So here is a little documentary on Cameron at eight years old…

We have repeatedly asked you about playing ball. You love to hit and throw and run. You are GREAT at it. But when asked… you’d rather just come home in the evenings and play outside and not have your time eaten away by practice and games. Ok. Got that.

You are finally starting to eat. Thank goodness. I know I will probably regret saying this in a few years. But your bird-like appetite was starting to worry me. Fruit out of the yard is by far your favorite. Blackberries, blueberries, plums, and figs. Thank goodness we bought a place with a built-in summer produce department!

When you aren’t outside playing on the dirt hill or riding your bike or hunting varmints with your BB gun, you like to build things or tear them apart. Electronics are your favorite. This reminds me of my dad. I hope you turn out just like him! Your most used Christmas present this past year was a tool bag complete with REAL tools. Followed by your Bogs boots- which you would wear every day if I let you.

You love your sister. You hate your sister. But at the end of the day you are a pretty jam up big brother. She is going to be very lucky to have you if you don’t strangle her first. From personal experience I can assure you the whole sibling thing gets MUCH MUCH better when you grow up. There may or may not have been some incidences where I was close to planning severe bodily harm to my sister growing up when she insisted on being annoying (like playing John Secada’s ANGEL on repeat for HOURS on end) but that gets replaced by a sensible adult that really becomes a ton of fun to hang around. You just have to wait for them to graduate…college. I will try to have your back as much as possible until that happens. Please just try to rise above.

You are a practical jokester. A big helper. A fixer. A country-song singer. A hunter. A wonderful son.

We are all blessed to have you in this world.

Happy Birthday!

The post Eight is Great! appeared first on Rachel Potter Photography | Vicksburg, MS Pet Portrait Photographer | rachel@rachelpotterphotography.com.

To My Daughter Coley,

Somehow we have come to this… You, my baby, have turned five.

And since I have enjoyed so many times reading your post from last year, I have decided to make it a birthday tradition. So here are your “favorite things” of the year:

You still rock the Macaroni and Cheese out of the “blue box”, but you have expanded your horizons to Spaghettios with Franks and ABC’s and 123’s.

I just asked you where you wanted to go for your birthday dinner, and without hesitation you let me know that the Waffle House was the only place that would suit. So any of you who want to join us for birthday dinner tonight… we catch ya there!

Your favorite color made a drastic and violent turn somewhere before Christmas from Purple to Pink. You however failed to let anyone know in time and so we were met with a lot of looks like these when the gifts came out:

Your new favorite hobby is to annoy the crap out of your older brother. Sometimes I think you are trying to make this into an olympic sport. This is especially true when his friends are over. Thankfully most of the time you guys do actually play well together… I hope this lasts.

Your second favorite hobby is stalling. You have made it into an art. At bedtime, especially. Its amazing how many of your parts suddenly start aching at 8pm. When you are called on it, you smile, so I know its on purpose.

You still want to be a veterinarian or a princess when you grow up. We really need to sit down and discuss the pros and cons of each. I’m thinking we need to come up with a better plan…

Your favorite TV shows are Doc Stuffins and Sheriff Callie. THANK GOD FOR DVR!!!! Every morning starts off with some Ovaltine and Sheriff Callie on the couch.

You refuse to wear green… This too was a sudden and unforseen change. NO matter how pretty and frilly… if its green… its out. I don’t know when fashion suddenly became important to you, but O.K. I finally got it.

Your hair is still untamed. That is the best description I have for it. I’m lucky if you let me brush it. Bows and barrettes are completely out of the question.

You still occasionally mispronounce words.. and I still refuse to correct you. This feels like the last bit of little baby you have left in you. It makes me sad to let it go. Just yesterday you told me there was something bothering you in one of your “arm pips” and I just smiled. When you went to complain about your ailment to your dad, he corrected you and my heart sank. Please feel free to use the terms “arm pips” whenEVER you want to! The rest of the world will figure out what you mean and smile.

Next year you head to kindergarten. Already you are beginning to read, so I know you are going to knock it out of the park. I hope homework is not the chore with you as it is with your brother. I’m counting on it… so please don’t let me down!

So happy birthday, my dear. Let’s please try to slow down this process. Its all going by too fast.

I love you,
Your mom

The post Can It Really Be True?!?! Coley Turns Five. appeared first on Rachel Potter Photography | Vicksburg, MS Pet Portrait Photographer | rachel@rachelpotterphotography.com.

