I don’t know what could be better than to be gifted a portrait session with your best friend, especially for a friend as dearly loved as Duffy.

Duffy’s mom, Diane, contacted me because her husband was giving her a portrait session for her and Duffy, her 12 year old Border Collie, for her birthday. In our pre-session discussions we talked about the kind of session she wanted with Duffy and what she was hoping to get out of it. Diane chose an environmental session as she and Duffy spend most of their time together outdoors. She was hoping we could capture images that showed the relationship she and special boy share.

We also talked about her ideal location for Duffy’s portraits. In the end she selected her own lovely, twelve-acre property in Maine because it holds sentimental meaning for her. Since I was unfamiliar with the property, I suggested she send me a couple quick snapshots or cell phone images of her property before the session to help me pre-plan. There were so many great spots for photos, it was hard to choose!

We hiked the wooded trails and mowed green paths, posed by a waterfall splashing through the woods and in bright green ferns waving in the gentle, late spring breeze, and enjoyed the warmth of the late afternoon sun in the open fields. The weather kept us guessing throughout the entire session, constantly switching from bright blue skies to overcast with sprinkles, then back again. Honestly, it was a wonderful way to spend a day… if only the hordes of mosquitoes buzzing around had left us alone.

I think these portraits capture their special relationship, especially Diane’s love for Duffy.

Diane selected a lovely 11×14 double matted, photographic print finished at 16×20 and a 16×16 quad print with four 5x7s matted finished, both in a simple black frame, as her final artwork to display in her home.

In the end, the real gift is the love and the memories you share with your best friend.

If you would like to talk about holding a portrait session for your dog, please get in touch.