Jen, Vanessa and their Pets {Nashville Pet Photography}

Meet Jen and Vanessa with their pet crew on the blog today! This fun winter session was taken at their beautiful home in Thompson’s Station. Jen and Vanessa have three dogs (all golden retrievers) and one cat who is possibly part ragdoll, and is a rescue from the humane society in Fort Lauderdale.

The three sweet pups are named Beaux, Rye, and Hank. Beaux is 12 years old and got his name as a play on LSU’s mascot, the tiger, which people often say “Geaux (Go) Tigers”. Side note, Vanessa played softball at LSU and is a HUGE LSU sports fan…so it’s fitting! Rye is two years old and is named after the couple’s mutual love for Rye Bourbon. The cat’s name is Mason and he is seven years old. Both Hank (three years old) and Mason (their cat) seemed like the perfect southern gentlemen names.

When I asked what Jen and Vanessa what their pet family loved the most and liked the least, their response for each were as follows:

Beaux: Most - ALL Food. Least - Baths.

Hank: Most - His Girlfriend Maisy, the neighbor’s dog who he runs the fence line with. Least: wearing sweaters.

Rye: Most - Affection from his moms. Least - being left alone.

Mason: most - wet food snacks. Least - his brothers barking! 

I also asked the couple what their favorite things about their pets were: “Collectively, we love the joy our animals bring us. They make us smile and laugh and feel loved every single day.”

Individually they loved the following:

Beaux was their old faithful, predictable and chill in his old age.

Hank - is connected to them in the SOUL! They both believe Hank has some of their dog, Charlie, reincarnated in him. (He also gets away with the most)!

Rye - is their “love bug”, by far the sweetest and neediest boy they have.

Mason - a typical cat, only wants love on his own terms, but when he does it’s so genuine, it always makes us laugh.

The couple love the golden retriever dog breed because “they are so sweet and needy!” They love having them veg on the couch with them, but the dogs are also always up for adventures. “We love that what they want most in life is to be close to their people.” Hank and Rye are both rescued from Adopt a Golden Nashville.

I hope you enjoy all the sweet photos I got of this family!

~Mandy

Bring Your Pet to Your Family Photo Session!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!

Paws to Remember Vendor Spotlight with Maryglenn and Major {Nashville Dog Photographer}

This week on the blog is Maryglenn and Major. I actually just did this session at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, and a few days later Major passed away. It seems I have had a lot of clients doing end of life sessions throughout this past year, and Maryglenn is no stranger to the heartache the loss of a pet causes. It is no wonder we bonded (I see her at all the rescue events I photograph) with what she does as an animal advocate and because of what she does with her company, Paws to Remember. More about the great work she is doing in a bit but first let’s celebrate the life of sweet Major.

Major was an Old English Sheepdog and lived to the age of twelve and a half. His full name was Majordomo Billy Bojangles “Major” Warnock, named after a character in a Grateful Dead song, “Alabama Getaway”; character named Majordomo Billy Bojangles. (Maryglenn is a huge Deadhead).

When I asked what Major loved the most, Maryglenn responded “I honestly think it’s me.” (I have no doubt about that). He hated the garbage truck… “loathed, abhorred, and abominated the sound it made.” Her favorite things about him were that he is the sweetest dog and that his temperament was like a teddy bear. Her husband once described this cute dog as “nothing more than a bunch of wool wrapped around a big heart”, and Maryglenn thinks this is so accurate. “Major is pure love” and has been a faithful, loving and loyal companion. Maryglenn loves the Old English Sheepdog breed because they are smart, beautiful, fluffy, a little goofy, sweet, and so, so loyal.

Before Major, Maryglenn an Old English Sheepdog named Garcia. (Yes, after Jerry Garcia). The vendor spotlight is for her company Paws to Remember that formed after her precious Garcia passed away in 2011. “…nothing—absolutely nothing—could’ve prepared me for the anguish, the heartbreak, the profound, almost all-consuming sorrow of losing my beloved Garcia…Even in the depths of my grief, and even when I felt terribly alone, I knew I wasn’t the only one who had, or would, struggle so mightily after the loss of a pet. An idea began to form and while it took nearly 8 long years, I finally decided to do something about it.”

Working through the Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement, Maryglenn completed her certification to become a Pet Bereavement Counselor and spent time interacting with grieving owners and learning more about the pet aftercare industry. She also became an ordained minister and Pet Funeral Officiant. And then, Paws to Remember came to fruition. This is a pet aftercare business that serves grieving pet owners in their time of need. It provides such services as: pet memorial services, celebrations of life, and funerals; pet bereavement counseling on both a group and individual basis; and assistance in creating meaningful memorials and tributes.

Since conception, Maryglenn has eulogized and celebrated companion animals from cats to Chihuahuas, counseled owners who’ve just lost pets and those whose pets have been gone for years, talked to pet lovers, veterinarians, specialists, and business owners about loss, about grief, and about grace.

“My advice for anyone struggling with the loss of a pet is this: know that you’re not alone, know that what you are experiencing is normal—and know there is help available. Pain is normal and inevitable—but misery is optional. Even in grief, we can make a choice to dwell on the sadness and sorrow and let it torture us and rule our lives—or we can take steps to heal from it. Help is available.”

Please check out these sweet photos of Major and Maryglenn!  

~Mandy

Old English Sheepdog with owner at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park
Woman and Old English Sheepdog looking at camera in field
Woman walking her Old English Sheepdog
End of life photos with Old English Sheepdog and owner
woman giving her Old english sheepdog a kiss

Contact a Wedding Photographer in Nashville, TN!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!

Allison and Maude {Nashville Dog Photographer}

Boo! Happy Halloween everyone! I have some perfect photos to share for this occasion since Allison decided to do a session with Halloween costumes! How fun and adorable are these minions?!

Meet Allison and Maude, her 10-year-old English Sheepdog. Why Maude? Well, Allison just loves older generation human names for dogs. Maude may look big and tough, but she really is just a sweetie. The best part about her is her goofy personality, and that she tolerates Allison dressing her up for the holidays. Maude loves her treats, playing tug and going on car rides.

The photos here are from two different sessions, almost exactly a year apart. The Halloween minion session was from this year in October in their neighborhood and the photos with their regular outfits are from last fall at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park. Hope you love them!

~Mandy

sheepdog dressed up as minion
woman and dog dressed as minions
sheepdog on rocks
woman in blue dress with sheepdog
sheepdog photo with pumpkin

Have a dog you adore? Bring them to a photo session!

Mandy Whitley Photography is Nashville's premiere pet photographer. Mandy Whitley creates fun and playful photographs with pets and their people. She photographs portrait sessions, family sessions, couple portraits, and weddings - as well as just pets! To inquire about booking a photo session, contact Mandy!