52 Project - Indoors

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.

This weeks theme is Indoors.  Since Spring has finally sprung in the Cincinnati area, and it is now staying lighter later, I have a lot more options available for inside shots!

The light at dinner was so pretty I had to grab my camera and take a few photo's of Buttercup.

Someone in my house (I will not mention his name), is bad about feeding the dogs from the kitchen table.

Check out more Indoor shots by clicking on Chicagoland's Grace Wears Fur and follow the blog circle until you end up back here!

If you would like to schedule your own indoor/outdoor session contact me at carol@carolloceyphotography.com.

52 Project - Repetition

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.

This weeks theme is "repetition".  It took me a few days to figure out how I wanted to represent this theme.  As I was driving home one evening, I noticed a freshly blacktopped parking lot with bright yellow lines.  Bingo!

So I brought Buttercup down to the parking lot and tried lots of various angles and perspectives.  This one is by far my favorite.

My trusty assistant (my husband Dan) noticed a grouping of telephone poles at one end of the lot.  This time we parked Lucy for the pose.   She's going to give Buttercup a run for her money with this modeling thing.

Follow the circle blog by clicking on my fellow Beautiful Beastie photog and dear friend, Shelley Castle Photography of Washington, D.C.   "Repeat" until you end up back here!

To schedule a spring session contact me at carol@carolloceyphotography.com.

52 Project - Rural

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.

The theme for this week's 52 Project is rural.   Since I already used the beautiful grassy field for the Re-visit theme,  I wanted to try someplace new and different.   One location I had not been to in decades was the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail.  This follows the original route that the Little Miami Railroad ran in 1937.  The entire trail spans about 80 miles and follows the Little Miami Scenic River.  We did a small, small, small fraction of that!

We brought Lucy with us this week.  Lucy is Buttercup's sister and true litter mate.   Lucy has been showing her displeasure at being left at home a few times this week.   We thought it best to include her instead of coming home to more destruction.

It was an absolutely gorgeous morning and a few people were out jogging, walking and biking.  My girls enjoyed it so much.  I'm sure we will be back many times and on different legs of the trail.

One part of the trail goes past this beautiful property with a small pasture.  In the pasture was a stunning black horse that reminded me a lot of Lucy!

Enjoy more images of beautiful rural settings by clicking on fellow Cincinnati photographer, Suzi Pix Photography,  and follow the blog circle until you end up back here.

If you are interested in booking your very own rural session, contact me at carol@carolloceyphotography.com.

Gellie - just like any dog

I'd like to introduce you to Gellie, our temporary foster dog.  Gellie is on vacation with us while her "real" fosters are on a very well deserved vacation themselves.  She is approximately 6 years old and a hound/boxer mix.  The one very unique feature about Gellie is she was born with 3 1/2 legs.  Most people that see her for the first time, or hear about her leg will go "ahhhh".   And they feel sorry for her.

Don't feel sorry for Gellie because of her leg.  Gellie is just like any dog.  She plays with dogs 1/2 her size and dogs that are bigger.   

She can tear down the stairs at full speed ahead,

dart off into the backyard with my other hounds who have 4 fully functional legs.

When it's time to come in, she runs back up the stairs to chill out on the sofa.

And snuggle with her vacation foster dad.  She is a great snuggler.  Just like any dog.

Her 1/2 appendage has a soft pad and one nail which she keeps trimmed.  Mostly she does not use it, just for balance or when she gets tired.  She does use it when she is sniffing around the fallen trees in our backyard to brush away leaves and branches to try and catch a whiff of mouse or bunny or whatever.  Just like any dog, Gellie loves to snort around in the brush for little critters.

Gellie loves playing.  A lot!  She is very good with our little Basset mix baby and will roll onto her back so he can climb on her and pretend he is a big guy.   She is best buddies with our Beagle mix boy.  The could go on forever with their rough housing.  We sometimes have to boot them outside they get so crazy!

