Date: 02/21/16 | Location: Texas City Residence
It was a warm February morning when I had the privilege of photographing the O'Keefe clan (eight dogs and two cats). So much fun!
Meet doggies...Tahoe, Led Zeppelin, Athena, Little Girl, Hermione, Connor, Duchess, Deacon and kitties...Jade, Winston.
I am to speak to a yearbook class at Bay Area Christian School a couple of times over the next two weeks about the basics of the camera and Photography in general. While I do know what I'm doing in the Photography world...speaking about it is a different monster for me, so I am using this post to gather what I think are the best resources for the basics of Photography.
Camera Basics 101: The Exposure Triangle
21 Settings, Techniques and Rules All New Camera Owners Should Know
Improve Photography Tutorial
Lifehacker Night School: The Basics of Photography - The Complete Guide
As I come across more articles, I will add them here.
Happy shooting!
I'm a firm believer of getting the shelter dogs out of their confinement and capturing their true spirit. You can't rightfully judge an animal for their behavior in a kennel. You have to get them away from the noise of the other dogs and bond with them. You will be amazed at the difference in their behavior. I have displayed a few examples below.
TOMMY & TEDDY
REDD
ZEUS
MICKEY & MINNIE
ROXIE
BERNIE
While intake photos are needed and get the sympathetic "Awwww, poor baby" response from the public, I believe photos of the animal outside the kennel environment draws more attention and ultimately results in an adoption in a lot of cases.
R E L A T E D
Back in May, I had the honor of helping to photograph a Special Olympics event at Sam Vitanza Stadium in Dickinson. It was a wonderful experience! To see the joy on those kid's faces is an experience by itself.
There were many groups from around the Dickinson area participating. Here is the host team...the Dickinson Gators.
Below is a slide show of the rest of the photos I took at this awesome event!
A long jump sequence!
This is an experience I'll likely never forget and I recommend that every photographer work an event like this at least once.
I had been meaning to write up a story about Rein, an amazing dog that was left in a crate outside the locked gates of the League City Animal Shelter over a year ago. Time kept escaping me.
My friend and long-time LCAS volunteer Cheryl Scott composed a wonderful write-up about Rein and his story...so I'm sharing her words about this awesome boy.
REIN - Long Road Home - by Cheryl Scott
Rein's LCAS story began by being dumped in a kennel outside the locked gates at the Shelter on February 3, 2015.
His Petfinder photos were taken by Volunteer Photographer Rhonda Tipton (Tipton Creative) on February 11, 2015. I assisted Rhonda that day and fell in love with Rein.
Sadly, that young boy was at the Shelter being loved by many Volunteers for soooo long!
Thanks to Taam Dodd, one of the dog trainers at Bayside Bed & Biscuit in Kemah, who came to the Shelter in August 2016 and worked with Rein many times; Taam even attended an off-site event with Rein and made a great collage of him to promote his adoption!
Another person to thank who worked with Rein at the Shelter was Volunteer Ralph Kliza. However, Rein's biggest break came when Volunteers Jaime Marshik & Charlie Marshik took him to the Taste of Texas Beer & Wine Festival on Nasa Rd. 1 on November 7, 2015 where, thankfully, Volunteer Amy Losh met Rein (see photo). She took Rein home that night for the first of many trips to her house and she also took him to the Petco adoption events. Amy did a ton of marketing for Rein and also made a terrific collage. Amy runs a Dalmatian rescue group and is the sole reason Rein was accepted for free training at Starmark Academy in Hutto, TX.
He arrived at Starmark on February 14, 2016 and was there until May 11, 2016. His trainer there was Shelby White and as of June 1, 2016 she is the very happy owner of REIN.
He was homeless for 1 year and 4 months!! Thanks to Bayside Bed & Biscuit and Camp Bow Wow for complimentary boarding of Rein upon his return from training until he was Adopted.
Thanks to all who loved and cared for him. Rein took a piece of my heart with him to his furever home on June 1st and I will never forget him!
An awesome story by Cheryl Scott....about an awesome dog! Happy Tails to Rein!
