I wanted to share a portrait experience from the end of last year — Baloo’s session at Alsea Falls.

Baloo’s hooman, Jessica, had entered a giveaway at an event where I was a vendor… and she won! She was so excited for the opportunity to have portraits created of her boy.

During her consultation, she told me one very important thing:

Baloo enjoys playing in the water.

That led us to Alsea Falls, Oregon — a stunning location that felt like the perfect match for him.

Before session day, Jessica had a little “homework.” Some dogs aren’t fond of the sound of rushing water, so I asked her to take Baloo to the falls ahead of time to see how he felt about it. He handled it beautifully — which meant we could confidently move forward with the plan.

When session day arrived, we did what I always do.

We worked on pet time.

That means we started with a relaxed walk. New smells, new surroundings, we let Baloo take it all in. As we wandered, we chatted, scouted portrait spots, and whenever a location felt right, we gently worked it into the flow of the walk.

No rush. No pressure. Just exploration.

We intentionally saved the river for last — no one wants a soaking-wet dog in every portrait. 

From the bridge, Baloo looked curiously down at river, we captured some magic. He wasn’t completely comfortable near the heavier flow of the falls (there was more water than during his pre-visit), so we adjusted. We moved to a quieter stretch of the river where he could relax and enjoy himself.

That’s always the goal: read the dog, adapt, and honor what they’re telling us.

After the session, Jessica shared that she had a special piece in mind. Her sister had previously gifted her a canvas featuring her former dog, and she wanted something similar to that design.

Together, we created a custom artwork piece using three of her favorite images from Baloo’s session.  She chose a gallery-wrapped canvas and instead of placing them on a flat black background, we chose a softly blurred image from the same session, keeping the tones cohesive and natural.

The result? A deeply personal piece that tells Baloo’s story.

And she loves it.

Here’s what Jessica shared afterward:

“I had a pet portrait done with my dog and Ginger made the entire process easy (and quick). She is very responsive and open to whatever makes you and your pet most comfortable. I had a great experience with her and love my final product!”

This is why I do what I do.

It’s never just about taking photos.
It’s about creating something meaningful — in a way that feels good for both you and your dog.

If you’ve been thinking about creating something meaningful of your own dog — this is your nudge.

Whether your pup loves mountains, water, open fields, or your own backyard… let's design a session around them.

Let’s create something you’ll get to see on your walls every day. 

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