As I said before, don't feel sorry for Gellie.  If you must, then the reason should be due to her leg she has been overlooked at every adoption event.  No one even wants to get her out of the crate for a test walk.   Gellie waits patiently and quietly while all manner of craziness goes on around her.  Gellie calmly waits.  Waits to go back to her foster home.   And just like any dog, Gellie would love to go to a real home for the rest of her life, where her family will love and care for her; play with her and appreciate how very unique she is.  Just like any dog.

Gellie is available for adoption through Louie's Legacy Animal Rescue (www.louieslegacey.org).  

52 Project - Urban

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 was very excited about this weeks challenge...Urban!   I normally shoot in wooded or grassy situations so this was something new and different for me.   We live in Milford, a small town that is a suburb of Cincinnati. It is not a traditional "urban" setting,  but it is very historic with beautiful old stone buildings, unique store-fronts and a small home-town feel.   We do have more than 1 traffic light in case you were wondering!

It was overcast and chilly, but Buttercup was a champ and modeled perfectly (as usual).  We started out at Ms. Cheri's Donut Shop where Buttercup was provided (bribed) with a donut hole. She loved it!  Then it was off to explore the mean streets of Milford, Ohio (aka: Mayberry). 

I've had an image in mind for a while and was hoping I would get to execute it.   I have to admit that I'm in love with this shot!

Buttercup was on a leash and secured the entire time.  There's no way I would put her, or any dog,

in danger for a photograph.

Dad taking Miss B window shopping.

Buttercup always supports locally owned businesses.

For more Beautiful Beasties urban photo's click on Blue Amrich Pet Photography and follow the blog circle until you get back here!

Contact me If you'd like to schedule your own photo session in beautiful, Historic Milford.

52 Project - Re-shoot, re-edit, re-visit

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.

For this weeks challenge we were tasked to re-visit an image we had previously done and re-shoot and re-edit.   As you grow and learn as a photographer, your editing style most likely changes and your eye definitely sees things differently.

This image is one I took of Buttercup when I was just starting out with a DSLR camera and made the decision to specialize in pet photography.   I still love this image but on that particular day, the sun was hidden behind clouds and it was gloomy.  I wanted to capture the fall colors in the background but the colors did not pop and the lake looked blah.   Buttercup was working her "stare off into the distance" pose.   I have noticed that I tend to shoot somewhat off kilter and this image shows that!

Since it's finally coming into Spring, I don't have the fall colors to work with.  I do however have a wonderful grassy field across the road from my subdivision.  I have been wanting to take Buttercup there since her coloring lends well with the beautiful wild grasses.

Not a duplicate, but I love the lighting, colors and the fact that I did get her to look at me in one image!  She has perfected her "stare off in the distance" look!

For more interesting re-visit's click on my fellow Cincinnati photographer,  Suzi Pix Photography, and tour the blog circle until you end up back here.

If you are interested in booking a session, there are a limited number of spring sessions available!  Contact me to find out more information!

52 Project - Circles

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.

This weeks theme is "circles" and I was having a tough time finding inspiration.   We have had a couple of really, really, really nice days so I herded the 4 dogs outside to enjoy the sun and warmth.  Of course I followed behind with my camera.   Then Miss Buttercup provided just what I needed.

I truly believe that, more and more, she's tuned in to what I'm thinking and feeling.   At just the right moment, she climbed on this pile of logs and provided me with the inspiration I was looking for.   She is my inspiration; my heart.

Follow the blog circle by clicking on Raleigh pet photographer, InBetween the Blinks to see more amazing inspirations of our circle theme!

52 Project - Action

There is always lots of action going on at the Locey house especially with 4 dogs and 3 cats! The Beautiful Beasties 52 Project theme this week is...Action!!   We've had a couple decent breaks in weather, (okay actually it's just been barely tolerable).  So, I ventured out with all 4 during those tolerable times and let them run off some energy.

Peanut Butter loves sneaking up on his siblings.  With his short stubby legs it really is the only advantage he has.  Especially against leggy Lucy.

Lucy is quick to respond!

