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I was back at Barkfield Road for the second year in a row for a mini session event benefiting The Dotty Fund. The Dotty Fund provides financial assistance to pet owners to take care of their animals during difficult times so that they can stay with their owners, where they belong.
The mini session event was a great success. Every half hour, more and more cute dogs came in for their appointment and they all did so well! Orders from that day raised $400 in donations for the fund, which is going to do a lot of good for pups and their parents on Long Island.
Thank you so much to everyone who brought their dogs in, and for Carol at Barkfield Road for hosting the event. If you’ve never been to Carol’s store with your dog, you’re missing out. Her treats are so beautifully decorated and she carries only the best treats, toys and supplies for dogs. Every time I go in there, it’s a definite that Gracey is going to get something special. Here are my favorite photos from the event! Look out for a possible Valentine’s Day event coming in February!
The mini session event was a great success. Every half hour, more and more cute dogs came in for their appointment and they all did so well! Orders from that day raised $400 in donations for the fund, which is going to do a lot of good for pups and their parents on Long Island.
Thank you so much to everyone who brought their dogs in, and for Carol at Barkfield Road for hosting the event. If you’ve never been to Carol’s store with your dog, you’re missing out. Her treats are so beautifully decorated and she carries only the best treats, toys and supplies for dogs. Every time I go in there, it’s a definite that Gracey is going to get something special. Here are my favorite photos from the event! Look out for a possible Valentine’s Day event coming in February!
To stay up to date on events I’ll be participating in, sign up for my email list here!
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Zeus is a pretty popular dog. He's known on Instagram as @handsome_zeus_ and he's got close to 10,000 followers! (Go follow along if you like photos of adorable dogs, and let's face it, who doesn't?) I've been following Zeus' account for a long time, so I was so excited when I saw his mom Katrina was looking for a photographer to take photos of Zeus for his 5th birthday! We decided to split up Zeus' session into two parts: one outdoor session to take place at Blydenburgh Park, and one session to take place in my studio.
Zeus certainly lives up to his Instagram handle. He is so unbelievably photogenic. Katrina's excellent training skills really showed in Zeus' ability to stay in a pose and do exactly what she wanted him to. Zeus is also incredibly sweet. Every person who passed us while he were taking photos was greeted with a tail wag from him. We ended our session at the end of the dock at Blydenburgh, with Zeus watching some ducks swim by as the sun set. It was the perfect end to the day. Here are some of my favorite photos from Zeus' session at Blydenburgh Park! The studio ones will be coming soon, so keep an eye out!
Zeus certainly lives up to his Instagram handle. He is so unbelievably photogenic. Katrina's excellent training skills really showed in Zeus' ability to stay in a pose and do exactly what she wanted him to. Zeus is also incredibly sweet. Every person who passed us while he were taking photos was greeted with a tail wag from him. We ended our session at the end of the dock at Blydenburgh, with Zeus watching some ducks swim by as the sun set. It was the perfect end to the day. Here are some of my favorite photos from Zeus' session at Blydenburgh Park! The studio ones will be coming soon, so keep an eye out!
Is your pup ready for their close up? Email me at laurapeaphotography@gmail.com or call me at (631)256-7476.
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This is the third year I’ve been back to the Middle Country Public Library for a pet portrait program and this was our best year yet. We had 30 pets come in with their owners to get a winter portrait done. A lot of pets came dressed to the nines because the program started right after their annual pet parade.
After they were done getting their photograph taken by me in front of the winter wonderland scene the library had set up, they went over to the green screen station where program runner Sara took a snapshot of them in front of the green screen and then added a digital background of their choosing. It was double the photo fun and I think the patrons really enjoyed it!
I met some awesome pets and parents and was really glad to see that a lot of families came back for a second and sometimes third year for another portrait with me. It makes me feel great that they enjoyed the program and their photo so much that they wanted to come back again and again!
Here are some of the great photos we captured that day!
After they were done getting their photograph taken by me in front of the winter wonderland scene the library had set up, they went over to the green screen station where program runner Sara took a snapshot of them in front of the green screen and then added a digital background of their choosing. It was double the photo fun and I think the patrons really enjoyed it!
