As a devoted dog lover and dog photographer, I’ve read my fair share of dog memoirs.  Most of these stories have either left me in tears or have had me crying along the way.  I knew Jim’s essay would have a similar bittersweetness to it, but I dove right in anyway.  I quickly realized, however, that this story was different… Maybe it was the fact that I had actually seen Riley walking around my hometown with Jim, or perhaps it was the story of how Riley loved the Maine winters that my own dog cherishes so much, or even the fact that Riley followed Jim everywhere (like another black lab I know), but bits and pieces of Jim & Riley’s existence seemed so similar and so relevant to our own situation with Orvis.  Unlike with the other dog memoirs, I could visualize Riley’s story so clearly – they were set in my own past and present.

The last column of Jim’s essay left me teary-eyed and unable to finish my bagel from Scratch.  After a moment, I looked down at Orvis who was watching this bizarre, dramatic scene unfold before his eyes.  Not having the will to finish the article quite yet, I knelt down to hug his neck and scratch his ears.  I finally read the last paragraph and after doing so, I let out a big sigh, knowing that each of Jim’s lines rang true.

“A dog has no concerns about death, I realized at that very moment, and maybe that’s a useful lesson for all of us – to live as fully and joyously as we can every moment, to have as few regrets about anything as possible, to dive into frog ponds or steal the Christmas ham if that’s what makes you happy.”

When you have a moment, please read the story of Riley found HERE.

Here’s a shot of Orvis as happy as happy can be after a game of long game of fetch.

I decided it might be fun to try and place the three dogs with whom I am closest: Rock, Mason and Orvis!

Rocky

Image Source: ASPCA

Mason

Image Source: ASPCA

Orvis

Image Source: ASPCA

I think the Canine-alities profiles are great for the adoption process, but they’re also a fun way to think of your dog after you’ve had the chance to get to know every part of ?  See for yourself! 

1.  Seek inspiration from a variety of (unusual) sources.  Of course this is not strictly applicable to photography, but to my life as a whole. 

2.  Be bolder.  I’m naturally a bit of an introvert, which is not something I want to change, but if I truly want something, I will pursue it. Period. 

3.  Savor the sweetness of life.  In the world of photography, where deadlines often abound, life can sometimes feel like one big whirl.  It is my goal, both in my personal and professional worlds, to slow down and appreciate even the most chaotic moments, as often times those lead to some pretty amazing outcomes. 

4. Identifying compassion.  One of my yoga teachers in college would often remind us to ask ourselves what compassion looked like in both yoga poses and in life.  When you truly stop to think about this notion of finding and identifying compassion in everything you do, whether it’s half moon pose or standing in line at the market, it can be pretty influential. 

“An Olive a Day”: Jules Bianchi

I probably would not have even considered dog photography if I had not discovered Jules and her amazingly sweet dog, Olive.  When Jules began posting one image of Olive each day, it became my newfound obsession.  Was it really possible for her to take this many awesome pictures of Olive day after day?  How are they not all the same after awhile?  Is Olive seriously this adorable?  These are the questions I would ask each day as I signed on to “An Olive a Day”, as Jules continued to surprise me.  After a few months spent in total admiration and awe, I decided to try it out for myself, so I started posting pictures of Orvis to my own blog, “Life: Lab Style.”  After the newness wore off, I was having trouble updating it every single day, and found days when I neglected it.  Everything changed one October morning when I visited Olive’s blog and saw the words “Life: Lab Style” in the menu bar.  Not only had Jules Bianchi discovered my photographs of Orvis and commented multiple times(!), she had also linked the site from her own!  It was a morning I will always remember, and thankfully after “Life: Lab Style” became famous via Jules, I have had very little trouble keeping it up to date.  Sometimes I wonder, without Olive’s blog would I have ever fallen head over heels in love with dog photography?  Luckily, we’ll never know! 

Seek the Joy: Eric Laurits

This summer I had the pleasure of attending a phenomenal workshop on Cape Cod with 13 other photographers.  Over the course of the week I was able to learn a lot from each of the talented attendees.  One in particular, Eric Laurits, continues to stand out each time I check his blog.  Not only is Eric an extremely gifted photographer, he is also an exceptional writer and eloquently conveys his unique life perspectives in each one of his posts.  I truly hope you enjoy his creative style, his skillful use of colors and textures and his eye for all things beautiful. 

Au Fil De… : Béatrice Lechtanski

If I would have paid a bit more attention in my high school french classes, I might know a little more about Béatrice Lechtanski, the amazing French photographer who creates these lovely, captivating images.  Each time she updates her website or her flickr account, I’m left mesmerized by what she has created.  When I discover a new image, I am blown away, for she is able to transform an everyday object into a beautifully crafted work of art. 

Tracy Turpen’s Blog

An extraordinarily talented wedding photographer based in Charleston, SC, Tracy Turpen has a beautifully distinct style I swear I could pick out anywhere.  Before I hung up my wedding photography shoes, her blog was certainly the end all, be all.  After “blog-stalking” her for quite some time, it turns out that I sat right next to her sister in my last art history course in college. Small world!  Not only does Tracy take some of the very best and the most unique engagement shots, she also captures her personal life wonderfully as well.  Her shots of her family, including a new son and a precious dog, are always some of my favorites.  

Jesh de Rox

Creator of some of the coolest photographic textures I love adding to my own images, Jesh de Rox is also a talented wedding photographer.  Each time you visit his website you take a short quiz about your feelings and perceptions, and the welcome message fits accordingly.  Jesh is one of those people you would want to have coffee (or tea!) with and just listen to, as he explains his life theories for hours on end.  His thoughts and outlooks on life, often conveyed in his blog, are always quite moving and truly full of life.  

Tamara Lackey

If you visit Tamara Lackey’s blog & gallery, you will find she is an accomplished photojournalist, a talented children and wedding photographer and a wonderful mother.  As the creator of a children’s portrait photography book, Tamara naturally takes outstanding shots of her own three children.  In addition to documenting weddings, she’s gotten up close and personal with political figures on the campaign trail and she regularly photographs elite athletes for Endurance Magazine.

“Bread and Honey“: Summer Allen-Gibson and Alicia Carrier

Rounding out my favorite photo sites, is a photo blog dedicated to delicious food (of course!).  Friends, Summer Allen-Gibson and Alicia Carrier, have produced a beautifully scrumptious collaboration in their blog, “Bread and Honey.”  The pictures of their divine creations are both fun and fresh, and the recipes are quite tasty.  It might be best to not visit this site when you’re hungry, or you will find yourself in the kitchen whipping up some of their delicious goodies.

I’m always looking for more interesting photo blogs and websites.  Any ideas?

Cheers!