Norah Levine Photography Blog Austin and Santa Fe

Pet photography workshop in Santa Fe, NM this summer-spreading the word!

norah — Wed, 29 May 2013 22:29:54 +0000

Hello world! Yet again I am late in posting… I’m still here… just working on some exciting projects (including creating a fine art studio for myself!)

This is another plug for my pet portrait workshop this July at the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops. This course is FUN, filled with information, and is an opportunity to GROW. I recently had the chance to participate in two workshops in Santa Fe and it was an excellent reminder of how truly incredible the opporunity is. I got to absorb myself in learning about photography and art in a beautiful environment for days at a time with no distractions besides the amazing new friends you make while you’re there… The Santa Fe Photo Workshops are a GIFT to the world… I am so glad I had a chance to once again experience it for myself as a participant.

So… if you or anyone you know loves animals and would like to experience a workshop all about pets and creative portraits of them, please consider this adventure and sign up now! Pet portrait workshops=awesome-life-changing-experience-you’ll-never-forget!

http://www.santafeworkshops.com/photography-workshops/instructor/norah_levine

Lifelines project exhibit in Austin’s City Hall- Portraits of the Homeless and their beloved pets

norah — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:48:43 +0000

The Lifelines project will be exhibited at Austin’s City Hall, April 15-29th. (We’ll be setting up the am of the 15th!) Gabrielle Amster, Co-Creator of the project and I would love to have you stop by. Please join us for a public reception on April 19th from 5:30-8:00pm as it will give us a chance to mingle and answer any questions you may have about the project and our experience behind the scenes. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to once again share this project with the community.

If you will not be able to make it, please enjoy the images and audio vignettes online www.lifelinesproject.org

Once again, we extend our gratitude, to all of the supporters who helped to make this exhibit a possibility.

Extra special thanks to Jess Glebe Design for donating a ton of beautiful graphic design for this project.

Woofgang Bakery in Westlake featuring Norah Levine Photography

norah — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 22:10:18 +0000

I was recently asked by Amy Wissler, owner of the new Westlake location of Woofgang Bakery & Grooming, to display some of my photography of pets in the store. I love to collaborate with local businesses in Austin and was happy to display some of my pet photography.

I’m happy to take this opportunity to support Amy and her new business and recently interviewed her about Woofgang Bakery & Grooming. I also photographed Amy and her dog Stevie at their new shop!

Why did you decide to open a Woofgang Bakery?

My mom and I had talked for years about opening a store together. We looked at several different pet related franchises but never found the right fit. She was diagnosed with cancer and passed away four years ago. I immediately noticed the Austin store at 12th and Lamar and loved the concept. A year after it opened I started researching the franchise and finally, after a lot of encouragement from my sister, decided to take the plunge and open my own store. I’m so glad my sister pushed me to do this. Our mom would have LOVED this store!

What is the best thing about being a pet related business owner?

It’s so much fun! The store and the entire pet industry is constantly evolving and improving.

What do you love most about your Westlake clients?

They truly love thier pets and want to give them the best nutrition and care they can. We have met so many wonderful people with incredible rescue stories. It warms your heart to help a family with kids shop for their new puppy or new rescue. One couple drove to Waco to pick up a rescue pup. Their first stop was my store when they got back to Austin. Watson came to my store before seeing his new home!

Who is Stevie? What’s your favorite thing about Stevie?

Stevie is my little rescue pup. A friend of ours was fostering Stevie before he moved to Hong Kong for a career opportunity. He was very attached to Stevie and begged me to take him so he would be sure Stevie had a good home. He is a beautiful boy and I love that he is adapting to being a shop dog. He has come a long way from the insecure, shy boy that we first met. It makes me happy to see him happy. He gets really excited when our retail friends next door stop by. His little wiggle butt and tail wag make everyone smile!

What are the main services you offer at Woofgang Bakery?

Our salon style grooming has been a big hit with our customers. We have four experienced groomers now qualified to work with all breeds. Our decorated and baked treats are also very popular. We also have premium foods for dogs and cats.

What is Stevie’s favorite homemade biscuit/treat flavor?

Stevie likes anything with peanut butter! He also likes to lick the spoon after I mix the yogurt frosting for the decorated treats. It’s a tough job being a shop dog!

What makes your shop unique?

I’ve had so many people tell me that they like the relaxing, friendly atmosphere of the store. It’s very comfortable and obvious that we care a lot about our canine clients.

What are you looking forward to being able to do with your business?

I’m looking forward to being a fixture in the community and offering more community events, fundraisers, and adoption events.

