Last fall, when Grace Chon, recent friend and LA pet photographer, offered me a photo session of Darby, my Longhaired Dachshund, in exchange for some PR help, I flipped. I had been a fan of Grace’s work since she emailed me to introduce herself and her company,
Shine Pet Photos. In fact, I had featured her on my blog more than any other photographer at the time. I loved her work and her design aesthetic.
The session was scheduled for November 21, the day after Darby’s 14th birthday. The timing was perfect. When Darby was a pup, his birthdays were exciting. We went on adventures at the Tree People preserve or hiked up Runyon Canyon with his friends. Now, I hate to even write this, each year passes with a sense of foreboding. Oh no, my puppy is 14…that’s…I won’t even do the math…in human years. I get depressed.
With the photo shoot scheduled, I couldn’t suppress the thought, “I am so glad I am doing this now…before it’s too late.” Morbid. I know. But I couldn’t help it.
But, when Grace showed up, something completely unexpected happened. First, Darby fell in love with her. Yes, she was plying him with treats, but there was something else too. She was so focused on him, not just her camera, but her energy, that they totally connected and really started to work together. And me, I got to step back and simply watch. And watching him frolic and smile and obey was like watching him when we went to puppy school together, but better.
Perhaps it’s what it feels like to attend your child’s recital. I was so proud of him and I was thrilled that someone else, Grace, got to really know Darby’s unique personality. Our dogs are shapeshifters. They are complex little beings we have intense, finely tuned relationships with when we are alone, and then, when someone comes over, they turn into pets. But this didn’t happen with Grace. Grace met Darby. She got to know him, one-on-one, and it was so fun to watch.
And that’s what surprised me, that as much as I LOVE these amazing photographs, the memory of that morning is just as special to me. Just as precious.
By the time it was over, Darby had reverted to complete puppyhood. In fact he started doing something I hadn’t seen him do in years. He humped Grace’s arm. It was completely inappropriate and completely hilarious. And it reminded me of Grandpa Joe getting out of bed and dancing when Charlie finds his ticket to the Wonka Factory. Darby was young and vital and madly in love. And it was as beautiful to behold as each of these photographs.
Thank you Grace, for that day and for these images that I will treasure forever.
See more of Darby’s photos here or schedule a session for your dog at Shine Pet Photos.
