have you ever stopped and thought: how did i get here, to this point in my life, doing these things with these people? i've been doing that for some years now, and doing it more often as i near my mid-30s, fatherhood and so on. however, with our new pet photography venture at benton park photo co., i easily can explain the why, if not the how.

in the past few years, i've had the fortune of falling into what has to be one of the sweetest gigs for a writer and photographer who also is a doggy-daddy. i work at purina. writing, writing, writing and photographing, photographing, photographing for magazines the company publishes, among other things, such as these magazine ads i shot a couple of years ago for Purina Pro Plan.




























i travel the country meeting dog lovers and their dogs, and photographing them. i also get to talk with a lot of dog and cat rescue people from coast to coast. people with hearts of gold and a remarkable amount of steel in their spines to work through the heartrending moments of pet rescue and adoption to tell unbelievable tales of triumph they made come true.

all said, pet photography may not be what i may have guessed 10 years ago i'd be doing today, at purina or with becca at benton park photo. but a progression of events has led me here and i'm ecstatic that it has.

in 2004, i met my future wife and her, now our, adopted chocolate labrador retriever, jessie. in 2008, we adopted max, a big, goofy black lab.

now in 2010, we're putting our love of pets and photography into one bundle of booyah. we can't wait to share it with local area rescue organizations for the benefit of rescued pets in need of forever homes. and we are inspired and juiced up to put these passions on the table for clients who share our sense of artistic appreciation for furry ears, wet noses and muddy paws.

this saturday, may 15, we'll be at bark in the park, the charity walk and fair to support the humane society of missouri. we'll be meeting and greeting and, of course, photographing. registration closes for the event friday at noon.

there's more news to come, more opportunities for everyone and whole bunches of photography. we're still doing portraits, weddings and all that other awesome stuff, too. so if anyone is planning a wedding in 2011 with babies and dogs and cats and kids strutting down the aisle with the wedding party, let us know. we'll roll that ball of fun all into one with you.

don't forget: we're doing dog portraits at the one lucky mutt charity bbq to benefit stray rescue of st. louis, june 12. we're hosting "pooches 'n' smooches," a pet photography launch "party," at forest park, june 26.

and stay tuned for a new pet photography-only blog, coming soon!!