I've been wanting to incorporate pet photography into my business, and had the opportunity of photographing one of my best friend's dogs Molly. I've created a calendar I'd like to share. Now that I have created the template for the calendar, I think I will make them for some of my clients.

I usually spend the week between Christmas and New Years tweaking my business. I do everything from work on new album collections for brides to tweaking my prices. I try to set creative goals for myself and scower magazines for photographic as well as marketing ideas. I am currently looking for a new theme color. Humm will it be the "new" black (which is chocolate) or will I go towards something a bit more trendy. Here is the cover for my new 2008 pricing tiles. I'd love to get some feedback.

This morning, (Sunday to be exact) I took my two dogs for a long walk. It is funny how we can learn a great deal from a dog. As I walked, Bailey my yellow lab and Cooper my teacup poodle tried their best to tangle me up in their leash's (I think the two were plotting the great escape) alas, it didn't work. I wonder, are we on a leash that is too short? Do we plot our great escape from the land of "sameness" only to get tangled in our leash? Well maybe we just give up too easily. My dogs tried on several occasions to be released.. and after the 10th time, their wish was granted and they both were bounding down the street for sweet freedom. If it were not for the smells coming from the corner cafe, I'd still be chasing them. I learned something else, no matter how mad I am at them, how much I yell, in 2 seconds, they are again my best friends licking my face. Are we that patient with our friends? Do we allow them to rant and rave and yes sometimes say things we don't want to hear and still love them? (no licking of the faces however)I think sometimes we expect too much from the people around us when our dog can do a major dump on our favorite flower bed and we will lovingly forgive and laugh about it. Maybe we need to treat people more like our dogs. I wonder what would happen if we did?..

Bambi Cantrell Dog & People lover

Recently my hairdresser asked me to do a photo shoot of each person working in the salon. I thought I would try something a bit different than the typical headshots. Here is what I came up with. The backgrounds were just walls or decor in the salon. I used a video light as the light source. I just love the Frezzi video light!

Bambi Cantrell

OH, I used Marcus Bell actions for the treatment. They are awsome! These incredible actions are available for purchase for limited time on my website. www.cantrellportrait.com

Recently I had the privledge of photographing a darling one year old child on his first birthday. What a joy! We arrived early about 7:a.m. and photographed William just as he was awakening from sleep, photographed his morning routine with his parents, breakfast and then his first "cake." Yes it was a first for a number of reasons. His first birthday, his first cake, his first sweet period. It was so funny watching his face as he dove into that cake for the first time. I think he had more fun with the candle than the cake.. NOT! Afterwards, I just wandered around following him as he went through his daily routine. It really opened my eyes to the many things there are to photograph in one's daily life. I tried to concentrate on the expressions on his face, his parents and the interaction and connection. I chose to make the album very simple in design, staying away from lots of words or photoshop techniques. Keeping it simple is the best thing.

Bambi Cantrell