I like to write the blog when I have something to write about. The past month has been a whirlwind that has given me much to write about. I just haven't had time to collect my thoughts and get it into a blog posting. I'm proud to say that the "Pin-Up Pets" sessions have been a resounding success! Since May 1st, I've had over forty studio sessions with over sixty dogs and cats participating. That's more pets than I've ever done in previous years "Pin-Up Pets" promotion. The donations to the participating rescues have also exceeded my expectations. As of today there has been nearly $3000 raised for the five organization. The donations have surpassed the previous years donations of $1300 in 2012 and $2000 in 2013. Every dollar donated in lieu of a session fee will go directly to the rescue agencies and every dollar will help more pets find a family to call their own.
Here is a list of this year's participating rescues:
Find out what's happening in Edinafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Edinafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
After the Fourth of July Holiday, I'll post one image from each session for online voting to choose the Cover Pet for the 2015 "Pin-Up Pets" Calendar. Greyhound Pets of America will have their own breed specific 2015 Calendar. The voting will run for about two weeks and the calendars should be printed in early fall and available through the participating rescue agencies. Stay tuned for more information about a possible 2015 "Pin-Up Pets" calendar release party at the studio.
Over the years I've realized that dogs and people belong together. Our species have bonded over the centuries from slightly tamed wolves to our modern personal companions. Watching pets and owners interact in the studio I've come to believe that neither dogs or their human guardians are as happy alone as they are together. Every dog deserves to feel what its like to be part of a family. And every human deserves to feel what its like to receive total love and acceptance from a pet. Once a dog is part of a human family its important to me to document the emotions of the relationship. I've met so many good people and good pets over the past month. In talking with the owners, I often hear of their pets hard luck beginnings: shelters, puppy mills, dog tracks, illness, alone on the street. I try to infuse the images with the emotions I feel from owners and pets. It reminds me that life isn't about where you've been, it's about who you're with.
As an artist and a business owner, I know it's good to be busy because there will be slow days again next winter. I was planning to complete the "Pin-Up Pets" sessions in May, view and choose sessions in June and spend July with calendar voting and lay out. So, I wasn't looking for more work this summer when I was approached by Save-A-Bull Minnesota about participating in their 2015 calendar shoots. In past years, they have had several area photographers donate time to shoot for the calendar. After a few discussions and a meeting with their volunteers, I've agreed to be the primary photographer shooting studio sessions in the month of July with the images going to their 2015 calendar. As in "Pin-Up Pets", the session fee will be waived in lieu of a donation of any amount to Save-A-Bull. There will also be online voting later in the summer with $1 per vote to choose the 2015 cover dog and the 12 dogs that grace the pages of next year's calendar. Dogs of all breeds are welcome to have studio sessions and to donate to Save-A-Bull, but due to the breed specific nature of their organization, only those with "bully breed" heritage will be considered for the calendar.
Save-A-Bull is such a good organization to collaborate with on a promotion. I totally support the goal of the organization to promote Pit Bulls as loving pets and to prevent the stigma of "bully breeds," leading to more dogs being needlessly euthanized. I must admit, prior to three years ago I had not worked with many Pit Bulls and was a bit intimidated to have them in the studio. I guess I had fallen into the trap of listening to media hysteria about the breed rather than judging from first hand experience. It didn't take meeting many pitties before I realized that the media should be talking about their big HEARTS and not their big heads or big mouths. I realized these dogs are lovers - not fighters! I'm excited to meet a whole new bunch of pups with big square heads, even bigger smiles and wild, wiggily tails! July is going to an incredibly fun month!
Online registration is now open for Save-A-Bull Sessions starting July 1st.
Lisa Asp, M.Photog., CPP (Certified Professional Photographer), is the owner and photographic artist at Tangerine House of Design, Edina MN. Tangerine House of Design specializes in studio portraiture of pets, kids, and families.