I met some awesome pets and parents and was really glad to see that a lot of families came back for a second and sometimes third year for another portrait with me. It makes me feel great that they enjoyed the program and their photo so much that they wanted to come back again and again!
Here are some of the great photos we captured that day!
To stay up to date on the events I’ll be participating in throughout Long Island, sign up for my email list here!
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My little nephew Seth could possibly be the most photographed baby on record. I haven't confirmed with the folks at the Guinness Book of World Records, but if our family's limited phone space and full memory cards are any indication, he's got a good shot at the title. I've been trying to get a good professional shot at every milestone, so his first Halloween certainly counts, especially because this is my favorite holiday! And of course, we had an outfit change in the middle of the shoot :) The first outfit is a glow in a dark skeleton shirt I bought him for his first Halloween, and the second is his first Halloween costume ever!!
"...it's the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man."
"There's something you don't see every day."
"...it's the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man."
"There's something you don't see every day."
And of course, at Laura Pea Photography, the dogs always have to be involved...
Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!
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I was glad to be there for another fun Yappy Hour event hosted by Daniela of Who Lets Your Dog Out at New Village Apartments in Patchogue. This time around was Halloween themed, so all the pups came in their best costumes! They were all so beautifully dressed and wonderfully behaved.
Dog trainer Paul from Pawesome Dogs was there showing off some cool dog toys, and Lisa from Bake You Happy Today was there selling her delicious treats for humans and dogs alike.
Daniela always puts on amazing events for dogs and their owners. Thanks to her for always including me in the fun! Here are some of my favorite photos from the event!
Dog trainer Paul from Pawesome Dogs was there showing off some cool dog toys, and Lisa from Bake You Happy Today was there selling her delicious treats for humans and dogs alike.
Daniela always puts on amazing events for dogs and their owners. Thanks to her for always including me in the fun! Here are some of my favorite photos from the event!
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I'll be back for the third year in a row at Middle Country Public Library for a pet portrait program! Get your winter portrait with your pet done nice and early at the Winter Wonderland themed event. The program is open to all patrons of the library that are registered for the program. All pets should be clean, well-behaved around other animals, and on a leash. In the past years, we've seen dogs and cats and even ferrets. I love all kinds of pets, so bring it on!
This year's program will be held on a weeknight, with the 15th Annual Pet Parade to be held directly before the program starts. So after you parade your pet, come get it photographed by me!
Here is a sampling of some of the photos I shot at last year's event!
This year's program will be held on a weeknight, with the 15th Annual Pet Parade to be held directly before the program starts. So after you parade your pet, come get it photographed by me!
Here is a sampling of some of the photos I shot at last year's event!
It will be held on Friday, October 19th from 6-8:30pm in the Centereach building of the Middle Country Public Library.
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From the first email exchange I had with Caroline and Nathaniel’s mom, I knew she was a client I was going to connect with. She was a Harry Potter fan like me and she wanted to get her and her husband’s Airedale Terrier Benjamin Franklin (how cute is that name?!) involved in the photos. It’s not very often that I can combine my specialties of newborn and pet photography, so when I get the chance to do that, it’s very special.
Benjamin was so sweet and gentle with twins Caroline and Nathaniel. At one point, I wanted to try and get a shot of him giving them a kiss. While I was strategizing with mom and dad on how to get the shot (a little spot of peanut butter on Nathaniel’s head perhaps?), he just went ahead and did it without us even trying! I can tell he’s really going to love his baby brother and sister.
Benjamin was so sweet and gentle with twins Caroline and Nathaniel. At one point, I wanted to try and get a shot of him giving them a kiss. While I was strategizing with mom and dad on how to get the shot (a little spot of peanut butter on Nathaniel’s head perhaps?), he just went ahead and did it without us even trying! I can tell he’s really going to love his baby brother and sister.
