The Dane's Dish

wow.

2010-11-06T08:38:00.001-07:00

I just realized this baby was still active!?

Check us out and our much improved blog-site: www.dane-dane.com/blog!

updates!

2009-01-22T10:42:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the radio silence friends - we have been slaving away on our new website and our NEW blog! I have been hesitant to post here because the new one is so much prettier :)

Just a few very important notes:

#1 We have scheduled two VERY fun Valentine's Day Portrait events.

If you'd like to get prints back in time to GIVE to your sweetheart, I recommend you join us at Lucky Dog Outfitters in Tacoma next Saturday, January 31, 2009 from 1pm to 4pm. Not only will we be shooting great valentines portraits but Lucky Dog will be kicking off their "Be a Sweetheart to a Dog is Need" drive where they will be donating and accepting donations of all doggy essentials to be dispersed by Noah's Pet Project to needy pups. If you donate you can write a personalized note to the dog your goodies are bestowed upon AND you will be entered into a raffle to win great prizes like a "Fresco" portrait sitting with us, or Dog is Good tees, or a myriad of other goodies! Make a deal with your sweetheart - pet portraits on Saturday - Superbowl on Sunday, win-win! Feel free to call Lucky Dog Outfitters for more details: (253) 761-4486.

If you'd like to go to a Valentine's Day PARTY and get portraits of you and your furry four-legged love all dolled up, join us at the CityDog Muttmixer at the W Hotel Seattle. on February 11th from 6pm to 8pm. As always you can expect great V-Day portraits with us, delicious cocktails, good times and whole gaggle of other urban Seattle pups to socialize with. Feel free to email CityDog Magazine for more details: info@citydogmagazine.com.

#2 We are the Official Pet Portrait Photographer of the Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show

Our second bit of exciting news is that we are now, quite officially, the Official Pet Portrait Photographer of the Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show. What this means to you, is that if you will be showing your pup at the SKCDS, you can come by our booth for a portrait sitting at a great price that includes all the HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES - this is an unprecedented deal and will be a ton of fun! If you are just visiting the show, be sure to stop by to see what other goodies we've got to share :) Also, our sister company Dog is Good will be right next door selling some new and fab tees and gits.

***

Ok friends, that's all for now... I have to get back to designing those tees and finishing that new website... More soon!

Idawg candids

2008-12-12T13:36:00.000-08:00

Well as most of you know, we produce the marketing photos for Idawg Clothing (and if you don't know - go look at their site: FAB jackets and hoodies for big dogs- PERFECT gift for Fido or Fido's friends :)

Anyway- our shoots are always hilarious. We coax the perfect shots from our eager models with treats, squeakers, and with Diego (the official Idawg mascot) - with tennis balls.

The expressions we got from the VERY handsome Diego were too funny for me not to share with you. My favorite one is this one... Check out how HUGE Diego's pupils are: GIVE ME THAT TENNIS BALL!!!

MANIC DOG :) that's Joanie in the background laughing at her crazy mutt

P.S. Idawg was the only American dog fashion designer invited to the runway at Pet Fashion Week this year. Way to go!!

Mystery Model: Poodle style

2008-12-10T13:35:00.000-08:00

Well since we are still squarely in the "surprise holiday gift" zone I can't really share any specifics about this shoot - which is a shame because there are some really fun tidbits I would like to include to accompany these images... I would also like to share some great images of this pooch's human, but alas that could give it all away!

So instead I will keep this brief and simple and just say: this is one cool poodle :)

This is also a great example of how studio lighting can make all the difference for a dog that is black as night (and therefor VERY hard to photograph)

dane + dane archive: November 2006

2008-12-02T14:06:00.000-08:00

Through my mad holiday sorting, print ordering, website re-designing, client calling etc. etc. I came across one of my favorite shoots ever from WAY back in 2006.

This sitting was a surprise and therefor has NEVER seen the light of day or blog. Our jolly subjects included two Corgis named Lewis and Clark, one horse named Alaska and a glimpse of a resident Newfoundland whose name completely escapes me. Am I getting old already? *sigh*

Anyhow - these photos bring back fond memories of autumn in the Northwest, of Bainbridge Island and of a time when I photographed horses more often.

Since it seems I have been photographing nothing but holiday surprises lately - and thus have not been able to share them here... It seemed fitting to throw in a blast from the past.

Enjoy!

******* These last ones are my favorite - WHAT a scene!? *******

Sophie + Rocket on the loose!

2008-11-24T16:38:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we were joined at the studio by Sophie and Rocket - salt and pepper siblings on a mission to strut their respective small dog stuff.

S + R's parents specifically requested black and white images - which is a fun departure from our typical sittings and a welcomed solution to the "black and white dog side-by-side" lighting conundrum.

As you can see Rocket (who is a white schnoodle) and Sophie (a black Scottie) took right to their roles as models and hammed it up for me and their parents and anyone else who was willing to ooh, ahh, feed them treats, or reveal the whereabouts of that rascally squeaky toy that kept disappearing.

Their dad even joined them for a brief moment - clearly the pups were glad to share the spotlight with their papa. ( I just love those paws!! Their mom says she thinks they look like tiny little polar bear paws and I have to agree :)

If Sophie and Rocket were a Hollywood couple, their joint name would be Sprocket. I think it fits, don't you?

"It's not a mystery, it's a job. It's a good job, but it's job."

2008-11-20T00:23:00.001-08:00

Annie Leibovitz lecture, Benaroya Hall, 11/19/08

Annie Leibovitz says that she doesn't really have a favorite photo, but that this one of her mother has really grown on her.

This comment defines what, in one short hour, I could surmise about Annie's take on things. She seems to be pragmatic and calm, simple and yet incredibly intelligent - humble given her immense fame and above all, she possesses that little sparkle that haunts every great photographer I have ever met - a little secret behind the eyes that exemplifies her distinct vision.

I first noticed this sparkle when I met Ebet Roberts when I was an official photographer for Farm Aid in 2004 - in a lot of ways I have always pictured Annie to be a lot like Ebet and now that feeling is somewhat confirmed. Both women started out with painting in mind and just fell into rock n' roll photography in the 70's - both women are tall and thin and unassuming - gentle and somewhat soft-spoken with a silver touch to their hair. By default my affection for Ebet has now been transferred to Annie.

Anyway back to her new book.

Listening to Annie read from her book "At Work" and explains some of her groundbreaking photographs was like listening to any photographer-USA talking shop, she's not particularly eloquent or charismatic but she is quite funny and very insightful. In some ways, she is so serious about her work and in others, she's still just an artist playing with blank canvas - she just happens to have access to a canvas with no boundaries.

When she speaks of her famous portrait of President Bush and six members of his administration she says, "I fear this will be the photo I am most remembered for," explaining that she opted not to shoot in the Oval Office because of the distracting technical difficulties presented by the wall of windows behind the desk and also "I don't like the way Bush has it (the oval office) decorated - too many Remingtons" - ha!

In stark contrast, Annie speaks glowingly of her experiences photographing Obama and his family - mentioning the optimism she felt (didn't we all!) She will be at the inauguration, of which she says with a smile, "I want to be in the back to capture the whole scene... I will be spending a lot time in Washington in January..."

In many ways, listening to her speak filled me with the same feelings of hope and pride that are inspired in me by our new President Elect. For a young photographer with big dreams and high expectations, she represents the ultimate promise of greatness.

* * *

In parting, one of my favorite quotes of the evening - Annie speaks of some of her photographs of Olympic athletes:

"They were very pretty... but so what? Sometimes pretty is not enough." -- Annie Leibovitz

------------ all images in this post are by Annie Leibovitz --------------

Starbucks: Holiday Event #1

2008-11-16T07:46:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of donating my day to the hilarious and hairy task of photographing the pets of Starbucks partners at corporate headquarters (otherwise known as "The Firm") here in Seattle.

This is the second year I have volunteered to spend the day raising money at this Starbucks event, but this year I had a say in which charities we supported. We chose the Doney Memorial Clinic and Old Dog Haven, both under-appreciated, incredibly caring organizations. I am excited to announce that we raised about $650 for each, which Starbucks will then match - making our total effort worth nearly $2,600 for local dog-gooders :) Yeah! A huge thank you to everyone who came out to join in the fun, which this year wasn't even limited to dogs and cats - that's right, we had our first ever fish and turtle join the photo party. Oh yes, I am serious.

We had our regulars like Selena, Bodine and Josephine...

...but we also had surprise visits from a Beta fish and a turtle!

As to be expected there was tea, coffee and spiced pumpkin steamed milk aplenty and lots of wagging, woofing and treat snarfing to boot! Hip hip hooray for the helpful PAWS (Partners for Animal Welfare) volunteers who make this whole production possible, as well as dane + dane studios' own Amelia, who was ready with feathers and jinlgly earrings and keys to help with attempted attention-grabbing of our feline subjects, and of course Carol and Ellen from the Doney Memorial clinic who helped wrangle critters and keep everyone smiling.

A logo: Hound and Hoof Photography

2008-11-13T09:46:00.000-08:00

Well I thought I would share another logo project I've been working on.

I made a new friend in Kentucky this past month, her name is Beth. Beth is a pet photographer who recently attended one of my dear friend Jamie's (aka: cowbelly photography) pet photography workshops here in Seattle. Beth was in dire need of a name change for her business and of course, a logo.

Beth changed the name of her business to "Hound and Hoof Photography" which perfectly suits her location and her passions (she is proudly owned by two dogs and one horse). We set to work right away to find the perfect way to present her new business to the world.

Here's what we came up with: simple, classy and specific to her name, please welcome the new logo of Hound and Hoof Photography!!

And of course, no photographer's logo is complete without the perfect watermark for their photos -- See one of Beth's images below with her new custom logo watermark...

2009 CityDogs Calendar

2008-11-11T10:53:00.000-08:00

Well we are getting VERY excited to see our 2009 CityDogs Calendar - we expect it back from the printer on Thursday - eeeee!

In the meantime I thought I would share some great news - the calendar has been picked up by the Made in Washington stores and will be available in their Westlake Center, Pike Place Market, Bellevue Square and Southcenter locations!

If you would be interested in selling this fabulous holiday gift item in YOUR store - just email me and we can provide you with all the details!

But now, I would like to share the entire calendar with you, from start to finish, inside and out! I had a ball photographing your dogs and designing this calendar - I hope you enjoy this collection of nearly 500 smiling doggo faces - and of course, if you haven't already: BUY IT NOW!!! :)

Seattle in the Fall

2008-11-05T16:32:00.000-08:00

There are so many things I love about the Northwest that sometimes I find myself walking down whatever, street, path, beach, or sidewalk I happen to find myself on, unable to contain a big beaming smile. This place, this magical place is so incredible. I guess that's why I so thoroughly enjoy the travel writing/photography that I do for CityDog Magazine - I get to explore some of the most luxurious, gorgeous and memorable places this coast has to offer.

I found myself walking with one of these silly, over-sized grins the other day at the dog park here in West Seattle. The sky was blue, the leaves were orange and crimson and gold, the air was just crisp enough that Olivia and I could see our breath and as we trotted alone down an earthen path.

I am so glad I had my camera with me this day so I could share this moment with you: Fall in Seattle with dog.