How can people stay connected with the Westlake location Woofgang Bakery events and happenings?

Follow us on Facebook or complete a “Join our Pack” card in the store to be included on our mailing list.

Pet photography workshop this summer in Santa Fe- register today!

norah — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:14:53 +0000

It’s official–The Santa Fe Photo Workshops summer season catalog has been posted and I’ve been invited back to teach for a fourth year in a row! What an honor. That means I’m calling upon all pet and photography lovers to register now! This is your chance to absorb yourself in an incredible experience of learning and creativity with PETS in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico! You can’t go wrong with this. Make your summer plans now because class size is limited so I can give everyone as much attention as possible!
Click Here for more information about this FUNshop!

Lifelines project is featured in Professional Photographer magazine

norah — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:45:15 +0000

I’ve been a little off track with the blogging, my apologies! I’m still here. Yes, I am.

I continue to travel towards what feels the most amazing about being a photographer. One direction that has been incredible is the Lifelines project. It feels REALLY good to have the Lifelines project featured in this month’s issue of Professional Photographer magazine. This project is personal and is all about connections that matter…I’m thankful that this magazine is allowing me to share my experience with others.

The Lifelines project

Bringing meaning to Man’s Best Friend: A dog portrait session in Horseshoe Bay/Austin, Texas

norah — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 22:27:14 +0000

Spending the afternoon photographing Jim and Jackie– his sweet, elderly boston-terrier and blue heeler mix was a JOY. I photographed the duo in their favorite park in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. They have spent many afternoons together there as they wander, explore and play. I definitely witnessed an incredibly valuable friendship that afternoon and was reminded of why I love my job!

Fun Fire Station Children’s Portraits in Austin, TX

norah — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:07:46 +0000

I’m way slacking in blogging! My apologies. I recently photographed Maggie and Ruby on location at a fire station here in Austin, Texas. LOVE their smiles and unique character showing through in this colorful location. I love Mama with little Maggie just nuzzling one another. Wardrobe was provided by http://www.facebook.com/Adorbz and I think the colors and patterns of their outfits fit perfectly in the scene. Since Dad is a firefighter we chose this location as a meaningful space. Most of the time I prefer to photograph in and around homes, but if there is a location that has true significance and meaning I am all ears. I think it worked out beautifully.

Norah Levine is an Austin based children portrait photographer and pet photographer. She photographs in homes and on location. She also travels to Santa Fe, New Mexico frequently for sessions. Please view her website for more details www.norahlevinephotography.com

Lifelines: a project about the bond between the homeless and their pets

norah — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:30:07 +0000

It’s been a busy summer of photographing, teaching, and a little bit of rest here and adventure! One of the projects that kept me very busy was personal–Lifelines. This is a long-term photography and audio project I’ve been working on with my friend and colleague, Gabrielle Amster for over a year. Through the support of family, friends and community, an exhibit of the photographs and audio pieces are currently on display at the J Clark Photography Gallery on 1500 West 6th Street Austin, TX 78703. I am extremely proud of this project and fortunate to have experienced all of it. I’m delighted to share the images with you in this post, and would love for you to visit the project website to hear the audio pieces as well.

I am especially thankful to the people and animals who enthusiastically participated in this project.

The following is taken from a recent interview for www.dogtime.com article link: http://dogtime.com/photographer-reveals-bond-between-homeless-their-pets.html

One of the purposes of the project is to highlight the bonds between humans and animals. Why did you specifically choose the homeless?

The Lifelines project idea came about when I learned about Animal Trustees of Austin’s 4PAWS Program (For People and Animals without Shelter). 4PAWS was established by ATA to provide free of charge wellness care and spay/neuter surgeries to pets belonging to the homeless population of Central Texas and beyond. I was immediately drawn to the idea. But not in a sad way…I was pulled toward the hope that lay in portraying the genuine love that exists between owner and companion.

Are you working with anyone else on this project?

Gabrielle Amster is an integral part of this project. She is a staff member at Animal Trustees of Austin and helped coordinate many of the photo shoots while providing outreach for the 4PAWs program. She also conducted interviews which will be part of the Lifelines exhibit.

How difficult (or easy) was it to approach your subjects and gain permission to capture their stories on film?

Some of the people and animals we worked with were existing clients of the 4PAWS program so there was a certain amount of trust initiated. Some subjects were found by word of mouth over time as well as through other organizations serving the homeless community in Austin. The majority of the people we met were more than willing to participate and were very excited to share the importance of their relationship with their pet via the photographs and interviews.