We eventually gave Benjamin the rest of the day off and went inside for some photos of just the twins. They did really well through several different outfit and blanket changes. Their mom knitted them the pea pod outfit, a beautiful Gryffindor blanket and the adorable blueberry and raspberry caps. Their grandma made them blue and pink hats to wear. I was so impressed by their craftiness. It really added a special touch to the session. Mom Sarah was so sweet, that she even gifted me the pea pod outfit when I went to drop off their products. I can’t wait to use it with my next set of twins!
Here are some more of my favorite photos of Nathaniel and Caroline!
Here are some more of my favorite photos of Nathaniel and Caroline!
Are you expecting two peas in a pod? Schedule your newborn session with me! Email me at laurapeaphotography@gmail.com or call me at (631)256-7476.
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One year ago today, I adopted my little Gracey.
As you might know, I began doing pet photography after the loss of my beloved dog Basil to cancer in February of 2016. One of my only comforts after he passed was that I had so many great photos of him, and I wanted to be able to give that to other families in my community. I knew I eventually wanted to adopt and save another dog, but for a very long time, I couldn’t face the prospect of loving another dog when I was still so heartbroken over Basil.
But then in August of 2017, I dogsat my friend’s two dogs while she was on a trip and I realized how much I missed having a dog in the house, how much joy they bring just by being there. So when my sister suggested we go to a Clear the Shelters event at Little Shelter called Pet-a-Palooza, I was hesitant but I agreed to go.
A volunteer led us around the facility and outdoors to a ring of cages that had been set up for the event. Every single dog was adorable, but not all met the criteria I was looking for. I also hadn’t had that moment. It’s hard to explain to someone who has never adopted a dog, but it’s a feeling of instant connection. I had been to Kent Animal Shelter a few weeks before and had met a great dog that checked all my boxes, but I just didn’t have that feeling.
When I first saw Gracey, she wasn’t even facing in my direction. I saw a skinny, copper-colored little dog with crazy long legs. The name on her cage was “Sarah”. I told my sister, “That dog looks like a spider monkey with those long legs”.
I told the shelter worker, “Tell me about Sarah”.
As you might know, I began doing pet photography after the loss of my beloved dog Basil to cancer in February of 2016. One of my only comforts after he passed was that I had so many great photos of him, and I wanted to be able to give that to other families in my community. I knew I eventually wanted to adopt and save another dog, but for a very long time, I couldn’t face the prospect of loving another dog when I was still so heartbroken over Basil.
But then in August of 2017, I dogsat my friend’s two dogs while she was on a trip and I realized how much I missed having a dog in the house, how much joy they bring just by being there. So when my sister suggested we go to a Clear the Shelters event at Little Shelter called Pet-a-Palooza, I was hesitant but I agreed to go.
A volunteer led us around the facility and outdoors to a ring of cages that had been set up for the event. Every single dog was adorable, but not all met the criteria I was looking for. I also hadn’t had that moment. It’s hard to explain to someone who has never adopted a dog, but it’s a feeling of instant connection. I had been to Kent Animal Shelter a few weeks before and had met a great dog that checked all my boxes, but I just didn’t have that feeling.
When I first saw Gracey, she wasn’t even facing in my direction. I saw a skinny, copper-colored little dog with crazy long legs. The name on her cage was “Sarah”. I told my sister, “That dog looks like a spider monkey with those long legs”.
I told the shelter worker, “Tell me about Sarah”.
Gracey's photo on Little Shelter's website, when she was still going by "Sarah".
Our first photo together, during the car ride home from Little Shelter.
He filled me in on her history. She was rescued from a high kill shelter in Dallas, Texas. When they got her to Little Shelter, she was underweight, she wasn’t spayed, her nails were very long and she needed surgery for a hernia. They thought she was about 2 and their best guess is she's predominantly Chihuahua, but mixed with something else because she's bigger than a typical Chihuahua. When he got her out of the cage to meet me, she leaned on my legs and looked up at me and I had that moment. I put in an application right then.
The next day, the shelter called me to let me know my application was approved. The day after that, on the day of the solar eclipse, she got her forever home.
