Sheva

In the midst of a backlog of photos, I haven't made a personal post in a while. So, I wanted to take a break, and give you a little insight about one of my loyal co-workers, Sheva, and the people behind DogVacay. Priscilla contacted me and told me about this unique catalog of dog-boarding services you could get in your area, a plus for people who travel a lot. 

They are on a photo campaign highlighting the relationship between a dog and their hometown. So, I wanted to give a shoutout to them, and to Sheva, who has been with me on every editing session at home. 

Cozy and relaxed in the North Dallas suburbs of Richardson, Sheva goes out to city-wide pet events often, seen here at Dog Splash Day.

How My Dog Inspired Me Into Pet Photography

After Rochelle and I took Sheva home a little over a year ago, she has been family ever since. My experience with pet ownership started with feral cats who quite literally walked into my life and home.

Though, I have to say, having a dog is...different. Dog owners can relate, they can be extremely loyal, bring you up when you are down, want to go everywhere you are, and instill a type of unconditional one-way love you experience when you walk through the front door.

If we didn't see her sitting patiently, yet eager when we grabbed a leash to try her out at the Richardson Animal Shelter, she may have been somebody else's dog.

The fact being, she was somebody else's dog for two years, and then dropped off at the pound because she wasn't a excellent purebred.

If it wasn't for that happening, I wouldn't have cataloged pictures of her, with people, with the cat, with other dogs, and share that same camaraderie that pet owners possess. While I love my cat and past cats equally as much, it provides a different view on a pet's life who was once feral and showed up one day, and another who was abandoned simply due to their genetic makeup.

It is that bond that I want to understand and share with the world, the warming emotion that is evoked only by your pet(s) when you see a picture of them.

Should you be serious about preserving your pet(s) in photographic form, I can be there. I'd like to provide the candid coverage in the simple comfort of their home and/or at their favorite retreats. I'm starting at an introductory rate that will only last a limited time.

I look forward to not only working with you, but your smaller company.

Rasy Ran Photography

Jordan and her American Bulldogs: Bam and Jema

I had the pleasure of meeting Jordan and her two American Bulldogs, Bam and Jema, for a photoshoot at Breckinridge Park last weekend. After learning that it was the first park outing for Jema, left in the first photo, we learned what worked and what didn't. She was definitely energetic as a her bigger brother, Bam, and followed his actions as he's been out before.

If you haven't been to Breckinridge Park before, I just want to say that it's a very large park with fields, meadows, and a lot of trees. We didn't utilize the entire area because I didn't want the dogs to wear themselves halfway through the shoot.

We started out on the fields on the northwest side and worked our way into the park. I had them stop for a few formals first:

Knowing they are young, healthy dogs, I wanted Jordan and the two to make use of the fields:

Here, Jordan stopped briefly during the session for a one on one moment with Bam:

As a dog owner, this shot makes me pretty happy, because the presence of dog leashes would have interrupted the open space. It was only a few months ago that Jordan started training them without leashes -- she's pretty good!:

We stopped on the bridge for a few pictures, and I thought this candid of Bam, attentive as ever to the passers-by, exemplifies his outgoing personality:

I saw during the shoot that Bam can jump pretty high, but after seeing Jema's display here, I'd say she's more graceful:

A display of Jema and Bam knowing that "sharing is caring":

Before the photoshoot started, Jordan's mother told me she wanted a picture of her daughter and the dogs in a bluebonnet field. After some researching, I found this spot was conveniently located five minutes away, in front of the Fujitsu complex in Richardson, and made for a beautiful picture:

I cannot thank Jordan and her wonderful company enough for coming out, assisting at times, and for making this a pretty straightforward shoot. Until next time!

Rasy Ran Photography

Sam

I’ve been commissioned to photograph The Wright’s this coming weekend, but was contacted about photographing their terminally ill Labrador, Sam, prior to the shoot. Saturday’s shoot revolved around The Wright’s beloved dog, and we spent a portion of the day in a few different settings.

Kecia spends a moment with Sam in the upstairs common area of her home.


Sam relaxes a bit on the couch, after taking a break from being squeezed in-between his loving family.


We trotted to a nearby field, and Sam appeared to be amused by the smallest of insects!


Sam felt adventurous and got a little dirty while we were out, so it prompted a wash when we got back.




I think this last image helps reinforce how beautiful Sam’s fur can be.


The photoshoot made it definitely fun to work with a dog! The intermittent licking of family members to their 1-year-old boy, Emory, running his hands through Sam’s fur, I couldn’t ask for more. I was more than grateful to work with the Wrights on an opportunity like this.

Rasy Ran Photography

David and Shannon's Engagement

This afternoon we had an extended engagement session in Richardson with a newly engaged couple, Shannon and David. We were blessed with 65 degree weather in mid-December; one of the plus sides of living in Texas! We started in the Galatyn Park area next to the Eisemann center.

Meet David and Shannon:


I forgot to mention, the two brought a friend! Shannon's dog, Casanova, came along for the shoot:


David and Shannon share a kiss as Shannon shows off her ring:


Next we took a lunch break at Cafe Brazil, which was nice enough to allow dogs on their beautiful patio:


Cafe Brazil is known for their variety of beverage choices. Shannon sampled an almond latte and then shared some with David:


Next we went down the street to another location. Shannon and David share a kiss:


and then pause to admire the water while Casanova sniffs around:


It's winter, but in some places Texas is still displaying beautiful fall color. This tree was a beautiful example:


The couple poses on either side of a revolving door:


and then "family portrait" time with Casanova:


The sky had some beautiful cloud patterns today, as you can see in this photo:


then, right before we left, we were inspired to try a 101 Dalmatians-esque leash wrap around:


Shannon and David were a lot of fun to work with, and we look forward to Shannon's bridal and then their wedding in July! We also loved the opportunity to work with Casanova! Dogs are fun to shoot, and we're always open to photographing the entire family!