Peanut Butter knows Jethro is pre-occupied by all manner of backyard, woodsy smells.  So Jethro beomes another unsuspecting target

All Buttercup wants to do is chew on a stick.  Is that really too much to ask? Apparently so in the Peanut's mind.  Peanut Butter may not have Ninja moves, but he has moves.

Then it really just becomes a blurry free-for-all of running, flying ears, craziness and fun.  

And the only action that Buttercup really wants to take part in, is the climb of the steps leading to the warmth of her sofa.

For more action packed photo's click on Share the Joy Photography in the San Francisco Bay area  and follow the blog circle until you return back here!

52 Project - Texture

After taking the past couple of weeks off, I really wanted to get back in the swing of things.   This weeks theme for the Beautiful Beasties blog circle is Texture.    I absolutely adore the texture in animals fur.   Short hair, long hair, smooth coated, and those of the scruffy variety.    I love every type of fur texture from big and puffy, to velvet coated, soft-as-bunny-fur.

My Buttercup happens to have short and slightly coarse.   Her fur is not plush, but so fine you can see her spotted skin underneath.  To me, it's very unique and beautiful.

I also love the textures that Mother Nature provides.   In the Greater Cincinnati area, like many others, winter has been brutal and never ending.   Fortunately, we had a couple days of moderate temperatures; almost enough to melt the mounds of snow.   Tho' there are still piles of snow around!    My backyard is full of wonderful textures that are a candy store for the senses.   Buttercup and her canine siblings, love exploring each season.  I've always said that Buttercup is a Southern girl and prefers the hot summers.   I did manage to convince her to explore with me a little this week.

Finally this week, I want to share a texture that I find seductive and fascinating.  That is the texture of light.  Light creates so many moods, can make you look soft and beautiful; then harsh and hard.  Light can help to tell a story like no other texture.   It can make, or break, an image.  A Photographers mission is to "find the light".  Sometimes though, the light finds you and you have to be ready to capture it in a split second.

52 - Project: Favorite Song

This week for my Beautiful Beasties 52 weekly project, we were given the theme, Favorite Song.  I really cannot pick just one song since my musical tastes run the gamut from Bubble Gum pop (what can I say I'm a child of the 60's/70's) to Country, Oldies, Big Band and even some Rap.  

I decided I would choose my favorite album cover, which has to be Bruce Springsteens' Born in the USA.  Buttercup is certainly "The Boss" in our house!  

Tired of Buttercup getting all the attention, Wilson demanded equal time this week.

Not quite the iconic pose, but he can have tempermental, rock star moments. 

For more Favorite Song images, click on Dallas, Texas photographer Field and Ranch Photography and continue the loop until you end up back on my blog page!

52 Project - A day in the life

This week's theme for my Beautiful Beasties, project 52 is "A day in the life".   This sounded simple enough; grab your camera and capture images of your every day.  However,  I have a full-time job out of the house and when I wake up it's dark and when I get home it's almost dark; this was a lot more challenging than I initially thought.   So, my images are compiled over a few days, but still represent one typical day in my life with my pets.

I've chosen to group my images as one board since they can pretty much be what is going on at any given point in the day.  As you notice in quite a few, Buttercup is napping.  This is her most favorite past time of all and she is really, really good at it!   In one image you will see a lump under a blanket.  Buttercup loves to burrow under the blanket, in what I assume is an attempt to keep warm.   I've even seen her take a blanket in her teeth and try to re-position it over her body.  It's so cute and one of the many reasons I love her so much.

You'll see our morning routine of assembly-line feedings of 4 dogs and 3 cats.  My husband and I have gotten this down to a science and minimal amount of time consumption.  And speaking of my husband, you'll see Buttercup having snuggle time with her dad.

Of course, there is the proverbial "let dogs out" and "let dogs in" as every dog owner is very familiar with.   With the Arctic Vortex we have been living through the past week, the dogs haven't spent much time outside.  They pretty much do their "business" and come straight inside.  Until 10 minutes later when they think they want to go back out.

They do play inside and they have their chewies to keep them occupied.  I can tell that they are getting cabin fever like their mom and dad.  We can't wait until the temps get out of the danger zone so we can take them to our local Nature Park in Cincinnati for a morning romp in the woods.

