Best practices for hanging artwork
Hang wall art 6-12 inches above furniture. The art photograph by Pauliina Saarinen Photography.
Your beautiful wall art has arrived and is ready to be hung on the wall. Making holes in walls can be nerve-wracking, especially if you aren’t quite sure where to put those holes. I have listed a few rules that you can follow to add a pleasing focal point to your room.
Preparations
Get your tools ready before you start. You need:
Tape measure
Painter’s tape
Roll of paper for templates
24” level
Hooks
Begin by tracing your frames on a roll of paper and cut out templates for each frame.
Using your paper templates, try different layouts by taping them on the wall. When working out the layout, keep these interior designer’s principles in mind:
The Eye Level Rule
If placed on an empty wall with no furniture in front, the art piece should be placed so that the center of the piece is at eye level, which is about 57-60 inches from the floor. Follow the steps below to hang your art at eye level.
Measure from the top edge of the frame to the hook or the wire pulled up so that there’s no slack. This is the “Hardware height” measurement.
To determine the height of the center point, measure the height of the art piece and divide by 2.
Subtract the “hardware height” measurement from the halved frame height.
Add 57”-60”, depending on ideal eye height for you. The sum is the final height at which the hangers should be placed on the wall. Don’t forget to measure from the floor.
Breathing space
When hanging artwork above the sofa, mantel, bed or other furniture, you want space around the art piece so that it can breathe and not look crammed. A good rule of thumb is to place the bottom of the frame 6-8 or even up to 12 inches above the top of the feature. In these cases it’s acceptable to break the Eye Level Rule. Experiment with your paper template to see which height looks good in your room.
The ideal size of the art piece relative to furniture is between 2/3 to 3/4 of the width of the furniture. Art image by Pauliina Saarinen Photography.
Size matters
A big print will create a beautiful focal point in a room with a lot of wall space. The ideal size of the wall art piece relative to furniture is between 2/3 to 3/4 of the width of the furniture. You can also use two pieces of large wall art that together measure about two-thirds the length of the furniture.
The more the better
Your wall art should cover 60 - 75% of the available wall space, i.e wall space that isn’t covered by furniture or moldings. To calculate the coverage that suits your space, begin by measuring the width and height of your wall and then multiply both dimensions by 0.60 or 0.75. This is the space you have to work with. It can be filled with a single or multiple art pieces. A cluster of smaller pieces will create an eye-catching gallery wall.
Leave 2-6 inches between frames in a grouping. Art images by Pauliina Saarinen Photography.
Gallery wall Tips
A gallery wall can fill any size wall space. It can have a unified look, or it can consist of prints with different frames, mediums, finishes, colour themes and include both matted and full frame images. Below are a few gallery wall tips.
Leave a 2-6” space between frames.
If you have a focal piece, don’t be afraid to place it off centre. Experiment what it would look like if placed off centre or in the middle. Go with what suits your space and taste.
Add to it. Your gallery wall can evolve and change with your life.
Finally, to keep your art looking great for a long time,
Avoid hanging artwork directly above or below heat sources.
Hang your art on walls that don’t get direct sunlight.
By following these tips, you’ll create a balanced and eye catching display to your room for every day enjoyment. If you have any questions, you can leave me a comment below.
When Woof ate a bag of chocolate shavings...
KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Woof’n Sheep’s Clothin’ , Woof for short, was one of the five Bedlington Terriers that I have owned over the years. How I wish that I had better images of him! This is a great reminder for everyone to have their pets professionally photographed. Cell phone snapshots just aren’t good enough. Forgive my shameless self-promotion!
The bag of Callebaut chocolate shavings intended as a Christmas present for my friend was licked clean right to the bottom. The offender was easy to spot; my Bedlington terrier Woof had a chocolatey muzzle up to his eyes. Woof, a true food connoisseur, had found the shavings in one of the bags. Oh my, what a horrible mistake on my part to leave the shopping in the car with the dogs unsupervised… (the story continues below)
It’s hard to foresee all the possible ways our animals, puppies and kittens in particular, can get into trouble. During the prep for holidays, everyone is busy and mistakes happen, which can prove to be very serious, even fatal in some cases. Here’s a list of common dangers that might lurk at home during the holiday season.