Now the rain as come and the leaves are nearly gone, but the memorys of those few, flawless autumn days remain.

Yes we can.

2008-11-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

I typically try to keep politics out of my business life, but the events of last night were so epic, so historic and so deliriously wonderful, that I had to at least mention them here.

We have a new President America, we spoke and we have been heard.

If this young, self-employed woman, who doesn't own a house or have a stock portfolio or even health insurance - who does make student loan payments and car payments and multiple rent payments while trying to live the "American Dream" in one of the highest taxed states in the country- if this young woman has hope, so my friend should you.

We are entering an exciting time in our history and I am honored to be along for the ride- more than that, for the first time in my life, I can say without hesitation that I am damn proud to be an American.

...and just in case you missed it - Mr. Obama is buying his girls a puppy when they move into the White house - he says they've earned it. What do you think - Golden Retriever? Labradoodle? Pound puppy?

Oh -- and just in case you haven't seen this yet: check out Sarah Palin as President - click around the oval office to kill yourself with laughter

LOGO DESIGN: Surf City, Surf Dog

2008-10-31T13:50:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-10-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-10-12T07:28:00.001-07:00

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...

October sunshine and wedding gardens...

2008-10-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

Today we are excited to photograph a gorgeous backyard wedding in our own neighborhood of West Seattle. The weather has come through with bright blue sky, puffy white clouds and a crips October chill with no rain or wind. I can hardly wait to see our beautiful bride in her FABULOUS dress!!

I am going to post here some "pre-wedding" shots of the pooches who will be involved in the fiesta. Daisy and Poppy (the delicious pug duo) will be a part of the ceremony and you can bet, a big part of the photo extravaganza. Jake, the yellow lab, is another family dog who won't be at the wedding, but was at the house when we visited, so he gets to be included here too :)

Stay tuned for our select shots from the wedding - this will mark the start of sharing our couples with you! Cheers!

(And yes, Poppy's tongue is always out :) Best!

Mystery Models

2008-10-09T12:49:00.001-07:00

Ok, so typically when a photo shoot is a surprise, I don't post any of the images on the blog for fear that the recipient of the gift may somehow happen upon them and ruin it.

However, recently my good friend (and brilliant colleague) Jamie of Cowbelly Photography posted this blog - I am going to follow Jamie's lead and post a very select few images (chosen out of more than 500) but because I don't have the added anonymity of two separate shoots of a similar breed - I will just post a few. After the arrival of this gift to its lucky intended, I will share some more of these images - there are many greats that I am DYING to post here! These animals were FABULOUS and the weather cooperated on a day it wasn't supposed to, so I am all around thrilled with the results :)

That's all I can say for now... Enjoy mystery tidbits!!

Sydney and Gus

2008-10-07T19:55:00.000-07:00

Well Sydney and Gus arrived with flair (and pretty bandannas) - Although they're matching Golden's, Sydney and Gus sure are different dogs! Gus is a runner and lover, Sydney is an independent ball dog.

Both kids sure love some treats and pats though, and it was delightful to watch the "two of a kind" display their individuality. Romping, woofing, smilin' and keeping us fully entertained.

I was honored to have the opportunity to photograph these pooches - 13yr old Sydney is recovering from cancer, and although she is still sparkling and vibrant, her family doesn't know how much longer she will be with them.

And now... Please enjoy these sample shots of Sydney and Gus!

Pretty pretty Pucca

2008-10-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

Well this evening I had the pleasure of photographing miss Pucca the Yorkie. Upon her arrival here at the studio she was a little cautious - nervous about the lights and sounds and perhaps wondering when someone was going to stick her with a needle like they do at that smelly Vet's office. But with some Dave Matthews playing to mask the sound of the shutter and plenty of treats to keep her focused, Pucca came right out of that shell!

This is a special sitting for Pucca and her family because in a few short days Pucca will be flying home to sunny Hawaii with her dad and hopefully Seattle-based mom can join them soon - but for now they have long-distance love.

We are honored to be able to capture their "Ohana" family just in time for a big move and the impending holidays.

Without further delay... Here is Pucca! (and her people)

The Marvelous Miss Mayhem

2008-10-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

It is with much sadness that I share with you a last look at the lovely Mayhem.

You might recognize this beautiful blue-eyed girl from CityDog Artwalk (where she was proudly displayed) or her CityDog Magazine debut (page 40 of the Summer 2008 issue - "Race for the Cure" article.)

Mayhem was a 13 yr. old Siberian Husky who was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2005. After many consultations with experts and chemotherapy, Mayhem was officially classified as "in remission" after 27 weeks. She was kept on a low-protein diet and received fluids regularly to aid her weak kidneys.

When I met Mayhem last Winter - nothing about her seemed weak, sick or sorry. She was a sparkly, lively, gorgeous lady who loved to howl, tug with her brother Warlock, nibble a bone or beg some scratches from mom and dad.

Here's what her mom shared with me about her passing:

"It is with a heavy heart that Chris and I let you know that Mayhem died on July 8th. She was surrounded by her family in a beautiful garden setting, laying comfortably in the grass under the late afternoon sun. As you probably remember, our veterinarian had not expected her to make it to Christmas, but as usual, Mayhem's strength and bravery proved us all wrong and she lived well beyond everyone's expectations, giving us a joyous holiday season and additional precious time to create happy memories. Thank you so much for capturing some of those moments in such wonderful photos! She even lived just long enough to see her picture in CityDog. :)"

Thanks for being such a brave girl and a wonderful model Mayhem - now we can all enjoy your legacy.

Lexi the Great

2008-10-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

Last night I was lucky enough to photograph Lexi, last year's Muttmazing Race winner - boy is she cute as a bug! In fact, Lexi IS a bug - a Boston Terrier / Pug mix. This spunky little three-year old just couldn't get enough of her frisbee or snuggles from her dad!

The days sure are getting shorter, but we managed to hit Lincoln park just right to score a flawless sunset backdrop - complete with departing ferry - how very Northwest, eh? I can still barely believe it's officially autumn, but the leaves on the ground don't lie!

Also, a Dane-sized congratulations to Lexi's mom + dad who just got engaged!

NEW! 2009 CityDogs Calendar

2008-09-29T16:30:00.000-07:00

Well friends I am very excited to announce our NEW CityDogs Calendar!

Just in time for the holiday GIFT season (hint, hint) this calendar will feature all dane + dane photographs. "Beauty shots" every month will include a variety of dane + dane clients, editorial "bests" and even some exclusive "behind the scenes" photos from past CityDog Magazine cover shoots. Also, if you have ever entered your dog in a CityDog Model Search event - they will be IN THE CALENDAR! That's right - every day of the year and THEN SOME will include a photo of a CityDog Model Search Contestant!

Not only will this calender be beautiful (TONS of full color, fabulous dog portraits) but it will feature hundreds of your dogs, your friends' dogs, your clients' dogs, your favorite dogs - your CityDogs!!!

We are now taking pre-orders (click here for the form) You can snail-mail, email, fax or call in your order starting today! The 2009 CityDogs Calendar is only $19.95 (plus tax and shipping) and will be making its official debut at "Dog-o-ween" October 25th.

Because will be printing limited quantities, you wan to order now to make sure you secure a copy (or three!) This CityDogs Calendar will make a fabulous gift for yourself, your family and the dog lovers in your life!

Las Vegas and house flies.

2008-09-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

This is an observation sent to me by my dear friend Ric Francis... Since I just recently visited Vegas for the first time, and this is a classic dog moment we can all identify with, I thought I would share with you:

"It's that slow time of the year here in the Northwest where it's just warm enough outside that the flies are slowing down and my Doberman, Crow is taking it personal.

While I'm sitting here playing poker online (with play money, fortunately) and losing at a comfortable pace, I notice Crow's head begins to weave about as he tracks a fly. Suddenly- even for the fly, Crow strikes with speed of a raptor. The fly, like magic, is gone.

The abject disgust that comes over his whole 85 pound frame when he does catch it is tremendous. The hacking starts as he backs up in a big circle; the working of his lips and tongue try to dislodge his captive. His feet tangle up in his blanket and it takes about three full minutes of dancing and head shaking before he is successful in his frantic effort to be free of the bug. Then Crow looks at me as if I had refused to help him in the struggle with his airborne attacker. He keens on about how now his bed is all messed up and he is disgusted with my measure of valor in all things. After a few more minutes of his Dobie groaning, he settles down.

After a moment, my boy being so quiet, prompts me to look over and tell him what a good dog he is. When I look over thinking he has settled down and back to sleep, I see his whole body quivering again as his head weaves back and forth tracking another fly- as if this one will taste better. So as I sit here, I may keep losing at poker- but like Vegas, I've got a great floor show."

--Ric Francis, Blackdog Foundation

Rufus and Willow

2008-09-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peak at Rufus the pug and Willow the Puggle!

Their parents are getting married in October and wanted to include portraits of their puggy children at the ceremony so that they could all be together on the big day!

Lucky for me, I got to enjoy a lazy afternoon with Rufus and Willow getting some delightful shots... Enjoy!

viva las vegas: day 4

2008-09-11T22:36:00.000-07:00

Today is September 11th, 2008

I was reminded of the sobering anniversary when I arrived at the Mandalay Bay convention center today and was given a little flag pin.

Today was also the last day of this year's SuperZoo trade show. We had a fabulous day: lots of orders, more exciting conversations and a fairly easy breakdown. I was hoping to make it to the pool, but instead we wound down from the week together and then I took a walk.

For the first time I was able to get out on "the strip" - outside for the first time since I stepped off the plane! Here are some of my photos from my walk...

It was fascinating to be at the "New York, New York" casino on September 11th. The flags were at half-mast... the mood was solemn (even in the midst of flashy Las Vegas lights)

viva las vegas: day 3

2008-09-10T22:23:00.000-07:00

Well... Last night was perhaps a wee bit too fun. I had to take a nap this morning: enough said :)

We had a great day at the show today! Several of our friends from the Innova party came to visit our booth and we had visits from Modern Dog Magazine, Dogster and Bradley who has invited us to attend the Emmy Gifting Event in LA! Turns out we will be giving away our "DIG bling" tees to Emmy nominees at the Mondrian Hotel next week - should be fun- don't worry, there will be lost of photos!

Tonight is more rest, and more planning...

viva las vegas: day 2

2008-09-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

Well here we are, day 2! (Day 1 of the actual show)

We had a fabulous day today! After a slow start, we were pleased to meet tons of fabulous store owners, groomers, distributors, fellow exhibitors and of course, dogs! We pitched Dog is Good to the Tonight Show and made a YouTube commercial.

There are some very fancy poodles prancing around as well as several very spoiled little lap dogs in strollers. I wonder if Olivia would enjoy being here or just be totally overwhelmed?

Vegas observations: Everything is expensive, I have not yet been outside because all the hotels and convention center are connected, there are very few windows and therefor little to no concept of time, wearing knee-high boots all day while standing on a concrete floor perhaps is not the best plan and smoking is allowed nearly everywhere! Boy am I a long way from home...

Tonight: We celebrate and do some Vegas!

viva las vegas: day 1

2008-09-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

Day one of SuperZoo started with an early flight and my first look at the Las Vegas strip from the car window.

We all arrived in one piece and right on time. Our boxes were waiting for us in booth #3630 and we got right to work!

