… and a happy thanksgiving to all

yikes. so long since a post. and you know why? so much going on!

With the weather being nice on the weekends, I have been riddled with guilt at the idea of not venturing outside for at least a little while. And my room where I do all my crafting/editing/creative montages is in the back of the apartment where it’s dark. And gloomy. Also not a good combination for sunny fabulous November weather. But today the flakes are supposed to fly up here. Maybe I’ll get more interesting posts started (or better yet, done) over the holiday. And since I have a weekend with very little to do it just might happen! Crazy, I know. It’s Thanksgiving and the day AFTER Thanksgiving, how do I not have a anything to do? Well, you see, I am only on for desserts at the annual family festivities and then have to return to my desk the day after. No shopping for me at 4 am. Nope. I will be tucked in bed just awaiting the sweet sound of my alarm clock. I do wish we had that day off as well, but it’s just not in the cards. And that’s how I get through it.

Aside from the weather, I’ve been doing extra projects. Most of which I can’t mention as of yet for the simple reason that these extra projects mean I have my Christmas presents (almost.mostly.nearly) done. Sweet! I love crafting

I’ve also been doing a bit of designing for myself and a friend. So lovely when people think of me for projects! I will post some of those projects as soon as they are complete.

But for now, at 6:30 in the morning, I must just leave you with a photo. That way I can complete the rest of my morning routine to be able to get to my desk early. We are so busy I am very confident people have realized Christmas is just 4 weeks away.

But I will just sit back. And enjoy my pies.

Have a good one!

Fred Astaire…

in feline form.

I love the idea of naming ‘sets’ of animals names that are pairs. Micky and Minnie. Bonnie and Clyde. Thelma and Louise. Chocolate and Moose. So, why not Fred and Ginger? Perfect!

Fred started his life out as Diesel. That’s a cute and somewhat manly name, but Carol really wanted a set of names that were ‘partners in crime.’ She said she was given the suggestions of Fred and Wilma, Abby and Costello  and Cleo and Tony. But the set that fit the duo the best was Fred and Ginger.

And this is Fred. What a joy to take photos of! It was a very impromptu shoot and in just a few minutes I had raddled off almost nearly 100 frames. He has claws which makes playing with him a bit more interesting {otherwise known as dangerous}. But he is a buddy! We were fast friends.

In fact, in the middle of the night, I woke up to this little guy walking all over me trying to find a new cozy spot to hunker down. I couldn’t have been more thrilled! And that, my friends, is why I need cats A.S.A.P.

A recent discovery of mine has been textures. I love textures when I’m taking photos so I figured I might as well give it a try after the photo has been taken. I know they can have their place and can otherwise be overwhelming but, I. LOVE. THIS. PHOTO.

 
anyone else want to scratch that chin?

K – I advertise myself as a dog photographer and I do love dogs. A lot. I find them to have so much great personality that is without a doubt important to capture, but cats? They are my weakness.

blast from the past

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon these images…

  

This little Peanut’s name is Guthrie – as in Arlo Guthrie. Cute, no? The Hulse family was the first family to let me take their photos and chase them around a park. They were so great to work with and when I found these photos I decided to do some ‘re-working’ with my new found Photoshop knowledge and familiarity. Hulse family, if you can hear me, I’d love to see an update on Guthrie! She was such a ball of energy I can only imagine the fun she is getting into.

early morning to do’s

This morning I was able to rouse myself from my sleepy slumber a bit earlier than usual. I am loving the extra light in my bedroom in the mornings. It has reinforced the idea that I’m not incredibly lazy, I just hate getting up when it’s dark out. And that, folks, does not make me lazy. Regardless, I got up this morning and started ticking off things on my to do list…

1. I went and checked on the ebay status of my computer listing. ‘And?’ you ask? Well, for the second time in 3 days, someone has purchased my computer and then closed their eBay account. Irritating, to say the least. I think this might be a sign that I shouldn’t sell my computer. And I am hoping that eBay will refund all of the stupid fees associated with this.

2. I went to the kitchen to make some b-fast only to find out/realize/remember that I finished the last of the milk yesterday morning with waffles. Bummer. To do? Make grocery list.

3. Shower. Dry hair. Find tshirt/sweatshirt/jeans for work. The usual work attire.

4. Do dishes from baking cookies last night (LOVING my new baking pans. Here’s to going a little crazy at Sur La Table last weekend. Hooray!) and of course, my random breakfast of odds and ends.

