Why the name Sundog?

Westie pup naps in the winter sun. Copyright ©2005 Heidi Marcinik

Two positive images that conjure up fun, happiness, and comfort—the sun and a dog. 

Who doesn’t like the kiss of warmth from the sun, or the tongue lick greeting from a pet? Those of us with pets know that our lives our enriched because of these special animals who know how to celebrate with us as well as comfort us in our grief.

Put them together—sundog—and you have a great name for a pet photography business that captures those cherished celebratory moments with our pets.

Choosing Sundog as a business name didn’t initially start out with this idea, however. I think destiny was at play when I chose that name many, many years before pet photography would present itself as a career option. It was all in serious fun at the time, picking a name for a website I'd use as a freelance artist...someday. My then coworker and I bounced ideas off one another, having a hilarious time at name creation and pondering their meanings.

Sundog just seemed right, and I decided to use it as part of my web address and envisioned “business-to-be” name.

Why the name Sundog?

Aside from the branding practicality of a fun, easy to spell, easy to remember word, my reasons were founded on two solid principles that serendipitously left room for growth as my life as an artist evolved.

If you don’t know what a sundog is, let me explain, as it’s an important metaphor behind the name.

A sundog, as explained by Wikipedia, is "an atmospheric phenomenon that creates bright spots of light in the sky, often on a luminous ring or halo on either side of the sun." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_dog). These sundogs or mock suns appear when the sun's light refracts through ice crystals in the atmosphere. (National Geographic has a stunning photo of a sundog)

Now you may be thinking just how does that tie in with a pet photography business?

As I mentioned earlier there are two main principles that laid the foundation for choosing this name.

The first one is that a sundog is a metaphor for my philosophy as an artist. I see myself, the artist, as the sundog, and the work of art (the photographic subject) as the sun. It’s a constant reminder to me that the photographic subject remains the central focus to my work and that in capturing and creating photographic art, I become its natural reflection.

The idea is that together, the artist and the subject, mutually relate to one another in such a way that something wonderful is created.

The second main principle is that I simply enjoy a life that includes animals—mostly dogs and cats, but am optimistic that may extend to horses and barn cats one day (I thoroughly enjoy barn cats and think they make such interesting photographic subjects).

And so I come back around to the image of the sun and a dog—light and animals—photography and pets. Sundog—a perfect name for a pet photography business.

Website: www.sundogpetphotography.com

Visit me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sundogpetphotography
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/sundogpetphotog

(c) 2013 All Rights Reserved. All photos are property of Heidi Marcinik.  

Goalie Dog

I have a “soccer playing” Westie—and that means I have a talented, sprightly, playful, passionate, and ebullient dog. Brylea, now seven years old, is a joyful bundle of energy, and playing ball is one of our favorite pastimes together.

As a pet photographer, I’m intent on capturing those defining characteristics of each pet, and I have ample opportunity to focus on those exceptional qualities and moments with my own dogs. I’ve long held the idea to photograph Brylea playing goalie as I’ve always thought she could easily play that position. Catching, trapping, dribbling, and deflecting the ball was something she already knew how to do, training her to stay in goalie position required minimal effort.

The shoot was enjoyable  and relatively easy considering we practiced regularly in the backyard before heading out to an actual soccer field. Things were going smoothly, and everyone present and helping out enjoyed watching Brylea in action. She had some great goalie saves and put on quite a show with her athletic moves. It was hard to think of her as a dog and not a kid having fun at soccer practice—until, of course, she popped the ball.

Website: www.sundogpetphotography.com
Visit me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sundogpetphotography
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/sundogpetphotog

(c) 2012 All Rights Reserved. All photos are property of Heidi Marcinik.

Pet Photography Adds Charm: Westie Bath Series

I'm excited to remodel the bathroom which includes replacing the existing tub with an antique claw tub from the early 1900s. Such a historical treasure really deserves to be the focal point of the room, and I'm looking forward to having that added charm transform the space.

Of course, a room doesn't have to undergo a major remodel in order to make it your own. Adding new accents to a room can lighten and freshen it up and applying a new wall color can further that personal style and taste. Changing out wall art, or making your own is another way that brings your style into the space. Any of these decorating changes can be great conversation pieces with your visitors and will likely spur other ideas.

So, still feeling inspired by the New Year as a time to work on my own creative projects, I grabbed my dog for a quick session focusing on bath photos. It was bath day anyway, and the natural light entering the large block window was incredibly bright yet soft and beautiful -  ideal light for a series on bathing dogs.

Below are some of those photos. While these may not be my final choice by the time the remodel happens (photos of them in the antique tub surely would be charming), they make me smile and, in the meantime, will add that personal charm to the room.

  

 

 

 

Website: www.sundogpetphotography.com
Visit me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sundogpetphotography
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/sundogpetphotog

Clever and Creative Holiday Pet Photos

Another year of successfully NOT photographing pets with a Santa hat.  Don't get me wrong — pets are cute with a Santa hat, and I *almost* succumbed to that photographic solution myself. It's just that it's an overused concept, and as a designer and photographer, the expectation is to find new creative ways to a visual solution. Someday, I may eat my words (as is often the case in life :), but for now I accept the personal creative challenge to find more clever and creative ways to photograph (my) pets for the holiday than resort to the Santa hat.

Christmas 2011 proved to be that challenge. My idea was to photograph my dogs depicting holiday related themes. I challenged myself to fairly simple ideas that could be photographed on a daily basis with minimal set up.

Click here to buy my holiday images as cards from my Fine Art America page here.

Here are some of my favorites:

I own a cairn terrier — a.k.a. "Toto" dog — and in lieu of "photos with Santa" I chose to photograph him with someone more familiar...Photos with Tin Man :)

The Tin Man can be found in Clifton Square in Wichita, KS outside of All Things Floral located at 3700 E Douglas Ave Ste 1, Wichita, KS 67208

Inspired by the lyrics from The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - "Every mother's child is going to spy, to see if reindeer really know how to fly."

There's the holiday labor of love in writing and sending Christmas cards...

The trimming of the tree...

Christmas shopping at the Karg Art Glass Gallery in Kechi, Kansas...

No holiday would be complete without reading, "Twas the Night Before Christmas..."

...or singing our favorite Christmas carols - in this case "Silent Night" :)

Well all know the feeling of not wanting to wait until Christmas to dig into our goodies!

...and leaving goodies out for Santa Paws.

I had hoped for snow in order to create other holiday shots, but there wasn't any this year. Therefore I had to make do with what I had on hand for this final photo.

So you see, there are plenty of other holiday ideas for pets rather than the common use of a Santa hat. Little did I realize what I would accomplish when I set out to do this project. It was a belated idea that engendered a new sense of holiday spirit.

All images ©2011 Heidi Marcinik - Sundog Pet Photography. All Rights Reserved. No image may be copied or reproduced in any manner without expressed permission of Heidi Marcinik.