Gracey’s former life is a mystery to me, but her trainer tells me her behavior shows signs that she suffered some abuse in the past. Because of that, she has fear issues. If someone startles her, she sometimes tries to nip. At times, Gracey forgets that she’s safe, but I’m trying hard to remind her that she has nothing to fear anymore.
I still miss and love Basil so much. He was the first dog I ever adopted as an adult, and who was mine alone. He was an angel and I think about him every day. I made the decision to not let my sadness over Basil prevent me from ever adopting a dog again, and it was the right move. I love Gracey just as much as I loved Basil, but in a completely different way, because every dog has a unique personality and heart. I'm so glad I adopted her, because she makes every day a little happier, just by being there and being her silly, weird, loving little self.
Here are some of my favorite photos I've taken of Gracey throughout our first year together.
The next day, the shelter called me to let me know my application was approved. The day after that, on the day of the solar eclipse, she got her forever home.
Gracey’s former life is a mystery to me, but her trainer tells me her behavior shows signs that she suffered some abuse in the past. Because of that, she has fear issues. If someone startles her, she sometimes tries to nip. At times, Gracey forgets that she’s safe, but I’m trying hard to remind her that she has nothing to fear anymore.
I still miss and love Basil so much. He was the first dog I ever adopted as an adult, and who was mine alone. He was an angel and I think about him every day. I made the decision to not let my sadness over Basil prevent me from ever adopting a dog again, and it was the right move. I love Gracey just as much as I loved Basil, but in a completely different way, because every dog has a unique personality and heart. I'm so glad I adopted her, because she makes every day a little happier, just by being there and being her silly, weird, loving little self.
Here are some of my favorite photos I've taken of Gracey throughout our first year together.
In a year, Gracey has put on 6 pounds to reach a normal weight, she's learned all her basic commands (except lay down, she just can't get it), and she frequently takes part in doggy social hours hosted by her trainer to help her learn how to socialize with other dogs. She loves to ride in the car, take walks and incessantly squeak her vast collection of toys. She finds the mushrooms in our back yard delectable, so I have to go out there every few days and pull them out of the ground to make sure she doesn't eat them and get sick. She's so good at finding them, I feel like I could get her a job as a truffle pig. She's incredibly cuddly and loves to burrow under blankets. She loves to be in the studio with me so much, I started to call her the "Chief Canine Officer" of Laura Pea Photography. I can't tell you how much I love her. I hope we get to celebrate many many more adoptaversaries together.
Do you have a furry friend that makes every day happier? Schedule a pet portrait session for them today. Email me at laurapeaphotography@gmail.com or call me at (631)256-7476.
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I'm so glad the Islip Public Library asked me back for a second time to do another pet portrait program on their garden terrace. It's such a beautiful spot. We got even more dogs this year! I was so excited to see so many furry faces there for a photo. The dogs were so well-behaved and a lot of them did a great job "smiling" for the camera :) These programs are always a lot of fun for me. I love to meet these awesome dogs and their owners, and I think it's really important for dog lovers to get beautiful photos of your furry family members. Thanks so much to the Islip Public Library for having me back, and to all the patrons who participated in the program!
Would you like to be in the know for other local events I'll be photographing?
Sign up for my email list here!
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I love going to Yappy Hour hosted by Who Lets Your Dog Out, a local dog sitter/walker here on Long Island. She puts on these awesome dog fairs with lots of pet vendors and demos, and they're always a lot of fun. She hosted two in two weeks, so I'm going to combine the photos into one post! The first one was held at New Village apartments in Patchogue. The second was held at The Point at Pine Ridge complex in Coram. Vendors included Taylor's Treasures, who makes handmade fashion accessories for dogs and cats, Paws and Claws 911, who teaches CPR classes for pets, and Pawesome Dogs, a dog trainer. Oh, and me! I met lots of awesome dogs and owners and was there to document the events!
Here are the photos from Patchogue's event!
Here are the photos from Patchogue's event!
And here are the photos from Coram's event!
Thanks to everyone who came to the events! It's so great to get out there in front of pet owners and meet some amazing pups!
