dog photography

Oh my gosh, I’m finally back. 🙂

It’s been many, many, many weeks since I’ve participated in the Project 52 blog ring. (okay, okay – months.) This past summer and into the current Fall season have been the busiest ever for Dog Breath Photography. Each day has been a dream. I’ve had the privilege of photographing more four-leggers than I ever thought possible while meeting some of the world’s most amazing new people (who are just as crazy about dogs as I am!). That being said – in the midst of the wonderful whirlwind – I hadn’t been able to find a spare second of time to devote to blogging, or to Project 52. Just recently, I decided to take a step back and breathe. I finally put my camera down for a day, took a walk with my pup, and did a lot of thinking. This is what I came up with: when you are passionate about something that way I am about photography – it’s crucial to never stop pushing your boundaries and challenging yourself to be the best you can be. Project 52 is so important to me because it does exactly that. Every week, a group of outrageously talented pet photographers from all over the world come together to photograph and blog about a common, pre-chosen theme. The experience of being a part of Project 52 for the better part of the past year has been invaluable and incredibly fulfilling. (Not only to my technique and work – but also to my heart.) 🙂 At times, it has pushed me to go outside of my comfort zone. It has kept the wheels constantly spinning in my brain, thinking of new inventive ways to see through my lens. I am privileged to be a part of such a wonderful thing, and I am so thrilled to be back.

I have made a promise to myself to find the time do a lot more blogging and reflecting than ever before. And, what a great way to come back to it. 🙂

So – without further ado, here’s the scoop on this week’s theme! I couldn’t have come back at a more perfect time – because this week’s theme is ‘Fall’. I am lucky enough to have the privilege of living in gorgeous New England – where the fall season is just like you’ve read in every storybook – quintessential, colorful, and well – perfect. Autumn in New England is a photographer’s dream. It’s the time of year when warm, golden light leaks in sideways through the trees and little leaves dance as they float down from the treetops.

In honor of this theme, I spent some time with sweet Joshua in the forest yesterday afternoon. He’s the goofiest, happiest, most limitlessly joyful little man I’ve ever met. (more to come on Joshua’s story later – I promise!) We tromped down the paths that wound through the trees, played in the leaves and traded lots of kisses…

Look at that smile. Can you say ‘contagious’?! Oh, and those eyes just melt my heart all over the ground…

Ha! Here he is – showing off. Catching the leaves as they fall from the treetops…

All in all, our day was pure perfection. And when we got home, we hit the couch for a snooze. That’s when you know your adventure was a success. 😛

Now don’t forget, this is a blog ring! Click on over to the wonderfully talented Stephanie Madeline at Chase & Snap Pet Photography in New Jersey to see the season through her lens. Click all the way around the circle and end up right back here with me and Mr. Joshua – the fuzzy and impossibly cute leaf-eating monster!

Until next time!

-Kaylee

Yesterday morning, I had the privileged honor of photographing a piece of history. I was invited by the MSPCA to photograph Governor Deval Patrick as he signed S. 2192 into law. The air was hot and filled with an energy of joy and celebration as a crowd full of legislators, lawyers, senators and animal control officers waited outside of the Ashland Animal Control facility for Governor Patrick to arrive.

As I looked around at the faces in the expectant, smiling crowd – I realized that it would be impossible to be surrounded by better people. These are people who are selfless. People who have fought, day in and day out, against all odds for something that they believed in. These are people who are guardians for the helpless – voices for the voiceless. And yesterday, they were people who had won.

If you are unfamiliar with S. 2192, here is a summary of the main points of the bill, as quoted from http://www.mspca.org:

Summary of the bill:

Create a statewide spay/neuter program to reduce the number of homeless animals in the Commonwealth and would, in turn, also reduce the cost to cities and towns for housing and sheltering these animals. This would be funded by a voluntary tax check off.
Add enforcement provisions to section 139A (the spay/neuter deposit law for animals adopted from shelters and animal control facilities) to ensure these animals can’t reproduce.
Require animal control officers to receive training. People are often surprised to learn that their local animal control officer is not required to receive training for the complicated work they do to keep the people and animals in their community safe. This would be funded by the tax check off.
Prohibit carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gas as a means to “euthanize” dogs and cats.
Reduce dog bites by improving the dangerous dog law in a breed neutral manner.
Allow pets to be included in domestic violence protection orders to protect both animals and people.

I am honored to have had the opportunity to be present at such an incredibly important turning point in the history of Massachusetts and it’s legislation in regards to animals.

I can’t accurately express my gratitude to the people who have worked tirelessly for a brighter, safer and more just future for our animals. It’s these people – people like Kara Holmquist (MSPCA’s Director of Advocacy), Linda Huebner (MSPCA’s Deputy Director of Advocacy), Senator Jehlen (Sponsor of S. 2192) and many others – that make fighting for a dream worth believing in.

Oh, happy day!

Until next time!

-Kaylee

*Contact Kaylee Greer at kaylee@dogbreathphoto.com with any inquiries regarding any of the above photographs.

Tag: dog photography

Project 52 – Fall

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick Signs S. 2192!