Meet Oliver, an adorable little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who is so ready to be the Best Friend for someone special!  When Oliver's Significant Human with whom he had lived for 12 years passed away, he was left to live alone for several months in his owner's home. He was fed and given water occasionally by people aware of his situation, but there was no one to help him mend his broken heart.  His physical and emotional condition deteriorated and when he was finally discovered and rescued by the compassionate hearts at Cavalier Rescue USA, Oliver was a timid, undernourished and very sad little matted ball of fur.  Oliver received the prompt medical care that he ...

Happy Friday!  It's great to be back here on the Beautiful Beasties' Network's blogroll, and I'm realizing that we are already half-way through this 52-Week Project.  What an enriching experience! I have learned so much by coming to this space to be inspired each week even when I am not able to participate. The creative and passionate photographers I have met here challenge and encourage, and they have helped me tremendously in my own creative process.This week's challenge is all about seeing the world in black + white, and I am feeling the excitement that I used to feel when I was first drawn to create images through a lens and watch them come to life in the darkroom.  Black ...

I had the fun task of choosing this week’s theme for the Beautiful Beasties 52 Weeks' blogroll: Self-Portrait with My Best Friend(s)  I had a special reason for choosing this theme.  My Mother is turning 92 today, and lately she has been commenting “You take so many photos of everyone else, but I have no photos of you!”  I've been reflecting on that idea for the last couple of weeks and am beginning to understand that I am waaaaaaaay more comfortable behind the camera.  And judging from the few participants we have in the blogroll this week, I think that I am not alone in this comfort zone.  The photographers who are members of the Beautiful ...

Yay! Spring has finally arrived in the Midwest.  The evenings are long and warm and the light is Heavenly.  I love to photograph with natural light whenever I can, and a reflector is a versatile piece of material that helps to add fill light where needed.  Photographing Oreo has always presented a special challenge for me.  My lovely little Mixed Breed/Pure Heart would hardly win a beauty contest.  But in my eyes he is one of the most beautiful dogs I've ever had by my side. Tonight we headed out with camera in hand and a very large reflector.  Thinking that we'll want to have this new piece of equipment accompany us on many more sessions through the Summer and ...