The Fair Family {Nashville Pet Photographer}

November 10, 2021 Heather Nelms

Meet The Fair Family…the humans are Deb, Rob, Ian and Deb’s mom, Ayako. I have gotten the pleasure of photographing this family before! Please check out their first session here: https://mandywhitleyphotography.com/blog/the-fair-family-nashville-dog-photographer

We did this session last fall at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park with there three super adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel pups!

First, we have Tug McGraw Fair, the newest addition to their family. He’s ten months old and a rescue from The Cavalier Rescue in Alabama. He’s a Blenheim (chestnut and white color) Cavi and was a breeder release because he wasn’t thriving. He is a bit of a peacock and 100% boy. A destroyer of toys, and he lives true to his namesake – he loves to play tug of war with his toys and his hoomans. He’s going to be another tiny like Chloe (keep reading). “Tug is keeping us active and he is just such a funny little man!”

Next, there is Lily James Fair, a nine year old ruby colored Cavi. She was adopted from the same rescue in Alabama as Tug. Lily was being sold along with her mate at a garage sale and as rescued. Thank goodness, as she would have died if not for Cavalier Rescue! She’s the hunter, Guardian of the Fair Galaxy and a tom boy. She often likes to leave her family members special gifts on their back porch and will have that innocent look in her eye – “Look at what I brought you. Don’t you like my gift?” The Fairs love that Lily is the “teacher” of the pack and keeps the other two in line.

Last but not least, Chloe Stella McCartney Fair is a five year old ten pound Princess Pawfect Ruby Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Yet another rescue from Cavalier Rescue in Alabama! “Chloe is our tiny but Mighty Cavi” (weighing only three pounds at five months of age!). She is a Guardian of the Fair Galaxy right along with Lily. Fortunately for the Fairs, she was rescued after being discarded by a puppy mill. Chloe is a total cuddle bug and is the one that senses when you need that special puppy love.

Each dog kept their first name that was given to them at the rescue. “I’ve always believed that the names the rescues gave them was for a reason.” The second name for each pup was after a celebrity. The Fairs love this breed so much, especially because they are so sweet, gentle, and they are little cuddle bunnies who always look like puppies.

Enjoy some of my faves from our session below!

~Mandy

Have pets you adore? Bring them 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!

Amy and Faulkner {Nashville Pet Photography}

September 30, 2021 Heather Nelms

This week on the blog are Amy and Faulkner. They might look familiar, as this is my sixth photo shoot with them, this time at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park. I am super excited because next week I will be photographing their seventh session during my Christmas tree farm minis! Amy - thank you for continuing to bring your sweet pup to me to photograph. I always look forward to our photo sessions! Please check out Amy and Faulkner’s very first photo session with me in 2014!

Faulkner is a German shorthaired pointer and he’s 10 to 11 years old now. It’s basically unknown, but he has lovingly been with Amy for 8 plus years now. Faulkner was named after William Faulkner.

Here is what Amy had to say about Faulkner: He LOVES tennis balls. Any ball really, but a tennis ball that bounces or squeaks, and he is smitten. He has one in reach at all times of the day and night. Rain and storms are his least favorite thing…it turns him into a bit of a Nervous Nelly. But outside of that, Faulkner’s zest for life the moment he sees a tennis ball, the way he looks at it…you just can’t help but smile along with him!

Faulkner is a rescue, from a breed-specific rescue, Southeast German Shorthair Pointer Rescue.
Amy calls the breed “velcro dogs”, and have what she calls an on/off switch. They go at full speed until they just fall down and nap, which is how she describes how she lives her own life. Sounds like a perfect match to me!

Another cool thing about this breed is their natural instincts as a bird dog. “When he was younger he would flush and point, and it was so cool to see those instincts take shape! He is my first bird dog but will not be my last for sure!”

There is still one mini spot open at Smith Park on 10.10.21 and one on 11.6.21. Click here to book: https://book.usesession.com/i/-nPwGR6wF

~Mandy

Contact a Dog Photographer in Nashville

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!

How To Take Great Pet Photos With Your Phone {Guest Post by Abi Pennavaria}

April 16, 2020 Heather Nelms

Want to share great photos of your pet, but a professional photo session is out of the question due to social distancing? You can certainly still get some pretty good shots just by using your phone! Here are some tips that can help you get the best phone pic possible:

Lighting

Making sure you have good lighting is important. The better the lighting, the clearer the picture! In low light, the shutter on a camera has to be open longer to capture enough light to make the picture visible. This causes it to record everything that happens while the shutter is open, which makes pictures blurry. Better lighting allows the shutter to operate faster preventing blurring from any movement of your pet as well as any handshake. Using the flash is not a good substitute; the shutter will still move slowly, and the flash will wash the picture out.

Get Low

When positioning yourself to take pictures of your pet, get down low. By getting down eye level or even slightly lower, you get the best angle of your pet, and gives you the chance to get a great background if you are outside.

Practice Sitting Still

Getting your pet to sit still may not always be the easiest thing to do. Training your dog in a solid “stay” or “place” command will really come in handy when it comes to getting the perfect shot. When you practice this command, it can open up the opportunity for some great posed shots. Practicing these commands prior to your photoshoot can help ease any frustration when trying to get your pet to hold still for pictures.

Bribe Your Pet

To get your pet’s most expressive face, get his favorite treat or favorite toy and get him excited with it. This is also where a good “stay” and “leave it” command may come in handy. If you want him to look directly at the camera, tap or wave the treat or toy right above the lens on your phone.

Framing

Framing is simply how you set up your photograph. For example, when taking photos from a distance, remember the rule of thirds. Instead of putting the subject of your photo (your pet) in the center, divide the photos into thirds. Then position your pet in one of the side thirds of the picture. Something about the way the human brain is wired makes this set-up more aesthetically pleasing.

Backgrounds

You can take a picture anywhere, but if you want to really get a good photo, try for an outside backdrop. Whether it be warm or snowy, take advantage of the beauty of nature. Not to mention, natural light is the best lighting.

Action Shots

Does your pet love to jump into a pile of leaves, climb trees, or jump into the pool? Whatever it may be, stand at the ready and get some action shots! Not all phones have the capability to do this, but if your phone has the option for burst photos, this will be your best bet to get the perfect picture!

Candid Photos

While posed photos are great, candid photos can also come out looking pretty fantastic. You may even end up catching a silly face. Taking photos while your pet is yawning or trying to catch a ball or treat can result in some pretty entertaining shots. Capturing a genuine candid moment can really help depict the true personality of your pet.

Even if you only have a phone to take your pictures, don’t let that discourage you from getting the best photo you can. All it takes is a little practice and a cute pet… yours!

Abi Pennavaria is a dog mom, avid veterinary volunteer, and co-author of the Saved By The Bark dog blog. She enjoys sharing tips and tricks for volunteers and animal lovers through thoughtfully researched blog posts and vet games.

Thanks Abi for all your great tips and insight!

Mandy