jill carmel photography | the blog

Bark Ave | Super-Fun Pet Stuff

Here's something a little different from what I normally write about, but I wanted everyone to know how great Bark Ave. is in El Dorado Hills. They've been around for a few years but just last month expanded into an even bigger store and it is FABULOUS. Whether you're looking for a cage for you hampster or a super-cool blinged-out dog collar, they've got it all, including a entire do-it-yourself dog grooming area.  

Even if you don't have a pet, it's worth going to the store...because it's covered in HUGE photographs of puppies and kitties photographed by yours truly! The new display went up just in time for their official grand-opening this Saturday and the first 100 people to arrive get some seriously awesome goody-bags (I already got the inside scoop on what's going to be in them, and it's good.) I hope you can make it and bring your furry friends!

I photographed Mr. Bode here for the promo on the event -- isn't he handsome?!

 

P.S. - In case it's too small to read on the picture, their new location is 4311 Town Center Blvd. Suite 420 in El Dorado Hills.

King of the World | Granite Bay Baby Portraits

I'm completely in love with the pictures of this family.  Owen is their first baby (aside from their puppies, of course!) and he is one seriously adorable little man.  

He's just the king of the world, in between mom and dad.

I learned about a new doll that day -- Blabla Kids.  Okay, okay...most of all of you are probably thinking, "What! She doesn't know about Blabla Kids?!"  I'd never heard of them before last week, but I adore them now.  I think they might be my favorite doll...ever... This family has a whole mobile made out of Blabla kids...lucky!

Their little man does the cutest little face (see below on left).  His mom and dad call it the "Popeye".  I'd have to agree the name fits.  Love his little teeth making their way out just for the picture.

This is their sneak peek, but, oh boy, there are some super pictures that I didn't have room to include here.  Can't wait to show them the rest...coming soon!

Busy as a Bee | Sacramento Photographer

Golly, it's been busy around here!  I've got SOOOO MUCH to share with you on the blog, but haven't had a chance to write about all of it yet.  However, I couldn't help but show a little sample of a big project I've been working on -- much more info to come soon!

You look at this and you can't help but think (or just yell out loud) "Awwwww, soooo cute!"

Cover of Style Magazine | Sacramento Pet Portraits

Fun, fun, fun.  I got the cover of Style Magazine with a photograph of some of my favorite doggies! 

The Golden Retrievers' mom is Robyn Steward of Philosophia - my favorite place to get custom-made GORGEOUS invitations and she's right here in El Dorado Hills.

I slipped a few other client photos in the magazine while I was at it (in the circle below)...couldn't resist. 

Guess who that is on the bottom left of the circle?  It's Bueller!!  Isn't my pup a handsome little devil?!  I'm such a proud dog-mom.

Growing Fast | Sacramento Pet Photographer

Little puppy is growing fast, and I promised myself I would do a photo shoot with him before he got too big.  He turns 11 weeks old today!

We changed his name...it is now officially "Bueller" which fits his personality perfectly!

He's very proud of the fact that he now knows how to sit and lie down on command, so here he is showing off for the camera...

I love his sweet little face in this one.  I know...I'm smitten.

Treats are yummy!

The vet says that his ears will be floppy while he's teething, but I think it's the cutest thing that they can't decide which one will be up today and down tomorrow. More to come later...and maybe a video, too!  Oh, and Bueller told me to say "Yipe!" (translated: "Hi!") to all of the sweet people who left comments on his last post.  Thank you!

Boston Beauties | Sacramento Dog Photographer

In between my newborn, child and family shoots this week, I got to meet three gorgeous Boston Terriers - Dylan, Goodie and Turtle.  They belong to Danielle Campbell, a recognized Boston Terrier breeder in the Sacramento area.

Last week, her gorgeous cutie, Dylan (officially - "Multi BISS CH SUNWOODS LAMBURGINI"), won the 2009 BTCA National Speciality, which basically means he's the top Boston Terrier in the country for 2009.  How cool is that?!

You can tell he knows how special he is...

And handsome...

And just plain cool!  Check out his great ears.

Here's Goodie, who is only eight months old and still has that puppy sweetness thing going for him.  His little lips and laid-back ears just make everyone want to kiss him a hundred times!

Last but not least, Turtle.  Love the look she's giving me here!  She's like, "Come on, just give me the treat and get it over with, lady."  I joke, but they were all so sweet.

A kiss goodbye --

Golden Retreat { Sacramento Pet Photography }

Today, I had the honor of photographing Philosophia's "Golden Retreat".  It is aptly named due to the fact that Robyn (owner of Philosophia | Custom Invitation Design) has three Golden Retrievers herself and she invited all of her doggie friends (+ humans) to the gathering.  

All kinds of breeds showed up, including everything from Golden Retrievers (obviously) to a West Highland Terrier.  We even had a Goldendoodle.  Love them.

And here is the beautiful and talented Robyn herself --

This gorgeous labrador, Roxy, is the sister of a dog from a session I did last fall.

Yes, she does have two balls in her mouth at once.  You gotta love dogs.

Too sweet not to include here:

Allie & Lucia | Modeling Photography

Beautiful Allie in the golden yellow fields -- just scrumptious.

We just caught some of the last of the cherry blossoms.

When she asked if she could bring her dog, Lucia, I was like, "Umm, yeah!"  Lucia is such a sweet puppy.

Just chillin' in mom's arms.

 

Puppy Love

So I have a little personal policy that I'll only do portraits of adults if there is a child in the picture or it's part of a child's portrait session...but when R called me to take pictures of her and her three golden retrievers, I couldn't help myself.  I'm a dog-lover and I have a huge soft spot for golden retrievers.  I guess I'll have to expand my policy to taking pictures of "doggie-kids", too.  ;-)

This sweet little dachshund jumped in mid-way through the session, along with R's sister.  The more the merrier!

Gorgeous

I sat down to write about this session and I found myself using the word "gorgeous" in almost every sentence.  I was going to try to find some good synonyms, but then I thought that this word just fits them so perfectly that I didn't want to change a thing.  A picture speaks better than words, anyhow, so see below for a few images from their session that I love...and you'll see for yourself why I felt completely justified in using the word "gorgeous" as many times as I liked:  

This pair just look gorgeous with their glowing hair and stunning eyes.  It was a little windy that day, but I think it worked in our favor, lightly blowing back their flaxen locks so I could capture their gorgeous faces.

I found myself getting lost in her eyes -- blue in some light, green in others.

Even their dog is gorgeous!  I adore the combination of the colors of her coat with the colors of her collar and name tag.  Thanks for being so good, Gracie!

See, told ya.  Gorgeous.