So there you have it folks, a typical day in the Locey house with Buttercup and her brothers and sisters.  Not too exciting, but it's a dance we are all comfortable and happy to live out.

Check out more day in the life's starting with Khanya Photography of Hudson Valley, NY.  You will continue visiting everyone's blog until you end up back here!!

52 Project - Joy

Week 2 for my Beautiful Beasties 52 weeks project is "Joy"!  The past week was mostly just stinkin' frigid and it was difficult to find much joy when temperatures were in the minus category!  Especially for my Buttercup who is a Southern girl through and through.  She is a warm weather hound and does not think much of anything below 60 degrees.

This is my "joy"; my sweet Buttercup, curled up sleeping on the sofa in her little hot pink sweater.  Sometimes her tail lays over her nose. Here she is resting her nose on her tail.  Watching her sleeping, knowing she trusts me completely to care for and love her.  This is my joy.

The one who truly experienced joy in this weather is Buttercups' adorable little brother....Peanut Butter!  (Peanut Butter is a 9 month old Basset mix.  He is dog #4 and Failed Foster #2 for us).  Before the deep freeze we had our first significant snow fall.  Peanut Butter loved it!   He had so much fun running around chasing his brother Jethro   I think the look on his sweet little face is the epitome of Joy!

Take the Tour d'Joy by visiting Mary Siani of Mary Siani Photography's blog post http://www.marysianiphotography.com/project-52-joy-2014/

52 Project - Introduction

Greetings!   I'm so excited to be a part of this project for 2014.  I'd like to introduce myself.   I am Carol Locey of Carol Locey Photography.  I have been a photographer for a very long time (a really, really, really long time), but just started my business last year.

I specialize in classic, timeless and inspired photographic art of you and your pet.  I have been taking photo's for local animal rescues for over 2 years and I love being a part of helping to place a dog or cat into a loving, furever home.

I have 4 rescue dogs and 3 rescue cats of my own.  For this project I will be featuring Miss Buttercup!

Buttercup is a 3 year old American English Coonhound mix.  We adopted her and her sister, Lucy, in February of 2011.   They are the reason I am now specializing in pet photography.

I can't wait to see where this project takes us in 2014!

Please visit Judy Babinski of Dog Biscuit Photos, Dallas TX: http://blog.dogbiscuitphotos.com/?p=1094

Well, hello there!

I can't believe it's been over a year since I last posted.  So many wonderful things have happened in the past 12 months it will take multiple posts to share with you.   I want to start off with a photo session I had the priviledge of experiencing this past Friday at Highland County Humane Society.   

I went there mainly to photograph Dan the Coonhound who became a social media sensation after his story appeared on Facebook a couple of weeks ago.  Dan has resided in the shelter for 10 of his 14 years.   Sounds appalling for a dog to live almost 75% of his life in a shelter but there is more to his story than I will get into here.  Suffice it to say that I know for certain Dan is well loved and cared for and would not be alive today if Highland County Shelter had not pulled him out of the high-kill pound.  However, the staff want him to experience a real home in the winter of his life.

The happiest part of his story is he has a pending adoption with a wonderful family! 

Seeing as how popular he is, it's natural for Dan to have lots of buddies.  

Here are just a few I had the priviledge of meeting and photographing. 

Reagan is an 8 year old hound mix and has the best ears!  

I think she could get a job directing the family traffic flow.  What do you think?

I met Max next.   Max is an older gentleman, they think around 8 years old.  

He is a Boxer mix and has striking coloring; even his distinguished gray muzzle. 

Max showed me a really neat trick!  Not only can he touch his nose with his tongue, he can complete cover it!

He also told me his favorite song is "Roar" by Katy Perry.  Can you guess why?

Max is waiting for someone who can appreciate all of his talents. 

Sweet little Ethel was up next for her glamour shots.   She was certainly ready for her close up!

A mini schnauzer, she would be the perfect lap dog.  She already has the sofa thing down! 

