A nearby elementary school is covered in several cheerful murals, just perfect for the holiday countdown challenge. I saved the opportunity for a time Shiva and I could have fun with the photos. They wouldn’t look nearly as brilliant in the dark.
I gotta say, Shiva poses a lot better for the camera than ever before. After two and a half years of the evil black box stuck in her face, she has finally succumbed. Frankly, it’s probably just easier that way. The sooner we get the photo, the sooner she can go back to eating garbage. She knows I won’t give up until I get the shot I want.
I also see it as a great chance to work on tricks. Not just sit-stays but stand-stays, bow-stays, feet-in-the-air-stays… Shiva doesn’t always love holding her position for very long so I have to be fast. It depends on the amount of distraction in the environment. If there is a stinky McDonald’s wrapper nearby, I can only expect so much focus.
And of course, she is always generously rewarded for her efforts. No pet photographer – even a sad amateur with a point-and-shoot like me - could get this dog to work without treats. Her services do not come cheap.
Regardless, I do think she enjoys the attention. As much as the camera may annoy her when she’d rather be chasing ducks, the walks we take when I bring it along feel a lot more connected. Instead of us just doing our own thing, the camera helps us interact. It also helps me appreciate our surroundings just a wee bit more. Each picture I take is like a little moment between us, a tiny memory we created together.
Great set, and it is a great way to interact with eachother. Everyone sees photos of Luna and expects it comes natural to her, but I work for every single shot. I have to be very quick with Luna too, especially if she is in a specific position like that bow. That’s something we should work on this year, really making her a “studio dog” so I can maybe get some cards together like I had hoped. But I will be paying her royally, maybe the food tubes would help with that.
Great Job
Anna
http://www.akginspiration.com
Beautiful pictures, all of them. Shiva sure is photogenic! Nice job!
2browndawgs recently posted..Day 27–Puppies Play, Puppies Sleep, and Puppies Eat
Awww! She is such a sweetie! That handstand is awesome!!
Maggie recently posted..Repurposed t-shirts: What to do with your animal welfare shirts
Thank goodness for quick shutter speed. It would be almost impossible for me to get great photos without it. Love the photos and the mural.
Jessica @ YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner recently posted..I’m as Free as a Bird Now
Thank goodness for quick shutter speed. Great photos and neat mural.
It looks like I got sent to spamland with my first comment. I had to change my email and website to get it to post. It would be greatly appreciated if you could visit your spam box and mark us as “not spam” so we can post normally again. Thanks.
Jessica @ YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner recently posted..I’m as Free as a Bird Now
I have to apologize for that – I don’t know what Akismet was thinking. Thank you so much for your comments and for letting me know! I don’t make a regular habit of checking my spam but I probably should. Hopefully no one else has had this problem. It should be fixed for you now anyway!
Tell her that her public enjoys viewing her modeling shots! She is adorable, and the murals are a great background. Kelly loves having her picture taken!
Peggy Frezon recently posted..Six Ways to Help Shelter Dogs this Holiday
Omg, I just love that last photo!!!
-Corbin
Hi Kristine and Shiva, I especially like your sentiment, “each picture I take is like a little moment between us, a tiny memory we created together”. Amen – one day all we’ll have of our moments together will be these captured memories. So shoot away, God only knows it happens around here enough….
Sammy Sam recently posted..Getting "Prettied-Up" For Christmas
Those are some awesome tricks! I love this red and green challenge.
Two Grads recently posted..Favorite Things Week!!
Wow – that last pose is really cool! Buster and Ty would never do that – even for all the treats in my possession.
I love the photos! You got great shots of her with that very cool mural!
Bunny doesn’t work for free, either! There had best be treats waiting or the princess is not giving away her good looks. I think we’ve definitely gotten used to each other, though, and we read each other well. It helps a lot with the photography!
houndstooth recently posted..Letters To Santa — Morgan
I’m always amazed at the tricks you get Shiva to do. The photos are awesome.
i like all the pictures a lot! if i were to write a story based on these pics, it’d probably be something like…Shiva’s 1st day at school. LOL.
georgia little pea recently posted..Stuff in my neighbourhood that makes me t.r.e.p.i.d.a.t.i.o.u.s, and some pigs.
Really great group of photos! I especially love the third one.
Pup Fan recently posted..Christmas carols for dogs & dog lovers
These are some really great shots…the last one especially.
Bill recently posted..Border Collie Chaser
I like all the picture here..I really like them all..I think we’ve definitely gotten used to each other..
Angela recently posted..Paleo Cookbook
I think we’ve definitely gotten used to each other, though, and we read each other well. It helps a lot with the photography!
Bethany recently posted..PPI Claims
Those are great murals!
Stop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com
Kari recently posted..Review – Pawmetto Treats
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