What were the biggest surprises or most eye-opening experiences of the project?

I had very limited experience with homeless people before starting this project. I can honestly say that this project has reminded me that everyone has a unique situation that deserves to be considered. Each person we met has a different story– but they all love their pets like family members. I had HOPED this would be the case, but I didn’t know for sure. I think what most surprised me was how much of a priority the animals are to the people we photographed and interviewed.

I know you’ve photographed companion animals for years. Was this project different, and if so, how?

Like my commissioned portraits, I was still photographing animals and people and my focus was on finding the joy that exists in the situation– but this was a new experience entirely. This project gave me access to a world I would most likely never have had otherwise. I wanted to photograph the subjects in their own environment. This resulted in photographing in camps in the woods, under bridges, on train tracks and in the streets. It was definitely challenging to work in some of the locations. I wanted to keep my equipment use fairly low so as not to overwhelm anyone.

Do you have a favorite image?

I don’t know if I have one favorite image… They each remind me of the incredible experience I had during the past year.

What do you want this project to do?

I want this project to bring awareness of the importance of the human/animal connection regardless of economic circumstances and for the viewers of the photographs and the listeners of the audio vignettes to endorse programs that support this bond. ATA’s 4Paws program is one of these valuable programs.

Video:

www.lifelinesproject.org

Special Thank you to:

Jess Glebe Design donated the design for many of the promotional materials, the website and the program for the exhibit. THANK YOU. We couldn’t have put it together without you, your generosity and your talent.

Shelter puppies in an old truck– Pet Photography Workshop Demo benefiting animal shelter

norah — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:21:53 +0000

I can’t think of many things more adorable than a pile of shelter puppies in the back of an old pick-up truck–can you?
I envisioned shelter puppies, an old colorful truck, and an textured barn as an incredible opportunity for the participants of my pet photography workshop (hosted by the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops) just a couple of weeks ago. In order to make this happen, I needed all three elements to come together and thanks to generous folks in the communities of Santa Fe and Espanola, NM– it did! This shoot was especially enjoyable for two reasons–the participants of the class had the chance to photograph this gorgeous (FUN) situation and also because I had the opportunity to demonstrate and capture some photographs of the shelter puppies for the Espanola Valley Humane Society to use in their materials (now celebrating their 20th Anniversary!). Win, win, I’d say.

Special thanks:

The use of the truck was donated by DorLisa and Warren Berg, Santa Fe realtors. The barn and property use was donated by Tina Ossorgin. The shelter puppies were lent by the Espanola Valley Humane Society. Puppy “spotting” help was offered by everyone. Thank you all!

My quote for this experience – “JOYFUL CHAOS.”

Lifelines Project announced: Photography of the homeless and their pets, Austin, TX

norah — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:09:58 +0000

I am so excited to share the Lifelines project with the world! I’ve been a little busy (Thus the slacking in blogging–sorry!)

I have always wanted to lend my photography to a long-term project I feel truly passionate about. This is it.

I feel that Lifelines epitomizes this pursuit, as the bond between the homeless and their pets is one that pours through the lens like none other.

The connection between people and animals is a priceless treasure I have sought to genuinely capture in my photography for many years. I greatly value the bond I share with my own pets (or “pet family”) and find immense joy when I am able to make this connection tangible for my clients as well.

The Lifelines project idea came about when I met with Animal Trustees of Austin’s Executive Director, Missy McCulloch, and she told me about their 4PAWS Program (For People and Animals without Shelter). 4PAWS was established by ATA to provide free of charge wellness care and spay/neuter surgeries to pets belonging to the homeless population of Central Texas and beyond. I was immediately drawn to the idea. But not in a sad way…I was pulled toward the hope that lay in portraying the genuine love that exists between owner and companion.

Gabrielle Amster, a friend and ATA staff member immediately joined in as co-founder of the project and we have been working tirelessly on the efforts for the past year. Gabrielle has worked in animal welfare for many years and like myself, believes in animal advocacy and the causes that support the animal welfare community.

I want this project to bring awareness of the importance of the human/animal connection and for the viewers of the photographs and the listeners of the audio vignettes to endorse programs that support this bond. ATA’s 4Paws program is one of these valuable programs.

For so many of us, homeless or otherwise, animals are our lifelines. They are certainly mine.

Please view and share the VIDEO about this project!

An exhibit of these images and audio vignettes is scheduled for September 2012 in Austin, Texas. More information about this project will be provided in future posts.

Portrait of a homeless man with his dog, Austin, Texas.