With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it was time to stop into Pets With Parents for some photographs. Hopefully, by my next trip there, all of these dogs and cats will be long gone and in their new homes with loving owners.

It was puppies galore on this visit. Oh how I love the itty-bitty wagging tails and puppy breath! We’re on a two dog limit at my house or I may have tried to adopt them all. Every dog and cat that I photographed was super sweet. While George and I were there photographing, we got to see a couple trying to pick their new best friend. They brought a few of the puppies into the playroom, where I photograph, to get to know them. It’s so fun to see these silly little puppies shaking their butts, giving out kisses and sniffing around the new people. Cute little puppies looking for their new parents, this is why I love my job. I get the opportunity to photograph many of the pets in Columbus that need homes. And I also get the chance to meet people who are looking to add a cat or dog to their family.

For more information on all the adoptables from Pets Without Parents, please visit their Petfinder page at petfinder.com/pet-search?shelter_id=OH64 or their website at petswithoutparents.net.

And if you happen to be a pet photographer who stumbled onto my blog, be sure to check out HeARTs Speak, a fantastic organization that I am a member of. They connect Rescues/Shelters with artists with the intention of breaking down the myth that animals from Rescues and Shelters are inferior in some way. Professional photographs greatly improve adoptability and ultimately, will increase the number of animals adopted and reduce the numbers that are killed. You can find more information on their website heartsspeak.org or their Facebook page www.facebook.com/HeARTsSpeak.

Meet Desh, he was the winner of the 2011 Cutest Dog in Columbus contest. Will your dog be the winner of the 2012 contest?

It’s that time of year! I’m so excited to announce the second annual Cutest Dog in Columbus Contest! I loved seeing all the sweet faces that were entered in the 2011 contest and can’t wait to see who enters and wins this year!

Do you think your dog has what it takes to win the Danielle Neil Photography’s Cutest Dog in Columbus Contest? If so, enter your dog by February 10, 2012! Click on the link below to submit a snapshot of your dog, along with a one paragraph bio. Two contest winners will be selected by the public via online voting that begins February 15, 2012.

The prizes:
• Grand prize winner receives a Designer Session for their dog and a 16×20 canvas.
• First runner-up receives a Designer Session for their dog and a $100 print credit.

Ready to enter? Follow this link to the contest rules and online entry form http://bit.ly/2012CutestDog

Contest details:
• All entries must be received by February 10, 2012. Online voting will be open from February 15-22, 2012.
• Images from the winning sessions will be featured on the Danielle Neil Photography website and marketing materials.
• Only one entry per dog and one dog per photo. You can enter as many dogs as you wish from the same household.
• All entries will be on display on the Danielle Neil Photography blog and Facebook page.
• NO professional images will be accepted, please only submit snapshots that you have taken.
• Winner(s) must be willing to travel to the session location determined by Danielle Neil Photography within the Columbus metro area.
• The winning session must take place before May 15, 2012.
• Contest is only open to those residing within a 45-mile radius of zip code 43215.

If you have any questions about the contest, feel free to email me at contest@danielleneil.com.

While January is considered my month off from photographing to work on projects for the new year, I still try to make it out to Pets Without Parents as much as possible to take photos of the adoptable dogs and cats. George and I went last week, but a lot of the animals were at the vet for checkups, shots and to be spayed or neutered. We decided to go there again this week when we knew most of the animals would be there, waiting for their photographs so they can find homes. Between this week and last, I photographed over 25 dogs and cats who are looking for furever homes.

Lately, the cats have been giving us a run for our money while photographing them. This time around, Cole, decided he did not want to sit on the table for his photo. When the animals are not feeling so cooperative, we give them a break to play and check us out a little more. Most of the time that warms them up, especially after a good belly rub. George was holding Cole and well, little Mr. Cole didn’t want that either. Next thing I know, Cole had wrapped himself around George and was crawling up his back! Of course, I just wanted to get a few shots in, so I had George bend over and pretended he was just another flat surface. I grabbed my light, flipped that around and started photographing a much calmer cat. Sometimes I wonder if the volunteers and staff watch us and wonder what in the world we’re doing. But, anything to get a good photograph to find these pets new homes.

If you have room in your heart or home for any of these cuties, stop by Pets Without Parents to visit with them!

I hope everyone had a great holiday season. The blog has been a little slow lately as I’ve been in and out of town a lot. And the blog will probably be a little quiet over the next few weeks as well. I’m revamping my products and pricing for the upcoming year. For some silly reason, I decided mid-December to redesign the website as well. It’s been down ever since and I need to dedicate some time to getting it finished and back up! And I’m also working on the details for the 2012 Cutest Dog in Columbus contest! Entries will be accepted starting in late January, more details to come in the following weeks.

It’s time for my favorite images from the year. I’ve picked my 10 favorite images from all the portrait sessions I photographed in 2011. In previous years, I’ve picked my top three images from each type of session, this year I’m mixing it up to my top 10. It was hard to pick my favorites and to not make them all images of dogs. Because we all know how dog-obsessed I am. Sit back, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy some of my favorites form 2011!

Congrats to Jason & Stephanie who were just married a few weeks ago. Their wedding was so much fun! This image is from their engagement session in Youngstown at the Covered Bridge at Lanterman's Mill at Mill Creek Park.

The 2011 winner of the Cutest Dog in Columbus. Desh is so adorable and happy!

I've been photographing Emma since I started as a photographer and it never gets old, especially when I capture an genuine moments like this one.

Jenny (who is also a photographer) wanted photos with her boyfriend Eric. I'm excited to say that they became engaged over the holidays! We weren't sure what the weather was going to do for us on at their session - but it turned out fantastic. And Jenny did a great job with clothing choices and colors for fall portraits.

This was a great session with for Rebecca who is not only a model but also a fitness instructor. I was luck in 2011 to not only meet other amazing small business owners, but also work with them.

Lilly always makes me laugh, she is five, going on twenty-five. I get amazing expressions from her when we're out for her session.

One of the toughest sessions for me in 2011 was getting all three Havanese dogs to cooperate for a group photo. The end result was even better than I expected!

Hannah was so much fun to work with for her senior portrait session. Her great personality shined through in all of her images. And those eyes of hers are beauitful!

Who doesn't smile when looking at this photograph! The fact the dogs have ties on is just icing on the cake!

I am not a morning person, but good thing we got to the park first thing in the morning for Kim and Jeff's family photos. It was well worth me getting up earlier than normal for beautiful light and a beautiful family!

 Contact Danielle to Schedule Your Portrait Session

December is always so hit and miss with the weather for portrait sessions. I had my fingers crossed that it wouldn’t rain for Simmy’s photos. As luck would have it, there was only a slight mist on the afternoon that we met at Creekside in Gahanna. Although fall and it’s glorious colors have faded away, there are still some great opportunities to photograph outside in the winter.

For Simmy’s mini session, I had a half an hour to work my magic with her. Simmy really did not want to look at the camera, so there were quite a few profile images taken. My whistles, treats and even her favorite toy could not capture this cute dog’s attention. She was so intrigued by everything going on around her and the new environment, that we moved over to a quieter spot so that I could get and hold her attention. In the end, her photos turned out great and captured her furry little personality.

We had a spectacularly fun session. Thanks for coming out Simmy!

Visit the pet photography section of the website to see more dog portraits.

Contact Danielle today to schedule your dog’s very own photo session!