watch the Seahawks game with my friends from Pooper Trooper) but despite the tricky time crunch - I was glad to help out. Besides some glammed up pooches, I didn't know what to expect from this event, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised! Big dogs, little dogs, dogs dressed as lions and dogzillas and witches (and even one Italian Greyhound dressed up as a soccer player - complete with italian jersey and stuffed soccer ball!) and even some faces I recognized from holiday photos at Next to Nature last year!







And best of all, right as I was packing up to leave - I was treated with a horse fix! Jen's sister happened to swing by after a trail ride and grab a few shots of me actin' a fool :) I turn into a gushing 10 year old girl when I get nuzzled by horse muzzle (as evidenced by the photos) but it really was the highlight of my day!






A big thank you to the Lucky Dog crew (who even ran to the mall to get me a new battery when I realized that I left my backup at an event the night before) and who supplied smiles, fabulous dog handling support, and all the treats those models could gobble up!

Mark your calendars Tacoma - we will be back in town Sunday, December 7th for holiday portraits!!

Ana Kelly ties the knot: 10/18/08

Amelia and I had the privilege of photographing Seattle's own Ana Kelly at her fabulous black and white wedding last Saturday. Ana is a radio personality who you will hear every morning with Kent and Alan on STAR 101.5 - However, more than just a soothing voice, Ana is lovely and kind and she was a stunning bride.

The wedding was at St. Josephs Cathedral on Capitol Hill and the reception was at Hotel Monaco (one of my favorites of course.) The wedding party included Ana and Blake's tiny little daughter Lucy (donning polka dots) and the very dapper Geno the pug (donning his handmade tux.)

Wedding details included bride's maids choice black dresses, pug socks for the groom's men, red Gerber daisy bouquets, vivid stained glass windows and of course, a very handsome couple.

Reception details included a separate "football room" to catch up on college ball, complete with it's own menu: potato chips, cocktail weenies, cheese whiz and specially ordered Mallomars cookies (the bride's fav)

The remainder of the evening included a rousing sing-along of "That's Amore" led by father of the bride, a cake topper that included a little "Megadeath Rules" note, German Chocolate cupcakes and lots and lots of children + dancing, mostly combined.

We were even able to sneak out for a moment to grab some late afternoon photos outside: in the street and at the Seattle Public Library.

Congratulations Ana + Blake (and Lucy + Geno of course)

Ohhhh BoBo

I can't really tell you anything about this shoot yet - or the dog... But I had to share this face with you :)

Nicola and Jon: 8/11/0

We were all crossing our fingers that the unpredictable Seattle weather would smile on Saturday, October 11th - and boy did all that hopin' and wishin' and prayin' pay off!

It was a lovely fall day, overcast with long warm sun breaks. The garden was still vibrant with petals and tomatoes and apples and greens of every shade and hue. When I arrived, family members were bustling about, preparing food, arranging flowers and setting up chairs - from that moment on it all just seemed to fall in place.

Nicola and Jon wanted a simple, intimate wedding in the garden. The bridal party consisted of Poppy and Daisy, Nicola's two delightful pugs. The bride's bouquet was hand-picked from Pike Place Market, her earrings and garter were handmade by her sister, her charm bracelet belonged to her mother and true to tradition, she had a "six pence" in each shoe.





The tables at the reception featured market bouquets, cut crystal, handwritten place cards and gorgeous heirloom silverware. The two cakes were personalized with a mermaid duo topper on one, and a pug topper on the other.


The entire afternoon and evening was warm and joyful and simple - great people, great food and a great couple celebrating a very special day.



Congratulations Nicola and Jon (and Daisy and Poppy of course!)

Cheerful Chelsea!

Congrats to Chelsea, winner of the "Savvy Senior" award at FIDOfest last week! Check out her and her mom HERE. (I have to say, that was one blustery miserable day so they deserve extra kudos for making it out!!) Here's what her mom said about her win:

"Chelsea literally "kissed up" to the judges--all the KMTT disc jockeys especially--John Fisher! She just eagerly ran up on the stage at U-Village and she was the only dog in the “Savvy Senior” category that could actually reach all the people in the front row! She seemed to know exactly what she was doing even though we had never entered this type of contest before. When she found out she had won she did little her "happy dance" on the stage to celebrate--rolling on her back wildly while kicking her feet up in the air!

She won a $25 gift certificate though she hasn't decided what to buy with it yet. However, she does know that she wants to buy whatever she buys at the Mud Bay pet food store at the University Village mall."

Chelsea is a FAB yellow lab that I had the pleasure of photographing with her family earlier this summer. Because this shoot was before I started posting snippets of our portrait sittings on the blog, I am going to share some of them with you now!





These shots make me wish it was still summer...