Babette's birthday wish

August 07, 2015 by Carol Locey

In my experience, a birthday party for a 4 year old can get kind of crazy! So, when Babette came over to celebrate her 4th birthday I was expecting it to get pretty rowdy.

Especially considering that Babette is a dog.

Babette, or “Babs”, is a Boxer/AmStaf mix and was rescued by Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue in Cincinnati, OH. Babs is an extremely well behaved, self-controlled, wiggly ball of adorableness. Don’t get me wrong, Babs certainly was curious and wanted to explore everything. Like the cake…

We really did not have to worry about her tearing up her birthday photo set, or devouring her birthday cupcake. Babette’s most favorite thing in the whole wide world is to snuggle with her human friends. As her foster mom put it she is a “world class snuggler”. If that happens to be a human male friend then that is the icing on the cake for Babs. See, Babs is kind of a flirt and will make “googly” eyes at any man that provides attention to her. She also loves to run and play, (she is a Boxer mix don’t you know). She has the best time with her foster dog brothers and even enjoys the occasional foster puppy. Babette would prefer dogs her own size, which is about 45 pounds, or larger. Small dogs and cats are not really her cup of tea. Did I mention she loves men??!!! It’s almost a little embarrassing to her foster mom how brazen she is to get attention from men!

The only thing Babette would like for her birthday is to find her forever home. We don’t know why that hasn’t happened in the almost 2 years Babs has been in foster care with the Rescue. Her foster parents love her dearly, but want so much for Babs to have her very own family. Babs would need an owner that can establish firm boundaries and introductions to any other dogs in the household (remember no small dogs or cats for Babs). Ideally, her new family is very active and includes a man so Babs can get plenty of exercise and make googly eyes until the cows come home!!

Please join me in wishing Babette a “Happy Birthday” and spread the word that she is taking applications to meet potential adopters. (www.louieslegacy.org)

Now blow out your candle Babs…I hope your birthday wish comes true soon!!

Project 52 - Catchlights

November 14, 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.

It is now week 46 of this year long project! I have been on a self imposed hiatus from participating, due to a tragic house fire this past June. But, it's time to move forward and attempt to create a sense of normalcy in my life. Taking part in this weekly photo/blog project is a big step for me towards that end.

The theme for this week is catchlights. This is a term commonly used by photographers. For those of you not familier with it, Wikipedia's definition is: "Catch light or catchlight is a light source that causes a specular highlight in a subject's eye in an image." It's the "twinkle" in the eye and is really what brings life to a portrait. Be it human or pet.

There are many different ways to create catchlights. If the photographer is using artificial lighting, then the type of light diffuser or modifier she uses can affect the shape of the catchlight.

In Greater Cincinnati, summer is long gone and Autumn provided one last (we think) glorious weekend of weather. We headed out to Cincinnati Nature Center since the dogs love going there and smelling all the smells.

I decided to start breaking Huck in as my new little model. Let's just say he is a work in progress. This first image is how not to capture catchlights!

I was finally able to coax him to look at me. Since I wanted to capture natural catchlights from the sun, I made sure it was situated at my back. This would be critical if you want to capture natural catchlights in your subjects eyes.

Cute Huck with catchlights and derp face.

Click through the blog circle to check out everyones take on catchlights! Next up is MJ Photography!

52 Project - Fun time!

June 13, 2014 by Carol Locey

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 - Paws

May 23, 2014 by Carol Locey

This weeks theme for our 52 Project is Paws. I have multiple sets of paws with 4 dogs and 3 cats in my house! But, I concentrated on the dogs, all 4 this time. And, let me just say that I need a more powerful vacuum cleaner in my house after editing these images!

I used my macro lens and ring flash for this week's challenge. It was a challenge getting close enough for detail, while keeping muzzles out of my gear (and eyes away from the ring flash) and trying to keep the dogs in one place long enough!

Lucy had a last minute toenail injury as witnessed with the bandaged paw. Poor girl split her nail in half somehow. She tears down the deck steps so fast, I'm afraid she may have injured it in her eagerness to get after a squirrel. We took her to the vet immediately after discovering the injury and they were able to put it right. I love all the vets and staff at Milford Animal Hospital! Thank you all for keeping my babies healthy!

It's hard to tell, but Jethro knows how to "High 5" like nobodies business! Buttercup needs a pawdicure (like her mama) and Peanut Butter is the fuzzy, wookie paw in the upper left.

I love each and everyone of these paws.

For more pawsitively pawsome shots (sorry!) click on Hudson Valley, NY photographer, Khanya Photography and keep following the blog circle until you end up back here.

To book your very own custom session with Carol Locey Photography, contact me at carol@carolloceyphotography.com.