Project 52 - Introductions

January 02, 2015 by Carol Locey

Happy New Year! 2015 is upon us and I, for one, am so happy that 2014 is behind us.

Our very first blog post of the year for Beautiful Beasties Network is Introductions. So, I'd like to introduce you to myself, and more importantly, to my 2 dogs that you will be seeing a lot of in the coming weeks.

I am Carol Locey of Carol Locey Photography. I've lived in Cincinnati, Ohio my entire life. I'm married to my wonderful husband, Dan, coming up on 35 years. I have two children, Emily and Chas, and an incredible daughter-in-law, Sarah. They have pets of their own so you may be seeing them from time to time as well.

For those that don't know, my husband and I experienced a devastating house fire last June. 6 of our 7 pets died in the fire and our house was totally destroyed on the inside. We are still currently living with our daughter until our house is rebuilt. We are hoping that will be in the next 2 - 3 months. Believe me, you will know when that happens!!

And now, I'd like to introduce you to my 2 precious dogs, Lucy and Huck.

First off is Lucy, the only surviving pet from our fire. She is our miracle. We don't know how she survived but we thank God everyday that she did. Lucy is 4 years old and so very sweet. Her favorite past time is herding squirrels.

We recently added Huckleberry "Huck". A 10 month old Beagle mix boy. Also a rescue from Louie's Legacy. We were not planning on adding another dog to our family until we were back home. But when we met Huck, it was just meant to be. He was exactly what all of us needed to help with our healing. He is a goofy little guy that loves to snuggle and play with his big sister.

Together, they love to do what hounds LOVE to do...smell all the smells!

There you have it! I hope you will follow me, and the other wonderful pet photographers, as we take on weekly photo challenges and blog about them.

Next on the blog circle is Denver, Colorado pet photographer, StinkDog photos. Just click their name and you will be traveling through our blog circle until you end up back here!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy new year filled with the love of your furry friend.

Project 52 - Family

December 05, 2014 by Carol Locey

After taking a break for the past two weeks due to travel and the Thanksgiving holiday, I was really itching to get back to the blog!

This week's theme is family. If you are really lucky, like I am, you were able to spend Thanksgiving surrounded by family and loved ones. This year was very different for me. It's the first Thanksgiving without my mom, without our dogs and cats that perished in our fire, not living in our home and the very first Thanksgiving dinner in a restaurant.

But, I consider myself to be very blessed and I'm grateful for my family who has provided support, love and a home to live in these past 5 months.

This Thanksgiving is also different for my Lucy and Huck. It's Lucy's first Thanksgiving without her sister (and brothers) and also not in her home. For Huck, it's his first Thanksgiving ever. And I'm so happy he is spending it with us, a family that loves him so much; instead of in a cold, scary shelter.

I thought it was fitting for the photo's in this week's blog to include the dog family that is no longer with us. And to include Huck who makes our family complete again. The composite I've included in the photo's was created and gifted to me by a very dear friend, Jen Powell, who is the Ohio Volunteer Foster Coordinator for Louie's Legacy Animal Rescue, the rescue I work with and where we have adopted all of our dogs the past 4 years. I will treasure this gift forever.

After much cajoling and handing out of treats, I finally was able to get a shot with Huck. He looks like the typical kid in a family photo, who does not look happy at being made to sit still!

Please click on Khanya Photography of Poughkeepsie, NY and continue clicking through all the posts to meet everyone's family!

52 Project - Fun time!

June 13, 2014 by Carol Locey

Beautiful Beasties is an online resource and forum for professional pet photographers where we can share and learn from each other. 52 Project is a group that is provided a different theme each week to stretch and grow our creative minds.

I've been out of the 52 Project for a couple of weeks now. We've had a lot going on and as much as I wanted to, I just have not had the time or opportunity for the weekly themes. I've missed being a part of the blog circle big time!

This weeks theme is "Fun Time"!! We have had a lot of rain this week and I was worried I wouldn't be able to get the pack outside to make some fun. But, the skies cleared in the nick of time and what better way to engage in summer fun time than...BUBBLES!!

Lucy and Buttercup have played with bubbles before, but it's been a long time. This was the first experience for Jethro and Peanut Butter.

At first, Peanut Butter was intrigued. But when the bubbles started touching and popping on him, he got a little freaked out. Silly Peanut Butter.

Surprisingly, Jethro was not a big fan. At all.

Lucy is by far the biggest bubble fan. She really enjoyed chasing and biting after them. And waiting for more!

After a while, Buttercup became bored and just watched the shenanigans from a safe perch.

I must thank my daughter, Emily, and husband, Dan, for being the bubble makers for this session!

To see more of the fun times theme click on my good friend Kathryn Schauer Photography and keep following the blog circle until you end up back here!

If you'd like to schedule your own custom session contact me at carol@carolloceyphotography.com. We will have our own fun time!

52 Project - Angles

May 09, 2014 by Carol Locey

Angles is the theme of the week. This makes me think of Old European paintings with stairs and doorways cast in deep shadows with stark highlights. It also make me think of modern architecture with sharp lines.

I have nothing like either one!

I went with different perspectives in my images. Not necessarily through light and dark, but with point of view angles. So, in the photo above, I peaked around a tree trunk to get a surprise angle on Buttercup.

I stood directly over Peanut Butter and shot down in the next image. I got him to look up at me while holding the chewy toy they were all playing with moments earlier.

I'm so interested in seeing everyone else's interpretation of angles this week. Click on Portland, Oregon's For the Love Pet Photography and continue clicking on the links until you return here!

Contact me to schedule your custom session, carol@carolloceyphotography.com.

52 Project - Doors

May 02, 2014 by Carol Locey

This week it was my turn to choose the theme of our project! I picked doors because I kind off have a thing for doors. No matter where we go I'm always taking photo's of doors and gates. Aged, worn wooden antique doors; peeling painted vintage doors; rustic barn doors; massive iron doors; it doesn't matter to me. I love doors! To me they represent unknown possibilities and adventures. You never know what is on the other side of a closed door.

This week, I'm introducing Jethro, our Beagle-mix boy. He is not as used to modeling as Buttercup and I don't think he is quite the modeling diva like she is. But, he is still a very handsome boy!

I have images of two very different types off doors. The first, with Jethro, is my own front door. Very traditional.

I love the color and symmetry of my urns on either side. And I love the simplistic formality.

The next door is the complete opposite. It is the door of the rustic barn that belongs to the original farmhouse on the property where our subdivision was built.

Even though I love my front door, I have to admit this is my favorite for a backdrop. You can't beat the texture, patina and overall scenic value this provides. It certainly showcases Buttercups beauty!

I could post lots more photo's of Buttercup and this rustic barn door, but I also want to see what's next on the blog circle! So lets click on Windsor Ontario Pet Photographer, Candid K. Nines, and keep following the door blog posts back here.

To book a session incorporating your own front door, contact me at carol@carolloceyphotography.com.