Spring is officially here – the gophers made their appearance in the area on February 27. May have been earlier, but that is when I saw my first gopher for this year.
I am sure we will still have a few more snowstorms, but they will be short lived and it is not likely we will see the -40 to -50 weather that we had at the start of February.
In the near future we should stat to see the return of the geese, swans, and ducks that migrated for the winter
But one must remember, this is southern Alberta and we can get snow well into July. Our poor freezing Red Wing Blackbird was a snowstorm in the middle of June.
March also brings flooded streets
and of course with the warmer weather we will start to see more of this as police start their spring vehicle safety campaigns.
When it comes to capturing precious moments, pets are more than just animals – they are cherished members of the family. Pet photography has become increasingly popular as pet owners seek to immortalize their furry friends in stunning portraits. Whether in a studio or on location, we work to showcase the unique personalities, quirks, and unconditional love that our pets bring into our lives.
The Importance of Pet Photography
Pet photography goes beyond simply taking pictures of animals. It is about capturing the essence of our pets and creating lasting memories. Our pets are with us through thick and thin, providing comfort, companionship, and unwavering loyalty. They deserve to be celebrated and remembered.
Photographs have the power to freeze a moment in time, allowing us to relive the joy and happiness our pets bring us. Whether it’s a playful romp in the park, a lazy afternoon nap, or a loving gaze, pet photography captures these moments so they can be treasured forever.
Choosing Between Studio and Location
When it comes to pet photography, there are two main options to consider: studio or location. Each has its own advantages and can create stunning images that showcase your pet’s unique personality.
Studio Pet Photography
A studio setting provides a controlled environment, allowing full control over lighting, props, and backgrounds. This can result in crisp, professional-looking images that highlight your pet’s features. Studio pet photography is particularly ideal for capturing close-up portraits and focusing on the details.
Additionally, studio sessions can be less distracting for pets, as there are no unfamiliar sights, sounds, or smells to distract them. This can help create a calm and relaxed atmosphere, making it easier to capture those perfect shots.
Location Pet Photography
On the other hand, location pet photography offers a more natural and spontaneous feel. Whether it’s at a park, beach, or in your own backyard, photographing your pet in their familiar surroundings can bring out their true personality. Location sessions provide the opportunity to capture your pet in action, whether they’re running, playing, or simply enjoying the great outdoors.
Furthermore, location sessions can incorporate elements that hold special meaning to you and your pet. Whether it’s a favorite tree, a beloved toy, or a scenic landscape, these personalized touches can add depth and meaning to the photographs.
Tips for a Successful Pet Photography Session
Regardless of whether you choose a studio or location session, there are some tips to ensure a successful pet photography experience:
Patience is key: Pets can be unpredictable, so it’s important to be patient and allow them to feel comfortable in the environment.
Use positive reinforcement: Treats, toys, and praise can help keep your pet engaged and focused during the session.
Capture their personality: Let your pet’s unique traits shine through in the photographs. Whether they’re goofy, shy, or adventurous, capturing their true essence will result in more meaningful images.
Get down to their level: Shooting from your pet’s eye level can create a more intimate and engaging perspective.
Work with a professional: Hiring a professional pet photographer who specializes in capturing the essence of animals can make a world of difference in the quality of the final images.
Celebrating the Unconditional Love of Pets
Pet photography allows us to celebrate the unconditional love and joy that our pets bring into our lives. Whether in a studio or on location, these photographs capture the unique personalities and special moments that make our pets such cherished members of the family. So, grab your camera and start immortalizing those precious memories with your beloved furry friends.
Our featured image is from a recipie created for Petersen’s Re/Max Journal, a custom publication created for Rich Petersen who was the broker for the Re/Max brokerage in Fort St John.
Dealing with hunting stories in north eastern BC, the magazine had a regular featured wild game recipe
The recipes were provided by Florence Plotnikow and we photographed the finished meal to put into the magazine.
Lethbridge Health Unit
The Health Unit is located in the old train station in Lethbridge, and behind it is one of the steam engines that used to work out of Lethbridge
Is this a Downy or Hairy Woodpecker?
The two birds are very different in size, with the Hairy being about the size of a Robin while the Downy is only the size of a sparrow. But the coloring is almost the same, so you can usually tell them apart by the length of the beak. In the Hairy the beak is longer than the head, while in the Downy it is shorter than the head. So that would suggest that this is a Downy however, a Downy also has white spots on the tail feathers that are not present here, suggesting it’s a Hairy.
One of my earliest forays into commercial advertising started in Lethbridge with a session for an ad for Imperial Fashions.
The ad ran in a magazine called Chimera that morphed into Lethbridge Living.
The image was photographed on Black and White film with my Nikon FTN camera, which I still have and use if I can find film.
Back during Covid, when the government didn’t allow us to have any customers, I was taking a online photo course https://project52pro2016.com/ and one of the projects was to take one frame of film every day for a month. These are a few of the images from that project.
Barn located just off Highway 3 near Barnwell, Albert
Blades for wind turbines stored in Milk River while waiting for transport to the construction site.
Sometime near the end of January to the middle of February Fort St John breaks the monotony of winter with the High On Ice Festival.
They do bring in world class ice sculptures to create some pretty magnificent carvings but there are also local competitors made up of teams from local businesses and communities.
One of the early traditions of the event was creating shot glasses and pitchers that were later used to drink a toast with.
Welding in the Park
Fort St John is also the centre for oil and gas development in northern BC and as such it has a large number of people that are employed in the welding trades. So it was only natural for them to create a summer event called Welding in the park, where local welders were given the weekend to create a sculpture. This metal grizzly bear is the product of one of those competitions.
We start with a photo of a competitor competing in the Butterfly Stoke swimming competition in the 2007 BC Northern Winter Games.
Hockey, hockey, and more hockey
and what would one of these posts be without a couple of the many thousands of hockey photos from over the years. These two are from a game between Peace River and Fort St John
Calendar material
This next one is a scene that I remember from a calendar in what I believe was 1963. If it wasn’t 63 then it was 1964. It was the typical calendar of the time single large graphic, and underneath it a the pages for a small monthly calendar. You would rip the old month off to reveal the new month. I remember the teacher Miss Louis Miller telling us at the time that it was actual a scene from the area.
It wasn’t until years later that I realized that the scene was at the intersection of Secondary 506 and Highway 4 north of Warner. And even later when my mother said that she used to get dropped off here and would walk down to Grandma Frandsen’s farm that at the time was located at that first intersection.
I do remember visiting the farm when I was very young, and not sure when it had been plowed under. But it has not been there for years. This photo is from Feb 10 2020.