Miss Daisy is the newest resident.   She was found tied up outside the shelter when the staff arrived one day last week.   Young and full of life, Daisy would love to have an active family with kids who will provide a loving home that she so deserves.

Molly is a stunner!   With legs that go on forever and ears that would love to hear sweet nothings.   She is a Blue Tick Coonhound...come on you Tennessee alumni!   Show your school spirit, adopt Molly and teach her some football moves!

Last, but certainly not least, are Sissy and her mom Daisy.   Both girls are AmStaff mixes.  Yes, they are pitbulls, pitties, pibbles, what have you.   They are both sweet as can be and like any Terrier, are full of life and energy. If you haven't experienced sloppy pibble kisses they are the best!   Sissy is about 3 years old and a total tub of goo.    So, I put her in a totally pink tutu to go with her sweet gooiness.   She is rockin' the tutu!

Just between you and me, I think Sissy could be a Can-Can dancer!    (Don't tell her mom I said that though)

And mama Daisy, who is about 4 and doesn't look a thing like her daughter.  

She is a little more petite but still has still a lot of love to give.     

Sissy and mama Daisy are looking for a home to be placed in together.  

They have a special mother/daughter bond. 

All of these precious dogs are available for adoption through Highland County Humane Shelter in beautiful Hillsboro, Ohio

September...really?!

I can look at the calendar and see that it is officially September, but I can't seem to wrap my mind around that.   August blew by like an unexpected summer storm.   We went on vacation, to Seabrook Island, S.C., but that seems eons ago.

I am now less than 2 weeks away from the first ever Louie's Legacy Community event, Race to Rescue.  And I am the volunteer Event Chair.   I have to not look too closely at what that entails or I will start hyper-ventilating.  Seriously.    I feel like so much has been put into place, but there is so much more to organize.  I want this to be a huge success for Louie's.  I want this for all the animals that are counting on Emily and her army of volunteers who dedicate their hearts week after week, day after day, hour after hour.  And, selfishly, I want this for me because everything I've ever organized has been a success.   Deep down I know there will be things that could be done better, but right now, it's the best I can do.   So, we'll see.

If you have the afternoon open on Saturday, Sept. 15th from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m; come on out to Kennel Resorts in Milford.   Bring your dog (on a leash please), and bring a couple of extra bucks to donate, or buy a raffle ticket, or take a chance on split the dog bowl.   If you are not able to come, then tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers.   It may not be the most perfect event, but we're going to have fun!

Redemption

I truly believe that all things,, good and bad, happen for a reason.  Luna's death was a really, really bad thing that profoundly affected me.  Luna was not mine; I did not live with her on a daily basis.  Did not wake up with her bright, smiling face; did not go to bed with her soft breathing next to me.  She was my kids dog and I felt a deep connection with her.

When I paid a visit to Louie's Legacys adoption event that one Saturday in June; I was only expecting to talk to some people about a community event I am helping organize and maybe take some photo's of new rescues.   I wasn't expecting to stay as long as I did.  I never do.   I love, love, love spending time with the rescues and hopefully showing them that some humans are kind and compassionate.   They were expecting a transport from Michigan.  A bulldog mix that had been adopted out last fall but somehow ended up in a pound.  His microchip was still registered to Louie's and they tried several times to contact the family with no success.  They had a relay to transport him back to Cincinnati.   I was still there when he arrived and his markings reminded of Grace, another dog up for adoption.  Then I noticed Luna's foster family making over him.   And he cocked his head just so and I saw Luna.   Then it hit me.  Is this Luna's brother?, I asked.   Yes, he's Luna's brother.   Oh my.   I knew my son and his wife were starting to think about adopting another dog.  I knew they were looking at puppies.  That were female.  But, I felt if I didn't tell them about "Eagle", they would be upset.  So I took a photo of him and it was almost identical to the last photo I took of Luna...posted in my last blog posting.   3 days later, after visiting him and introducing him to Jack Jack, they committed to adopting him.    

Some people would say I'm crazy for what I'm about to say.   But, I know Luna guided her brother into the arms of her mom and dad who so desperately missed her.  They called her Luna Bear so Eagle became Koda...brother bear.   Some things just fall into place.  Or they appear to.

