A big furry thank you to all of the wonderful people who I’ve met this year. I’ve learned so much and shared wonderful moments with my clients, my friends and my family.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Also, I have a winner for the Giving is Awesome contest. I’ll be contacting the person who nominated the winner and posting a full announcement shortly after the holiday.

This is just a sneak peek at the images from their session this morning!

I feel privileged and excited to participate.

The goal of this project is to reach out and provide a gift to someone in need. You probably know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

As a pet photographer, I’d like to extend this offer to anyone who you would like to nominate. Maybe it’s a friend who has struggled themselves and their pet has been there for them through the struggles. Or maybe it’s someone you know who selflessly helps out animals in need. It could be someone who has struggled this year with the illness or death of a special pet.

This has been a tough year. But I’ve seen the challenges of this year bring out something special in just about everyone I know. I’m sure that you also know a person like that and I’d love to hear their story.

This person may have a pet they love or it may someone without a pet, but they always go out of their way to give of themselves for the animal community. Perhaps their pet supports them as this person goes out to help within the community as a whole. Tell me their story because I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography — $800 worth, to be exact. Whether it’s canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $300 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Ohio, within 60 miles of Brecksville. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story at contact@furinfocus.com.

You have from today until 12/23/2009 to submit your story. The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve — so get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Mary

Learn more about Giving is Awesome project by following the blog. As of today, there are 205 photographers participating in this project. Visiting from another part of the world? Check out the map for other participating photographers.

Dearest Eva – the prettiest doberman, EVER!

And the No. 1 ambassador for the breed (there have been more rat terrier adoptions due to this dog, than just about any other breed I know), Paddy. This little guy has to be one of my favorite models. He’s completely cooperative and wonderfully patient. He’s just a great little guy (and, ahem, one of the top agility rat terriers in the country! Go Paddy!)

I used two of my favorite textures on these black and white images. One is Magic Veil, free from AlicePopkorn on Flickr. And another texture from Flickr, Aglarond by Max F. Williams.

Otto is the wire-haired dachshund – my husband wants his nickname to be professor. Ruby is a sweet, old German Short-haired Pointer. It was a privilege to photograph these two!

While digging back into my archives and reorganizing files, I ran across an unprocessed folder of photos from last winter. Buried in the folder was this photo of my dog, Ellie. It’s one of my new favorite shots of her.

In other fun news, I’ve touched base with the winner(s) of the urban location scouting contest. Look for some fun urban dog portraits featuring the streets, shores and bridges of Cleveland’s West Side. I’m somewhat familiar with the winning owner’s dogs – and they’re going to be so much fun to work with! Thanks for all of the great ideas.

To celebrate the natural beauty of fall, Fur in Focus Photography is offering mini photo sessions for your dog, your family or both. Sessions are scheduled and optimized to take advantage of the amazing colors found in our local park system. Sessions will fill up quickly, so schedule your session now.

$50 – Session Option One :: One Pet

• 20 minute outdoor session
• Digital gallery of 7-10 retouched images
• One digital image of your choice from the gallery
• One 5×7 reference print of the chosen digital file
• 25% off all a la carte and collection products

$100 – Session Option Two :: Multiple Pets or Pet with Family Option

• 40 minute outdoor session
• Digital gallery of 15-20 retouched images
• One digital image of your choice from the gallery
• One 5×7 reference print of the chosen digital file
• 25% off all a la carte and collection products

All mini session participants will be entered in a drawing for a free canvas print of your favorite image.

Refer a friend and with each paid session, you’ll earn one additional free digital image and reference print.

When?
Only two more days of sessions are remaining to capture the fall colors!

Saturday, October 24 from 3:30pm until 6:30pm
Sunday, October 25 from 3:30pm until 6:30pm

Where?
Brecksville Reservation (Directions and Details will be sent to you upon reciept of session payment)
Brecksville, Ohio
(Brecksville Reservation is easily accessible from State Route 77 and the Ohio Turnpike)

How do I sign up for a mini session?
Please call me at 440-941-4487 or contact me by email at contact@furinfocus.com

How does a mini session differ from a full session?
Regular photo sessions are one to two hours in length and at the location of your choice. Mini sessions are conducted at a specific location and are twenty to fourty minutes in length depending on your session choice.

May I book multiple mini sessions together?Yes. The two options are designed to allow for one pet at a single session or multiple pets or family shots in a double session.

What if I don’t have a dog?
I also photograph families or just kids. If you are interested in signing up for a mini session with just your human family, please choose Session Option Two.

What if it rains or the weather is bad on the day of our mini session?
If the weather turns bad, sessions will be rescheduled on a coordinated rain date. If you have any concerns about the weather, please call me at 216-212-4487.

Need more details?
Once your session is booked, you will recieve a link to a personalized web page with all of the necessary information to plan for and prepare for your mini session.