Here are images of the eight dogs we photographed that day.    As I type this, I want to take the opportunity to share something with you… YES YOU READING THIS…

I know it gets old and often depressing, seeing the images day after day, of all the dogs needing homes.   Believe me…sometimes I think to myself    “Are we even making a difference?     Is this picture even going to matter?”       How is a dog like this  (scared, hairless, plain- jane looking) even have a chance out there?   WHO will want her?

But let me tell you WHY I do what I do, and WHY Leigh and the other volunteers do what they do.

Because we see not only the poor neglected dog in front of us, but in our hearts we see the potential that is behind those sad brown eyes.      We see not just a dog… but the family bed-buddy underneath.      The nose that nudges under your hand after a long day to give you encouragement to keep going.    The playmate that brings the ball back after your kid has thrown it for the umpteenth time.   The jogging partner that keeps you going up that next hill.

I have the special privilege of seeing  some of these adoptees  year after year-after they have found their forever homes and been shown what love is.   I have seen them after they have overcome their shyness…   after they have grown back their hair…  after they have learned to trust, and give back love ten fold.

I have seen them literally shed their shell of an existence and become outgoing, happy, affectionate members of the family.    And every time I see that transformation my heart gets bigger and allows just a little more room for the next potential dog who is just waiting for someone to give him a chance.

One of these guys never even made it out of the clinic.      Those of us who are adept at seeing the potential peek through the trembles were all too happy when Animal Medical Clinic’s own Robin Cedotal and her family decided to welcome this little guy into their home.    Even in just a short while, although he was still scared, you could tell there was a AWESOME dog just screaming to be let out of that tiny little shivering, scruffy little body.     I am so lucky that since Robin works for us at the clinic, I get to watch another transformation unfold.   I get to see MORE lives changed (both human and canine).   And I get to feel my heart get just a little bigger  and give me hope for the next one that  comes along…

If you are looking for a new family member,   or just want to help change a life and foster a dog and help be part of the magic… please contact Leigh Conerly at Paws Rescue and see what you can do to help today!!     And don’t forget,  if you would like to help by purchasing a 2014 Paws Rescue Calendar you can do so ONLINE by clicking the Link above.   We can ship or they are available for local pick-up!

The post The WHY of Rescue… appeared first on Rachel Potter Photography | Vicksburg, MS Pet Portrait Photographer | rachel@rachelpotterphotography.com.

I remember how sick you made me when you were still in my tummy…EVERY DAY.  You were worth every minute of it.

I remember how tired I was near the end of my pregnancy. in JULY… moving from the old clinic to the new in a day… and still you were worth it.

I   remember all  the horrible things that happen to your body AFTER you have a baby that NO ONE tells you about… and still you  were worth it.

I remember you at just a few days old- I was having a breakdown on the front porch after everyone had gone home from visiting… after I had snuck you  a bottle of formula because you were SO hungry and I couldn’t be the mom I thought I had to be… I remember thinking that I had just ruined you for life.   Caused the death and destruction of your immune system in one fell shake of the formula can… and yet even after all that panic and tears.. you were still worth it – and you survived

I remember the tears I shed when I had to leave you at day care for the first time… again… thinking I was failing you as a mom….

I remember being at your second birthday and thinking how sad it was that the plan was for you to grow up all alone.. and deciding to give you a sibling.    How much more work two are than one, but how much greater the rewards of seeing you together.   Yes.. you are definitely worth it.

You are worth the dirt on my floor, the bugs in my house and the food in my car…

And the struggles of teaching you to read… with you resisting us very step of the way…

You are worth the worries that we are doing a good job as parents to try to train you to be a responsible, caring young man who loves the Lord and shows kindness to those around him.

You are worth the heartbreak that I know is coming when one day you no longer want a hug when you first wake up in the morning…

You are worth the gray hairs… that I KNOW I am getting.

I hope you know how much I love you and how proud I am to be your mom…

Happy 7th Birthday, Cameron Potter!

The post A letter to my Little Boy…no, my Little Man appeared first on Rachel Potter Photography | Vicksburg, MS Pet Portrait Photographer | rachel@rachelpotterphotography.com.

