This is my Magnolia!  A fellow Atlanta Lab Rescue volunteer shared a neat photo site with me over the weekend, 500pix.com.  Y’all should check it out.  After spending way to much time on that site I created a little photo challenge for myself.  It was fun putting this shot together, and I am excited to see what it looks like in print!

Keep your eye out for another great session on the blog this week!

Oh my goodness y’all!  I cannot make up my mind when picking photos to blog, ESPECIALLY when my subjects are as cute as these guys!  My blog is about to EXPLODE with lab love!

A few weeks ago I got to hang out with Duke, Jake, Chelsea, Trooper, and Eddie…ALL Atlanta Lab Rescue doggies!  I was introduced to them a few at a time, and soon we were exploring their back yard and getting to know each other (A few of you got to see previews over on TWITTER).

Please snuggle in as I introduce you to each of them, I have some fun group shots to share too!

Yes!  We even got a few photos of everyone together…and on a bench!!  The photo below has some pretty funny out-takes!

Say hello to Duke, the senior of the crew.   He was so loving and friendly right from the start, showing off his toys and tricks, always a smile on his face.

Jane got LOTS of kisses during our session!

Oh Jake, Jake from State Farm (like the commercial), haha!  Jake is so young at heart!  I swear he is two not six…he has such a neat personality, and as you can see in many of the photos below, not afraid to check out what everyone else is going.

Chelsea is a little camera shy, but not afraid of telling these boys who’s boss!  She is the lady of the pack and even wears her own set of pearls! 

Oh Trooper, what a handsome boy!  Trooper is going to be in our Atlanta Lab Rescue calendar!  I will never forget when we first went outside Trooper ran right to his “pantry” and got a stick to show off.  He keeps his collection of sticks and things in one area of the yard under a canopy of trees, hence the name “Trooper’s Pantry”.

**update** Trooper lost his front leg as a result of a hunting accident.  The owner vetted him and then turned him into the Dekalb animal shelter.  Thank goodness for divine intervention,and the work of the ALR volunteers he found his way to his forever home!

Eddie is last, but not least!  He reminds me so much of my Mason.  I think Eddie plays hard to get…here is why…when I first arrived Eddie stayed back, gave me a few sniffs.  He was shy in his first photos, BUT then he started coming around with a rope to show me, and then it was a stick. By the end of the night he jumped right up on the couch next to me and snuggled in!  To me, that was the highest compliment!  

I love the rest of these shot because we just got to just hang out a bit.  I have so many it was hard to select what to share, but I thought some of these really caught the essence of the Rumple’s pack.  These pups are so fun, I cannot wait to come over and visit, I might have even offered to dog-sit!  Hehe!

I am SO THANKFUL to the Rumples of letting me come to their home!  I had a blast, and left with my heart so full.  This is an all-star lab rescue team!  And, these pups made it to paradise when they met Tom and Jane.

To find out more about scheduling your pet and family photography session please click the EMAIL ME button at the top of the blog!  And, to meet some amazing labs check out the Atlanta Lab Rescue website today!  Thanks y’all!

Today is DAY ONE.

As of today I am living my dream as a full-time photographer.  This dream has been burning in my heart for a while now, and so at the beginning of April I had to share with my co-workers that I was going to be leaving the Governor’s office at the end of the month. Throughout April my head and heart were filled with mixed emotions.  Should I really do this? Am I walking away from something that is too good to be true? Do I have what it takes to really run my business? I even had a few dreams that someone stole my identity at the office!

I wanted today to set a tone for my business.  I wanted to not just take a few days off, but really hit the ground running.  Let it be known the t.v. has not been on all day.  I started the day reflecting on yesterday and my past 4 1/2 years at the capitol.  I thanked the Lord for his affirmation this morning that I am right where HE wants me.  And, I headed out to help our Lab Rescue friends.

I have been sharing over on Instagram and Twitter my DAY ONE photos.  But, I wanted to share Churchill with you in more detail.

I dare you to look into his eyes and not be moved.  I wish that I could also convey how this gentle giant moves when he walks.  How he sits close to those he trusts.  How inside this broken body is still a spirit of love and a heart that wants to play.

I fed him a treat trying to win his trust and attention.  It was at that moment that I started to tear up…he has no front teeth.  My heart sank.  My eyes are watering as I even remember it now.

I squeaked a ball and his head turned just like a puppy and he looked down for it.  I had to put down my camera for a while and just love on him.  He is like every lab that we pay $$$ for from a breeder.  Who knows!  Maybe he came from one?  But why did he end up tied outside to a chain?  We as humans mess things up sometimes…big time.  They think his teeth came out from trying to get out of his chain and also malnutrition.  Yet, he is one of the sweetest spirits I have ever met.

A special angel.

Churchill made my day.  In a lot of ways he is just like all of the other labs we see in the rescue, in need of love and attention, a safe place to sleep.  I am at a loss for words though when trying to share his spirit with you all.  I hope you can see it in his eyes.

I will never forget my DAY ONE.  I am SO thankful that it is only the beginning!

To keep up with Churchill and other sweet lab loves visit the Atlanta Lab Rescue, and please come check them out this Saturday at K9 Planet in Roswell!

We love taking the dogs to the river.