FOODS TOXIC TO DOGS
Alcohol - intoxication, lack of coordination, trouble breathing, abnormal acidity, potentially coma, death
Apple seeds - release cyanide when digested
Cooked bones - splinter easily when chewed causing damage to the gut, even perforation. Blockage is also possible due to large enough bone pieces
Candy and chewing gum - often contains xylitol which can cause release of insulin, kidney failure, even death
Chocolate - toxicity causing panting, vomiting, diarrhea, damage to heart and nervous system
Coffee - potential death in dangerous quantities
Raw salmon and trout - can be fatal if the fish is infected with a certain parasite
Garlic, chives and other onions, onion powder - often in human foods, such as packaged meat products and baby foods. Causes anemia and damage to red blood cells
Grapes and raisins - contain a toxin that can cause liver damage and kidney failure
Hops (in beer) - panting, increased heart rate, fever, seizures, even death
Macademia nuts - contains a toxin causing weakness, panting, swollen limbs and tremors and possible damage to the digestive, nervous and muscle systems
Marijuana and cannabis-infused edibles - very attractive to dogs and can affect the nervous system and heart rate as well as cause seizures, coma and even death
Shelled nuts - may cause blockage
Persimmons, peaches and plums - their pits are a choking hazard and seeds can be toxic
Tobacco - nicotine damages the digestive and nervous systems, increases heart rate, loss of consciousness and ultimately cause death
Yeast - on its own or in dough causing gas and discomfort. Too much of it could rupture the stomach and intestines
FOODS TOXIC TO CATS
Alcohol - intoxication, lack of coordination, trouble breathing, abnormal acidity, even coma or death
Chocolate - toxicity causes arrhythmia, muscle tremors and seizures
Coffee, tea, energy drinks - restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscles tremors
Canned tuna for humans - often packed in brine (excess salt) or oil
Milk, cheese and other dairy products - cats don't tolerate dairy products very well and can become lactose intolerant. Affected cats can vomit and have diarrhea.
Meat products for humans - often contain onion powder which can cause anemia and damage to red blood cells
If you suspect that your pet has ingested something toxic, call your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately. Time of starting treatment is essential and can make a difference between life and death.
PLANTS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Holiday plants such as mistletoe, holly, snowdrops, lilies and amaryllis plants are bad news for pets. Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous to pets or people but can cause vomiting and irritations in the mouth and stomach when eaten.
CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS AND TREES
Decorated Christmas trees in the house are sure to perk the interest of curious cats and dogs. Keep these tips in mind when decking the halls for Christmas.
Chewing of Christmas tree branches can cause stomach upsets and irritations in the mouth.
The water in the reservoir under the tree contains fertilizers and should not be ingested.
Decorative pine cones can be a choking hazard for pets.
Ensure the tree is well-secured and choose ornaments that don’t break and have loose parts that pets can swallow.
Use string instead of hooks to hang ornaments.
Avoid decorating with tinsel or angel hair as they can end up in pets’ stomach and intestines potentially causing various issues.
Hide cords for lights to make them inaccessible to pets who like to chew things.
NEW YEARS’ CELEBRATIONS
Fireworks, fun for us but a nightmare for animals. Prepare for the night in advance to keep your frightened pets safe during the celebrations.
Talk to your vet about options to calm your pet's frayed nerves.
Talk to your neighbours and ask for advance notice of fireworks. This will give you time to get your pets indoors.
If outside, keep your pet leashed or, even better, harnessed. Make sure your pet can’t pull its head through the collar.
Make sure your pet carries tags with current infomation AND has a registered microchip or tattoo. Register your pet with the BC Pet Registry which is traceable internationally via the American Animal Hospital Association’s pet microchip lookup.
Going back to Woof’s chocolate feast
Luckily for us, we were at the vet’s office within minutes. It was a simple numbers game; we knew exactly what chocolate (it was milk chocolate) and how much he ate, and we also knew his weight. A quick calculation by the vet revealed that he would be fine, perhaps a bit hyper and nauseous for a time. There was no need for stomach pumping. It would have been a different story, had he eaten that quantity of dark chocolate. Lesson learned!
Have a safe holiday with your furry family!
Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 Calendar
The 3rd annual Vancouver Island Dogs Calendar is hot off the press!
Here are the calendar portraits of the 12 winners with a little backstory of each fun session. It’s safe to say that in 2024 you’ll be smiling every single day of the year!