I met you in the Columbus Animal Shelter in 1998.    It was my first summer of vet school and since I was out of the dorm and desperate for the dog that mom and dad said I could have “when I was grown” I headed out to pick one out.     I was nervous about how I would find you amongst the rows of dogs in the noisy shelter… How would I know which one was the right one?  There would be so many,  but God led me straight to your kennel and that was that.     I don’t even remember seeing any other dogs that day…

As a puppy we shared an apartment with another dog and two cats along with their 2 human counterparts.   I remember trying to sneak  you down the stairs and not wake anyone at 2 in the morning so that I could take you out to go the bathroom.    I remember when you destroyed not one but TWO single beds… ( I thought Amy was going to decapitate me AND you!)     I remember how you used to love to play frisbee, but one a lower level because your little short legs could only get you so high.. and the grunty noise you made each time you jumped and caught it in your mouth… so proud.

And even though I don’t remember the wreck, I will remember the stories the nurses and EMT’s told my parents about how I had gotten myself out of the car and was  standing on the side of I-55 asking the good samaritans that stopped “Where is Pepper??”  all the while holding onto your leash with you beside me.    And how the EMT’s put you in the ambulance with me and the nurses snuck you into the ER and hid you behind the desk until my parents came.     The only memories I have of that experience are waking up and reading a sheet of paper Mom had placed in my hand (apparently I had become pretty annoying by repeating my questions…)

1.   You were in an accident

2. You hit your head but you are ok

3. Pepper is ok

I remember how you accepted every animal I would bring home (other dogs, cats, pigs, horses, squirrels, possums, racoons) even if you were reluctant to give up more of my attention… you took it so well.    And when the babies came you were great about them too.

I will remember your little raccoon tail… it was definitely your trademark.     I will remember how you would do anything for cheese.

And I will remember that when you needed me to be strong for you the most… that I was and let you go.    I know you have fought hard to stay with us.    I would never have imagined I would have had you in my life for over 15 years.    But I can see you are tired… and you need your rest.    You have repeatedly shown me that over the last few days and with the help and prayers of so many I am ready to help you go home.    You have several of those family members already up there waiting on you…  Please give them all a kiss for me.    I love you and will miss you so much.    Thank you for being my first… there will never be another like you.

Pepper

1998-2013

~

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Today you turn 4.    Hard to believe that 4 years ago today I was at work trying to get through that one last patient before I headed over to the hospital.    We had so many false alarms with you, that I was bound and determined to wait for my water to break before I claimed to be in labor again!

I wanted to take a minute and record  some of your favorite things today… at four… in 2013.

Macaroni and Cheese.   The kind in the blue box that you actually have to COOK is your favorite… of course.

Purple.    No wonder the “P-U-R-P-L-E ” song  was one of your favorites…. after hanging your laundry this morning and realizing 90% of your wardrobe is purple… I think we need to expand our horizons a bit in this area.

Kittens.     The meaner and less complacent they are… the more you want to stuff them into your stroller.

Cameron.     I can count on whatever he says,  likes,  wants… you want one too.    I find this especially funny when you repeat a statement that Cameron did 10 minutes ago and expect it to be accepted as an original thought.

Strawberries.     Guaranteed to make you stick out your tongue and pant like a dog… kinda like this:

or this…. this is a face you like to make often when I get my camera out…

If you haven’t figured it out yet… I have A LOT of pictures of your tongue.   However… you are more easily bribed now and at least will tolerate me for a little bit.

You can be a very moody child.     You really never know what your gonna get in the morning.    Luckily you have a very forgiving heart… and you can go from This

To THIS very quickly!     

IN fact… I think you FAVORITE thing to do is to make people laugh… whether you mean to or not.     Almost anyone who spends any amount of time with you always remarks how you keep them rolling with laughter.      Much to my chagrin sometimes… because there is NO TELLING what secrets you are revealing.

Other things of note in 2013…

You are 41.5 inches tall…. *just* under the height limit for a good number of rides at Dixie Landing- all of which you wanted to ride.    Luckily nothing a little cardboard in the shoes couldn’t fix.

You finally have enough hair to wear in bows, braids, etc… but generally refuse to let me fix it.

You STILL intentionally put your shoes on the wrong feet…. always.  Even tight fitting boots.

You STILL act/think/look/sound just like your Aunt Shanon, which reminds me every day that I am in for a rough ride in 10 years.    I think I will start making arrangements now to ship you off to her house in 9.

