Published and awarded pet photographer serving the Charleston SC area with seasonal appointments in Northern Virginia.

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December, 2020 | Monthly Selections

Well, helloooooooooooooooo 2021! My how we have waited for your arrival!

My December round-up is usually a recap of the year so more words, less pics, but let's start with the photos.

I met a sweet foster/fospice dog named Eeyore, who came for photos as a part of his “bucket list” and let me tell you, dogs truly are the very heart of forgiveness. I see it over and over again, dog after dog. Eeyore was failed by his humans, but a foster stepped up - and became a hospice foster when they learned he was riddled with cancer - and his rescue, BAC Penny Paws, did all they could for him. Eeyore said his goodbye knowing he was loved in the end. It was an honor to meet you, sweet boy. Thank you for the kisses.

December is historically crazy for me with photo fundraisers and then prepping the files for guests so they have them for their own holiday needs, and I don't usually schedule client sessions in December because I'm focused otherwise. But after the event work is done, I always try to take a winter break and decompress a bit. This year was no different as we went to the TN mountains for a few days, where we rented a cabin with a HUGE fenced in yard, saw some flurries, walked the skybridge (which was amazing!), wandered the Smoky Mountains one very cold day (Gracie’s first mountain trek) and I even NAPPED once, which is something I never do!

I know 2020 was a terrible year for so many people, but as I look back, I had quite a few things to be proud of and thankful for:

• Named Best Pet Photographer, Best of Mount Pleasant 2021 (awarded for 4th year in a row!)
• Finalist – single image, Greater Good Shelter Challenge (named in the Top 25 nationally)!
• Met and photo’d Emmy award winner Brandon McMillan of CBS’s Lucky Dog series as part of a behind the scenes shoot.
• Magazine cover shoots for Lowcountry Dog Magazine and Mount Pleasant Pets.
• Articles written for Mount Pleasant Magazine, Mount Pleasant Pets Magazine and Charleston Women Magazine.
• Photos used in several magazines: Lowcountry Dog, Carolina Tails, Mount Pleasant Pets, Charleston Living, Charleston Women, and Mount Pleasant Magazine.
• Honored as Animal Advocate by Lowcountry Dog Magazine, July 2020.
• Served as Managing Editor for the inaugural issue of Charleston Women Magazine.
• Artist display at City Center for 3rd year in a row (and now invited for July 2021 with my theme being Berkeley County Rescue Pets).
• Celebrated eight years as Artist Member with HeARTs Speak.
• Photo used on billboards as part of Subaru’s 2020 “Make a Dog’s Day” campaign.
• Photos used to create artwork for Rescue Brew beer cans by Palmetto Brewery.
• 481 volunteer hours tracked to local shelters and rescues through 12/30/20 and
• 577 adoptable animals photo’d through 12/30/20 (see collage below).
• At least 70 client sessions this year, three popular doggie daycare portrait events and three community events (one pre-pandemic, two masked!) - happily surprised given this crazy Covid-world!
• Two days of Santa photo fundraisers where we had visits from 92 dogs and four cats!
• Raised nearly $20,000 through photo projects and fundraisers in 2020 to benefit rescues and shelters – in a pandemic year, it’s pretty awesome that people were so supportive!
• I continued my weekly visits with Rosie and have been amazed by her progress, inspired by her fosters and quite taken with Rosie’s spirit. I can truly say I love her – I know there are big things in store for her in this new year.
• I feel like I’m forgetting something!

I do need to give one last shout out to my husband for embracing his volunteer Santa gig this year, even growing a real beard to give guest pets a more authentic experience!

In spite of (or because of?) Covid, people really turned out to support local rescues and shelters as soon as the coast was a little clear and guidelines for safe distancing made sense. Adoptions and fostering have been solid and I hope this trend continues long after Covid goes away.

Our little family stayed healthy this year (knock on wood), including Roux and Gracie! And while March and April were strange when the lockdown really kicked in, my work activities didn’t suffer this year and for that I am very thankful!

I am entering 2021 with a new schedule in mind, and allowing myself time to pursue personal projects (and a little downtime) rather than feel like I’m always working. I hope whatever goals you set for your new year are achievable, maintainable and that all good things come your way!

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2020 & 2021 UPCOMING EVENTS & SCHEDULING NOTES

Ongoing: Adoptable Animal Photo Sessions.

March 27, 2021 | Woofstock 2021 at Hanahan Amphitheatre.

July, 2021 | Artist Display, City of Goose Creek. Theme: Berkeley County Rescue(d) Pets.

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