The booth came together just as we planned after a few hours. We are excited to see how Dog is Good is received by SuperZoo attendees!

Despite being in Las Vegas for the first time, I am really looking forward to dinner and a shower and then resting up for our first big day at SuperZoo! Yeeehaw.

Sixth Annual Fido Fashion Show

2008-09-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

The Seattle Hotel Monaco was all a flurry with a stage full of furies this morning during their sixth annual "Fido Fashion" runway show. This sidewalk event features adoptable dogs from the Seattle Humane Society all dressed up in fashions provided by Railey's Leash and Treat strutting their stuff hoping for a forever home.

Evening Magazine's Jim Dever was on the spot MC'ing the fashion show, Chief Executive Officer for the Humane Society Brenda Barnette was on hand to offer her support and Seattle's Three Dog Bakery was just off-stage providing couture cookies for the canine models.

Fido Fashions may be a far cry from Pet Fashion Week, but it's a great way to get some handsome hounds adopted and raise awareness about the Seattle Humane Society. Not to mention, a great reminder just how incredibly pet friendly the Hotel Monaco, and all the Kimpton properties really are.

*******************

The one thought I am always left with after adoption events- after petting and photographing a myriad delightfully friendly Fidos is... How on earth could someone abandon, release or abuse this dog? It boggles the mind to know just how many perfectly wonderful dogs and cats are waiting at your local shelter... it never fails that these shelter animals are some of the most gracious, loyal and fun quadrupeds that I meet. It is so hard to understand how they end up behind bars...

Zak and Zoe (and Levi)

2008-09-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

Well Greenwood, you must have been very good this year because you just scored an early holiday present in the form of a cute little pet boutique within walking distance of the lake: Zak and Zoe " A Modern Dog Mercantile."

You'll find this little red store on the corner of 74th/Greenwood, complete with Levi, the shop dog, lounging outside the door, eager to greet the throngs of passersby who are drawn to his giant ears and puppy eyes.

Inside you'll find necessities like food, treats and leashes, but also a myriad of gifts for dogs, cats and the humans who love them. Even better, you can buy Dog is Good tees and cards, and see some dane + dane photography on the walls!

The Grand Opening is this weekend, Saturday and Sunday all day - so when you're done with Pawswalk or Sunday brunch, head over, pick up a goodie bag, and show Zak, Zoe, Levi and shop owner Nadja some love :)

We will be including a $50 off coupon for pet photography for all Zak and Zoe clients, so make sure to get your tail in there sometime this weekend to grab a goodie bag!

CityDog Magazine: Fall Issue 2008

2008-09-02T17:09:00.001-07:00

Featuring the dazzling "Sunny", photographed by by the lovely and talented Bev Sparks, this CityDog Magazine cover was donated to the Homeward Pet Adoption auction to raise money for this fabulous no-kill shelter. Yay for CityDog and Bev for donating to such a worthy cause!

The cover isn't the only sunny part of this issue, inside you'll find lots of goodies (as usual) including my travel articles: a weekend getaway to Seabrook and a Deluxe Digs at "Sheep Dung Estates" in California wine country- You'll also find some FABULOUS illustrations care of our disgustingly talented dane + dane design intern Ariel Payopay.

This issue also includes the annual "Top Dog" awards AND Dog is Good tees and camo hat in the "Cool Product" section.

:::::AND AS IF THAT WEREN'T ENOUGH::::

Check out our Ad for three coupons for great savings on pet portrait sittings, wedding photography and graphic design!! Get it while it's hot!

Three Irish Setters and one imposter

2008-09-02T16:32:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of photographing quite the red-headed crew this weekend out in Issaquah. In addition to having a chance to visit my old stomping grounds (Issaquah is where I spent my childhood and man has it changed!) I was able to meet the most lively dynamic Irish Setter/Dachshund crew ever! They played in tunnels and ran around the backyard, posed like pinups on a shiny blue vintage truck, chilled out on the couch and generally had a ball! (actually, Murphy had THREE of them... balls that is... check him out below!)

Thanks to Tara and her family for having us out... Here is a sneak peek of the Setter trio and Cooper (the Setter wannabe)

CoverDog Model Search #1 : Kirkland

2008-08-21T16:44:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all the doggy models that came out to our CoverDog Model Search at "Kirkland Uncorked"

As always, we had a fabulous time photographing the uber talented Cover Model potential!!

Here are a few of our favorite moments from the event - be sure to check out the full gallery here.

Remember, we think that all the dogs we meet are stars... and every mutt's mug will be in the Winter issue of CityDog Magazine!

Stay tuned for CoverDog Model Search #2: Thriftway, West Seattle.

No more Cruella for Glenn Close

2008-05-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

By Jerry Harkavy
The Associated Press - click here to read the full story

PORTLAND, Maine -- Glenn Close's signature characters have boiled a bunny, plotted the skinning of Dalmatian puppies and, more recently, helped arrange the killing of a pet dog to leverage a balky witness.

She suggests that her new business venture is a form of penance.

"I'm in a redemption mode, to get back to my real self," joked Close, the five-time Academy Award nominee and two-time Golden Globe winner. "The real truth is that I've been surrounded by dogs my entire life."

Close was accompanied by Bill and Jake, her two "Montana terrier mutts," during a recent stop at the offices of Fetchdog, the company that got its start in October with her husband, biotechnology entrepreneur David Shaw, as lead investor.

It's a dog-friendly workplace where a Jack Russell terrier, a standard poodle and a golden retriever, among others, roam the corridors and greet visitors.

Close, who writes a blog on www.fetchdog.com, is the public face of the business that sells high-end beds, bowls, leashes, carriers, toys and other dog products by catalog and on the Internet while building an online community of Web surfers whose dogs are an essential part of their lives.

In her blog, "Lively Licks," Close interviews celebrities about their dogs, profiles people who train or work with dogs and answers questions on topics ranging from puppy training to canine health and nutrition. And like actor Paul Newman's line of "Newman's Own" salad dressings, spaghetti sauces and other grocery items, Fetchdog funnels a portion of its proceeds to charity.

Close has since had a succession of smaller dogs, including a bichon-like Coton de Tulear, a papillon and her current companions, whose lineage appears to be a mix of cairn terrier, West Highland white terrier and indeterminate other breeds. They are a constant presence during the shooting of "Damages," FX cable network's critically acclaimed legal drama in which she plays high-powered attorney Patty Hewes.

Although Close and Shaw spend most of the year at their home overlooking the sea at Prouts Neck in Scarborough, N.Y., she will soon resume her commute to New York City for the shooting of the next season of "Damages," scheduled to begin next month.

For fans who might harbor doubts about the actress's true feelings toward animals, Close offers assurance that those roles are "the opposite of how I am."

And really, would an animal-hater bring her dogs to the set of a serious TV show?

"They really change the atmosphere of the set when they come on. People just love it," Close said. "And as long as they're in a place where you can't hear their toenails click when the camera turns on, then we're fine."
Information

Fetchdog: www.fetchdog.com

Where's Waldo?

2008-05-04T23:09:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Olivia and I were lucky enough to sneak away for a "weekend getaway" - accompanied by assistants Hillary (human) and Waldo (Havanese) As always, we can't share the juicy details (or photos) because they will show up in the summer issue of everybody's favorite west coast dog lifestyle magazine (CityDog of course) BUT we want to share a few funny moments + 12 important notes from our adventure:

1 Element

2 humans
3 days
4 creatures in one bed
5 hours on or around a ferry
6 meals away from home
7 wet alpacas
8 dirty paws
9 gigs of photographs
10 bottles of water
11 gallons of gas
12 days until deadline

in earth we trust.

2008-04-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

Well friends, the time has come... "To talk of many things: Of news and tips and healing plants... Of great composting kings! And if the earth is getting hot.. And why organic is the thing!"

Yes that's right it's earth day! A good time to reflect on what each of us are doing to reduce this "carbon paw print" we keep hearing so much about- (and also apparently to mutilate Lewis Carrol quotes for the sake of the planet) and at the same time increase our awareness of our health/wellness.

So, we're taking this opportunity to share with you some habits / products/ policies we've adopted around our pad(s) to make a difference for the well being of our bodies, our business, and mother earth.

Keep in mind, I (like many of you) have a daily routine that is always fast paced and jam packed- I find it hard to invite much change or disruption on account of "going green" - Admittedly though, I would love to walk/bike to work every day, buy all organic groceries (which I would carry out of the store in my organic, recycled, printed-with-soy-ink, hemp shopping totes) - return to my solar powered home to prepare delicious organic meals for me and my pooch - and then take our tiny bit of food waste immediately to our compost bin to promote the fertilizing and flourishing of my own garden out back.

Well, I am not quite there yet- to say the least. But, instead of just giving up and doing nothing...(please watch the video below to ponder the impending consequences of apathy) I've forced myself to BE AWARE of my choices, my waste, my purchasing power and my routines - which leads to small changes that can add up to a whole lot of good!

Primarily, I think of it as a shift of thinking: from emphasizing convenience and low cost, to making conservation and awareness paramount in all the decisions that I make. So, here you go, 10 simple things we are doing to make a difference...

1. Green Proofing

This is the change I am most excited about! Here at dane + dane we are launching a new proofing system - Our old system was sure a nice presentation, but cumbersome, time consuming and potentially very wasteful. Add up half a dozen pieces of letterhead, a 9x13 envelope, a shipping label, 4-5 pages of proof sheets, 1 CD and added marketing materials and you have a whole heavy packet of needless paper and a two-week turnaround to account for printing and mailing delays. Well, no longer!

Our clients will now enjoy their own private online gallery and PDF's of proof sheets (which they may print if they like) + price lists + order forms - it will all be sent in an email which accounts to zero paper waste and happy clients (because we can get this done a week faster)! Additionally, it will be that much easier for happy dog and cat models to email their friends and family the link to their very own gallery, so everyone can enjoy their many many beautiful portraits!

2. Country Save:
No animal testing, no animal bi-products - completely biodegradable, no added dyes, fragrance, phosphates, enzymes, optical brighteners or harsh chemicals... and as if that weren't enough, Country Save is affordable, easily accessible (available at nearly all QFC's, Thriftways and Larry's Markets) and the company is local - based in Arlington! I wash my car, wash my dishes, clean Olivia's toys, do my laundry, wash my hands, clean the carpet (there are puppies in the house) and bleach my bathroom with Country Save products and I never worry about adding damaging chemicals into our water supply. Country Save... more like City Save -- WORLD save even- give it a try!

3. Yerba NOT-ay Latte
So I noticed, as my trips to the recycling dumpster became more and more frequent, that there sure are a lot of Tulley's cups filling up that bin! I love that Tulley's makes a 100% recycled and recyclable cup - but I sure had a lot of them! I guess if you add up one per day, not only is the cup count high, but at $3.74 a pop for my beloved Yerba Mate Latte - the dollar count is high too!

So, the best solution I could think of to resolve the excess on both counts, was to bring my hot morning beverage routine into the studio. I purchased some delicious Yerba Mate Mint tea bags from Tulley's (which equates to less than .$50 per delicious cup) and got a "hot pot" to boil water instantly. I found that not only did this save money (nearly $120 a month) and cup space, but also some empty calories, time (at least 15 minutes every morning) and the awkward walk from car to door, fumbling with giant moose-dog, laptop, purse, keys, and boiling hot liquid - all around a great decision, which leads to my next change...

