Smile Like a Dog » outdoor studio

Grace: Beautiful Dog in Need of a Loving Home

Mark — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:19:10 +0000

Of all the BADRAP pit bulls and former Michael Vick dogs I’ve photographed over the last few weeks I have to say Grace is about the sweetest. She’s gentle, quiet, has a near-constant doggy grin and just received her Canine Good Citizen award. She also happens to be available for adoption (scroll down to learn more)

Like her friends Jonny Justice and Uba, Grace was rescued from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels and is going to be featured on a My Mutt poster at Pet Food Express. Join in and help us pick the winning shot. And please spread the word that Grace is looking for a good home. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please check out BADRAP and contact them for more details.

Grace

Grace on deck

So Inquisitive

Have you ever seen cuter ears?

This is what we call the can't-say-no-to-me look

Think how much she'll smile when she's adopted!

Victor

Mark — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:19:14 +0000

I was doomed to be completely smitten with Victor before I even met him. First, he’s a senior dog and second he’s a German Shepherd. That he happens to be sweet and good natured made for the perfect trifecta. Victor, who’s one of the elder statesmen for German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California , came to my outdoor studio for a My Mutt poster shoot last week and I can’t tell you how nice it was to have a GSD in my yard again.

Take a spin through the shots and let Victor know which one you think would make the best poster. Looking forward to your comments.

Meet Victor

Standing Tall

Happiest with dad

Our introspective side

This is very much my good side

I am a German Shepherd wth a job to do

I do have a nice smile

Not to mention my goofy side

No cavities here

Amazing Brown Eyes

Salt and Pepper Muzzle

Always concernd and on the job

Lucky Seven

Mark — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:43:47 +0000

The latest guest at my outdoor studio was a handsome boy named Seven. His photo shoot came courtesy of a wedding gift to his parents so they brought him over for his close-up earlier this week. Seven is a Manchester Terrier mix with great eyes and, once he warms up to you, a relaxed winning smile. Seven, your sneak peak is ready.

Romeo

Mark — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:14:25 +0000

It was a busy week in the outdoor studio. On Tuesday I had a visit from a handsome little devil named Romeo — a long-haired chihuahua who also happens to be a service dog. Romeo and his mom came buy for a little mini session (no chihuahua jokes, please) and he took to the camera like a duck to water. Romeo, your sneak peak is ready…

The Biz in His New Yard

Mark — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:46:53 +0000

Those of you who know my work understand I don’t really spend a whole lot of time in a traditional studio. That said, my wise and clever wife recently planted the suggestion of reconfiguring our backyard into an outdoor studio that I could invite clients to. Wow, talk about your great ideas.

Only one problem

Since we got him in early 2007, The Biz had taken what was once a pretty serviceable and low-maintenance backyard and converted it into a series of mulch piles. Einstein and Newton would be proud of the irresistible force that is Bizzy who, at only 15 pounds, managed to shift several cubic yards of very expensive pine mulch from an even 3-inch surface to a 3-foot slope against our neighbor’s fence. The rest of the yard pretty much looked like a moonscape.

We ended up working with a really great landscape architect from Redbud Design who came up with a beautiful plan designed to be beautiful and durable. The solution: fescue turf grass (virtually indestructible), some architectural amendments and cool Asian statuary we found at a great store in Berkeley.

The result is a peaceful little space with lots of durable turf for Bizzy to play on — not to mention a cool little guardian for all the little critters that visit us. Check it out…

New Arbor on the deck and, nope, it didn’t rain. That’s San Francisco summer fog

The Biz and his ever-present ball

Stop and smell the succulents

Oh give me a home with lots of room to roam…

My favorite part…the new Jizo statue. Jizo is traditionally a protector of kids, expectant mothers, firemen, & travelers. But I’ve decided to make him an honorary overseerer of pets as well.