Memory in its technical terminology refers to the processes that are used to acquire, store, retain and then later retrieve information (https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-memory-2795006#:~:text=Memory%20refers%20to%20the%20processes,encoding%2C%20storage%2C%20and%20retrieval.).

This week’s blog post is about memories – first creating those memories by taking photographs of our loved pets – whether it’s a dog, cat, hamster, mouse, bird – doesn’t matter

It’s sad that our pets have a shorter life span then us humans, but the joy our pets give us during their lifetime make it worth it.  “Memory” can be referred to as the ‘sum total of what we remember’ and the more photographs you have the more memories you have created allowing you to look back and remember those great times.  We want to remember them in photographs so that we can look at them and remember them.

MAGGIE

Memory sessions with your pet are very important – I’ve done a few for people I know in the past and it has brought them joy to have those special photographs to provide memories of their pet.  Maggie, an older dog, used to go to the dog park with several others and when her health started failing, I took this photograph of her and gave it to her owner – such a wonderful moment to share – a wonderful memory and tribute to Maggie. 

Maggie, a senior black dogMaggie was a dog that was adopted as a senior.

Along the way a few others have asked for short memory sessions.  I always take the time to provide these – they are important to you and me.

DOLLY

I’m blessed that I have so many wonderful memories in photographs with my dogs.  My photography has grown leaps and bounds from these initial photographs many years ago - I am honored that Dolly played a big part in allowing me to begin my journey in dog (pet) photography.

Memories of our dog, DollyA collage of photos with memories of our dog, Dolly.

JIMBO

By the time Jimbo was entering our lives, I had completed several online photography courses that helped me improve greatly into the photographer that I am today along with several years of rescue dog photography provided mostly by Maxx and Me dogs.

Dog boating on Hillsborough RiverJimbo, dog, boating on the Hillsborough River

Floating down the Hillsborough river - Jimbo grew to enjoy boating on the river after a few initial trips.  Late afternoon sun, showing Jimbo and what he is seeing became a style I adopted for boat trips with our dogs.

Taken by my partner, Jim Vargas, on one of our vacations in the Carolinas.  Jimbo was a wonderful boy - he was easy to please and always stayed close by giving him the freedom to pose without a leash (no photoshop removal here!).  

Jimbo's trip to come live with us was special and Jim Vargas, my partner, created this video of his first year with us (it's a little long, but tells Jimbo's story) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPtZUPGU30Q . We also did a blog post when Jimbo's fifth anniversary with us came several years ago. https://www.vpshoots.com/blog/2017/10/celebrating-5-years-with-jimbo-our-potcake-dog-from-the-voiceless-dogs-of-nassau

We continue to make new memories with our current dogs, Abby, Rue and Ollie. 

Twin puppy sistersLitter mate little girls, Rue and Ollie Rue (left) and Ollie (right) as puppies shortly after they came to our house as foster puppies.  Little did I know that a year later they would still be in our foster care and we eventually adopted these twins (siblings).

Abby lounging on the 'dog' sofaDog snoozing on the sofa Abby sleeping on the loveseat in our office that our dogs seem to think it belongs to them.  Course, now it does - we got Abby as a young adult about 7 months old, but these photograph shows her beautiful face before any gray hairs started coming to her face.

Have you thought of having a memory session with your dog?  What are those little things about your dog you want to remember?  Make sure you capture those before you don’t have an opportunity to.  Memory don’t have to be ‘sad occasions’ – perhaps you want some great photographs of your dog while they are still a puppy – these are also wonderful memories to capture – and we can make this happen for you at VP Shoots Photography.

So – what are YOUR special memories?

Interested in a Pet Photography Session?

If you would like to discuss or book a custom pet portrait session, send an email to [email protected] or give us a call/text Linda at 813-610-2671 in the Tampa Bay area (Hillsborough/Pinellas/Pasco/Polk counties in Florida).  We have flexible rates and packages to fit most everyone’s budget as we believe that having wonderful photographs of your pet is important to so many people.

Blogging with Pet Photographers

This is a personal project that I try to participate in each week (as much as possible).  This post is part of a 'blog circle' which is with several other Professional Pet Photographers around the world.  Each week a different theme is provided to the group and we, as pet photographers, interpret the theme in our own way.  Follow the link provided at the end of each of my blogs to the next pet photographer's blog - and when you arrive back at my blog - you've completed the entire circle of blogs for this theme.  For more pet photographers sharing their take on this theme, head over to Canberra Pet Photographer Ina Jalil of Ina J Photography shares why she started her business in pet photography in loving memory of the loss of her dog.