tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784Sat, 24 Mar 2012 05:46:58 +0000DogsKarmaArtisticFormalPlayfulCatsHalloweenGiftsStanleyWelcome to Unleashed! pet portraits by melissa mccabe. I'm a professional pet photographer operating in and around Victoria, British Columbia. As a pet specialist, my primary focus is on capturing the unique character of your pet and transforming your favourite images using digital editing techniques to create custom works of art.http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/noreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)Blogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-8611143372825293153Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +00002012-03-02T01:00:09.618-08:00DogsPlayfulOnce upon a time, the abominable mud monster finally stopped toying with his prey and sat down for a slimy chew.... Later, he had a bath. Meanwhile, at Dana Cubbage Photography ...http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2012/03/story.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-2650344667926254367Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +00002012-02-24T01:00:03.765-08:00DogsPlayfulThe pet photographer's blog circle has a look at mirrors and reflections this week.  The sun came out just enough during Bone Hour to get a reflection of the action off the muddy-pawprint covered floor, and catch a little sparkle in Buddy's eye. Then later, Maddie attempts telepathy. Please also catch the excellent reflections of Dog Breath Photography as you make your way through the blog http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2012/02/reflection.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-252274783791159609Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +00002012-02-17T01:00:10.834-08:00ArtisticDogsPlayfulThis week on the blog circle we're exploring the theme "moods".  I'm stretching a bit to "moody" and using some off-camera flash to influence the mood of the image overall.  The darkness makes my goofy pup tarts look more sinister and grumpy than they were when we did this session. Please also check out Steph's moody images to continue along the blog circle!http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2012/02/moody.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-3719695720281047023Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +00002012-02-10T01:00:09.649-08:00DogsFormalNoses are the theme of this week's blog circle.  From the My Canine Valentine sessions last weekend, I offer up some lovely evidence that real men kiss their dogs on the lips... and that precious Molly kisses  eyes-wide-open French-Eskimo style! Now let's all be nosey and go check out Blue's nose.http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2012/02/noses.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-5140344971964750397Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +00002012-02-03T07:31:02.006-08:00ArtisticDogsThis week's blog circle assignment is Bridges.  Instead of taking a new photograph I've reworked an old image of Bella using some of the techniques I use for my "artistic" style to create a new image.  This is a composite of 3 main images and three main textures, enhanced by various adjustment layers and masks using PhotoShop.  This kind of creation is quite labour intensive and even now that http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2012/02/bridge.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-5336146712081511954Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +00002012-01-28T15:42:02.829-08:00DogsPlayfulThis week our blog circle theme is "From the Hip".  Also known as "shooting blind" this is a photography technique where the camera is just about anywhere except in front of the photographer's eye - up high, down low, over there, or hanging casually at the waist as if no pictures are being taken at all.  It's popular with photojournalists and street photographers looking to capture candid http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2012/01/snow.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-5642730840648407873Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +00002012-01-13T01:00:02.155-08:00DogsFormalI'm trying a new challenge with a few of my pet photography colleagues from around the globe: each of us posting a photograph with our own unique spin on the theme of the week.  This week I'm joining in for "newness" which fits quite nicely with how it has been around here over the last few months: new house in a new neighbourhood (and new dog tags), new camera, new projects and new http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2012/01/newness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-9056387774697813267Sat, 31 Dec 2011 19:24:00 +00002011-12-31T11:24:50.563-08:00DogsFormal Well 2011 has been an interesting and eventful year, filled with big changes and many wonderful pets and their lovely people.  Looking forward to what the new year brings!http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/12/hny.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-4519253773403003912Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:55:00 +00002011-11-19T16:55:30.727-08:00DogsPlayfulI had the great pleasure of photographing Jewel and her siblings two years ago and am so saddened to learn that she recently passed away. You can see in her eyes she was a clever girl with a great passion for life and loads of energy.  She was very attentive to her mama, and expected the same in return.  Rest peacefully, Jewel. http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/11/jewel.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-6238348394060377816Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:57:00 +00002011-10-29T14:57:01.401-07:00CatsPlayfulFormal Felicia is a bengal tiger in the form of a calico kitty.  Such a fun girl! http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/10/felicia.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-8503402598178911866Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +00002011-10-29T22:02:59.519-07:00DogsPlayfulThese two fine gentlemen are in the market for the loves of their lives! For more photographs and information about how you can apply to be their forever humans, see the Bully Buddies website. http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/10/pups.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-6054850768487513256Sat, 08 Oct 2011 20:40:00 +00002011-10-29T22:03:30.161-07:00DogsPlayfulI had the great pleasure of hanging out with Buffy and Bubbles on a beautiful late summer afternoon.  