4. towels/dishes:
We take lunch at our desks, we eat an unholy amount of fast food, we have a collection of plastic silverware and napkins from various places that deliver... our bathroom towels are paper-- Time for a change! To coincide with the new "drinking tea at the studio" plan - I purchased a simple collection of plates, glasses, bowls, and mugs to encourage more healthy eats and again, less waste. I also got some snazzy red, black and white hand towels to match our red bathroom - which equates to a waste-free way to dry our dishes and our hands (and with the help of our Country Save dish soap and laundry detergent - we have a waste free way to keep them all clean!)

5. put dee lime in da coconut (but not in da corona)

There are few things more enjoyable on a hot hot day then a cold cold beer. I happen to be a sucker for Corona (one of those guilty pleasures that makes me SO un-Seattle because of its status as a cheap, light Mexican brew and not some hoppy micro-trendy beer from a local brew-pub) Anyhow, I love Seattle but I also love Corona - and I love it with a slice of lime. HOWEVER, I recently learned that when there is an old, shriveled up lime skeleton in the bottom of the bottle, it eliminates the recycle-ability of said bottle. But have no fear, I discovered that by simply squeezing the limey- goodness into the brew (or to be so bold as to drink it in a chilled glass with fully submerged lime-action) the beer is still cold and the lime is still delicious, and the bottle doesn't end up at the dump. A simple change for the better with no sacrifice!

6. more outdoors shoots to save paper

We use long rolls of seamless paper as backdrops in the studio - all those pretty colors you see in our "studio gallery" were cut off the roll and recycled after the shoot.

Although we are able to recycle (and for product shots, sometimes even re-use the paper) there is still that vital element of reducing. So, during the summer (when the weather is more likely to cooperate) we encourage our clients to choose an alternative location for their photographic fun. We love having our pet portrait studio as an option, but every little step we can take to cut down on waste seems like a step in the right direction!

7. filtered water
So I am sure none of us will escape this very eco-friendly week without hearing how bad plastic water bottles can be for our health. There are links to breast cancer from those disposable bottles, and now they are saying those Nalgene-style hard plastic bottles (and my FAVORITE Starbucks water bottle with the fab metal top and bottom) are no good either. The key is the #7 plastic (a label that you can find on the bottom of the bottle) - apparently there are even baby bottles made from this toxic stuff, and the threat is so high, that manufacturers are pulling these containers from commerce.

So... On top of the health risk, much like the Tulley's cups, those disposable water bottles pile up in the recycling bin and cost a lot more than tap water (which we pay for anyway). I don't know about you, but I'd rather lap up a near-by puddle then drink city-water directly from our tap (it doesn't even SMELL like real water) - so - to solve multiple problems, we purchased a small and simple, not super expensive on-faucet Brita filtration system. Cheaper and less gossip-risky than a water cooler, healthier and less wasteful than water bottles, this system allows us to just take a short walk to the faucet and fill up one of our new glasses with delicious and nutritious agua. P.S. Here's a link to the type of water bottles the experts suggest you replace your #7 Nalgene with.

8. going organic.

I had the distinct pleasure of scoring a coveted job as an "Official Photographer" for the Farm Aid concert when it came to Seattle. If you're not familiar with Farm Aid, it's a non-profit started by Willie Nelson and now figure-headed by Willie, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews. The purpose of the organization is to promote and support family farming - which goes hand in hand with organic farming. At this event, not only did I have the photographic pleasure of shooting the concert (and meeting/greeting all the incredible celebrity power involved) but I also got a guerrilla education on the benefit of organic foods, and how incredibly important it is to support family farming. Ever since then I have purchased organic fruits/veggies and milk (which seemed to be the most important parts of an organic diet due primarily to the pesticides/ hormones in factory farmed goods) I would buy all organic if I could - we HAVE to save the little farms that are being put under by massive corporate farming - for the sake of our health, our children's health, the animals involved and of course, the economy.

Look it up and pay a few cents more at the grocery, or head to your local market to stock up on your produce!

9. pound the pavement

Park that "wag more, bark less" bumper in honor of some even better advice: walk more, drive less! We've combined several of our errands and started walking to many others- luckily our grocery, post office, and bank are all within walking distance of the studio, so rain or shine we don't jump in the car to save time, - we walk it. When Olivia's at the studio she's extra grateful for the added escape to smell the ivy, and it's good for humans too- getting outside clears the mind. I am always more productive after a good 15-20 minute stroll. I know we've had this idea drilled into our heads for a decade now, but especially if you're a dog owner, there's no reason you can't do at least SOME of your commuting on foot!! And hey, with the cost of gas these days, you'll be saving some dollars while you save the ozone!

10. Support others:

You have many choices as a consumer- you choose products based on quality, price, health and hopefully based on the company producing those products. There are some pretty major corporate campaigns right now to "go-green" and funnel funds towards this effort. Huge companies are taking drastic steps to invest in processes and products that not only do less damage to the environment as a whole, but also actively support healing the destruction we've already caused, hot topics of course being global warming, water, rain forest, and energy. Keep these topics in mind when you choose one brand over another - Who is giving back? Who is just trying to make a buck on the "green wave" and who is really trying to help? Support those companies who are supporting our future. And, if you you end up financially supporting non-profits, take note that some corporations have "fund matching" policies, so any dollar you donate to a certain cause, may be matched by your employer. Here's a list of a few companies we've recently noticed are stepping up (beyond what is required by law) to make a difference:

Starbucks
Honda
Continental Airlines
S.C. Johnson
Sony-Ericsson
GE
and yes, even Wal-Mart...

If THEY can do it, WE can do it!

I encourage you to take a moment to think of ten things YOU can start to do, or not do, right away to be a positive force in our shared ecosystem. And just in case you're not convinced, here is a very persuasive argument why doing nothing, just isn't an option:

sitting by the dog of the bay

2008-04-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

Welcome to sunny San Fran! Don't let those golden rays on those golden gates fool you- that wind chill is really somethin'! If you visit... Bring layers!

We've had a lovely time here in the hilly city, for ALL the great details of our stay at the decadent Hotel Monaco and a formal introduction to our new friends Melissa (human) and canines Molly, Bella + Daisy from "Bella and Daisy's Bakery" you will have to grab a summer issue of CityDog (on news stands early June)

We managed to see quit a bit of the city in our short time. We even happened upon the best mint tea + waffles on the planet, a colorful Japanese parade at City Hall AND the Grand Re-Opening / 5 yr. anniversary of the FABULOUS "babies" (which was named best pet boutique in San Fran in '06)-- founded by owners David + Michael's pretty black kitty named "babies" (who has since passed), this Hayes Valley dog spot just moved locations and is exquisitely appointed. We were glad to happen upon the party and grab some fun photos of babies' fans!

We met a new dog like every 8 feet! I can see why San Francisco REALLY is the dog friendliest city in the country!!

P/S we missed out on the Pope and the crazy torch protests AND managed to escape the grounded plane fiasco so we're pretty pleased!

The beaches! Seal Beach + Long Beach + Huntington Beach

2008-04-17T19:29:00.000-07:00

As always... Southern California doesn't disappoint!

The weather? An incredible warm but breezy 70ish. The scenery? Palm trees and blue skies, as usual. The gigs? Fascinating and as fun as ever! I love my shoots down here because a vast majority of them happen at what the locals refer to as "Dog Beach" (although for the record, there are dog beaches all up and down the coast)- this particular premier canine destination is a leash-free stretch of Huntington Beach.

I always try to arrive close to sunset for that long, warm, late afternoon light... Here are some shots from our recent adventures in and around Orange County!

I also can't wait to officially introduce you to "bolo" - a new member of our family. But for now... You will just have to wonder :)

As always, stay tuned!!

i can has midday lafter

2008-04-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

So, there are few pleasures on (and as far as I know) off, this earth like laughter. Truly funny, and I mean the "i can't get it out of my head and every time i think about it i laugh till i pee again" funny - is hard to come by.

Sure you have that one friend who's pretty funny after a couple cocktails, or that one stand-up guy that you stock on your ipod to get you through the day... But what we've discovered (and it seems like maybe we're the last ones on the block since the Seattle Times just did an article on it) is beyond barrel rolling funny.

This is knock down, drag em out, tickle them till they pee and then force them to watch the best of SNL featuring only the GOOD ones, funny.

icanhazcheezburger.com... now that's "i can has cheez burger . com"

You could (and now probably will) spend all day scrolling through pages of LOL goodness, but we've saved you some time and pulled out our favorites :)

Enjoy... nowyou can has midday lafter 2!

and... just because it's fair... and we're dog lovers here, we thought we should also mention ihasahotdog.com as well...

Favorites:

*ahhh simple pleasures :)

Your dog will be at your wedding? Then we should be too!

2008-04-01T19:34:00.000-07:00

The crew here at dane + dane studios is proud to announce that we are boldly making our dog-loving entrance to the wild and woolly world of wedding photography!

With a special emphasis on couples who plan to include their furry friend on their special day, we are excited to offer our pet expertise to couples seeking exquisite images that that truly capture their whole wedding experience.

Amelia Soper is our lead wedding photographer and you can now find a full gallery of her incredible wedding + engagement work on our website {here} and in our 400pg. wedding portfolio {available here}

Despite having just announced this service, we are nearly booked for summer weddings and have already had work featured in CityDog Magazine's recent "Here Comes the Dog" article. Also, our new (and I must say BREATHTAKING) wedding portfolio has been chosen as a "staff pick" by our publisher.

We really are pleased to finally offer wedding photography. We are honored to now have the opportunity to document the second most important event in our clients' life...

...The first of course, being the day they adopted their dog :)

Top 10 Ways to Save a Life

2008-03-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

As we grabbed our morning beverage at the neighborhood coffee shop, we were struck by the front page of the local paper: the image of a sorrowful dachshund behind bars along with the headline GOAL IS GETTING CRITTERS OUT OF SHELTERS-ALIVE. Reading further, we were shocked to find that 4,000 of the nearly 12,000 animals that entered the featured King County shelters last year were considered too hostile or sick for adoption, these animals were put to death. While we understand that not all of these animals will find homes, this percentage seemed outrageous. As we continued to scan the article, we were encouraged to learn that many steps are being taken to reduce this number, including improving living conditions and adding workers and volunteers to understaffed locations. Not to mention that as recently as 1990, the euthanasia rate was at 80% for incoming strays. So it seems that we are making headway.

This got us thinking, while we may not be able to head right out and adopt our very own pack of dogs or progeny of cats, there are still many ways to help with the crisis of overpopulation. Here's our top 10:

1. Adopt {Your certain someone is waiting for you, just be sure you do your research!}
2. Volunteer {Lots of duties to be done, not just the poopy ones!}
3. Foster (There is always a shelter or purebred rescue near you in need}
4. Spay & Neuter {The cat pin above says it all...}
5. License- yes cat's too! {hefty discounts if your pet is already altered, hefty fines if they're not licensed}
6. Microchip {It's the easiest way for your lost pet to be found}
7. Attend fund-raising events like fun runs and auctions {check out the CityDog Magazine event calendar}
8. Donate items {Most shelters have wish lists on their websites with needed items such as new towels and pet food.}
9. Purchase from retailers who donate to animal causes such as Delia's House of Canine Couture on Etsy.com {click the cat pin above to purchase}
10. Give cold hard cash, it's always warmly excepted. {Check with your employer, many corporations will match your donations.}

And of course stay tuned to dane + dane studios, we plan to launch our successful "Operation Portrait PAWSitive" program in Seattle this Summer!

