My daughter and I had an ‘experience day’ present for Christmas last year – it was a pet photo shoot for our lovely greyhound ‘Hippie’!
Read all about her here !
And here she is:
Always photogenic and never ever camera shy.
Its been a busy year, my girl and her dog moved out into their own home in March and the photo shoot was almost forgotten.
But, just before the voucher expired I made the booking.
Considering this was a gift ? it was quite a surprise to find that I needed to pay a £20 deposit. This was to be refunded to me if I didn?t use it towards purchasing extra photos ?although we would get one 10 x 8 ? free.
The chosen photographer was quite a long way away (apparently they don?t have local ones) but they did say they were used to photographing pets and had toys and treats to get the animals attention and capture the best shot.
Sadly when my daughter and Hippie arrived there were no toys or treats, and Hippie was nervous of her surroundings. My daughter hadn?t taken anything, believing that these people would have, at least, the basics like a bowl of water and a squeaky toy.
They had nothing and Hippie was panting and not ready for this event.
But still it went ahead ? the photographer suggested grey backdrops to show off Hippie?s colouring but my daughter wanted fun shots so she chose pink.
Many photos later ? they left for home and yesterday we went back to view the photos.
We were shown them on a big screen in a darkened room with soft music playing? how nice!
But ? the photos were just hilarious, Hippie at her best, turning her back or her head ? or running off ? there was even one of her rear end as she ran away. My daughter and I were helpless with laughter as we tried to narrow down our choice for the free photo.
Eventually we got it down to 5 ? and went through them again ? my daughter chose one of the ones with the pink background and
I was told if Iwanted one my £20 deposit plus another £10 would secure me a 7 x 5 print.
Yes ? it was a rip off but there was one photo that I loved ?
? possibly not the best but I do miss Hippie around the house and I love the look on her face!
It was hard to get a photo of the pink background one?
but you can get some idea from this?..
Before leaving for this expedition I had left Alfie with my friend ?..
He had been quite happy to go and play with his friend Buddy.
When I got back my friend looked worn out ? Alfie had been into everything and wouldn?t listen ? I think she was glad to see the back of him and I don?t blame her ? he is hard work.
We got home and he went to sleep for the afternoon?.. bliss!
But later he threw his dummy out of the pram ..
Do you think he wants a photo shoot too??????
Beautiful! So glad to see Hippie is still well. She reminds me so much of Scooter, we miss him so. Glad you got a good portrait though. Yep, these photography studios can be such a rip off, but if you get a photo you can treasure it kind of eases the sting of the high prices.
What a cutie your little boy is…how old is he now? Reminds me of our gh Tyler, got him at 9 weeks as he was from an accidental breeding and we didn’t want to see the litter put down….ended up with a pupper…whew what a work out he was. Though I have to say he was spoiled quite badly and was a bit of a little brat, I mean really who’s fault was that?? 😉 We were the only home he had known, yes our fault, no track trainers were involved so what can I say… 🙂 A sweet guy Tyler was but forever a handful it was just his nature, eventhough he went through his obedience trials with flying colors.
Alfie will grow up into such a wonderful guy with all that love you give him, and he is so darn cute! I *do* hope you get a portrait of him, he does look like he is striking quite the pose! 🙂 Can’t wait to read more about both Hippie and Alfie. Hugs.
I’ll bring the camera next weekend and see what we can get (get a sheet ready for the occasion!)- I’ve got some quite nice one’s of Alfie already somewhere!
Sistertex – how lovely to hear from you! Yes Hippie and Scooter could have been related – I always thought they were so alike … I am sure you miss him – he was a beautiful boy!
I miss Hippie loads – and when I go to visit she shows how much she has missed me by pinning me to the wall and lavishing greyhound kisses on me!
Alfie is now eight months old and I think (she said carefully…) that he is starting to calm down a little… he is absolutely crazy of course but I am trying very hard to lay the law down – sometimes i just collapse into giggles though which does my status as pack leader no good whatsoever. Its a good job he is good looking.
My son is coming at the weekend and as you can see by his comment there should be a lot of photos taken of Alfie – if he stays still long enough.
Spoiled?… isn’t that what they are with us for????
Hugs to you too my friend xx
We might need to throw the sheet over him to catch him these days Keiron – he is definitely speeding up!!!!
I have considered starting up as a pet photographer – sounds like there is money to be made by ripping off pet owners! Still, at least I would provide lots of toys and treats for the pets before ripping off their owners.
I’m sure if the photographer had been that off-hand with a toddler he wouldn’t have got away with it so easily. He would never have heard the last of it from the doting parents!
Aww shame we can’t see the finished product they sound really cute. Yeh, I’ve been burned by these cheap offers then they charge a fortune for the prints over a minimum level but hey, you get suckered in I guess. Wow Alfies grown a bit. If only we could get them to turn two straight away. You’ve got a couple of years’ challenges in him yet, hide your shoes!
DBM – I think you should – the photos are ready and guess what? – another £5 for posting them out, I’m in the wrong job!!!
Nick – they wouldn’t dare – nor would they say don’t let it on the sofa – but they did to Hippie (the couch potato!)
Baino – I will scan and show them when they arrive!!! its not the shoes I worry about – just everything else!!!!
We had exactly the same experience with a pet photoshoot. OH bought me one as a birthday gift for my lovely Jim (our first greyhound), but he took Jim alone, without me knowing.
Now, Jim – like Hippy – was a cooperative, happy kind of dog, although he was inclined to be anxious at new situations. The photographer promised he was well used to getting the best out of his models, but in fact he had no CLUE how to handle him.
I ended up with a folder full of photos, some out of focus, some just plain weird (like the one of him with a ratty old pot plant with several dead leaves, taller than he was), and most of them showing a bug-eyed, panting dog, so hunched with anxiety that he showed none of his natural grace. Still, Jim recovered as soon as he left the studio and after a while we could laugh at the proofs OH had come away with.
Like you, there was the offer of one free 10 x 8, framed print, but in fact we never did claim it. They were all just too bad. LOL!