Bubbles (with the ears) has since found his forever home up island, and Buffy (cropped ears) awaits her next doggie buddy. http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/10/b.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-5108681994454059471Sat, 01 Oct 2011 03:31:00 +00002011-10-29T22:03:22.420-07:00DogsPlayfulFormal Coda is a big girl who loves to sniff out neighbourhood deer when she's out walking with her dad and then head home for a cozy snuggle. I would curl up on the couch with this beauty any day!  It was a pleasure to meet her and her forever family for this fun session. http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/09/gsd-gentle-sweetheart-darling.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-7890796563706749523Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:22:00 +00002011-08-05T12:22:07.438-07:00DogsFormalPeople and their beloved pets! http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/08/love.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-5059257213127416258Sun, 19 Jun 2011 15:54:00 +00002011-06-19T08:54:59.231-07:00DogsPlayfulTo say that Winnie likes the water is a bit of an understatement.  We did our pet portrait session a while back, and she was wet almost immediately! Now that we had the wet look covered, we arranged a follow up session to capture her beautiful self again while she was sand-free and dry, and saved the jumping off the dock for last. http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/06/golden.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-4936685157957560162Mon, 06 Jun 2011 04:51:00 +00002011-06-05T21:51:38.500-07:00DogsPlayfulToday I re-met a dog I had met and been crushing on a few years ago.  Back then her name was Sugar and she was up for adoption through the HugABull program.  Today her name is Rosy and she's back on the market, waiting once again for a *forever* forever home.  I can't believe she hasn't been snapped right up!  About 40 lbs of kisses and cuddles wrapped in a fantastic tiger striped coat.  Check http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/06/rosy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-1363124677969409590Sat, 28 May 2011 18:45:00 +00002011-07-31T11:50:46.355-07:00DogsPlayfulYou know spring has finally sprung when Aura the Airedale gets a big haircut.  She barely looks like the same dog!  After she looks lean and long, before she's a totally lovable fuzzball.  Either hairstyle, its rare to catch her not smiling that big goofy grin. http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/05/fuzzball.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-7268601285656273635Sat, 16 Apr 2011 17:11:00 +00002011-04-20T13:02:39.943-07:00GiftsKarma Join us at the 5th annual Just Desserts Gala on Saturday, April 30 benefiting the BC SPCA.  There will be live music and a  smorgasbord of sweet and savory treats and local beverages, but most importantly a raffle with awesome prizes and a silent auction.  For more information about this event, including ticket information and raffle details, visit http://justdessertsgala.com And if you've beenhttp://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/04/just-desserts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-3245728495223220762Mon, 11 Apr 2011 02:48:00 +00002011-04-10T19:48:43.018-07:00DogsPlayfulMy new friend Griffin is a handsome Landseer Newfoundland, and he is as sweet as he looks.  He is a perfect mix of outdoorsy, cuddly, and playful. http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/04/gentle-giant.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-5613479694686055380Sun, 20 Mar 2011 18:13:00 +00002011-04-20T13:11:43.145-07:00Living on a fault line, I've grown up with an awareness of earthquake preparedness.  But, like many people, the recent big ones in New Zealand and Japan remind me that knowing and doing are very different things! It does not even take a devastating earthquake to create an emergency for your family: house fires and floods, for example, might necessitate evacuating your home at short notice.  Can http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/03/ice.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-6530503016250604188Thu, 24 Feb 2011 01:11:00 +00002011-04-10T19:49:51.831-07:00DogsPlayfulWow, what a winter wonderland this morning.  For a city that boasts that snow is rare, we've had both early and late snowfall this winter.  Stuck close to home today and took advantage (again!) of my in-house modeling team of Maddie and Buddy. http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/02/snow-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-8390328956142447921Sat, 05 Feb 2011 17:29:00 +00002011-04-10T19:50:17.615-07:00CatsPlayfulFormalCats seem to be under-represented on these pages, don't they?  Not to mention the chickens, horses, rooster, cow, birds that also don't feature.  It's not all about the dogs (not all the time anyway!).  So today I'll offer up a few cat images to help bring some balance. Enjoy! http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/02/cats.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-1269936360268178391Sun, 30 Jan 2011 17:01:00 +00002011-01-30T15:42:40.652-08:00DogsPlayful Seems I've met quite a few Labrador Retrievers: young and old, black and chocolate (but no yellow!)http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/01/labs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-7206109764304660051Sun, 16 Jan 2011 17:57:00 +00002011-01-29T22:00:58.311-08:00DogsPlayfulThis is the image that inspired the Unleashed! pet portraits logo - you'll see it at the top of the page and in the watermarks on all my online images.  I've been experimenting with trial version of Lightroom software, and can't help but revisit this photograph now and again to see what new results emerge.  I love the metallic, sculpted feel and am pretty happy with this version.  Another http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/01/inspiration.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860601544736915784.post-1373520074116280227Sat, 01 Jan 2011 19:11:00 +00002011-06-19T08:36:42.832-07:00DogsPlayfulBlack and white images have a certain timeless quality.  They are all about the light and dark, the textures, the expressions, and the infinite shades of grey that give shape to the subjects.  My photographic roots are planted in the fertile soils of monochromatic images like these. http://blog.unleashedpetportraits.com/2011/01/black-white.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melissa McCabe)