5. Take a long overdue package to the UPS store to mail. Thanks Josh, that coffee you had this morning made the shipping process go way faster than usual.

6. Pack a lunch. Hmm. Ramen again?

7. Start an Ahni post… And that, my friends, brings me to this.

My favorite thing about Ahni is that she is quite old but she is still so spunky and even a bit demanding. But in a good way. She loves attention (like most pets) and will give you some serious puppy dog eyes until you give in and give her some good scratches. Everything about Ahni is what I would like in a dog – floppy ears, soft curly hair, short little legs and a medium size body. Not too big, not too small, just right!

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I’ve posted photos of Mrs. Ahni before and honestly, I bet I will again. She is my aunts dog and is just so cute I love taking photos of her. Which reminds me that my pup hasn’t graced the pages of my blog in a while. Another thing to add to my to do list.

Happy Monday!

Senior Portrait

 

Quite frequently I need to try new things out for the purpose of expanding my photographic knowledge. And one of my favorite things to do is make Mur stand in for me as a model. While he pretends like he hates it, I can tell he is really just looking for a way to get updated senior photos. Done.

Orchard … Cold, Cold Orchard

October 10th 2009. One of the coldest October days that I can remember. AND the day that I was set up to visit Deer Lake Orchard and do a wonderful MINI session for all pet lovers out there.

I had the day all scheduled. I had planed ahead quite a bit with all my little hand outs and informational pieces, but I still felt that I needed a bit of help to make sure the day went smoothly. Enter Mur.

A happy photo, no?

As a package deal, I had promised a gallon of cider and lunch for his help in keeping me organized at the session. Cider? Check. Pizza from Casey’s? Also check.

We set up shop in a little corner at the front of the barn complete with sunshine and a sign saying “Pet Photographer.” He was set up with my sign up sheet and I was set to roll with the camera and treats. While, yes, my set up is a little on the modest side, I do love it! I have a great book of samples, more information than you could ever want on what I do and a wood stool hand stenciled (and stained) with my logo. To begin with, it had less to do with the business but more to do with my love for moose and then my logo and for sure photography. And I guess Chocolate, too. So in retrospect, it totally has to do with my business. I do love my job!

As for the turnout, I had hoped for a few people but really had very little interest. In past pet photo years, it didn’t sound like a great turnout but with me being cold in long underwear and 2 coats/hat/mittens, it just really wasn’t in the cards for me to get many clients. I did come away with some pretty fun photos of Kona Rose, the fabulous canine host at Deer Lake Orchard.

  

Kona Rose was a beautiful subject. She was willing to work for dog treats (which is always nice) and she was the ever sociable pooch. Without fail, she would greet all the guests and even seemed to have the front door of the barn figured out. If she barks, someone will open it. Life is as simple as that.

 

Dear Kona, while I know you weren’t totally prepared for the photo shoot you were a fabulous model. And I know now that Pup-peronies are the key to your heart. Until we meet again, Salud!

Is it December, already?

I keep hearing that Photographer’s holiday season starts in September. It seems to be true. I know it’s the end of October, but on every blog I read and every cool photo website I go to, there is nothing but holidays holidays holidays. It’s OCTOBER people! But I spose, lots of photographers have holiday cut off times and it’s better to get things done earlier than later. Because when it’s later, it’s darker, colder and snowy-er and stress is on the rise.

But what does this odd rambling rant have to do with anything? With the holidays come holiday cards. I’ve spent a good amount of time adding new things to my website including some of that ‘tailor-made stuff’ I advertise on my biz cards. Not everything I offer is up there, but I’ve got holiday cards. And that’s what’s most important right now anyways, right?

 

This one is my personal favorite card – the tri-fold! It has 3 panels that when folded together are a 5×5 card. A bit different and a bit AWESOME.

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I added a few samples here, but for the complete collection, head over to www.ChocolateMooseImages.com

Your options for holiday cards are virtually endless! Want me to take the photo? Love to! We’ve still got time. And I even have a special ‘holiday rate’ for just this purpose. Want to use that favorite photo from your greatest Mount Rushmore vacation? Will do! Want to use a pre-designed card I have? Easy enough. Want to get all wild and crazy and work with me to customize your cards? SIGN. ME. UP.