The 3rd annual Vancouver Island Dogs Calendar is hot off the press!
Here are the calendar portraits of the 12 winners with a little backstory of each fun session. It’s safe to say that in 2024 you’re going to be smiling every single day of the year!
Download all these images through a link at the bottom of this post.
And now to the winning dogs!
Alik at parksville Beach
Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 Calendar_Alik the overall winner and Dog of the Month at Parksville Beach by Pauliina Saarinen Photography
We will begin with a massive dose of corgi dapperness with Alik on the cover. As the overall winner of the calendar contest, Alik is also the poster boy for the Month of March. During his calendar session, I photographed Alik with his pawrents playing and wading in the shallow water as warm as bathwater, all nicely heated by the sand as the tide rolled in. With his blue merle markings, which include odd colour eyes and pink mottles on the nose, Alik is perfection on four feet.
Kona in Grandpa's ‘64 Chevrolet Impala
Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 Calendar_Kona the Dog of the Month_Saanich Peninsula, Victoria BC by Pauliina Saarinen Photography
As a calendar winner three year’s in a row, Kona is an old hand at calendar sessions. This time I photographed him in his Grandpa’s 1964 Impala and captured two apples of Grandpa’s eye in one shot. After a lot of circling around the huge car, I settled on this view of smiling Kona, nicely framed by the wide window opening. Kona as Mr. January begins your New Year just right.
Jasper in salmon point
Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 Calendar_Jasper the Dog of the Month in Campbell River BC by Pauliina Saarinen Photography
Jasper’s calendar session took us to Salmon Point where there are a lot of opportunities for pretty images on the beach and along the meandering walking paths. Not only did I photograph Jasper there but also his furry brother, a sweet tabby cat named Felix, together with their pet mom. When I clicked the shutter as Jasper was barreling along the path toward me, I knew that I had captured his calendar image. His smiling face puts a smile on your face for the whole month of February, I’m sure of it!
Sophie at Playfair Park
Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 Calendar Sophie the Dog of the Month_Portuguese Waterdog_ Pauliina Saarinen Photography
Sophie the Portuguese Water Dog looked her absolute best in a brand-new groom for her calendar session at Playfair Park. There were pink and purple rhododendrons in bloom in the park, which made a pretty backdrop for Sophie’s portrait. The glorious evening sun gives it a warm summery feel. It’ll be much needed in April, when Sophies’s images comes up. You’re most welcome!
Arthur Andrew at Oyster River Beach
Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 CalendarArthur Andrew the Dog of the Month, Black Creek Courtenay BC _ Pauliina Saarinen Photography
When I saw that this sparkly-eyed beau gives me the most wonderful head tilts and gorgeous smiles, I knew that you had to see it too. As a chihuahua cross, silky-coated Arthur is tiny. He’d easily get lost in the big world so I lifted him on the log and made him look as big as he can be to reflect the huge impact this little guy makes in the world!
Yugi at Beacon Hill Park
Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 Calendar Yugi the Dog of the Month_Beacon Hill Park in Victoria BC_ Pauliina Saarinen Photography
Are you ready for this cuteness coming at you in June? With a monocle and a patch over her eyes, her big ears and cute corgi paws, Yugi is going make you feel weak from love. Evening sun shining through the garry oaks created a pretty backdrop for this adorable puppy’s calendar portrait. I’m sure she slept like a log after her action-packed session.
CHUCK AT KOKSILAH RIVER
Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 Calendar Chuck the Dog of the MonthDuncan BC in Cowichan Valley_Pauliina Saarinen Photography
Sometimes the perfect photo location is bit of an adventure away but it didn’t face thirteen years young Chuck! While we long legged people waded across the river in knee height water, Chuck crossed it swimming. We then hiked on the far side to this pretty location behind the river bend. Chuck swam across the river again to pose on these rocks for his portrait, which I captured over the river with my long lens. It must be Chuck’s adventurous personality that keeps him young! This is Chuck’s 2nd calendar appearance, by the way.
BRACKEN AT ISLAND VIEW BEACH
Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 Calendar_Bracken the Dog of the Month at Island View Beach, Victoria BC by Pauliina Saarinen Photography
The artsy drift wood construction offered a great setting for Bracken’s calendar portrait. He struck a perfect pose and gave me his signature smile in a true Samoyed style. We had a great time romping on the beach and capturing images of him and his pawrents along the way.
