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The second annual Pints-n-Paws Luau was a huge success and I'm so happy I was able to be there to photograph the fun for a second time. The luau was hosted by LI-DOG, an organization that helps to get more access for dogs to Long Island's beaches and parks. Ginny, Irene and all the other organizers and volunteers did such a fantastic job decorating and coordinating the event, which went off without a hitch. It was a crazy hot day, but there was plenty of water and shade and even a kiddy pool for the dogs to cool off in, so everyone was nice and comfortable, despite the heat.

 It took place at Off Key Tikki, a Caribbean-themed beach bar in Patchogue. The beauty of the venue was matched by the unbearable cuteness of the many dogs in attendance. From tiny Chihuahuas to gigantic Irish Wolfhounds, all the dogs were amazingly well-behaved and snazzily dressed in leis, Hawaiian shirts and hula skirts. There was live music at the beach area, raffles, grilling and lots of fun contests for the dogs and owners to participate in. There were prizes for Biggest Lap Dog, Silliest Dog Trick and an island-themed owner and dog lookalike costume contest. There was also a photo booth with props for pups and pup parents to take selfies with.

 I was very excited to meet the couple who won my raffle basket for a free photo shoot and $100 print credit. They've got adorable dogs that I can't wait to get in front of my camera lens! I'll update you when they come in for a session! 

Here are the photos I took at the luau! 
(Click to see larger and use arrows to scroll through).

To schedule a pet portrait session, email me at laurapeaphotography@gmail.com
or call (631)256-7476. To stay updated on the events I'm involved with, sign up for my mailing list here!

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Diana is having twin boys! She is so excited to be a mom and I was so excited I was there to celebrate her baby shower with her. The people in Diana's life went above and beyond to support her with some amazing gifts for her two little guys. She received some beautiful crocheted blankets, handmade stained glass sun catchers and so much more. One particularly meaningful gift came from her sister-in-law Lauren. She made two pillows for Diana's baby boys. One was made with a shirt that belonged to Diana's father and the other was made with a shirt that belonged to her husband Mike's father. Those got a very sweet reaction from Diana's guests. I'm very happy for Diana and Mike and I can't wait to meet their two little gentlemen. Today is also Diana's birthday, so I'm wishing a very happy birthday to her! Here are some photos I took at the party. 

Schedule a session with me today!
Email me at laurapeaphotography@gmail.com
or call me at (631)256-7476

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Tula Kitchen in Bay Shore is hosting a fundraiser this Sunday, March 19th, to benefit Little Shelter in Huntington. There will be live music, hors d'oeuvres, a Chinese auction, adoptable dogs to meet outside the event and more! I've donated the basket below for their Chinese auction with a free photo shoot and $100 print credit. I'm very happy to be able to help this great organization, which has been helping Long Island's animals for an incredible 90 years! So if you're looking for a fun afternoon of food and music, or even a furry new member of the family, check out this event and support your local shelters!
For more information, check out Little Shelter's website here.

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To schedule a pet portrait session with me, email me at laurapeaphotography@gmail.com or call me at (632)256-7476.

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I had such a fun time at the pet expo yesterday! I got to pet a hairless cat, meet a pig who was on tv, and see a dachshund race. I talked to so many great pet parents about their furbabies (and scalebabies and featherbabies and so on). It was also great to connect with some really dedicated and passionate owners of pet businesses. It was a really great environment full of love and respect for animals. Here are some shots I took in between nuzzling tons of animals and drooling over dog treats that looked good enough to eat.
The pet expo is still going on today until 5pm. You can find more information here. Have fun!
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The Long Island Pet Expo is going on this Friday through Sunday at the Brentwood campus of Suffolk Community College. I've been to this event in the past and it's always a lot of fun. The first time I went to the expo, many years ago, I saw a cat training show. I was pretty amazed at what these cats could be trained to do, especially since I couldn't get mine to look at me when I said their names! 

The event isn't only for dog and cat owners, either. There is going to be a lot to see there for owners of rabbits, reptiles, birds and more. One time I went and there was a man who kept Madagascar hissing cockroaches for pets. He had them on bedazzled leashes, I KID YOU NOT. He wanted me to pet them and I couldn't bring myself to do it. I'm an animal lover, but sometimes you have to draw the line. Turns out my line is right before cockroaches on leashes. 

There are vendors, shows, educational sessions and demonstrations going on all 3 days. I'm especially interested in learning about the pet CPR class that's being held, because I've been wanting to learn those skills, just in case I ever need them
(and I hope I don't)!
Leashed pets are welcome at the event, just not with retractable leashes. 
If you buy your ticket online, you get $2 off the admission price. 
You can find more information about the event here.
I'll be visiting on Saturday. If you see me there, please say hi! 
I look like this and I'll probably have a camera swinging around my neck :) 
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Hope to see you there!

