Marvel and Stacee

Marvel and Stacee.

 

One thing, among the many, that I have learned during my “Heroes and Healers” project has been one of the most rewarding aspects as well, the fact that when I am documenting a person and a dog, it is more than just a simple relationship, it is family. I will admit I have been brought to tears on a couple of occasions during these sessions when I see and hear how important it is these photos are family portraits. On several occasions I have been told it was the first family portrait some have ever had. This is why I have taken these sessions so serious and try hard to capture an image that is worthy of hanging on a wall for all to see a family not a service animal or companion animal, but a family. This image of Stacee, Marvel and Sean is one of my favorite from all the sessions I have done. I see the close bond of the family and it makes me feel like I am doing something that truly matters with my camera.

 

Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III RXD lens for Sony FE mount on a Sony a7Riii, Manual mode, f4, ISO 200, shutter speed of 1/125th of a second, handheld utilizing the in body stabilization, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron2875mirrorless, #CanineAssistants, #HeroesandHealers, #BearWoodsPhotography

Today is the day

Today is the day.

 

I have been working on my “Heroes and Healers” project for a couple of months now, and today is the day that I give the first presentation of the project at the PhotoPlus Expo in NYC. I will continue the project for as long as it will offer opportunities and hopefully expand it as well in the future. It has been very emotional for me to meet the families and hear the stories of how the dogs have changed their lives, and those of others. I will be happy to share their importance in lives to the groups attending.

 

This is Jacqueline. She is one of the younger dogs in training at Canine Assistants. She is learning how to solve problems on her own. This particular exercise teaches her how to get the treats out of the bottles. She spins them and they fall out. She is funny, when another dog is nearby, she acts like the bottles are empty, and when the other dog walks away she gets the treats out! This will teach her how to get things like medicine bottles when it falls off a table and goes under furniture. The way the folks teach the dogs is amazing, it isn’t repetition, it is to help them think. They are awesome folks!

 

Tamron 35-150mm Di VC OSD lens on a Nikon Z7 via the FTZ adapter, Manual Exposure mode, f4, ISO 1400, shutter speed of 1/125th of a second, handheld utilizing the Vibration Compensation feature of the lens, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron35150, #PortraitTravelZoom, #CanineAssistants, #HeroesandHealers, #BearWoodsPhotography

Andrew, Barbie and Heidi

Andrew, Barbie and Heidi.

 

I was able to get over to Canine Assistants yesterday to photograph 5 recipients and their canines finally after a long break due to the heat. One recipient was Andrew and his companion Barbie. I have known Andrew’s mom Heidi for several years through photography, and have met Andrew a time or two, but this was my first time meeting Barbie. There isn’t a canine that defines my project “Heroes and Healers” more than Barbie. Andrew’s previous companion, Teddy, passed away a while ago. Then recently Heidi’s father passed away. Fortunately Canine Assistants were able to place Barbie with Andrew a few months ago. They are also in the midst of dealing with some other very significant medical issues with other family members and their joy is definitely in Barbie. You can see the bond she and Andrew share, but even beyond that, knowing all that Heidi is dealing with Barbie is a hero to her. A mother with a child with autism is so focused on making life great for her child, adding so much more is overwhelming. I can see and hear how much of a relief it is to her knowing Andrew is happy having Barbie in his life. It isn’t always just the recipient that receives the hero and healer, it is also the family that benefits from such a great gift in their lives. I have been hoping for months to photograph Andrew and Barbie and finally was able to do so. Thank you guys for making it possible, and thank you to Canine Assistants for all you guys do for people who have that need for your incredible dogs!

 

https://www.canineassistants.org/

 

Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III RXD for Sony FE, Sony a7Riii, Manual exposure mode, f4, ISO 250, shutter speed of 1/125th of a second, handheld utilizing the camera’s in body stabilization, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron #Tamron #TamronUSA #TamronLensesUSA #TamronImageMaster #Tamron2875mirrorless #CanineAssistants #HeroesandHealers #BearWoodsPhotography

Beckett says “right here”

Beckett says “right here”.

 

One of the amazing dogs I photographed in Decatur, AL this weekend was a beautiful Lab named Beckett. Beckett’s style of searching and alerting was a bit different than the others. Beckett would ride with all four paws on the edge of the boat, almost falling overboard with each little movement. When Beckett would detect the scent the nose was inches off the water, then when it came time to alert, Beckett did it with authority. Beckett actually picked up the scent as soon as the boat rounded the point, which was about 50 yards away, but as they got closer Beckett zeroed in and gave a more distinct alert. For these amazing animals the praise is the goal. For us humans, the closure and hopefully answers are our goal. Dogs amaze me more and more each and every day. https://www.nasdak9.org/

 

Tamron 70-210mm Di VC USD lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f4, ISO 125, shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, handheld utilizing the Vibration Compensation feature of the lens, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron70210, #NASDA, #RescueDogs, #HeroesandHealers, #BearWoodsPhotography

A dog’s face keeps no secrets

A dog’s face keeps no secrets.

