Dogs weren’t supposed to see the world at 35 miles an hour.
I read that on a friend’s Facebook post a few months ago and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head.
Every time I put Bella in the car and sped down the I-90 to somewhere grand, I thought, “What must be going through her head as the world zips in front of her eyes?”
So I asked her.
I said, “Bella, do you need Mama to slow down?”
She said, “Yes, Mama, but not while we’re in the car. I miss you when you’re speeding around everywhere without me.”
Ouch.
Time to smell the roses
So this is me … trying to slow down. I’m taking fewer clients, maybe none for the rest of the year, and I’m trying to make things slow down for Bella.
It’s been another year of 40-some clients and self-publishing another book to raise funds for animals in need in our region.
It’s really just about finding more “us” time.
Sometimes, that time means just staring at her, my exquisite Maremma sheepdog, my best model, my best friend.
And staring into her eyes.
Her big orange soul-piercing eyes that are softening as she ages but always lit by the fire in her heart.
That’s where the path lies. It always has.
Through the eyes of a dog – whether Shep or Bella – is where I find my power, my freedom, the space to be who I am and who I want to be.
My dogs have given me a sense of place, a sense of belonging.
Through the eyes of a dog
All this is why training my camera lens on an upward chin and big happy eyes is one of my go-to shots for dog photo sessions.
One set of dog photographers might call it The Lookdown. My friends Craig and Charlotte at Unleashed Education called it The Soul Searcher.
Of course, who’s getting their soul searched here? Me? Or Bella?
Maybe both of us.
This shot is so stupid easy to get, too, even with your phone camera.
Here’s how to get a great shot of your dog from above:
- Get your pup in a good sit position.
- Make sure your camera/phone is set to Burst mode.
- Hold your camera/phone in one hand.
- Hold a seriously stinky but probably super tasty treat in the other hand.
- Click away.
See? Now you too can get this one great shot that I love to make sure is in your gallery. It makes for a great page in the stunning photo albums I produce.
All around the circle
The Soul Searcher is a great way for you to start seeing the world through the eyes of a dog.
Because when they look up at you – even if it’s for a treat – you get to feel all the love, all the best friendedness you might need in that moment.
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll see a path to slowing down, too.
The Soul Searcher is our subject for this week’s worldwide pet photographers blog circle. Start with Houston Dog Photographer, Kelly J. Russo, writing about one of her favorite dog photography poses and sharing how you can get the shot too.
At the end of Kylee’s post, click the next link in the circle and keep doing that until you get back here to why I publish photography books about dogs.
That’s when you know you’re home.
Right where you belong.
40 sessions and book huzzah – no wonder Bella is asking you to slow down and spend more time with her! Love the connection you portray in your lookdown images.