Andy at High rock cairn park
Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 Calendar_Andy the Dog of the Month in High Rock Cairn Park, Victoria BC by Pauliina Saarinen Photography
This beautiful boy with a golden heart is a rescue from Afghanistan. The hardships that he endured earlier in life are far in the past as he now enjoys his best life on Vancouver Island. On the evening of Andy’s session, the sun was streaming through the boughs of the conifers, turning the forest golden. The light suits perfectly for this loving 4-legged treasure who brightens the day of everyone who gets to meet him.
Sophie at Sidney Pier
Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 CalendarSophie the Dog of the Month_ Sidney Pier in Sidney BC by Pauliina Saarinen Photography
On a summer evening, Sidney Pier is a bustling place. There were people - and dogs - coming and going as everyone wanted to take in the scenery in summery warmth. That’s when we were there too, photographing Sophie for the calendar. Her portrait has a great seaside holiday vibe, don’t you agree?
Archie at tsolum river
Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 CalendarArchie the Dog of the Month _ Tsolum River, Courtenay BC in Comox Valley by Pauliina Saarinen Photography
I sure got my butt wet, sitting in the river for this image! Archie loves to play in the water and fetch sticks, giving me an abundance of opportunities to capture the action at the river. In the evening light, the water droplets in the air turn into round circles, giving Archie’s image a happy playful look. That’s how Archie looks too!
Olivia at Balmacarra Park
Vancouver Island Dogs 2024 CalendarOlivia the Dog of the Month _ Balmacarra Park in Saanich, Victoria BC _ Pauliina Saarinen Photography
Olivia likes to run along a narrow seawall at her favourite park. But to get there, it’s a real obstacle course! As I have found that great images often require more effort, it was worth a try. We got our feet wet crossing a steep and deep crevice in the rocks that fills with seawater with every wave. Then we climbed the jagged rocks to the far side to get to the photography location. It was so worth the effort! I came home with this image of Olivia on the seawall and the orangey sunset skies reflected on the water on either side of her. Olivia the parkour dog appears in December. Wait a sec! It’s BARKour when Olivia is doing it.
I hope you enjoy the images in the calendar as much as I enjoyed taking them! Thank you to all dog owners for your effort in making them happen.
You can DOWNLOAD these calendar images from a gallery HERE. They are resized perfectly for you to share them as is on Instagram, Facebook or in e-mails to friends.
Order your copies of the calendar directly from Operation Freedom Paws Canada by clicking HERE, scanning the QR code on the image, or by sending an e-mail to info@ofpcanada.org. The calendars are $20 each plus postage. All proceeds from the sale of this calendar supports OFPC Service Dog Program.
Will we see your dog in the Vancouver Island Dogs Calendar Contest next year? If you are not on my list yet, subscribe to my newsletter HERE to be the first to know when the next contest kicks off in the spring of 2024.
11 favourite images from 2022
I selected 11 favourite images from 2022, all taken in the great outdoors on Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Island Victoria BC pet photographer_Pauliina Saarinen Photography
Last year was a great photography year for me! I had fantastic client session with the pleasure of photographing both dogs and dog people. I also had a great time photographing our own Frisky. I practice with Frisky so that I can incorporate new ideas, locations and techniques into my client work if they work out. If they don’t, I only disappoint myself.
Looking through the images I took in 2022, I selected not 10 but 11 images as my favourites.
A Pomeranian tilting his head to the camera.
Sid, the Pomeranian
Can anything be cuter than a fluffy pom sitting on soft green moss, tilting his head to the camera? I think not. Blurry conifers on the background contributes to the soft feeling in the image.
A dog photographed in Fan Tan Alley in Victoria BC Chinatown.
Frisky at Fan Tan Alley in Victoria
I call this image “On the heels of an alley cat”. It is a vertical panorama, put together from four or five different images to make justice to the tall and narrow alley. The signs, lights and lanterns high up create visual interest in the image. Shooting there was a challenge with people coming and going but perseverance paid off.
I submitted this image to the Professional Photographers of America IPC competition but for some reason the image showed sideways. I must have saved it sideways… Argh! The judge said, “My heart is aching for you. Please send it again.” So, that's what I plan to do this year.
