Here is another little video of Sugarwings and a puppy. When I ask her which puppy she has, you can't hear the answer very well, but she says "This one". Well, dur, Grams.
There is an ad in the paper to sell two of the remaining 3 pups. (the last one will go to Beth, she says any of them are fine with her) Here is Dorothy, who will be bigger than the others, and is chocked full of personality. Her tail is in constant motion, she can't contain her happiness.
This little guy, has an explorer's view of the world, he is the one who is always off deep in the bushes looking for something exciting.
And this fella has a darker face, his coloring is a bit different than the rest of the group. He is a snuggler.
Of course, this little beauty isn't for sale, I'm keeping Miss Aggie Rose. She is modeling one of the items I just listed in the Boutique, a vintage rhinestone bracelet. I have a feeling that Agnes will be every bit the camera hog that her mom is.
Thanks for all the compliments on the puppy pics. I do love my camera, a Cannon Rebel XSi, even though I've never learned how to use all the bells, whistles, tricks and doodads on it. I'm afraid I'll always be a point and shoot kind of photographer.
I use my pocket sized Cannon for some of the pictures too, and I think it does very well also.
For me, the trick to good animal (or child) photos, is to get down on their level. With the 1 pound baby dogs who have 3" long legs, that can be a hard to do. Sometimes, I am laying on my belly in the gravel trying to get the right angle. Then, the other pups tackle me and try to play tug of war with the camera strap.
Also, have a good background. Don't just snap a picture of Fido (does anyone really name their dog Fido anymore?) in front of Dad's Lazyboy, or the kitchen trash can, or a garish dog blanket. The photo might be of your PET, but the background is a big part of it!
I don't always clean up the yard before pictures, so you'll see a garden hose, or some of Sugarwing's toys sometimes. But, I do try to angle the camera away from clutter, or kick some of it out of the way.
Pose your pet. It takes practice for the animal, and LOTS of snaps of the camera to get one good picture. I set them where I want them to be, pet and love on them a bit so they are comfortable, then take about 20 or so pictures to get one good one. And remember to still bend down to their level with the camera! A straight on shot is so much better than one looking down at the animal.
EDITING! I use Picassa and Picknik and adore them both. Both are simple and easy and make a huge difference in your pictures. Crop, crop, crop, cut out all the extras and bring the focus to the pet.
I crop and tune on Picassa, then upload to Picknik. On that site, I do the auto-fix, and sharpen. Then hit the creative area and play with all the buttons. It sounds complicated and time consuming, but I promise it is not. I never spend more than a couple minutes per picture.
I'll leave you with some photos of what's new in the Boutique.
A vintage paper covered mini birdhouse/fairy house.
A mini collage sampler book.
It was Beth's idea to call it a "sampler" because it didn't really have a theme, beyond coordinating colors.
It was also Beth's idea to make these. She brought cabinet cards to share with everyone at my Creative Cottage Girls Weekend, and showed us how to turn an old photo holder into a book.
I kept the photo theme going with mine by using old pictures on the inside and outside of the covers. The rest is watercolor paper, blank and ready for its new owner to use it as a scrapbook, photo album, or art journal.
Oh! Before I forget, here is something fun! Lisa is having a challenge. I'll be playing along and hope you will too.
The one puppy at a time video is TOO adorable! She is such a cutie pie!
And your little fairy house is pretty cute too! 🙂
i just love the way she is prancing around with that little pup under her arm! So cute Karla! The pups are so adorable. I’d LOVE to have one! Every time I see your pics I want one!
Sugarwings is such a cutie~ so great you have these videos! Just love these sweet pups!
Oh Karla those pups just keep getting cuter all the time. I’m with everyone else – the photos just make me want one or two.
Enjoy your weekend!
Leann
Your Sugarwing’s is just a beautiful little girl. She would be so cute in modeling children’s clothes. You have a very very beautiful Granddaughter!
Pattyjo
i seriously cannot get enough of SW and those puppies!! Too cute!!!
miss you!!
xoxo, Tiffany
Hi Karla… Sugarwings so so adorable. what a sweet video of her and the puppy…. and all those adorable Puppy photos,,, I am in love with them…. such sweet faces,.. thanks for the tips on taking good photos of our pets,,, great tips you have….and love your art projects you made and Beth’s as well.,. have a great weekend
Hugs;
Alaura
Well Karla,
I for one LOVE the puppy posts!!! 🙂
They are too cute.
And yes…I’ll be playing soap box with you girls…it’s going to be fun 🙂
Ohhhh Karla ~
Those are just adorable pictures !! Your granddaughter and the puppies are darling ~
xoxo
Lori
Your sampler is sweet — as is Sugarwings and of course the puppies!!
Thanks for your helpful tips on pet photography, and letting us know what you use for photo editing. I love Picasa, and just signed on with Picnik. They are quite easy to use, much easier than Photoshop. Oh, I’m excited to hear Beth is getting a puppy. I follow her blog regularly, so I’m happy to know she will have doggie pics too.
The puppies just get cuter and cuter!! Thanks for the tips on how to take better photos ~ glad to know I’m not the only one to have to take 20 pics to get a good one of my babies. Sugarwings is such a doll in her videos, too! Sounds like ya’ll had a great time in Omaha, even tho I’m exhausted just reading about what all YOU did!
Hope you’ll join me for the Wedding Blog Party on the 25th. I’m sure your little wedding gown (anaglyptic paper) you gifted me will be making an appearance! :0)
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Oh I want one of your puppies soooooooooooo Bad! I wish I lived closer, they are just adorable!
Wow! your website really caught my eye. I was looking on line for ideas as to how I should decorate/paint a huge red bird house that I bought at the flea market and I came across your talent! I love the vintage look. I feel like I’m on a cloud 🙂 I’m at work eating my quick lunch….consider me a student! I’ve just started my crafty projects and have much to learn.
Thannk you for sharing your art.
Irma in North Carolina surrounded by trees & birds 🙂