The DuMortier Girls

I had the pleasure of photographing the DuMortier girls today in their home and meeting Grandma, who is visiting from Wisconsin. Even though the sun was shining, it was windy and cold - just our luck! The little ones were adorable as usual, and it is always a pleasure to photograph them. Here is a sneak peak from their afternoon session. Enjoy!

My two favorites:







Bye, bye camera lady!

The Runaway

Last night was quite interesting. We almost ran over a frantic 5-month-old puppy in the parking lot of Taco Bell. Jason and I, of course, stopped. I got out to see if I could get the puppy to come to me. I whistled and he ran up and hopped right into my lap and gave me a few kisses, as if to, "Oh, thank God you are here!" He let me pick him up, and I asked Jason what we should do. The answer: Bring him home, of course! I asked around Taco Bell if anyone lost a dog, and everyone looked at me like I was crazy. So homeward bound we were: Jason, me and one cigarette-smoke smelling, death breath kiss-giving, cute-as-could-be pup.

Our dogs took to him right away, and he seemed to take to them quickly, too. First thing was first...2 baths! He was so thirsty, he drank the water as I gave him the baths. He probably drank a liter of water that night and also scarfed down a bowl of food. He was content with cuddling with me, chewing on a bone, and playing with MacKenzie and Dash. He was very well mannered, quiet and even knew how to sit. He slept through the night in the indoor kennel we keep around for special circumstances such as that and was quiet for most of the night. I think he was just glad to be safe for the night.

This morning, I took him to the shelter, and they scanned him for a microchip. No luck. I left him there to see if his owner would call the shelter looking for him. (I secretly hoped this wouldn't happen because I wanted him for my own!)

Barbara from the shelter emailed me this afternoon:

Hey,

Jennifer got called out to the IHOP across from Taco Bell to get a “vicious” dog out from under a truck. Sweet black lab, terrified but not mean, he has a chip and belongs in Houston, Tx. He jumped out of the car at the convenience store and was lost. When Jen called the owner it turns out her other dog jumped out too. Guess who? She is coming in this afternoon to pick up both dogs. I guess they have different tastes in food, IHOP & Taco Bell.

Thanks for saving that baby from the traffic.

Barbara

My doggie had been found! I am so happy for him, even though - admittedly - I'm a little sad for me. I really hope that his owner is a good one (despite her chain-smoking habit!) and will make sure to pay better attention to where her dogs are at all times. But accidents DO happen and dogs DO have minds of their own at times...

Moral of the story? Microchip your dog!

Check out them ears!




Not to sure about being in a strange home at first.




Melt my heart

Follow JLP on Facebook!

Earlier this week, I revealed the Jennifer Leigh Photography fan page on Facebook! Here, you can keep track of my new images, upcoming photography specials, and all sorts of other cool things you may not find on my blog.

You can find me on FB via one of two ways:

1) Search for Jennifer Leigh Photography

2) Click on this link - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=744330055#/pages/Brunswick-GA/Jennifer-Leigh-Photography/236787557557?ref=mf

See you there!

Sheltered Subjects - 1.23.10

Like every Saturday morning, I travel out to Glynn County Animal Services and photograph the new available dogs at the shelter. Then I usually tag along to their mobile adoption site and take more photographs, where I get to spend more individual time with the dogs and, hopefully, get the chance to take some better shots. (It's always a little hectic and rushed at the shelter Saturday mornings prepping for the mobile, so my chance to get good shots are very limited.) Sometimes it takes 20 minutes to get a few good shots of one dog, and that is where my patience comes in...and sometimes pays off.

This week, I had an exceptional model - Angela. She is very calm and happy and made a great photography subject. I am so proud of this shot. It's been a while since I have been this happy about one of my dog photos.

Angela

Here are other dogs that are available for adoption:

Layla




Calista




Buttons




Anna




Ranger




Loki

"Within the heart of every stray lies the singular desire to be loved."

Happenings

It seems like suddenly my two loves are keeping me quite busy - singing and photography.

Last night, I sang the National Anthem for the College of Coastal Georgia's Men's Varsity basketball game against Waycross. It was an incredible feeling to sing such an amazing song in the presence of so many people. I heard that a video recording of my performance may be available soon on the college's website! And I'm excited to announce that I will be singing at each of the remaining home games through the end of the season in March.

If that wasn't enough to be excited about, in the past two days, the demand for my photography skills has been insane! (Insane in only the best way possible, that is.) I have been presented with 8 possible jobs to happen within the next few months: family portrait sessions, baby showers, a school dance, a sorority function, a boudoir session, and maybe even a wedding! My head is spinning with pure joy that word has gotten out that I am a photographer...and it's very quickly leading to jobs. I couldn't be happier!

2010 is shaping up to be an amazing year, filled with people that I adore and - finally - the kind of work that I love. Stay tuned...

The Lucie Exchange

After spending a month and a half in our home, the time finally came for our foster dog, Lucie, to meet her new forever family. Lucie spent Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's with us, our favorite part of the year, so she got to enjoy some of her "firsts" with us, such as eating her first piece of turkey, decorating her first Christmas tree, and her first time opening a present.

My friend from high school, Val, and her husband, Pete, adopted Lucie after seeing her photo on my Facebook page.

On Friday, Val and Pete drove down from Ohio and met me in the Atlanta area at the home of our other high school friend, Laura. I hadn't seen either of the girls since I sang in their weddings a while back. While it was fun catching up with them, the focus of the trip was getting Lucie used to her new parents.

She did surprisingly well once we got to Laura's house. She took turns sitting by everyone, but paid particular attention to Val and Pete. After one last night of cuddling, I said goodbye to Lucie, which was hard, even though I know she's going to the best home I could have possibly wished for her. She is so very special to Jason and I, and we are proud to have been the ones who nurtured her into a confident, happy, fun, well-mannered little girl.

The next day, my sadness was replaced with joy when Val posted pictures of Lucie in her new home. She is thriving and loving her new life. The last I heard, Lucie was discovering snow and playing non-stop with her two boys. :) We look forward to seeing the Lucie and the Waite family this June when we all get together again at Laura's house. She will be close to a year old then, and I can't wait to see what a beautiful girl she has turned into.

Another one saved...

Val, Jen & Laura reunited!




Jen & Lucie




Lucie with her new mommy




Giving me a hug a little before we said goodbye




Lucie in her new home with her two new boys!


"Within the heart of every stray lies the singular desire to be loved."

A New Year and New Beginnings

I cannot tell you how much excitement I have for a new year and a new decade to have begun! I feel that this year is going to be amazing for many reasons.

And to start off 2010 in a big way, I am proud to announce the launch of my new photography website! I have been working hard the past few days on getting it up and running, and I am so pleased with the final result.

Take a look for yourself and give me some feedback. Enjoy!

www.jenniferleighphotography.net

Happy New Year! May this be the year all your dreams come true.