Seattle Kennel Club Show 2008

2008-03-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

We had a blast at the 2008 Seattle Kennel Club Show- there were Terriers and Poodles, Mastiffs and Cresteds, Boxers and Bulldogs and Goldens oh my!

We enjoyed confirmation, obedience, agility trials and even some canine freestyle dancing- what a weekend!

A crazy few days of dogs! dogs! dogs! and not an ugly one in the bunch!

Here are some fun photos from our time by the ring, we hope you enjoy!

We hope you there next year!

CityDog ArtWalk is a ROMPING success!

2008-03-07T20:20:00.000-08:00

CityDog Magazine's First Annual Dog Friendly ArtWalk as wonderful as could possibly be imagined! Tails were wagging from 5pm to 9pm with a steady stream of art loving canines and their humans in tow.

There was a great little bit on Evening Magazine about the event and it was covered in lots of local media so we were not at a loss for people to talk to!

the dane + dane crew was on the scene featuring some fab framed artwork, and also taking our acclaimed on-the-spot portraits of Spot (and a few Daisies and some Baileys too!)

Click here to view more photos from the event.

Thanks to CityDog Magazine, Dry Soda, and all the other wonderful artists who participated!

Dane & Dane Photography gets a face lift!

2008-03-01T21:29:00.000-08:00

After three very successful years in business, Dane & Dane Photography is getting a new leash on life :)

From this day forward, ditch the ampersand and add a plus sign, no capitals and no serif...

Dane & Dane Photography has become dane + dane studios

In addition to arriving just in time to accompany our FAB new website {www.dane-dane.com -- visit it again for the first time} and a whole slew of events {which you will see coming up soon in this little bloggety blog} this identity overhaul marks a new era for dane + dane.

No longer are our services limited to the fabulous pet photography you've come to know and love, but we now also offer graphic + web design and WEALTH of other resources for our small and big business clients.

These are services we've long offered by referral only, but with some small changes and some new additions (which you will learn all about shortly) we are now able to support the demand that publicizing these services has created.

The new name: "dane + dane studios" encompasses both "dane + dane photography" as well as "dane + dane design" which are now equally important parts of our double dane identity :) Stay tuned for more of the nitty-gritty about who and how this change is possible and we hope you enjoy our new brand, logo and marketing materials as much as we do!

Of course can still find us, as always, in CityDog Magazine every quarter, and in Bark Magazine every other month.

Seattle Art Walk is Going to the Dogs!!!

2008-02-22T17:01:00.000-08:00

Well friends I am pleased to announce that CityDog Magazine is hosting the first ever "dog-centric" Art Walk event in Pioneer Square!

Along with the wonderful work of our pet artist colleagues you will find the work of Dane & Dane Photography featured at this one-night-only exhibition, and that's not all!

We will be featuring our ever-popular "event portraits" - snapping priceless shots of you and your pooch for low-low prices in a cool cool space!

Also, some our dog friendly beverage compadres Dry Soda will be on hand quenching our thirst and Pooper Trooper (someone's gotta do the dirty work) will be on hand keeping things clean!

Below you can view the ad that ran in CityDog and HERE you can RSVP to the event on Yelp!

We are excited to be involved and not only make our Seattle gallery debut, but also premier our new book "All You Need is Dog"

Hope to see you there!!

Where: The old "Fenix" - 109 S. Washington in Pioneer Square, Seattle

When: March 6th, 5-9pm

Who: Hosted by CityDog Magazine and featuring local pet artists including Dane & Dane Photography!

How: Why in Doggy Style of course! Bring your dog, bring your thirst, and bring your wallet! :)

All You Need is Dog

2008-02-14T14:57:00.000-08:00

Well today is officially the "day of love"... so I thought it appropriate to announce the first book, created BY Dane & Dane Photography FEATURING Dane & Dane Photography with a theme we all know a little something about...

LOVE.

Introducing All You Need is Dog verses from your favorite love songs in the key of D-O-G

"All You Need is Dog" is collection of our most prized and admired photographs, matched with love song moments that we all can relate to, celebrating the wonderful bond we have with our canine compadres. You will giggle, you smile, you might even get a little teary-eyed... These photographs are overwhelmingly compelling and reflect some of the best words of love ever written.

Don't take our word for it... Come see it for yourself!

This book will premier and signed copies will be available at our Art Walk debut in early March (details to come) and will also be available at the Seattle Kennel Club Show.

After that, the book will be available on our website (which will also be new by then) along with an itunes playlist of songs featured in the book! How cool is that!?

I am not going to show you the cover, or sample pages yet because I want them to be a surprise... But, in honor of my "an Olivia blog a day" - share one of the song/photo combos that may or may not be in the book *wink*

"NO ONE LIKE YOU" john denver

I like your eyes.
I like your nose.
I like your mouth.
Your ears, your hands [paws], your toes.

I like your face.
It's really you.
I like the things you say and do.
There's not a single soul
Who sees the skies
The way you see them.
Through your eyes.
And aren't you glad.
You should be glad.
There's no one, no one
Exactly like you.

Valentine's Day "MuttMixer" Tonight!

2008-02-13T09:12:00.000-08:00

Well, while keeping with the Olivia theme and also pitching our party tonight, here is a photograph from last year's CityDog "Dog is Love" party -- my darling girl posing in the rose petals...

*sigh* the best valentine a girl could have!

Event Details:

WHO
CityDog Magazine, you and the furry, four-legged love of your life.

WHAT
Join CityDog Magazine and fellow dog lovers to mix and mingle, sip cocktails and swap doggy tails. Are you single? Even better! Puppy love will be in the air, so whoknows...you might just meet that special two-legged someone to add to your pack.

Photographer extraordinaire J. Nichole Smith of Dane & Dane Photography will be on hand to snap portraits of your furry friend (available for purchase).

WHEN
Tonight! February 13, 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

WHERE
W Seattle, W Bar and Living Room
1112 4th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Click here for directions

WHY
Why for the love of dog, of course!

RSVP
rsvp@citydogmagazine.com

Party Animal Rules: Dogs must remain on-leash and be under your control at all times. Dogs (and people for that matter) must also play well with others. Thank you for your understanding!

OR YOU CAN READ ABOUT IT IN NW SOURCE...

Here's a great post on NW Source from Seattle writer Lisa Wogan: "Where do single Seattle dog lovers mix and mingle?" that includes CityDog's upcoming Puppy Love MuttMixer, February 13th at the W Hotel Seattle.

Click here to read the full article.

my sweet sweet lady: revisited.

2008-02-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

One day Olivia and I ventured into work like any other day...
My hands were overwhelmed with the routine leash, yerba-mate latte, purse, laptop, key combination, and our entrance to the studio was grand as ever; I fumbled with the lock while trying to balance my lava-filled Tulley's cup between my chin and whatever it was resting on... PRAYING that Olivia didn't spot the Shi Tzu downstairs that she continually has a desperate need to bark at with the conviction of any creature whose life is clearly on the line.

*sigh* But this time no toy dog downstairs, no boiling liquid all over myself or the floor or *dog forbid* the LAPTOP... We made it inside (all the while I am thinking, like I do every morning, "Why don't I just make two trips?")

Anyhow, so we're inside, safe and sound, bark and spill-free.

On this particular day the seamless paper backdrop that I stretch out and tape down was set-up for a client I had arriving later. Olivia, who is familiar with this sight, as well as the smells that usually surround it, bee-lined for the temporary white stage and began inhaling at ground level on, around, behind and beside it.

When I walked towards my office I looked back, noticing she had stopped sniffing and was standing smack-dab in the middle of the paper, staring at me. I ignored her gaze and assumed she would be at my side in no time for her epic "circle-circle-collapse" routine on her bed near my desk.

Ten minutes passes... No Olivia.

So I peek back around the corner, and there she is. Not sitting, not laying... But standing, right where I had left her, in the middle of the seamless.

Clearly this was a not-so-subtle hint.

So what's a pet photographer to do but concede to the demands of her spoiled models right?

So I grabbed my camera, turned on that warm soft-box and got to work... Olivia was especially spunky and I finally captured (with a camera other than my phone in a location other than my living room floor) the position we like to call the "Dinosaur-Bunny-Rabbit" -- the on the back with back legs spread and front legs curled, ears up and floppy-cheeks upset by gravity. It doesn't get better than this.

And then of course we got the obligatory pink nose shots and sleeping "dead dog" shots - and she stood and she layed and she rolled and begged... And literally just soaked up the warm warm light and mama's keen attention.

At the very end of our time that morning, both our heads were laying on the floor, she looked right at me and handed me her paw... Then turned her head and promptly fell asleep.

I haven't ever loved her as much as I did in that moment... more than words, or photos, or blogs can express. It's days like that one that make me wonder how I ever got so lucky.

My baby girl turns 4!

2008-02-11T17:42:00.000-08:00

Well in honor of my little Great Dane lady's birthday (February 8th, same as her momma) I dug up some clips from her first days in my company...

Keep in mind that at this time I was still a student, I was still driving a tiny, loud VW Golf (and Olivia actually FIT in the passenger seat) and I hadn't yet been struck with the inspiration that was to become"Dane & Dane Photography"

To continue to honor the greatest muse of my life, I am going to olivia-blog every day this week. She is a big old four years now, and I treasure her all the more every day...

This week you get to too :)

Olivia Clip #1

Olivia Clip #2

Olivia Clip #3

Olivia Clip #4

Olivia Clip #5

best birthday card EVER...

2008-02-08T17:55:00.000-08:00

This year I received the best, most clever and sneaky birthday card ever...

It is still a mystery who ACTUALLY sent this card, because it arrived with no return-address, and although I have my suspicions, I prefer to just assume that Olivia is as clever and thoughtful as I've always known...

I laughed for days... Hope it makes you smile too :)

NW Source Pet Photography feature

2008-01-07T10:27:00.000-08:00

Is Whiskers ready for her close-up?

Take your pick of the pet-portrait litter with images in film, pixels and paint

By Lisa Wogan -- NWsource

* * * Click HERE to read the article * * *

Lisa Wogan, local pet columnist and author of "Unleashed: Climbing Canines, Hiking Hounds, Fishing Fidos and Other Daring Dogs" (profiles of furry adventurers who coax us out of our armchairs, and prod us to run a little faster, hike a little farther and play a little wilder. Available at area bookstores and online.) has written another knock-out piece about local pet happenings...

Which lucky for us, includes Dane & Dane Photography... Check it out, it's a GREAT write-up!

Putting the CAT in Catalina!

2007-11-11T19:53:00.000-08:00

I just had to share Catalina with you: a sweet little lion-heart feline who graced me with her presence today.

I typically don't shoot on Sundays
I typically photograph cats in their home instead of the studio
I typically don't use many props

But miss 'Lina was an exception all these rules, and I am so glad! She was a gentle-yet-speedy little ball of spunk, complete with extra toes and sporadic streaks of orange that match her eyes...