A toddler with his dog at Merridale Cidery in Cobble Hill.
A toddler and his dog
The old blue truck at the Merridale Cidery in Cobble Hill was a perfect attraction for this toddler, keeping him entertained long enough to capture him and his dog in one image - a rare moment indeed! This adorable child was a superstar and didn’t shed a tear during the two plus hour shoot.
A pair of Bernie-doodles photographed at a river in Comox Valley.
Cooper and Scout
I love what nature has to offer on Vancouver Island, and needless to say, I try to incorporate the scenery in my dog photographs to create “dogscapes” if I can. To create this image, I had the owner of the dogs stand knee deep in the river, keeping the dogs on this rock shelf while water flowed between their feet. I appreciate it very much when owners are “all in”, humouring me while I try to create what I visualize. I’ve noticed time and time again that good photographs take a lot of effort; great photographs require even more effort. But, the end result makes it all worthwhile.
A Finnish Spitz bred by Kinsol Kennels in Duncan BC.
Kova, the Finnish Spitz
What a thrill to photograph a dog breed that I know well from my home country, Finland. The Finnish Spitz is considered to be a Living National Heritage in Finland. These dogs descend directly from ages old hunting dogs without any crossbreeding, making them a rarity in the world of dog breeds for their purity.
Kova is a very pretty and a very clever dog. She figured out my crazy sounds in no time. I only had about two attempts with my crazy sound before she lost her interest in them but I managed to capture her looking quizzitively in the camera. Bingo!
A giant tree in Bright Angel Park in Duncan BC.
Frisky still with the giants
This pair of massive trees is in a nearby park where we walk almost daily. It’s pretty amazing that these trees weren’t logged like most big trees on Vancouver Island have been. There they continue to stand, right at the river’s edge and awe passers-by. When it was time to shoot for the Up Ups Challenge in the Embark course I did last year, I wanted to try capturing Frisky with these forest giants. Frisky got the idea and jumped in the fork of the trees, about a meter above the ground and waited until I had captured an image I liked. She even gave me the interested ears, a sign that she was into shooting that day, which is not always the case. I like how the light from the river behind wraps around the tree trunks and lights Frisky up from behind. The image was awarded a merit at PPA’s Int’l Photographic Competition, which made me very happy.
A young and powerful Rottweiler playing in a Great Blue Heron Park in Yellow Point, south of Nanaimo BC.
Powerful Bane, the Rottweiler
Bane is one of the winners in the Vancouver Island Dogs Calendar Contest, an annual fundraiser for Operation Freedom Paws Canada that I organize. I timed his calendar session at high tide after reading the high tide marks on the rocks. How cool would it be to have Bane stand alone on rock, surrounded by the sea, as if far away… Truthfully, we were only meters off the beach. But, when we arrived at the location, the rocks was completely submerged! I had failed to take the harvest tides, the highest tides we get, into account and scheduled the shoot too late. It was an epic FAIL! The images that I took on the beach did not make the cut that I impose on my images. I had no other choice but to reschedule the shoot at another location. The 2nd time around, I got a beautiful image of young and powerful Bane, playing in the water. He didn’t even know he was being photographed.
A tender moment shared with a senior dog and her owner.
May’s kiss
“I’d like you to capture a kiss”, May’s owner wrote on the questionnaire that I always send out to my clients before a session. I want to learn what’s important to them, and it guides my shooting for that client. I could sense her love for her senior dog; May means the world to her. I love the love in this image and the late summer vibe, the yellowed wispy grasses and the golden evening light that rims my subjects. This image reminds me why I am a pet photographer.
A pair of papillons at 40 Knots Winery and Estate Vineyard in Comox Valley on Vancouver Island.
Fizz and Lucy, the papillons
Every year, I organize Fall at 40 Knots sessions at 40 Knots Winery in Comox in October, just when the vines are in their fall splendour. The vineyard is all fenced so it’s a safe place to photograph dogs, and it gets beautiful light that time of year. This image of Fizz and Lucy is my absolute favourite from their session. Lucy couldn’t quite keep her excitement under control, and her twirling created opportunities for the cutest images possible. These darling little dogs were lit from behind by the late afternoon sun. Even the ground underneath their paws was glowing in golden light. I couldn’t have asked for better light!
A dog in a historic railway car in downtown Duncan BC.