Contact me via the blog (contact me! page) or my website and let me know what you are interested in. And in the mean time? I am going to start my ease into Christmas music starting with the 3 Roaches. Best Christmas album ever.

Little Man Strugs

Once upon a time there was a little man named Barrett. And in his younger year (or months) Barrett had a love for the camera.

He was pretty content just lying there on a blanket and staring at himself in my camera lens. Fast forward to the new age of ‘young toddler’ and he has become Little Man Strugs (short for “Little Man Barrett – King of Struggling and Wriggling”). He is at the beginning of that “I do what I want” time and “No one can hold me down.” I love it! What determination this guy has. While it makes photo taking and even baby holding a bit of a challenge, he is so stinkin cute I’m sure his family wouldn’t trade a second for a less struggley babe.

Having said all this, meet the whole Curtis family. Mom. Dad. And Little Man Strugs.

 

For Barrett’s birthday, his Grandpa and Grandma gave him a mini tractor. Notice the red color. Not green. As I’ve been educated. It did not leave his side from the moment he got it to, I’m sure, well after we left the drive way. And I think it’s a perfect addition to these photos.

(notice the tractor. On mom’s leg. Real close by)

The next one is my favorite from the session! A moment a pure, tractor happiness.

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Adorable family! And very patient with me as well. Thanks for letting me torture your little man with my ideas!

ohh Gracie

Meet Gracie…

She is the sweet puppy of my cousin. After the Minnesota winter rained on my parade once, we finally found a not too frigid morning that actually had sunshine to make this photo shoot happen. But you know what really gets me about that last statement? That apparently Winter is starting in October this year. Not Cool Minnesota, I don’t think you checked with your residents on that one. None of us are ready or happy about it and unless you plan to quit winter in February this year, I just don’t think it’s fair.

Phew.

At most holiday events I haven’t gotten the chance to spend much quality time with Gracie discussing life’s conundrums such as why dogs eat twice a day but people get to eat as many times as they want. Or why Odie always got kicked off the counter by Garfield. So it was fun to see her at home in her element with her mama. She is a sweet and energetic little lady who is pretty darn good at sharing the insides of her toys.

After toy time we ventured outside into the backyard that overlooks a lake/pond type body of water. With the sun a shining, it was a gorgeous view!

 

…Well there you have it. Little Gracie. Just a taste of images for now, but there might be some others later. You’ll just have to wait. And. See. Enjoy your gloomy Thursday morning… it’s ishy here, I just hope it’s not where you are.

But there is an up side to today. Tomorrow is FRIDAY. Hot Dog!

My Victim

… Kinda a scary name for a post, eh? Let me explain.

A few weekends ago I got to spend a very relaxing day+a bit out at my aunt and uncle’s place in Riverfalls, WI working on art projects, watching football, eating great food and breaking TVs. I also got to spend some quality time with Carol and her very first horse, Mai who is now 29. He is the first horse I rode and the first horse I remember and I have always had a special spot in my heart for him because of his gentle nature and beauty. He started out as a jumping horse then changed careers to be a dressage horse and finally became a trail horse. In his retirement he has become a “pasture ornament” at Carols and seems to have found a fond liking to oats. The only really intimidating thing I can think of about him (besides his size) is his name. Mai, which is short for Maimasara, is a translation of My Victim. It sounds so serious and tough and all around terrifying should you meet this horse in a battle or on a racetrack.

 

Their relationship was really fun to watch and after 26 years of spending lots of time together, they do know each other well. When I asked Carol if there was anything she would like me to focus on when I took photos she gave me a short list of her favorites…

First – when Mai drinks water he sticks out his tongue while swallowing. Carol said in all the horses she has encountered in her life, she has never seen another drink like that. Aside from it being a funny thing he does, I am in love with this style of shot! With pretty much any animal, I find the ‘up-the-nose’ photo to be a great one, but with horses? That nose is so much more exciting!

Second – When you scratch his back, he sticks out his face and his big lips start to tremble. It distinctly reminded me of a dog the way they lean into you when you’ve found “the spot.”

Mai was a great horse to work with yet similar to a cat in his mannerisms or lack there of. He thoroughly enjoyed standing around being fed oats while having his back scratched and his photo taken.

Can’t wait to get back there and do some more photos of Ahni – the pup! And who knows, one of these days I might manage to get updated photos of my apartment on here. I am thrilled with how it is turning out! I love art.