What a great way to spend an afternoon! Thought you might enjoy seeing her for yourself...

Olivia + Nichole discover Discovery Park

2007-11-10T20:35:00.000-08:00

A dear friend (and fellow pet photographer) made the brilliant suggestion that we take a walk with our pooches at Discovery Park this afternoon.

What I knew is that I've been wanting to see the park and the weather was incredible for it... What I didn't know whas how incredibly and overwhelmingly amazing this place is and how much good it would do me to get outside and take it all in... At sunset, none the less.

I have attached a few photos, but out of pure awe and relaxation I failed to capture some of the most amazing sights this incredible park has to offer...

Sweeping views from towering bluffs of neighboring islands and the shipping lanes... turn of the century architecture- light yellow officers' quarters and barracks, complete with white column, wrap-around porches and little white lights lining the roof tops... Massive gnarled tree branches breaking the soft sunset colored sky with their stark sharp darkness... waving fields of tall, golden grass blanketing the hillsides... Yes friends... Quite a place, and I promise next time... I will capture more if it to share!

This last trip, was just for soaking in. Thanks Jamie and Fergie.

The Ambivalent Bond With a Ball of Fur

2007-10-02T17:34:00.000-07:00

By NATALIE ANGIER

Published: THE NEW YORK TIMES
October 2, 2007

"A couple of weeks ago, while I was out of town on business, our cat, Cleo, died of liver failure. My husband and daughter buried her in the backyard, not far from the grave of our other cat, Manny, who had died just a few months earlier of mouth cancer.

Cleo was almost 16 years old, she’d been sick, and her death was no surprise. Still, when I returned to a home without cats, without pets of any sort, I was startled by my grief — not so much its intensity as its specificity.

It was very different from the catastrophic grief I’d felt when I was 19 and my father died, and all sense, color and flooring dropped from my days. This was a sorrow of details, of minor rhythms and assumptions that I hadn’t really been aware of until, suddenly, they were disrupted or unmet. Hey, I’m opening the door to the unfinished attic now. Doesn’t a cat want to try dashing inside to roll around in the loose wads of insulation while I yell at it to get out of there?

I’ve just dumped a pile of clean laundry on the bed and I’m starting to fold it. Why aren’t the cats jumping up for a quick sit? Don’t they know everything is still warm?

We expect the bonds between children and parents, or between lovers or close friends, to be fierce and complex, and that makes them easy to understand. We expect the bonds between people and their pets to be simple and innocent, an antidote to human judgment and the fog of human speech, and that can make the bond paradoxically harder to track or explain. How do we feel about the nonhuman animals whose company we crave? We think we know. Our pet is our “best friend,” a “member of the family,” a surrogate child for the adults, in loco parentis for the kids and the best possible pillow for whoever has first dibs.

Pets are growing ever more popular. In 1988, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 56 percent of American households had a pet. By 2006, that figure had climbed to 63 percent, which works out to a national census of 88 million owned cats, 75 million dogs, 16 million birds, 14 million horses, 142 million fish, assorted small mammals and the occasional leopard or Madagascan hissing cockroach.

We love our pets and we love the idea of pets, of reaching beyond the parochial barriers of the human race to commune with other species. When Alex the African gray parrot, renowned for his ability to communicate, do simple arithmetic and describe objects by their color, size, shape and material, died last month of cardiovascular disease at the age of 31, his obituary appeared everywhere, and Irene Pepperberg, the scientist who had trained Alex since 1977, was flooded with condolences.

“Alex touched so many people,” Dr. Pepperberg, a lecturer and research associate at Harvard University, said in a telephone interview. “He broke all preconceived notions of what it means to be a bird brain.” She admitted to feeling devastated. “There’s a parrot-size hole in my life,” she said.

Yet part of the reason Alex’s death attracted so much sympathy, and why Dr. Pepperberg’s grief seems normal rather than excessive, is that Alex, in the public eye, was neither pet nor ordinary parrot. He was Pinocchio, striving to realize his full potential — his humanity. Importantly, Alex didn’t merely nuzzle his affection for Dr. Pepperberg. He had genuine dying words, the fine four-hanky phrase, “I love you.”

By contrast, when Leona Helmsley, the hotel magnate who died in August, specified in her will that she was leaving $12 million to her pet dog, Trouble, while stiffing two of her grandchildren, there was scant talk of dogs as best friends. There were hoots, clucks and growls, with one reader on The New York Times Web site advising the grandchildren to “go kill that stupid dog.”

Marc Hauser, professor of psychology at Harvard and author of “Wild Minds: What Animals Really Think,” says ambivalence and tension have long been woven into our feelings about animals. “On the one hand, we feel a connection to other animals and we can’t imagine a world where we’re the only species on the planet,” he said. “On the other hand, we’re always trying to show that we’re not animals. We’re like them, yet we don’t want to be like them.”

Dr. Hauser traces this tension to self-defense. We use animals, and we want to feel justified in using animals. We eat their muscles for meat, flay their hides for shoes and accessories, inject them with experimental vaccines, genetically engineer them into grotesque morphologies to study human diseases. This requires a certain mental distance.

So we adore our pets and lavish time and money on them. Annual pet expenditures in this country have doubled in the last decade and are now more than $40 billion a year. And then we scold ourselves for our foolish fiscal priorities.

We adore our pets and can come to identify with them so deeply that we attribute to them some truly daffy notions, like the radio listener who called in a comment to Colin Allen, a philosopher and cognitive scientist at Indiana University’s Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior. “She wanted to tell me about how her cat had very gingerly brought in an injured bird to show her, as though to say, It’s hurt, please take care of it,” Dr. Allen said. “I suggested there might be other interpretations for her cat’s behavior.”

Yes, we love our pets and anthropomorphize them to the point where we think our cat might enjoy wearing the mouse hat Halloween costume now on sale at Petsmart.com. And still we abandon difficult pets, and shelters euthanize some 10 million pets a year.

I understand the ambivalence of the human-animal bond. I loved my cats, and I miss them, but I resent them, too, for showing me what a creature of small habits I am, and for reminding me that even love is not enough. Life, like the laundry, will always cool down."

Some artistic food for a thoughtful sunny day

2007-08-31T10:22:00.000-07:00

I came across this quote today:

"There are painters who turn the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun"
-Pablo Picasso

As an artist, a photographer specifically, I rely heavily on light, and as a human, I am incredibly inspired by the sun; So this quote appeals to me. Not only in it's literal nature, which invokes warm thoughts of a painter and his canvas poised next to an open, ocean-facing window, a easterly Spanish breeze sealing in the pure and powerful authenticity of the moment-- But also in it's symbolic resonance...

Making something extraordinary from nothing. Creating the ultimate warm and luminescent, universal, life-giving star out of a two-dimensional blob of paint. This is where the talent lies in art. This is where the magic is. This is what I LOVE about my job. And ironically, this is why I am not a painter...

I love photography, because in addition to actually documenting moments, I get to share my actual perception of the world with others in a medium, so life-like, that they can't argue its truth. A photograph, in it's truest form {which can be argued is becoming harder and harder to come by with the digital revolution sweeping the art/industry and the advent of programs like Photoshop} is a direct likeness of the subject...

And yet, somehow between the existence of the "subject" in day-to-day reality, and the image projected through the lens, burned into the halides of the negative {or the digital sensor}- there is life. There is something a little bit mysterious and a lot amazing that takes place in that space. There lies the fingerprint of the photographer, the artist, the conduit of the emotion and composition of that one moment... There lies the difference between a master and an amateur; titles that have nothing to do with education, equipment, age, privilege, location, language or gender. There lies the incredible "eye" that you either have or you don't. There lies translation of life to memory...

There lies the difference between a yellow spot, and the sun.

Dane & Dane Photography at Wellness Pet Food Headquarters

2007-08-30T15:12:00.000-07:00

We are very pleased to announce that Old Mother Hubbard Pets/Wellness Pet Food has selected and purchased 20 signed/ framed Dane & Dane Photographs to decorate the walls of their new corporate headquarters.

We will post updates as we have them. The work will be send out by Oct. 1, 2007

We are both honored and excited to be chosen for this wonderful project and can't wait to see how photographs compliment their no-doubt lovely Massachusetts offices.

***

We sent out an email to some of our clients telling them about this recent honor and this was our favorite response!! Thank you Todd, Boo, and Bonnie for this awesome video!

Hardwood Hideaways: mixin it up

2007-08-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to let you know that you can see some of our "pet product" work for one of our favorite clients on Costco.com!

This is exciting for Hardwood Hideaway because it means a massive explosion of exposure, and great for us, because we think these photos look great!! If you are not familiar with this innovative and exceptional product... CHECK IT OUT!

Stay tuned for Hardwood Hideaway's latest and greatest product... SSSHHHhhh! It's a secret but we've already photographed it and you will find out soon! You're gonna LOVE IT!

Great Dane Coffee Table Book- by J.Nichole

2007-08-24T14:21:00.001-07:00

Just a very small note to say... The book is underway. There have been many wonderful developments, and through the hard work and referrals and cooperation of many, many people,"The Dane: Great and Greater" is now on its way to finality.

Thank you all and I will keep you posted!! For now, enjoy the cover mock-up featuring the one and only, "Henri" {who is now GIGANTIC by the way- check and his proud papa Bainbridge Island Architect Matthew Coates out in the upcoming fall issue of CityDog Magazine in the "Living the Vida Verde" Living feature}

Seattle Magazine features Dane & Dane Photography

2007-08-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

It's a Dog's Life-
By Brandie Ahlgren

To read Brandie's WHOLE article, click here

"...DOGGIE PHOTOGRAPHY
Now that Bowzer is beautified, a photo shoot might be next on the list. Furry fashionistas and their accompanying humans can partake in a daylong shoot with Dane & Dane Photography. The Il Diamante photo package, at a mere $1,999, includes a stylist for both canine and human, four-hour photo shoot, catered lunch and optional door-to-studio, dog-friendly limo service at an additional cost. There is no shortage of talented dog photographers in Seattle, so shop around for the one that suits your budget and style. Here are a few to get you started:

• Dane & Dane Photography, 888.201.3778; dane-dane.com
• B Sparks Photography, 206.723.8655; dogphotography.com
• Best Friend Photography, 206.935.5624; bestfriendphoto.com
• Four Legs Photography, 206.890.8295; fourlegsphoto.com
• Damian Lix Photography Design, 206.724.8041; daimianlix.com"

***

FYI- Just to clear up any confusion...

Not all our sittings are for the royally spoiled at $1,999 a pop! In fact, we have some fun specials going on now for the holidays, perfect for family portraits of holiday cards featuring your photogenic pooch or pretty kitty!

Just email or call 888.201.3778 for prices/promotions!!

Hometown Heroes: The Book Project

2007-08-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I traveled back to my hometown to photograph some local spots for a book project of "Hometown Hero" articles {generously donated by their author, Susan Knickerbocker}

These articles feature "Hometown Heroes" - Local legends around Whidbey Island who are working with little reward or recognition for the betterment of their community. These articles run weekly in the "South Whidbey Record" and now, about 35 of them will appear in this, the first volume, to benefit "South Whidbey Commons Youth Project".