The red railway car
The Embark course includes a challenge called Colourific. Little bit of colour wouldn’t satisfy the judges so I was on the hunt for a location that is VERY colourful. But, where to find one, when you really need one. The end of the course was looming, and I still hadn’t gotten the shot for this challenge. I was starting to get nervous and ready to settle for less until one day I “found” a historic railway car, painted in bold red and hiding in plain sight. I can’t count how many times I had seen it - or had I really? It’s the boldness of red that makes it one of my favourites - and of course, Frisky.
A dachshund and catahoula photographed at Salmon Point in Campbell River BC.
Rex the catahoula and Mason the duchshund
Vancouver Island beaches can be quite chaotic places with driftwood, branches, sticks and algae piled up high by the tides. Small dogs can get lost in the scene, and the distractions can take the viewer’s attention away from the subject. But prop little guys up on something and they stand out in stature like they do in character! Mason with the log is almost as tall as Rex - oh well, almost. The size difference between these beautiful brothers reminds me of the movie Twins, and I can’t help but smile!
I hope you enjoyed my images. I’m looking forward to what this year has in store. Please leave me comment below!
Pauliina Saarinen Photography is an award-winning professional photography studio for pets, dogs, cats and horses and families on Vancouver Island.
Frisky's favourite pumpkin treats
Christmas cookies for us people are still not made but Frisky’s Christmas treats are already done. That’s the order of business in our household! I want to share two of Frisky’s favourite pumpkin dog treat recipes for you to try out. These nutritious treats are easy to make and Frisky thinks they taste great! I don’t have a bone shaped cookie cutter but Frisky doesn’t seem to mind. Please leave us a comment below to let us know what your dog thinks of them. Merry Christmas from Frisky and Pauliina!
Homemade banana pumpkin dog treats_Pauliina Saarinen Photography
Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats
Ingredients
2 cups flour
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup peanut butter (make sure it is Xylitol-free)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 375°F
In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin and peanut butter
Stir in the flour and combine the mixture into a dough
Roll out the dough onto a floured surface
Cut the dough into shapes with your favorite cookie cutter
Place the treats half an inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet
Bake for 12 minutes
Let them cool down completely before offering to your pooch!
Banana Pumpkin Dog Treats
Ingredients
3 cups whole wheat flour + extra for dusting counter
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 banana, mashed
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix eggs, banana, and pumpkin together. Add flour and mix until all the flour is incorporated.
Lightly dust the counter and a rolling pin with flour, then roll out dough to approximately 1/8″ and cut out treats.
Lay on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 20 minutes. Cool completely before giving to your pup!
How do you photograph love?
Happy Valentine’s Day! Today you and I celebrate our loved ones with our loved ones. As a photographer of people and their pets, I’m hired to capture in photographs the bond and feeling people are experiencing in their heart. How does one begin to photograph LOVE? I think about that every time I pick up my camera. To start unpacking the emotion, I ask myself, “what is it that my clients love?”.
A moment in time
When people ask me to photograph their (furry) family, they want me to document this moment, the way life is right now. I hear urgency and appreciation. They LOVE this moment in time. Their puppy or kitten is still small and terribly cute. Their toddler is still a toddler, taking wobbly steps and falling over on the bum all the time. They still have their dear old dog with them although they know that the day of goodbyes is nearing. Or, their adult pets are at their prime, still strong and full of life. Life is never still. We and our circumstances change constantly. This moment in time is all we have. Tomorrow may already be different.
Characters
People love their pet’s personality and character. Clients with active, healthy pets always want to have images of their pets in their element, what their pet loves doing the most. When they are watching our pets having fun, playing, running, fetching, jumping or doing funny things, they feel happy because it signals that life is good and free of worries. Images showing their pets doing what do they best bring back the feeling of joy they felt when they were watching it happen.
Characteristics
When people love someone, they also love their characteristics. In pets those endearing details are the ears, the nose, the paws, the tail, the hair and the face. People look at them so often that they not only learn to adore the silky ears and beady eyes but they also learn read their pet’s emotions from those details. They know exactly what that look in their dog's eyes means. When they say a special word that only their dog knows, those ears perk up a certain way or the tail starts wagging. There is so much emotion in the little details that people want them captured in photographs. These types of images are very personal because only they know what the characteristics signal and because only they love them as much as they do.