You STILL mispronounce words that I KNOW I should help you say them correctly.    However… sometimes I just like to hear you say them “your way”

You STILL  want me to do things for you that you won’t allow other to help you with.   And while I usually reprimand you for acting ugly like this… I secretly am happy  inside that I am still your favorite.

Happy Fourth Birthday to my sweet funny Coleybug!    Your family loves you dearly as you bring so much joy to our day!

The post Coley in 2013 appeared first on Rachel Potter Photography | Vicksburg, MS Pet Portrait Photographer | rachel@rachelpotterphotography.com.

This was our first time to attempt to photograph the cats at the shelter.    And while photographing cats in general is a great challenge… without a adequate and safe area to use.. this is the best we could do today.   Please don’t let that sway you from giving these darlings a second look… we are in the process of getting together some mobile studio equipment to take next time!

And the Puppies!!! Of course its spring.. and love ( and mother nature) is in the air.    There were several puppies including these very young 4-5 week old pomeranian/poodle mixes:

and these adorable 9 week old Lab mix brother and sister

And this… which needs no words… OMG…..

Here are some other young adults available: 

And last but not least.. the felines.. (these are all adults)

The post Vicksburg Shelter Adoptables! appeared first on Rachel Potter Photography | Vicksburg, MS Pet Portrait Photographer | rachel@rachelpotterphotography.com.

So… group has gotten a little caught up in life and missed some months posting.  But we are getting back on the bandwagon and posting this month.    To ease the pressure, we are posting a free-for-all month.    Anything goes.    So here is mine:

These were some of the first film images I ever took by myself. (Without my film tutor- Michael Foster)   They are FAR from perfect… as I was just learning to focus by looking down.    The ones with the lines through the images  were taken with my grandfather’s old TLR, and so are very special to me.     We then took it apart and restored it into good working order.    I hope you enjoy them as much as I do…

Now continue on the circle and see what Sharon Kain has in store for us!!  Thanks for stopping by!

The post For the Love of Film: May appeared first on Rachel Potter Photography | Vicksburg, MS Pet Portrait Photographer | rachel@rachelpotterphotography.com.

Fast forward to last summer.   I attended a wonderful workshop in Dallas given by Bev Hollis and Teresa Berg,  Unleashed.     It was my first time rubbing elbows with fellow pet photogs who saw beyond the snapshots of “Fefe in Santa’s lap at Christmas”.    Bev and Teresa gave me such a push to find the art in the photography.     Not only did I learn a ton and have a blast, I met fellow new pet photographer, Mary Siani.       We clicked almost immediately and kept in touch afterward.    Then one day,  Illona wrote a blog post about her new Mentorship Experience.     At first I was way too intimidated to even consider something as intense as that, but after chatting about it with my friend Mary, we decided to inquire about the Two on One Mentorship.   Even after we first made contact, I was still so starstruck that I seriously doubted she would accept us as mentors… or that we would be able to snag one of the few coveted spots she had left for 2013.       To our delight (and a honestly a little bit of terror) we were able to secure a spot in August of 2012 for April of 2013.   I was hesitant to make such a big commitment so far in advance, but we took the leap of faith.   We were booked!

Not long after we secured our spots, Illona, Mary and I all had a teleconference where we discussed our current skill levels, business models and goals for the mentorship.    She encouraged us to start a Scruffy Dog Notebook where we could jot down questions at any time for her to answer during our time together in April.     And so I did.   And it has become one of my most prized photography accessories!    The pages and pages… and pages of notes that I wrote like mad during those few days are just the tip of the iceberg of the value of Illona’s outpouring of knowledge.

Now…  its time to come clean.    By the time our mentorship actually arrived… I had begun to almost regret booking so long ago.     I had grown a good bit in my photography skills in the past 6-12 months and the thought started to creep into my mind that perhaps I shouldn’t be spending the amount of money for something maybe I already knew.    Not that I felt I was anywhere near that level, but I just started to doubt the potential return on my investment.      I only am admitting this to help those of you who- in the back of your mind -doubt the value the cost of this mentorship.     Let me assure you… you will learn something… you will learn TONS… and Illona does not hold back.   She treats her mentors as she treats her clients… and leaves you feeling as if you should be asking to  pay her MORE for the amount of attention you receive.