There are so many “firsts” ahead for Maggie this summer: the river, kayak trips, jumping off the dock at the lake, swimming at the beach, and chasing the largest birds she has ever seen!  We visited a new section of the river the other day.  Not the most dog-friendly section, but great for playing volleyball and they even had this outdoor workout area.  Really cool, but no great spots to just jump in the water and play, or run off-leash a little while.  Non-the-less, we had a good time, and the section we went to was maybe 5 minutes from our house- tops.  I am excited for these new adventures, and getting to share them with our baby girl this summer!  If you all know any great dog friendly sections of the Chattahoochee let me know!  We want to get out and meet new friends this summer!

We walked out on this crew dock and the light was just blasting through this huge tree…I am glad I had my camera on me!  You can see my little family below.  Magnolia always has her eyes on her mama…Mason always has his eyes on the geese!

Life is like this sometimes…all twisty-tangled up…those are the moments I cherish our little walks by the river.

Maggie says she will give you a kiss if you check out our Facebook page & LIKE us!

You can also follow our adventures on Twitter & Instagram (abjphoto)!

We had an awesome day Saturday at K-9 Planet in Roswell!  Other than a bit of a sunburn, the day was a huge success!  New dogs found homes, foster families, and had their first showing.  David and I can’t always bring another dog home to OUR pack, but have had the great honor of helping these and other dogs find forever homes!  To find out more about these dogs, and others, LIKE our ABJ Photography Facebook Page and check out the dogs on the ATL Lab Rescue Petfinder page!

Toffee (below) is a beautiful tripod lab that came into our care (ATL Lab Rescue) a few weeks ago.  She is getting along SO well, and would make any family complete!  We hope to show you another tripod pup from the rescue in a few weeks as I gather images for our upcoming project.

Buddy is a little sweetheart!  Look at that adorable face!  He was totally showing off for the camera on Saturday!

Ariel (above) and Noel (below) are looking for good homes!  Ariel could really use a great foster family too!

In Atlanta lives a dog named Maxine!  She is a beautiful Rottweiler who has lived quite an interesting life!  I have to say, when I got to Maxine’s house, I was not sure if she was going to let me in her yard…but after introductions we became fast friends!

Jacki + Maxine are the best of friends.  When I first spoke to Jacki on the phone I could tell that Max was a special girl, and they had a special bond.  I got to meet Jacki, her daughter, and Maxine this past weekend.  We had a great time relaxing in the yard, taking some photos, and laughing as Maxine entertained us with her personality, and some singing!

Maxine is truly one of the girls!  I could hang out on the deck with her all afternoon.  She had her eye on Jacki the whole time, and at her center, she is a girl with a mission- to take care of her mama.  Thank you Max for letting me hang out in YOUR yard, and thank you Jacki for allowing me to photograph you and your girls!  It was such a great afternoon.

For more information on how to schedule your dog’s photo session please visit our SERVICES page, or EMAIL ME today!

Meet Harper y’all!  Rescued and loving life in Decatur, Harper is one of the models for the special project I am working on for Atlanta Lab Rescue…I mean, seriously, look at that sweet face?!?

Harper is a one year old lab mix- a special blend of Lab, German short-haired pointer, love-bug, hound, high jumper, and now model. She was kind enough to show me around her town on one of these amazing pre-spring weekends!

During our tour, we got to visit the Decatur courthouse, and courtyard.  She kept a watchful eye out for friends, and treats.

I love the expressions on her face, and the added detail in her ears…I have a special place in my heart for puppies with big ears!

I know this face, it is the face of a girl who will melt your heart!

The image below may need to be hung on the wall of cuteness in my office!

Such a fun play date Miss Harper!  I hope out paths cross again some day!  I am SO happy that you are with your forever family!!!!

To find out more on how to book your dog portrait session, and play date, please contact me through the EMAIL ME button above.

Baby Bentley came to stay with us a few days ago and has already snuggled his way into our hearts forever!  He is a foster puppy, so he is still waiting on his “forever home.”  You better believe I am loving my role as foster mama while it lasts!

Bentley is a little guy at only 8 weeks, but he has a big personality!  Above all, he is such a good boy.  Mason and Magnolia are teaching him new tricks and the routine of the house.  I often get a glimpse in Maggie’s eyes, as if she is saying, “mom, do I have to babysit again?” As any teenager would.  She is taking such good care of him, and is so gentle with him, even though he is often locked-in on her jaw or ear.

We had a little photo session the first day we had him, so as he woke up from an afternoon nap we got to explore and play.  Looking back at these images, after having him a little while longer, I can see how true they are to his little big personality!

Balls and Sticks…a lab’s true love!

Sweet baby boy, you are loved!

To find out more about adopting an Atlanta Lab Rescue dog please visit their site: Atlanta Lab Rescue.

Mason and Magnolia are two dogs that know what it means to have a photo shoot!  They are great models and totally play along when I want to get some updated photos of them playing and just being best buds.  Magnolia is an Atlanta Lab Rescue dog and Mason is a Hound Mix from another rescue in the area.  They are both around 2 years old, and love to play ball, catch, chase, stick, sumo wrestling, and are waiting for warmer weather to play in the river.  Our dogs are our babies and mean so much to us, so having updated photos of them around our house is a must!  Here are some from our early Spring photo session…

Not to brag or anything…but do you see my dog in full flight!?!  Attagirl Mags!

To find out more on how to book your pet photography session contact me today by clicking on the EMAIL ME button above!

Today I dedicate this quote to my 31st year!  I am wishing for a simplified year, full of quality not quantity, and following my creative dreams.  I am so excited about the weddings and portraits that we have booked for this year!   And, the amazing and creative people that I get to photograph!