People also choose certain breed of pets because they love the breed characteristics. They love the sleekness and the speed of their sighthounds, short-leggedness of their corgis or heaviness of their mastiffs. Before a session, I think about how I can best show the aspects of my client’s pet’s appearance that they find attractive.
A place in time
People also love certain places. They want to remember the environments that they enjoy and appreciate. A garden or a park looks amazing during a certain season. A forest where dog owners walk with their dog every day becomes a special place filled with emotion because they have spent such great times there with their pet. A rare visit to a special place may be worth documenting in images. I listen carefully to my clients to find out what places they find closest to their heart. The physical setting of the images captures the love people feel for that place.
Thinking about what love feels like helps me to get to what love looks like in photographs. As L. M. Montgomery put it, “[n]othing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.” Wearing with my heart on my sleeve certainly helps me in my quest to create meaningful images for my clients.
2020 Holiday Gift Guide for Pet Lovers
It’s only a three short weeks until Christmas and, if you are like me, your head is spinning trying to find gifts ideas for your family and friends. To help you in your search for gifts, I compiled 2020 Holiday Gift Guide for Pet Lovers so that your task would be easier. If this is exactly what you need, read on. You will also have chance to enter Christmas Raffle to win a Pet Photography Session!
I hope you like the items I picked. All of the products are found locally to help keep your business in our Comox Valley area. Each listing includes
WHAT the item/service is,
WHO makes/sells/offers the item,
WHY I think it’s cool,
WHERE you can purchase it, and
HOW MUCH you can expect to spend.
Let’s get started!
Far Fetched Grooming gift certificates
Don’t you just love the smell of freshly groomed fur! As a dog owner I sure appreciate a clean dog and jump for joy if I don’t have to do the cleaning. Why not give a sweet smelling pet as a gift to someone! Far Fetched Grooming offers gift certificates for various types of grooming services from simple nail trims to full grooms for dogs and cats. The prices range from $10 to $100. Click HERE to see the list of services and to contact Jessica or Yvonne.
Wags Doggy Bags
And you thought you have to say goodbye to a clean car or house after getting a dog. You don’t! This brilliant product is the solution to the wet & dirty dog problem that every dog owner faces after a fun but muddy romp outside with their dog. I used to have that problem but now I simply zip Frisky up in a Wags Doggy Bag, which is thoughtfully designed and beautifully sewn of high quality absorbent cotton. She sleeps in the bag and all the while dries up. Afterwards, I can simply shake the dirt out and reuse it or throw it in the wash if needed. The prices for Wags Doggy Bags vary based on the size of the bag from $83 for XS to $123 for XL. During this Holiday season, Wags Doggy Bags are 20% off the regular price with a code “goodbye2020”. Cheers to a way better 2021! You can find Wags Doggy Bags online HERE and send them a message.
Frisky in a Wags Doggy Bag_Pauliina Saarinen Photography
A Wags Doggy Bag is ready for the next use_Pauliina Saarinen Photography
Pawsitive dog walking and daycare
If dogs could choose their Christmas gift, this is what they would go for, a Pawsitive Dog hike with all their doggy buddies and have a blast! Check out PAWSITIVE DOGWALKING ON INSTAGRAM to see images from these action packed forest hikes where dogs get to be dogs! A 2-hour morning off-leash hike for $25 + GST or 1-hour hike in the afternoon for $15 + GST would be a much appreciated gift for a dog owner. Or, how about a day at a doggy daycare? Very exciting news fresh of the press is that Pawsitive is now also a doggy daycare as their new indoor open concept facility is ready to accept clients on December 1st, 2020. A full day of fun at Pawsitive Daycare is $28 + GST. Kelly and her crew is insured, licensed and have Dog 1st Aid Certificates. So, you can fully trust your pup in their care. A happy dog is a well exercised and socialized dog. Find PAWSITIVE DOGWALKING ON FACEBOOK to send them a message or call them at (250) 871-6665.
Wire art by Kauri
In the era of everything electronic, I grave the tactile feel of a bookbook and real bookmarks, like these cuties. These gorgeous wire creations are made by Kauri, a Campbell River artisan who sells them on Etsy website, which you’ll find HERE. This sweet little gift would warm the heart of a real bookworm in your family. The prices for these pieces are around $14. You can choose Black, Gray, Antique Copper, Copper, Gold, Rose Gold or Silver wire. Order through the link in this post.
