Friday at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter

Choteau couldn't contain himself. He was so happy to be on his way to his new home! He was adopted before I could put my camera away.

Friday at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter

Good Friday was a good Friday at the Animal Shelter. It was a day full of puppies. 3 pit bull puppies were the first to show up for their close-ups. Getting them all in the Easter basket was quite a challenge but the cuteness factor made it totally worth the effort.

Like Herding Cats--Friday at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter

We had an exciting photo session at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter a few weeks ago when Sybil's 7 puppies were finally ready for their close-ups. Several staff members showed up to assist. One lay on the floor in front of the bench and one was behind the bench to catch puppies as they tumbled to the floor. Two others corralled the puppies into the crate. I kept shooting. We had a lot of fun and these puppies are already on their way to new homes.

Friday at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter

Almost every Friday, I go to the Santa Fe Animal Shelter and photograph the animals that are up for adoption. This week I got to work with puppies.

Both Bubbles and Jett were adopted almost before their photo shoot was over. It's easy to see why as the cuteness factor is huge with these two.

Kira, an Amazing Pit Bull

Before volunteering at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter, I'd never had contact with pit bulls. I'd bought the legend that they were scary and violent. Then I met some pits and fell in love. There's no doubt that they are powerful animals and very protective of their families. They are also sweet and funny when they're treated well. Kira was a favorite among the staff at the Shelter and one of the first pits I photographed. She's an amazing dog who had a happy ending and is now living with her forever family.

Pets and Their People

Ten years ago, while working as a fine art photographer, I adopted a little rescue dog named Tulip. The day I brought her home, I put several rules in place - she wouldn't sleep in my bed, I wouldn't buy her clothes or talk baby talk to her. These rules lasted all of two weeks before I gave into her charm. Living with Tulip has taught me to be in the moment, to explore new territory, to respond to the unexpected, and to take joy in little things. She makes me laugh every day.

Like any smitten companion, I began taking pictures of her. Over time, these pictures began to reveal her unique personality and, in the process, I discovered that I love to photograph animals. I borrowed friends' dogs, I dressed them up, I took pictures. Each animal was different.

It seemed a natural progression that led me to the Santa Fe Animal Shelter. I visit there several times a month to photograph the animals who are waiting for forever homes. More than once, I've had the pleasure of witnessing the moment when a dog and it's companion-to-be fall in love and each time my heart breaks open.

Last year I opened my own pet photography business. I've photographed dogs, cats, rabbits, mice, horses, even snakes. The portraits I create honor an animal's character and unique personality. They reveal the deep connection a family shares with a pet.

In the months ahead, I'll be sharing these portraits in my blog and talking about the experience of making the images. I hope you enjoy it.