Incredible April

There has been so much going on in April; I can't wait to tell you about it!

First and most importantly, I photographed 3 incredible rescue dogs:  Bernard the adorable Bassett mix; Kipling the beautiful and goofy Husky mix; and finally Gable the sweet and sad Sharpei (?) mix.  All of these dogs are available to adopt through Louie's Legacy in Cincinnati.  I just posted photo's under my Adopt section so take a look at these gorgeous dogs that are just waiting for the perfect family.

Secondly, my husband, daughter and son-in-law went to Cumberland Falls State park for their annual Photo Weekend competition.   This consists of taking photo's of nature related subjects within the park and surrouding areas (3 county restriction).   Time line is approximately 30 hours from 6:00 am Friday morning and digital images need to be turned in by 6:00 pm Saturday night.  There are a number of different categories including scenic, wildflowers, animals, forest floor, wet & wild, and abstract in nature.  You are limited to 6 images to submit in any/all categories.   The last and only time I did this was in 1990 when I went with my dad.   There were a bunch of people from Cincinnati and a lot of my dads customers from his camera store.   I ended up winning 1st and 3rd in the "fauna" category in the amateur division.   I remember my dad being so proud.  :)    This year my son-in-law took an Honorable Mention for Wet & Wild and I ended up taking 3rd place in Wet & Wild in the amateur division!   I know my dad is still proud of me.

 

Lastly, I went with the Ohio Valley Camera Club to Raptor Inc. in Milford for a photo shoot of their Raptors.   This is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving, healing and rehabilitating injured birds of prey to release back into the wild.  Some of the injuries these birds sustain are too severe to be able to release and these have become their education birds for school programs, etc.  These were the birds we photographed.  I was not sure what to expect but was so excited when I saw how close up we were going to experience these beautiful creatures!   They brought out birds, one by one, and set them on a perch with a background of trees and shrubs.  We photographed hawks, owls, a peregrine falcon and a turkey buzzard.  

 



I'm excited for what's to come in the months ahead.  Hope you will go there with me!

Winter Bliss

This past Sunday, I did another photo shoot for Louie's Legacy adoptees at Petsmart in Mason, Ohio.  While I was waiting for Emily from Louie's to arrive, I noticed a little boy was walking Laila on a leash in the store.  Laila was a little, scruffy mop that I photographed a few weeks ago.  She was older and in poor health, and it turns out she needed to be on expensive medication for the remainder of her years.  Emily was not hopeful that Laila woud be adopted for all the reasons listed.    However, I saw the mom of the little boy and asked if they were adopting Laila which she confirmed.   She stated they recently had an elderly dog pass away that they had only had for 7 months.   She went on to say they were partial to the older adoptee's since there wasn't much chance of them being adopted.  They realized Laila's years (or months) were few but they wanted to make sure she lived the rest of her life well loved and cared for.  They made a choice to bring this little dog into their home, not based on beauty and breed, but on her heart and soul and their immense compassion.   I've been incredibly humbled and inspired by this family.

I had a wonderful time photographing 9 amazing dogs and one gorgeous cat.   One little dog, Cupcake, was particularly special to me.   Cupcake is a little Chihuaha with only 3 legs.   She had been hit by a car as a stray and hard as they might to save the leg, they ended up having to amputate.  Turns out this was more of a blessing for Cupcake than they thought.   She was cranky and snippy when she had the bad leg.   After the leg was removed, they said her demeanor changed.  She was happy and more mobile than with the leg.  It certainly did not stop her from hamming it up for the camera!

I feel so lucky to be able to photograph these amazing animals and hopefully, find them a permanent family to take them into their hearts.   It makes me appreciate my two girls (and three cats) even more.  I wish I was able to take more in and/or foster, but that is not possible with the hours I'm gone during the day, especially when my husband travels out of town.   But, I can do this and that makes me very happy.    

I look forward to more photo sessions and maybe expanding to other organizations!   I'll keep you updated as my journey continues.