If you're interested in booking a pet portrait session with me, email laurapeaphotography@gmail.com
or call me at (631)256-7476

If you'd like to learn more about how to prepare for a pet session, subscribe to my mailing list here and receive a free copy of the eBook "Foolproof Tips for a Stress Free Photo Shoot". 
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This happy couple are already the proud parents of two handsome boy cats, but now they're adding a couple of human kids into the mix! Diana and Mike are expecting twins! Double trouble is headed their way in June, and they gathered their family together this weekend for a gender reveal party. Guests were invited to guess whether she's carrying two girls, two boys or one of each.
​I decided to split the difference and cast my ballot for a boy and a girl.
I guessed right at the last one of these shindigs, so I had a good feeling about this!
​ I grabbed my corresponding pink and blue necklaces and waited in anticipation for the cake cutting! 

And the results are....

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IT'S TWO BOYS!
(I was wrong!)
Congratulations, Diana and Mike!
I can't wait to meet your two precious little boys. I'm so happy for you! <3

Are you expecting too? Schedule a maternity or newborn session today! Email me at laurapeaphotography@gmail.com
or call me at 631-256-7476

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My bestie Lauren is giving birth to her first baby this December, and last weekend was her baby shower! It was at the Garden Grill in Smithtown, hosted by the very excited Grandmas-to-be, Nancy and Marie. Lauren's finally been feeling better after a pretty rough pregnancy. It was nice to see her be able to eat her lunch without looking queasy! I'm so excited for her and her husband Mike to become parents, and I can't wait to meet little Addison in December.
​Here are some of the photos I took during the beautiful event! 

Are you expecting too?
Schedule a newborn session today! Email me at laurapeaphotography@gmail.com or call me at
631-256-7476

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This Sunday the 16th, Echo Pharmacy in Miller Place is partnering with Pups for Parkinson's, Inc. to host a dog walk event from 10am-3pm. The walk will be held in Sylvan Park, which is located next to Echo Pharmacy. Funds raised will be donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. There will be contests, auctions, vendors, an agility course and more. I've donated a basket for them to include in their Chinese auction, with a free photo session and a $100 print credit.
​For more info, and to register for the walk, click here
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To schedule a pet portrait session,
email me at laurapeaphotography@gmail.com or
call me at 631-256-7476

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I posted recently about a program I was doing at the Middle Country Public Library in Centereach, shooting fall festive pet portraits for patrons of the library. It was a great success! Thirty families came down to participate in the event. There were 28 dogs and even 2 ferrets in attendance! Besides a little bit of territory marking, all the animals were on their best behavior and got along really well.
​I want to thank every family that came in with their pets.

Because I met so many different pets in one day, there were a lot of firsts for me. I photographed ferrets for the first time, which was fun. I also figured out a technique for shooting a photo of a dog who is deaf (it involves some foot stomping and lots of arm waving!). I also met a few dog breeds I'd never seen before, like pomapoos and cavachons. The library expressed interest in doing another program next year with a winter theme, so I look forward to that! Thanks so much to Sara Fade, the librarian and dog lover who put the program together. Here are a few of the photos I shot at the program.  Enjoy! 

Email me at laurapeaphotography@gmail.com
​or call 631-256-7476 to schedule a pet portrait session with me! 

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In 1996, my family went to the Riverhead Fair, a tradition for us every October that continues to this day. The Kent Animal Shelter had a booth there with the most adorable puppy we'd ever seen, fluffy with a big bushy tail and huge paws for his tiny size. They told us several families were interested in him and whoever got to the shelter first the next morning would have the chance to adopt him.
​We got there hours before the shelter even opened. 
We named him Whiskey. Later on, he grew into those gigantic paws and his trainer identified him as an Irish Wolfhound mix.
He was the prince of our family for 11 years, until we lost him to cancer in 2007. 
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Kent Animal Shelter was the first place I went to in 2012 when I was looking to adopt a new dog. They didn't have any that were good with cats, so they pointed me to Southampton Animal Shelter, where I found my sweet boy Basil, in whose memory I'll be walking this year. When I heard about their Wines and Canines Walk at Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard, I thought it was the perfect way to give back to a place that has given me so much.

That first year and last year, my friends and I were the team that raised the most money for the event. We'd like to try and make this year our best year yet. If you can donate, please click here. You'll be supporting a very worthy cause. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to our fundraiser so far!  If you can't donate, please share the link with fellow animal lovers. Or you can register to walk at the event and start your own fundraising team to help save homeless pets. 

The walk is on September 25th from 11am-2pm at Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard, and I can tell you, it is so much fun. Walk through the beautiful vineyard, chat with other dog lovers, enjoy contests and vendors, meet adorable adoptable pets and try your luck at the 50-50 raffle and prize auction. 

This year, I'll also be donating a basket to the prize auction with a free photography session and a $100 print credit. I'm so excited to help this amazing shelter. I hope to see you there!
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Laura Paesano
Long Island, NY

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