The theme this week was relaxing – which isn’t typical for this hectic holiday season! (Why yes, I do have all of my Christmas shopping done… I think…)

First, a tossback to a lovely spunky mud loving lab named Izze. I had the chance to meet her mom in Florida in 2014 (we were there for a Hair of the Dog workshop) then adventured out twice to meander with Izze and her mom as we helped each other with our dog photography.

Izze recently passed away. In looking for a couple images of her to share with her mom, I came across these of Izze relaxing in their old house. (They have fresh edits on them).

And one from the second visit to Ithaca NY. 

Izze you will be missed greatly. Enjoy the mud in the sky. Say hello to Mick & Icey for me.

Fast forward to the midst of the holidays 2017. The cats made for easy models – Snuggles, Tootsie & Lilly.

Bender played a model as well. Though the lay followed by lay (usually prompts the dogs to be “dead” or to lay their head down on their paws) made Bender look a little less than relaxed haha! (He’s got an eye open haha!)

He lounged on the couch for a relaxed lay. Until he slid off the couch in a stretch and wanted to go outside!

Next visit Darlene with Pant the Town Pet Photography serving MA & NH.

Its been solidly busy here at About A Dog Photography from the fall and start of the holiday season which means I missed a couple of weeks of the 52 Week Project. Drat! Luckily this past weekend had me downtown Minneapolis for a Dogs of MSP event at Lakes & Legends Brewery. Ample dogs to borrow and brews to drink.

The model picked was a lanky, tall, part pony, mantle blue merle Great Dane named Cash.

Its a whole other thing to work with a dog that is taller than you when you are kneeling! He was a star, granting me a couple of head tilts and some glorious drool as we meandered around the convention center area. We found some symmetry, art deco styling, a very old large set of doors and a mix of old and new architecture.

Thank you Cash (and mom Karla) for meandering around downtown Minneapolis with me!

Next visit Linda from VP Shoots Photography in Tampa, FL to see the architecture she found in Florida!

This week’s theme was bold color. Just in time for all of the leaves to drop and MN to enter into the middle ground of brown. Plus we had bits of snow (it hasn’t stuck around) which didn’t lend much towards bold color.

I did some scheming. The most colorful things that came to mind were murals and playgrounds. My town isn’t known to have much in the way for murals so Axle and I went questing for playgrounds.

The first spot was Veterans Park. All of the docks were pulled, the water only occupied by a flock black ducks (which actually were American Coots and not ducks at all…) bobbling along on the water. There was an eeriness at the beach, a quietness that whistled from the cold wind off the lake.

The playground was less of a playground and more of a vibrant modern art looking play structure.

We continued after Axle dipped his toes in the water and whined about not getting the “ducks”. We meandered around to the backside of the lake. The playground was a full playground, though it was more muted maroon, forest green and tans instead of vibrant color. Post processing helped to give the colors a brighter look.

We headed back towards home, with one last playground to visit before retiring from the cold. The colors were vibrant on the newer fixtures around the perimeter, though the main structure held more of the reds, greens and tans from the previous playground.

Next visit Rochelle from Dark Sapphire Pet Photography, Nelson, New Zealand to see how she captured bold color!