This week's pet photography blog is about the 'golden hour'.  I guess technically, there are two golden hours each day.  In the world of photography, the golden hour is the period of daytime shortly after sunrise (the hour after sunrise) and the period of daytime before sunset (the hour before sunset).  This is a time when the sun is lower in the sky and passes through more of the earth's atmosphere causing daylight which is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky.  In photography, this provides nice 'golden light', hence the term 'golden hour'.  There are many outdoor photographers that only shoot during the 'golden' hours of the day.  However, a golden hour doesn't occur every day - there are cloudy, overcast, rainy, snowy, other types of days.  To limit photography to only the golden hours means you severely limit when you do photography.  Well, this week we have had a lot of those other types of days - with zero golden hour.  Or worse yet, the day we finally have a golden hour (and I am up, awake and functioning), I'm busy and can't do photography.

Last night we finally had a nice golden hour.  I met a young dog named Bella who is finding herself in need of a great forever home - I'm hoping she can find that perfect home that can handle a young, energetic dog.  She's a beautiful dog, but like many rescues, needs someone to work with her to help her learn how to be a great dog.

After our initial greeting from shy, scared, Bella - she began to settle down in her back yard - free to run around and have fun.  For this series of photographs, we did put her on a leash (removed by photoshop).  This is often how some of the photography sessions start, and it's fun to see the personality of each dog as it is captured.

Bella says - "So you want to take my photo? How about this?"

We look at Bella, I have to tell her that's not her best side to show - we need something better.  What else can you do for us Bella?

Bella? That's not nice - let's keep the tongue in and try for a big smile!

And there you have it, a beautiful big smile from Bella!  I knew she could do it - just a matter of my doing the correct sounds and having enough treats to keep her attention.

Here's a few more golden hour photographs of young Bella.

If you live locally and know someone that might be interested in Bella, please contact maxxandme.org to inquire about her!

For more pet photographers sharing their take on this theme, head over to visit Pawparazzi Pet and Animal Photography presented by Shae Pepper Photography and then head around the rest of the blog circle.

If you would like to book a custom pet portrait session, send an email to [email protected] or give us a call/text at 813-610-2671 in the Tampa Bay area (Florida).