This is a great cause so I thought I would share some of my shots from my old stomping grounds: The oh-so-lovely Whidbey Island. Many of these photos will appear in the book, which will go to print later this year.

*a personal side note: during this visit I stumbled upon the grave of one of my high school friends who was killed in a car crash only a few days after we graduated. Last time I saw flowers for him, they were lining the road where he died. It was both a very sobering and very re-affirming experience. Makes me want to "come home" more often-- to indulge in all things home + family*

Pet Fashion Week goes to the dogs. The Idawgs

2007-07-31T21:20:00.000-07:00

You know you have taken far too many photos of your dog when, the second she walks into your studio she heads straight for the center of white seamless backdrop you have lovingly prepared for your client, lays down, stares at you, and perks up her ears as if to say "Ok mom, I am here... you're here... Grab the camera and the treats!"

Luckily, much to the wagging delight of her treat-hungry soul, Olivia finds herself the subject of this morning's photo shoot.

Although this time, {to the wagging delight of my style-hungry soul} she's sporting an exclusive Idawg "blue shimmer" jacket, which, along with five other pieces {including one very special couture piece} will be mutt-strut down the runway in New York at Pet Fashion week, August 18th-19th.

From what we understand this up-and-coming Seattle company has been chosen to participate in this runway event with barely over a dozen other designers from around the country. A big deal for Idawg: but with product names like the "Teal Revolver" and garment details like removable hoods, reversible pink camo, how could they NOT be asked to participate???

What you might NOT expect, is that you won't ever see a chihuahua or any kind of "-poo" dressed in Idawg - Nope, they specialize in fashionable clothing for big dogs. Olivia, both fashionable and big, fits the bill as an dawg model; So do CityDog Magazine's own boxer "Scout" and Mes Amis' own Staffordshire Terrier, "Santo" {as well as Obie, Roxanne, and Bailey- our other wonderful, wiggly, big-mouth-smiling doggy models!}

Dane & Dane Photography is both proud and honored to be photographing these hip, urban pieces and wishing Idawg well as they head off to the big apple. We have long been fans of Idawg's style, sophistication, absolute dedication to quality. Finally, SOMEONE is catering to the neglected fashion needs of big dogs.

Olivia is so glad. Especially since it involves treats. So you can expect to see THIS harlequin beauty sporting several new Idawg fashions this fall + winter.

You can buy Idawg on their website, or at many northwest boutiques including Urban Beast, Railey's Leash & Treat, Scraps and Lexi Dog.

Decopaw? Cowbelly? Great names... greater art!!

2007-07-19T18:59:00.001-07:00

I am fairly sure that this was the first piece of Decopaw Art that ever graced my eyes, years ago.
To this day, it remains one of my very favorites.

What I didn't know, when I first saw this clever and masterful work, was that photographer /designer Jamie Pflughoeft {owner/operator of Cowbelly Photography} is just as whimsical, charming, and absolutely captivating as her carefully crafted art work.

Jamie {and her sweet, sparkle-eyed pup Fergie} live, work and play in Seattle. They epitomize the perfect urban northwest pair- usually on the way to or from the dog park, camera and tennis ball in hand: a frolicking manifestation of the exquisite art they create. {Jamie may be the brains behind the work, but for-sure Fergie's the inspiration!}

If you have been into just about any one of Seattle's many trendy pet boutiques or hip doggy day cares- you have likely had the privilege of seeing Jamie's work. What you may NOT know about this modest - but - mighty enterprise, however, is that Jamie is one savvy cookie with big plans for her small business! Be on the look-out for Decopaw greeting cards, calendars and other merchandise in stores near you- Not to mention on sites like Pampered Puppy and Pet Lounge

I could call Jamie "competition" but I prefer to call her friend, and I can't wait to commission a huge Decopaw of Olivia to hang proudly in the Dane & Dane studios for all to drool over. If, somehow, you are NOT familiar with the divine creations of this lovely local lady, visit her sites, if you ARE familiar, visit again: I promise it will brighten your day!

It's an honor to have colleagues like Jamie- and talent and vision like hers, take this whole "pet portrait business" thing up a notch {or 10}

* * *

All images copyright Jamie Pflughoeft:
Decopaw Design | Cowbelly Pet Photography

J.Nichole in Professional Photographer's Magazine

2007-07-01T22:39:00.000-07:00

In the current issue of Professional Photographer's Magazine I am pleased to announce you will find yours truly chatting it up about the hairy business of pet photography and the life and times of Dane & Dane.

"Hair of the Dog" a remedy for fun deficiency - an article by Stephanie Boozer, highlights myself and two other national pet photographers.

I was thrilled to be chosen for this beautiful 10 pg. spread and honored to be featured with the very talented Pat Boyd of San Francisco and of the legendary Amanda Jones.

***

Available on news stands now!

Maian Meadows Dog Camp

2007-07-01T20:56:00.000-07:00

If doggy delight could manifest itself in to a physical location, it would look like Maian Meadows. The name, a clever combination of founder Rebbecca Wallick's malamutes "Maia" and "Meadow" {see how she did that? Pretty slick, huh} is just the tip of the deliriously dogalicious iceberg that awaits canine campers and their human chauffeurs.

Located in the warm arms of the Key Peninsula, Maian Meadows is affectionately hosted by YMCA's popular "Camp Colman"- an authentic summer camp straight out of my favorite childhood memories; Complete with amazing staff, electric-blue row boats and red canoes, wooden tree-house style cabins with bunk beds and gas or wood burning fireplaces, hiking trails amidst temperate rain forest canopies, a "vertical playpen" climbing wall and giant swing {each requiring helmets, harnesses and balls of steel} and of course a centrally located campfire pit and lodge, all overlooking the magnificent natural landscape {including a saltwater lagoon to the right and an expansive Puget Sound beach to the left}- Yes, a virtual Pacfic Northwest paradise, I had no problem signing up for two solid weekends in a row of "dog camp" {and from what I can tell, Olivia has no complaints either} You can view all the photos from weekend one HERE {June 22-24th} and weekend 2 HERE {June 91th-July1st} but here are a few highlights to whet your appetite... BOOK NOW FOR SEPTEMBER... There's still room!!

Skylark rocks the party {even if they're dog free}

2007-06-26T22:36:00.000-07:00

Although we usually don't post anything here that has NOTHING to do with dogs... This time... We just had to!

Congratulations to the Skylark Cafe & Club - our favorite neighborhood brunch/ lunch/ dinner/ drinking/ live music place for being voted BEST PLACE TO SEE LIVE MUSIC IN SEATTLE by nwsource!

Woot Woot!

And by the way, in case you missed the Summer issue of CityDog Magazine {which included a delicious "Backyard BBQ" spread} Inside is the recipe for Skylark GM and lord-bartender Matthew Darling's famed "Pom Pom"

Although, for the sake of keeping it dog friendly, we like to call it the "Pom Pomeranian"-- GO check it out!

Rock on Skylark, keep up the good work, the tasty tots and the free shows! {Oh and add the deck we keep hearing about so we can bring our pooches to the party}

Olivia discovers the park near our house

2007-06-09T22:15:00.000-07:00

Olivia and I recently discovered that we don't have to venture all the way to Redmond or Sand Point to have a romping good time!

We found a beautiful dog friendly park a mere block from home for fetch {or Olivia's version of it which is more like running around with a ball till she decides to drop it, sniff something, roll in it, and then promptly forget all about the ball}

***

We also found a field of daisies craving to be made into a necklace or crown, and some wonderful old-growth trees for shade after all that running!

*whew*

Another Dane & Dane cover on CityDog Magazine

2007-06-01T23:27:00.000-07:00

Talk about faces that only ANYONE could love!

Meet Wheeler + Dealer the stars of the Summer issue of CityDog Magazine.

These fabulous Frenchies made my job easy as they vogued for the camera. Can you tell where we were? I'll give you a hint... It's a Seattle favorite for a killer happy hour and great ambiance!

So let's see a show of hands... Who now HAS to have a Frenchie!? I DO, I DO!

What do you think about peachy little brother Olivia dear?

Check out this latest issue of CityDog- As always it's jam packed with wonderful doggy delights, including of course, lots of my photos!!

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On news stands now!

Dane & Dane photos featured in BARK Magazine

2007-05-01T23:10:00.000-07:00

In the May/June issue of Bark you will find a wonderful article by the multi-talented Rebecca Wallick, accompanied by my photos of the amazing "Ellie" and "Jeeter" {as well as Jeeter's handsome boy, Sean}

This very important article describes the ground-breaking work these dogs have begun in the King County court system. These highly trained dogs serve as ambassadors of comfort, calm and confidence to children during the horrific process of forensic interviews and testimonies about the abuse they have suffered.

Equally if not more amazing than the work itself, is the power trio of Ellen O'Neil-Stephens, her 25yr old son Sean and his CCI dog Jeeter. Together these three began this program and hopefully soon, you will see dogs like Ellie and Jeeter in court rooms around the country, serving youth in hour of need.

-here are some other wonderful shots of Sean + Jeeter -

- Thank you, Ellen and Sean, for sharing your story and your smiles with me-

Greenlake in Spring time

2007-05-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

Olivia and I {plus our lovely friends Waldo and Hillary} have adopted a new routine of walking around Greenlake once a week. In addition to getting outside to enjoy the increasingly FABULOUS weather, we have met lots of friends during these evening adventures... These little beauties are our favorite thus far!

Chihuahua or Great Dane? One Gene Sets Dog Size

2007-04-05T15:25:00.000-07:00

By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.

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If it weren’t for IGF-1, Paris Hilton’s life would be a lot less elegant.

She’d be lugging around an Irish wolfhound in her purse.

Scientists have just discovered which gene fragment controls the size of dogs, which have the greatest size range of any mammal — no other species produces adults with 100-fold differences, like that between a two-pound chihuahua and a 200-pound Newfoundland.

In a study to be published tomorrow in the journal Science, researchers analyzed 3,241 purebred dogs from 143 breeds. Genetically, the yapper arguing with your ankle is almost identical to the drooling behemoth bred to hunt bears, except for a tiny bit of DNA that suppresses the “insulin-like growth factor 1” gene.

Dog breeders have unwittingly been selecting for it since the last Ice Age. Dogs emerged from the wolf about 15,000 years ago, and as far back as 10,000 years ago, domesticated dogs as big as mastiffs and as small as Jack Russell terriers were trotting the earth.

The study’s lead author, Elaine A. Ostrander, chief of cancer genetics at the National Human Genome Research Institute, said she visited a lot of dog shows, asking for blood.

“It became kind of a status symbol to participate, and we were inundated,” she said. “I only wanted one sample from any descendant of one grandfather, and owners would show up with five Scottish deerhounds, all of them siblings, and say ‘oh, absolutely, they all want to be in.’”

Making it “cool biology,” she said, is that the same gene suppressor is found in both mice and men, creating mini-mice and suspected in human dwarfism.

And because it controls growth gone awry, she said, it will help cancer research, and is to be planted in mice.

But carefully: A mouse the size of a Great Dane, she said, “would be a little scary, wouldn’t it?”

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photo by: dane & dane photography

Yappy Howlidays Update

2006-11-16T21:40:00.000-08:00

Check out the new website for the Yappy Howliday Party- December 13th, 2006

Meet Dude.

