Razzy

I had to look up what "Razzy" meant in the Urban Dictionary! Here is what it said and this defines this sweet boy to a T.

Razzy

Most precious and beautiful thing ever! the nicest person you'll ever meet, the most hilarious and fun person on earth!

wow, shes so razzy!

awe! thanks your so razzy.

I am not sure who named him at Needy Paws Animal Shelter, where is waiting  for a home just as "Razzy" as he is.

Maybellene, why can't you be true?

Maybellene, why can't you be true? WELL THIS Maybellene will be true to your heart for sure!
Named as the same song from Chuck Berry - Maybellene, why can't you be true? This beautiful part Black Labrador would like nothing more than to dote on an owner. 
She is waiting for her forever home at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Adaylin, Layla, and Skylar

These kids light my day! Adaylin was the perfect baby model, especially considering that she was away during her whole session. Big Brother Skylar was quite the conversationalist for a six year old. I love the Valentine he drew for me. Big Sister Layla has the sweetest giggle! They both earned a ride in "Miss Becky's Buggy" for being so good and patient while I photographed Adaylin.

Easton and Dreams of being a Slugger

 One of the best part of my  job is the relationships I get to have with my clients. I photographed Easton's momma, uncles, cousins, aunts, all before I ever got to meet little Easton.

 With a daddy that left his mark on Clarksville High School baseball, Easton has many years of little league ahead of him. But for now, he is just the sweetest little baby model.

Hercules and Shelby Lynn

Hercules and his sister Shelby Lynn are a lot of English Mastiff, and a little something more. Mastiffs are an ancient breed that so many of our other modern breeds come from. They tend to be loyal family dogs.

Pure sweetness and ready for adoption at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas USA

 These sweet babies were too big to fit on my pet posing block, so they stayed on the ground to pose for their beautiful photos.

Maisy

Maisy is quite the sweetheart. She came right before Valentine's Day for her profile pic. She is looking for someone. At the time she is single, friendly, and loves to eat. She is not afraid to be herself around guys. She wants to have someone she can wait for to get home at night with excitement and kisses. She will give her heart easily.
If you are looking for a Valentine like Maisy, she is waiting at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Tito y Tino

 Tito (above), and Tino (below) came to the studio for their professional profile portraits. You see, they are currently living at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas. Both are very sweet, attentive, and active. They are brothers but have coats just a little bit different and of course, Tito has a "necktie" marking. They are part Labrador Retriever.

My Love

Valentine's Day is always special for Mark and I - we met on Valentines day 29 years ago. He was dating a friend of mine, she asked me to dance with him while she was talking to someone else, and well, we have been dancing ever since.  I fell in love almost immediately.

He has put up with my love of dogs, a past career in taking care of dogs. Twenty years of working with an animal shelter brought many tears home, and there he was. A new business venture in the studio 15 years ago brought big changes and stress, but we made it. Our only child leaving the nest has only brought us closer. He has traveled to places that he was very uncomfortable with - because I wanted to experience a different culture. He has had his heart broken and filled by mission trips I wanted him to go on.

I don't know what the next 29 years holds for us - but I know we will enjoy them together.

Katmandu the Catahoula Leopard Dog

I just never know what I am going to have the pleasure of photographing each week when the Animal Care Specialist from Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas brings me sweet pups to photograph.
This week I photographed Katmandu - the Catahoula Leopard Dog. This breed is  an American dog breed named after Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.  They usually have a unique eye color in one or both eyes. Katmandu is a red Catahoula. Catahoulas are used for both hunting and herding. I have heard of them being used for  hunting wild pigs, squirrels, raccoons, bears, and many other animals. They are excellent trackers. They are tough enough to take on a pig, and I have always heard them referred to as "hog dogs".   Catahoulas are protective and a natural alarm dog, very dedicated to their families, but generally have a great temperament.
Which ever family is lucky enough to add Katmandu to their household is truly in for a long time of a great dog!