 

This project has been a learning opportunity for me in many ways. I am learning about how animals change our lives first and foremost, but I am learning about our relationship with animals as well. I watch and study the faces of my subjects, furry and not so furry. I see the “light” in the eyes of the recipients, trainers, and handlers when their hero or healer does their job. Even more so I see the “glow” coming from a dog’s face when it makes their person happy. I see joy in faces, and I know that it is so contagious that I am probably smiling along with them. There is only one way to describe the connection between the dog and their people…love.

 

In my posts I share links to the organizations I am able to work with through my photography. Click on those links please. Check them out, if you can help them, please do. Please Follow our journey as we find and highlight more “Heroes and Healers”. Thanks for making this journey with us.

 

Tamron 35-150mm Di VC OSD lens on a Nikon Z6, Manual Exposure mode, f3.2, ISO 1600, shutter speed of 1/2500th of a second, handheld, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron35150, #CanineAssistants, #HeroesandHealers, #BearWoodsPhotography

Victors, Willow and Logan

Victors, Willow and Logan.

 

So far I have shared with you some of the beautiful animals in my project “Heroes and Healers”, but behind everyone of those wonderful animals is a recipient that is helped by that animal. In the case of this image there is Victors and his dogs from Canine Assistants. Victors was telling me how his dogs, Willow, the one on the bench is now retired, and Logan standing in the front, have helped him overcome several things. Logan is a seizure response dog, as is Willow, but Willow helped Logan get over so much more. As I explained to Victors and his family that I would be doing a presentation in NYC at PhotoPlus about the Heroes and Healers, Victors asked if I would be nervous talking in front of a large group? I told him I probably would be a little nervous but I wanted to share their story so I would do the best I could. Victors told me he didn’t used to talk directly to people at all. He would tell his Mom what to tell the people even though they were standing directly in front of him. He told me he is autistic and that caused his anxiety to talk with people. I said “you are doing great talking with me”, and he responded that he talks to big groups now because of Willow. He explained that Willow being in his life got him over his fear of talking. I asked him if he planned on being a motivational speaker since he had such a great story to tell? His response…”I already am”! Yes you are Victors, yes you are…

 

Tamron 35-150mm Di VC OSD lens on a Nikon Z6, Manual Exposure mode, f2.8, ISO 1400, shutter speed of 1/2500th of a second, handheld, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron35150, #HeroesandHealers, #CanineAssistants, #BearWoodsPhotography

Butterscotch, a dog that gives HOPE

Butterscotch, a dog that gives HOPE.

I met Butterscotch about a year ago at a photography presentation I was doing. Butterscotch is super sweet, but it wasn’t until this year at another presentation I learned more about “Butter”. Butterscotch was originally placed with a recipient from Canine Assistants, but it was an unsuccessful placement and she was returned to C.A. where she met her current family and Volunteers the Hathersley family. Bill and Debra are also Volunteers with HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Relief. They have been working with them for many years and Butterscotch was a perfect fit. HOPE AACR (https://www.hopeaacr.org/) will “respond to individual traumas to large scale emergencies. Their response teams have comforted people after school shootings, hurricanes, fires, transportation accidents, the loss of first responders, and more”. The organization’s dogs will work with people who are in affected by the event. Listening to the stories of how they have helped was overwhelming for me. Listening to how the animals are treated was a relief to say the least. When a dog comforts those in need, they obviously can be affected as well, the people working with them ensure that they get plenty of play and only spend limited time on a scene. Although they are there for people, the dogs health and safety ALWAYS comes first. As I photographed Debra, Bill and Butterscotch it was neat to me how Butterscotch recognizes when she is wearing her jacket, she is working. When the jacket comes off, she is like any other dog, ready to play and have fun. I can only imagine how these wonderful dogs work a disaster, I know I could feel so much comfort and positive energy from Butterscotch being near her. When she looks into your eyes, you feel immediate calmness and peace.

Please visit HOPE AACR’s website to find out how you can support them. https://www.hopeaacr.org/

Tamron 35-150mm Di VC OSD lens on a Nikon Z6, Manual Exposure mode, f3.8, ISO 640, shutter speed of 1/125th of a second, handheld utilizing the Vibration Compensation feature of the lens, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA,#TamronImageMaster, #Tamron35150, #CanineAssistants, #HOPEAACR,#HeroesandHealers, #BearWoodsPhotography, Tamron Lenses USA, Hope Animal-Assisted Crisis Response