2006-11-16T21:39:00.000-08:00

Dude lives up to his name! Eager to go where ever it is you lead, this guy is destined to be the ultimate companion. He is clearly still a puppy-- At all of 11 months of age, Dude is excited about EVERYTHING but quickly mellows when you spend a moment petting him, or ask him to sit for a biscuit.

I have to say that Dude was one of the easiest shoots I have had in ages. He sat on command, predictably performed the "adorable head tilt" and in yellow Lab fashion, casually hung out with Jeff and I like one of the gang.

Important to know about our friend Dude, is that he was released to the shelter for some escape maneuvers-- Seems he charged through a screen door to follow a playmate down the street. Dude is not a pet you can leave at home all day while you're at work- he will need a steady dose of attention, but in return, I promise you will have a solid gold pup!

Another Holiday Cutie!

2006-11-08T10:25:00.000-08:00

Another creature I couldn't resist sharing with you all; Partly because all puppies are irresistible and partly because the candy cane idea (which was his mom's) is brilliant, but mostly because I am obviously partial to harlequin Great Danes and this little man is a fine example!! Thanks Sam for sharing your baby with the world!!

Meet Boatswain {Pronounced "Bosun"}

There are only a few pre-holiday sittings left! Email or call now to reserve your spot at the awesome limited time offer price of $189!!

studio. 888.201.3778 direct. 206.240.8560 email. info@dane-dane.com

Meet Gus.

2006-11-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

Gus is a spunky, handsome, energetic character! Zooming this way and that, he was barely in one spot long enough to pose (and if he WAS posing it was under or behind a random piece of furniture!)

Full of spit and vinegar, little Gus is a young wild man who loves to run, jump, dive and generally frolic. Athletic and curious, the kitten in him is very apparent. He has incredible markings and striking orange eyes. Gus is petite and very soft, and in between the laps around the studio he purred and purred for treats and petting.

He does play a little rough with claws-- Which should be a behavior he out grows as he continues to be socialized and nurtured, however, he probably isn't right for a home with young children.

Occasionally a talker, Gus is very aware of his surroundings- LOVES watching the rain on the window and enjoys bathing himself about every ten minutes :)

Cave B: Inn & Winery

2006-11-01T19:59:00.000-08:00

Cave B is an incredible maze of wondrous delights! The entrance, generously winds through rows and rows of grape vines, with walking paths crossing this way and that, and eventually, if you have your wits about you, you end up at the Inn's main building to an inviting warm red glow escaping from "Tendrils" the Inn's award winning restaurant. Brimming with class and a classy Northwest style, Cave B immediately struck me as a destination I would like to return to.

Upon my somewhat tardy arrival Brandie and I enjoyed a wonderfully delicious, decadent, and photogenic dinner at the Inn's restaurant. I had beef- which is a rare occurrence (excuse the pun) and it was to die for!! There was also an incredible salad and unbelievable dessert. Needless to say-- we indulged so thoroughly that we didn't even need breakfast the next morning!! :)Yum!! (side note: I found out later that the "Chef de Cuisine" at Tendrils is a former school mate of mine from Whidbey Island-- small world isn't it!)

After dinner we arrived to our rooms to find "turndown" treats for human + canine... Complete with Halloween themed ribbon. Very sweet. (And by sweet I mean of the chocolate variety. Olivia reported that the milkbone was tasty as well...)

After some "Cave B" wine, an excessive dose of doggie kisses from Scout and Ziggy, and some half-assed planning about the next day we said goodnight and I wandered back to find Olivia making herself quite at home...

And in the morning... We awoke to an incredible sunrise filling in the gorge with orange liquid light and a still-burning fire. *sigh* Yes please.

The rest of the morning was spent taking more photos... I had the chance to walk the grounds with the CityDog dogs running here and there. Good fun. Then a shoot with Brandie, and pan of the lobby, a shot of the Chef, and then back to Seattle- straight to the W for yet another photo adventure in a hotel establishment... Yee haw!! (I should add that we narrowly avoided the impending snow in Snoqualmie pass: Beat it by only a few hours *whew*)

Two thumbs enthusiastically up for Cave B. A warm thank you to the wonderful staff for a delightful stay, and delicious meal and some incredible scenery.

Meet RJ.

2006-10-31T19:49:00.000-08:00

Meet RJ. {UPDATE: RJ found a home! Joy!!}

Affectionately named "RJ" as in "Rommel Junior" after Candy's handsome canine (who he looks a great deal like)- this puppy arrived in a wee bit of a panic. I won't go into details to spare you the icky reality that Jeff and I faced when we opened the back of the van, but let's just leave it at: we had some cleaning up to do before our little model could debut.

Once all had settled, it became immdeiately clear that RJ, our Halloween subject, is a wonderful little pup who minds his manners and is very eager to learn and be loved. He is also very interested in treats and apples fallen from the tree!!
RJ is about 7 months old and is a Lab/Shepherd mix. He arrived at the Humane Society as a stray and has been a very good guest, but he's ready to go home with the right family... Are you them???

Adorable Pug Moment.

2006-10-29T15:00:00.000-08:00

Well, I have to admit, I am not in the habit of posting my private portrait sittings online, but this was too good NOT to share!! Below you will find a few of my favorite portraits of dear little "Winston". Winston is only 10 months old and boy if he didn't have the BEST costume I have seen this year! (notice not only does he have a little hat, but also a tiny toy gun and holster!!) I should note that his grandmother made this costume for him... What a lucky Pug!

Also, Winston is a very well mannered little puglet, so we were able to do some fun things in the studio. Check him out dancing, chasing his tail, playing in fall leaves, and just being ADORABLE!!! Just think, this could be YOUR pooch! Book your holiday sitting NOW before there are no more appointments available! Click here to see our smokin' holiday deal.

Thanks to Winston's proud parents for sharing this little guy with me-- Clearly he has a future in the pup modeling industry!

Gentle Groomer's Howl-O-Ween Party

2006-10-28T22:54:00.000-07:00

Well it was a beautiful, crisp and foggy October day today, PERFECT for a doggy Halloween party of the best kind! Lots of pooches, great and small made it out for the party of the season... Despite all the construction and chaos, Rebekah pulled off quite a lovely get-together, and fun was had by all!! There were treats and bandanas, prizes and punch, pupcakes and human cake and pets from the Humane Society. Good luck to all who entered the costume contest, voting begins Monday at the Gentle Groomer's Web site. Of course, I am partial to "Boatswain" (pronounced Bosun) the darling little Harlequin who came dressed as a fierce green dragon! (Check out those paws-- he's gonna be a GIANT!!)

Thank you to all who made it out to support the Kitsap Humane Society and the Gentle Groomer!

Northwest Afternoon: Thursday, Nov. 2nd at 3pm!

2006-10-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

Good news friends! I have been asked by Candy Burt of Bark Busters to join her on her regular spot on Northwest Afternoon! The show will film on Monday the 30th and will air at 3pm, Thursday November 2nd on KOMO 4!!

On the show I will discuss (with Candy) what to know before before coming to the studio for your portrait and why a professional portrait is heads and tails above what you may be able to capture at home with your point-and-shoot camera. I will be supplying "before and after" photos from some of my past clients- to show the difference a studio, some treats, and an extra person can make.

I do hope that you will be able to catch the show- and if you want, email me and let me know what you thought: info@dane-dane.com

KHS 2007 Calendar Cover: photo by J.Nichole Smith

2006-10-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

Now Avaialable!! Kitsap Humane Society's 2007 Calendar. Buy yours today, can you believe they are only $10! A big "Thank You" to Hazel and Glynnis for your wonderful participation and support of KHS!

Yappy Howlidays Party: Dec. 13th!

2006-10-22T16:55:00.000-07:00

What: Yappy Howliday party
presented by CityDog Magazine, W Seattle and Dane & Dane Photography

When: Wednesday, Dec. 13th 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: W Seattle, 1112 Fourth Avenue (4th & Seneca)

Who: You and the "lucky dogs" who accompany you!

The weather outside may be frightful, but at the swanky W Seattle it's quite delightful! That's where CityDog Magazine will be hosting its annual Yappy Howliday party. Join us with your best two- and four-legged friends for a festive evening of no-host cocktails, holiday treats, portraits with me, J. Nichole Smith of Dane & Dane Photography and much more!

Are you a pet professional? Interested in sponsoring the party? Contact CityDog Magazine for details about how to get your marketing materials in the paws of all of our lovely guests!!

Stay tuned for more updates, more info, and more photographs -Coming soon-

KHS Animal Krackers 2006 was WILD!

2006-10-21T16:44:00.000-07:00

Well sports fans, I have to say, this years "Animal Krackers" was nothing short of exquisite! Kristen, in her farewell event, pulled out all the stops. The President's Hall of the Kitsap County Fairgrounds has never looked so grand. Bravo lovely lady, and my how you will be missed!

The mood of the event was immediately peppy and I enjoyed browsing the silent auction tables, chatting with volunteers and guests, and photographing every little thing that caught my reckless eye. I guess it was good that I was armed with a camera, not a pen, or I would have BID on every little thing that caught my reckless eye!

Kip, the auctioneer extraordinaire, was great as always- inciting bidding frenzies that beat most "dream values" but fell just short of rioting.

The high dollar items of the night were both the "2007 KHS Animal Krackers Catalog Cover" and the "2008 KHS Calendar Cover" combined fetching an exciting $6,500!!! Of course, being the photographer who donated the portrait sessions for these items, I was a giddy, cheering mess while these bidding wars carried on-- I took photos of these great moments, but they will never see the light of blog because they are blurry. I guess that's to be expected since I was not only simultaneously jumping up and down and clapping, but also whipping my head back and forth between bidders. Sorry about that. :)

The meal was delicious, the company was delightful (I had the privilege to sit with Mindy of Aunty Min's Pet Sitting + guest and Rebekah of the Gentle Groomer + guest) and I ran into Candy Burt of Bark Busters- the pretty in pink lady who helped me train Olivia. Looking for an end to your dog's behavioral issues? She's your gal! And by end, I mean lifetime guarantee!! Yup. No joke.

Anyhow- before I knew it there was Cheesecake in front of me and the night was coming to a close, but by this time it was already nearing 10pm and I was quite exhausted from the festivities!

Thank you Thank you Thank you to all you wonderful patrons! You are the ones who make it all happen. The animals and I humbly thank you, and thank you again.

Look for some of my photos from the event in the "scene" section of the Winter issue of "Westsound Home & Garden Magazine".

I am officially a Kalaloch-aholic!

2006-10-20T23:31:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I had the wonderful (although guilty) pleasure of travelling to Kalaloch, WA with a dear friend and client and her wonderful little pug. In addition to being without cell reception or internet, eating well, sleeping late and all the other wonderful pleasures of travel, I was fortunate enough to capture an amazing quantity of AMAZING images! I cannot believe that a place this breath-taking exists just a few hours from my door and I had no idea. And I thought INDIANOLA was incredible!! (well it is, but Ruby Beach puts my darling home to shame!!) I hope you can enjoy these images and know that they don't even BEGIN to do this place justice... *sigh* I can hardly wait to get the film back...

Thank you Kathy.