Didi - Joy where you don't expect it

It is no surprise that when you go on a mission trip, that your eyes will be opened to all kinds of things that are out of your norm.  But sometimes it is not what you expect.
I have seen poverty. I have seen children that are malnourished. I have seen living conditions that I cannot imagine how humans could survive. It breaks my heart, works on my compassion, makes me feel so very blessed, and makes me question "why is my life like this, and their's like that". That answer only comes in pieces when God allows me to return as His hands and feet.
What you don't expect to see is a little girl with a twisted little body so happy to have visitors. When we went into the concrete one room home that neighbors had provided for Didi and her mother and sisters, Didi's eyes lit up. While part of the team explained to her mom how to use the clean water filter we had brought them, I sat on Didi's bed and held her hands. I am not sure what she suffers from, maybe Cerebral Palsy, but she is bound to her bed. She wanted to see herself on the camera.
I know this is not the life her momma would chose for her kiddos. But I was inspired by Didi's smile, buy her warmness, and by her momma's dedication to her daughter with so many needs.

Nicky

Nicky is part Great Pyrenees and the other part is all love. He has a beautiful coat.

He loves to stand up and give hugs and just be close to people. He is ready to give hugs to his forever family. Right now he is being treated for heart worms, but when he is finished with his treatment - he is waiting at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas USA

Every Wednesday, I have the honor of photographing shelter dogs from Needy Paws.

Thank You Military Families

The best part of my job is the relationships that are built over years.
Watching a baby grow into a big kid. A high school senior into an adult. Young parents into wise and wonderful parents as their family grows.
I first photographed Andru as a senior. He was a bull rider, stubborn, sweet. Then along came Whitney to be his wife. Baby # 1 Payton was a pleasure to photograph. All the while we visited about Andru and Whitney in school, classes, moves, job changes, family changes. Then last year Hunter was born, and Andru joined the military.
I know it was hard on him to be away from his family, especially with a baby. Payton is such a daddy's girl - it was hard on her. Whitney was working and raising two kids.
So I salute Andru first for defending our country, second for being the daddy and family man that he has become. Then a huge salute to Whitney for her sacrifice. For getting two kids to bed on time. For nights she has and will have to spend sleeping alone. For supporting and loving Andru so he can serve our country.
THANK YOU to all our military families!

Toro

Toro is a wild, wonderful bully. He is a young "teenager" of a boy that is so bright, and could learn so very fast if adopted into a forever family that is ready for some fun. He is really a clown with the sweetest expression when he cocks his head to try to understand what you are trying to say to him.
If you know someone that is ready for a family member this special, he is waiting at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Cricket

Cricket is a young sweet heart of a dog, part herding dog, all love. She came in the studio and went right to the block for her photo. I can't wait for her lucky forever family to come into Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas. I know they will have a wonderful new family member.

Media Noche - Midnight

How many Black Labradors are named "Midnight"? 
Probably lots, but this will not be her name forever. You see, she is living temporarily at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas. Hopefully one day soon, her forever family will come and take her home and give her a unique first name, and since she will be part of their family, probably their last name too.

Sharing your Gifts

I truly believe that God gives us all gifts. I am so blessed to be able to create images for a living. I love holding sweet little newborns and getting them to sleep for perfect photos. I love conversations with three year olds, and teenagers.

One of the projects we do while in Guatemala is professionally photograph all the kids and house parents at Shadow of His Wings Orphanage in Monjas, Guatemala. Our team helps us, then we a print made for every child before we leave. It is not that these kids don't get pictures made of them, but 99% of the snapshots that are taken of them stay on the phone/or camera. The fact is, they will never be able to show their kids or grandkids those images on some gringo's phone.

My gift is to make images. My other gift is to make those images into something that can be passed down for several generations.

Me and my nephew Devin playing while waiting for the kids.

Mark taking photos while JT works the reflector.

Hugo and Maritza - the brave house parents to the boys home, and to whom I am so thankful for being

house parents to my Jazmín for many years.