Most handlers before doing their down and back cinch up their lead, do a courtesy turn and just do it. Stephanie is so proud of her boy, that she bent down and gave him love before showing him off to the judge. She is just showing off that human animal bond :).
Here she and TAG are while the judge goes over him.
Here’s Lori with Noble. Last time I saw Noble, he was dressed in a Christmas outfit and sound asleep in my studio. Noble was one of the most popular Slice of Nice models during Christmas this year. Click here to see him as a puppy.
Getting up at the crack of dawn does have a few perks, the lighting is great! I just love this effect on Goldens. And the best thing is, it’s not an effect, it’s just plain ol’ sunlight.
Tasha looking for cookies
Vicki was trying to set Tasha up for her stand and she couldn’t figure out why she was so figity. The judge was turned looking at the dog showing to her with her hands behind her back, facing Tasha. Turns out that Miss Tasha was wondering if the judge had cookies for her!
Jackie watching the judge
Just another little puppy who found the judge interesting that day!
Today was the first day of conformation showing here in AZ at the Fiesta Cluster. Today was a special specialty. This past November, we lost one of our good friends, Cyndy Heisler, to Cancer. Cyndy had made a name for herself here in the Valley of the Sun. She was THE golden breeder here. She was a mentor to many and bred some beautiful dogs. She did so much for showing Goldens in Arizona.
She bred her Sage to our Bailey and that produced Duncan and Tess. Tess is Emma’s Mom. Emma’s Dad, Kramer, won a Best in Show for Cyndy. So, today during the speciality we had a moment of silence for her and our other good friend, Dawn who also lost her battle to Cancer last year. In the ring, all of Cyndy’s friends gathered with all the Sonora (her kennel name) dogs in the ring to observe the moment. I can’t tell you how many time’s I’ve heard “wow, these Sonora Goldens are all over the ring” as I walk ringside to enter and show. Cyndy may have lost her battle to Cancer, but she will live on in the pages of each Fiesta Cluster program for years to come as the owner of some nice dogs who have given us our Duncan’s and Emma’s.
Have you ever wished you were a model? That everyone was clamoring to get your autograph or put your poster up in their room? Or are you more of a stop and smell the roses kind of person? Morgan was only 8 weeks old when we started doing photo shoots with her. At this age, she wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted to be when she grew up. She truly loves to model, but she has a lot to explore and do, so she felt it was time to stop and smell the fake flowers! Never mind that there was a photographer (namely me) on the other side of the camera, throwing monkeys, making kitty noises and in general making a complete fool of herself trying to get the attention of an 8 week old puppy.
A few pictures later, I’d lost her attention again and she decided it was time for a break. You know models have the right to break, it’s in their contract. It says, that when the photographer isn’t being creative enough or if they’ve lost the ‘moment’ they can take time to regain their focus so that they can give their best.
As a photographer working with models, you really have to know how to motivate your models. You have to get inside their heads and speak their language, stroke their egos. Obviously, I’m not speaking the right language as I snap this beauty.
Finally! A moment later and my young 8 week old pup is sitting tall, putting on some good expression and enjoying the screaming of the monkeys as they are thrown! Working with models is always a challenge, but a rewarding and fun one. So, remember, stop and smell the fake roses every once and awhile!
Click on the last picture if you would like to order this Slice of Nice card for your Valentine!
I spent the weekend at the Contact Zonies agility trial doing Valentine’s pictures. Well, ok, I spent Saturday there, because it was rained out on Sunday. So, I made a slide show of all the pictures from this year and last. Everyone I shoot is a potential Slice of Nice model, let me know if you see a star!
As I was going through all the Valentine’s pictures, this one immediately made me think of an old married couple. Casey (left) is just sitting there waiting and Ashby (right) has that curled lip of frustration, such as a husband who has said the wrong thing again. How many times has this happened to you on Valentine’s Day guys? It’s because you forgot the roses right or maybe you took your wife to the sports bar down the road?
Let’s go on to our next picture, because Ashby’s outlook is much better as a husband or boyfriend! To me he has this “I just got lucky” look on his face. All the romantic guys out there would say - “I got lucky the day I met you honey.” Casey looks rather happy in the picture also.
A lot of people say that Valentine’s Day is a commercial holiday and they just don’t want to participate. And while that might be a true statement, there are some good reasons to participate in Valentine’s day. Number one reason - You don’t want to end up in the dog house! But really, relationships are hard and we are supposed to work on them every day and give 100% and for those of you who do, good for you. But for the rest of us, Valentine’s Day is a nice day to say to some one you love, “I Love You.” The simple gestures of a card or dinner or flowers are part of the little things that just make your partner smile! You might see a smile you’ve not seen in a long time.
Valentine’s Day is not just for couples either! So many people can get down or discouraged on VDay, but think back to those days in grade school where everyone got a Valentine and the teacher got the carnation. So, sending a card to a friend, flowers to your parents, or buying your dogs that extra special doggy treat is a great celebration! Enjoy Valentine’s Day! Make it special in your own way!
Don’t forget that Slice of Nice has Valentine’s Cards! Click here to order yours now! We’ll even send it for you!
Most handlers before doing their down and back cinch up their lead, do a courtesy turn and just do it. Stephanie is so proud of her boy, that she bent down and gave him love before showing him off to the judge. She is just showing off that human animal bond :).
Here she and TAG are while the judge goes over him.
Here’s Lori with Noble. Last time I saw Noble, he was dressed in a Christmas outfit and sound asleep in my studio. Noble was one of the most popular Slice of Nice models during Christmas this year. Click here to see him as a puppy.
