The Taylor Family {Nashville Dog Photographer}

March 27, 2024 Heather Nelms

Meet the Taylor family on the blog this week! The Taylors became good friends last year when their little boy, Oliver, and Liam became buddies while playing T-ball together. I was so happy to get to photograph them with their sweet pup Henry.

Henry is an English Springer Spaniel and was about seven months old when these pictures were taken. Henry got his name after a king of England. The Taylor family decided they wanted an English name for their new pup because Rob is English. Also, their last pup was an English springer spaniel named Louis, after King Louis, so we kept with the tradition of an English King name.

Henry loves taking rides with in the car, especially because he definitely does not like it when he is left home by himself. He REALLY likes having his ears rubbed.

Jodee loves this breed of dog because they love people and other animals. “They are so sweet and kind and very playful and very loyal”. And they love to cuddle, which Jodee loves so much. “He will just sit in my lap and cuddle.” Oliver’s favorite thing about Henry is that he is always giving Oliver kisses and hugs. Jodee’s favorite thing about Henry is how he follows her around, makes her feel loved, his sweet face and all his wonderful markings on his legs. For Rob, it is how he snores. I think this dog has found the perfect family!

The leash and harness we used for the shots are from The Oxford Dog, a family-owned business that makes durable and fashionable dog leashes and collars. Hope you enjoy my favorite pics of our friends!

~Mandy

family in fall with english springer spanial

child laying on wooden bridge with dad and dog behind him

boy with english springer spaniel in fall

man on bridge with english springer spaniel

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!

Jen, Vanessa and their Pets {Nashville Pet Photography}

February 15, 2024 Heather Nelms

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

two women with two golden retrievers sitting on their porch

Bring Your Pet to Your Family Photo Session!

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

December 21, 2023 Heather Nelms

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