Well the big day arrived!   We stepped off the plane and got through customs (my first time using my new passport)  and Illona and Merrick were there in the airport to greet us!    We hopped in the Scruff-Mobile and set to work immediately.     From the first night my fears of meeting my long time pet photog idol were gone.    Illona was so approachable and just oozed  information.   We assessed the weather (which was crappy) and our time frame and set a rough outline for covering the topics we had selected.     We ended up having to wait until Sunday for shooting due to the weather, but we were able to cover so much before hand that by the time we got to shooting we could just focus on honing our technique and learning new approaches.

Our first model was Rosie,  an adorable American Bulldog who although was a bit camera shy at first, left me with wonderful images and gave me more experience with working with shy animals in a limited amount of space.

Phoenix was our next model.   Also a shy dog at first (which we had requested) and quick as lightening!    She gave us lots of opportunity to practice with long range and action shooting.     She eventually warmed up to us and became quite the little poser!

And finally the time came for us to venture to the infamous tunnel of trees.   I had to take a couple of shots there… just to say I WAS THERE!   And it is AMAZING!   We also hit the graffiti tunnel… undergoing demolition!    I hope that this beautiful backdrop gets preserved for the sake of future Scruffy Dog Clients, because it is such a fun place to shoot!   And can I just say that Merrick and Mattea are two of the most amazing dogs I have ever met!?!?   (not to mention insanely cute!)     As many of you know, I have a new Doberman puppy, Jinx… and I really hope to one day have the same amazing relationship that she has with her two guys.    Really was inspiring.

And finally some behind the scenes shots that I was able to get of Illona and Mary while on our shoots:

So if you haven’t guessed… I kinda love Scruffy Dog even more now than I did before.      If you have a passion for dogs, and a desire to succeed in pet photography… I really can’t recommend a better place to end up.      I think she has ruined all other photography learning experiences for me forever… for which I am eternally grateful.  I just hope that as one of her students, I can continue to grow and make her proud to call me her one of her own.    Hope you all enjoy all the eye candy!

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Our Theme this month was Ektar 100 in Daylight using any format of camera.     Our only stipulation was that it must include a person…hmmm… Mardi Gras Parade!?!??! Perfect!

I ended up ONLY taking film cameras with me to the parade.  Most of these are shot with my 35mm EOS3.    The square frames are taken with my Holga ( Since I didn’t have Ektar in this format… I used Portra 400 for those and am sharing those as well)

I hope you enjoy.   I will provide a brief commentary on some of these …

These were taken before the parade started.   We got there early… and thanks to some wonderful friends who got there EVEN EARLIER we had a prime spot!   I loved the ladderseats all lined up.   THESE ARE A MUST if you go and bring small children.  Period.

The streets filled up quickly once the parade got started.    A few times the parade stalled ( I was told probably because one of the floats broke down)   At one point the parade was stopped for almost an hour!!!  Luckily for us.. the rolling disco people were right in front of us.. so they just cranked up the music and we had a disco party!!!

During the break in between parades,  people just made their own fun!    Eating, Laughing, playing football in the street.   One family even started their very own line dance!

The whole weekend was thanks to Anita and Keith Martin… Anita is in the Crewe of Iris.    She had been trying to get us to come down as a family for a while to the parades.   But honestly… after my single college experience in Mardi Gras… I was REALLY doubtful of the “family friendly atmosphere” they were promising!     The Parades of Iris and Tucks are GREAT for kids.   They are not as busy, during the day,  and they throw TONS and I mean TONS of toys for the kids.   We made the mistake of trying to go to Endymion that night and it was just too much for the kids.

Here is a series of picks of Anita on her float.    She had a WHOLE BAG of stuff she squirreled away for the kids…  she wanted to throw us some beads too… Follow the succession.   In the last pic… I had some guy block my view… seconds later the beads landed OVER AND AROUND My head, camera and lens!   Wow… that was close!

This was followed by a “OMG … did I just hit you?!?!?! ”  Look from Anita.. which I DIDN’T get on film!   ha!

And finally… Thank you to my sister Shanon and her husband Gerritt for allowing us to crash at their house and enjoy a great weekend…. And for driving us around in the crazy streets of Nola… I’m still not used to the skinny streets and cars everywhere!

I hope you enjoyed my post!    I really enjoyed only taking film and having to be happy with just being in the moment and relaxing.
Please stop by our next blog in the circle!   Annie with Annie May Ogoshi Photography  has some amazing images for us I know!  Click HERE!!!

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