40 Knots wines
Of course, you need a glass of wine in hand when cozying up on the couch by the fire with a pup or kitty cat on your lap during this Christmas Season. May I recommend a couple of tasty pours from our local and wonderful 40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery, a very red and smooth Carambolage and a delicate and aromatic White Seas for those who prefer white in their glass. Both wines are made from 100% Vancouver Island grapes and are oh so easy to drink. Grab a bottle or a whole case of these much loved wines to add a special touch to your or somebody else’s Christmas. A bottle of Carambolage is $27.90 and White Seas $22.90. A great selection of GIFT CARDS is also available, which would make wonderful stocking stuffers. 40 Knots tasting room and vineyard is located at 2400 Anderton Road in Comox. You can also reach them by phone at (855) 941-8810 or by email at info@40knotswinery.com. Browse their offerings online at 40 KNOTS WEBSITE. Here’s to a Merry Christmas! Look, swirl, smell and TASTE!
40 Knots wines featured by Pauliina Saarinen Photography
Pet photography gift voucher and Christmas raffle
This is me, one woman run pet photography boutique. “How cool! That’s the best job ever!”, people exclaim when they hear what I do. I know I’m pretty lucky. Our pets make us feel so much better, make our whole lives more joyful and more complete. Our pets teach us about LOVE and make us better people, I think.
I transform the bond you have with your much loved pet into tangible photographic art products such metal prints, framed canvases, heirloom quality albums or story boxes, which I collectively call my Signature Products, and they last decades longer than our pets. The beauty of these products makes your jaw drop or your heart skip a beat and what’s more, you can feel the LOVE that is captured in them!
The process of creating custom art begins with the booking of a pet photography session which, by the way, can include humans too. My 2020 booking fee is $199. It’s a retainer that reserves a spot in my calendar but turns into Product Credit that you can use toward purchasing Signature Products at our View & Order Appointment. This Holiday Season you’ll get $250 credit! BOOK A SESSION for yourself or for someone else and you are well on your way to creating lasting memories.
And finally the RAFFLE part. On December 31st, I will draw ONE (1) lucky person who will win a $199 Pet Photography Session and get $250 credit toward Signature Products. Everyone who enters the raffle is a winner in my books as I will have something special in store for everyone submits the form so stay tuned. ENTER TO WIN NOW! Merry Christmas from Pauliina Saarinen Photography!
A hand crafted story box for mounted images_Pauliina Saarinen Photography
A Lucky Day
It’s cold and snowy on Vancouver Island this week for which we can blame the polar vortex. I’m reminded of the cold snap that we had in Toronto, Ontario last year in January. For a few days mercury dipped well below -20 Celsius, and the snow had that special squeak which tells you that it’s bitterly cold and hurts your teeth as you walk. One cannot let the weather bring photography to a halt as it’s usually the most adverse conditions that produce the most unique images. That day, I bundled up in a parka and snow pants and headed for a winter photo shoot in a dog park. I photographed Lucky, a year-old Welsh Corgi Pembroke.
Overnight we had gotten a foot, if not more, of powdery snow which is a lot for a corgi who travels low to the ground. His short legs were barely tall enough to keep his head above the snow and he whipped up a cloud of snow as he ran.
I wanted the images to show that Lucky was almost in trouble in deep, fluffy snow. I didn’t want the snow to turn into white nothingness so I made sure my camera didn’t overexpose the snow. While it almost looks pretty white everywhere, one can still see see the dents and the dusty snow he whipped up as he ran. This method that photographers call “exposing to the right/ for the highlights” makes all the colors turn out nicely. Even the white on the dog is different from the white of the snow.
That wintry day produced wonderfully happy images that make one laugh out loud. Lucky’s owners picked three of them and created a framed wall art collage to decorate their home. Lucky’s exuberant youthful puppy energy is sure to leap off their walls and cheer them up every time they walk by.
P.S. I named one of the images (below) as “Snowbound Corgi” and submitted it to Animal Image Makers’ (AIM) international photography competition held in Minneapolis, Minnesota in April 2019. It was awarded 82 points, earning a merit. That made me very happy!
As the snow piles up on the ground here in Comox Valley, imagine that you are Lucky and have fun.
Latest Posts
