Is it the egg before the hen or vice versa?

Did you ever follow the head-hurting consideration about who was there first - the hen or the egg? What did you come up with? The egg - well then who laid it. The hen - well, where did it come from?

Sure enough, in today's economy the egg most certainly comes before the hen! That is because egg farmers will make money of the egg, not the hen. Actually, the hen could be considered a cost centre! To reduce the cost - because the egg farmer is interested in a healthy margin and profit at the end of the year, the space for the hen was reduced to something smaller than the size of my blog on your computer screen. Actually, about two hens per letter head paper is roughly the amount of space our egg-producers are granted.

Unless, of course, you choose free-run, free-range or certified organic eggs.

Here is a small "eggucation", curtesy of the SPCA Animal Sense Magazine, in egg terminology:

Free-range: Free-range hens have the opportunity to go outside if they choose.
Free-run: In a free-run operation, birds are housed indoors.
SPCA certified free-run: the hens are indoors but with sufficient space to freely move about, nest boxes and areas to do what hens tend to do - forage, dust bathe and perch.
Certified organic: Chickens range free on organic pasture and are fed certified organic feed. The feed is GMO free, all vegetarian and does not contain any animal byproducts. There are no antibiotic or synthetic chemicals used in either the feed or flock management. Hens are completely cage free both inside and outside the barn. (Source: Rabbit River Farm)

In conventional farms, hens stand on wired cages their entire lives, they do not have the opportunity to maintain the distance common hen-curtesy requires, they pick on each other and they may not even be removed if sick or dead until spotted later.

SPCA certified farms are cage-free. Hens can choose (what novice idea) to either rummage around the farm floor or sit on the perch. They can keep a distance or cuddle up to their best mate!

One way of course, to choose your certified organic or certified free-run eggs is to look a the labels on the packaging. SPCA labels can be easily identified with the red barn image. Rabbit River Farm eggs are also clearly marked.

I have long made the choice to never buy non free-run or certified organic eggs, unless I can absolutely not avoid it. Even my dog only gets certified organic eggs. They taste better, are healthier and they support a better life for the bird that delivers about 320 eggs per year to us, regardless if it came before or after the egg.

Join me in the "eggolution"and boycott eggs from conventional farms. That is the only way to change the way farmers treat their hens.

You will feel good about it once it has become part of your normal routine.
Thanks for your consideration!

Keep your friends safe these holidays

The holiday seasons come with many hazards for your pet friends. Keep them safe this year by following these little tips:

Girdie with Christmas bells

• Chocolate and alcohol are toxic for your dogs - ensure that they are out of reach!
• Some holiday plants are poisonous for your pets, this includes holiday favourites such as mistletoe and poinsettias. If your pets have a taste for your green decorations, make sure they are lifted off the ground or that your pet are always supervised in your decorated family room. 
• Christmas trees may be treated with preservatives and other chemicals. Dogs and cats should not chew them or drink the water in the tree stand. 
• Tree decorations are a particular attraction for your cats and dogs. They are often made of glass and have little hooks attached - needless to say they can cause severe damage if your dog or cat ingests any. Supervise your pets when in your holiday room. 
• Lots of extra electrical cords for your pets to get their teeth into. Keep them under furniture or out of reach for your critters. 
• Antifreeze for your car seems to be really tasty to dogs - but it is also very poisonous. Keep it out of reach!
• With all the coming and going of your holiday guests it is easy for your little puppy or kitty to escape. Make sure you keep an eye on them, perhaps lock them away until all guests have arrived. Keep your best friends ID's up-to-date and make sure they wear them on day busy with arrivals. While organizing a search party with all your friends may have a fun aspect, they may rather indulge in your culinary art than hunt for Fido. 

Having said all that - have fun these holidays and make sure your pet has some fun too. Christmas shaped dog biscuits may just be one way to spread some holiday cheer!

Happy Holiday Season from PPP-Photography

P.S. If you're still looking for gift ideas - consider a voucher for a pet photography session. Check out our website for suggestions.

What's in an album

I recently delivered an album to my cat-owning customers Kylee, her mother Lori and uncle Larry. The family owns two Siamese cross cats, Poppy and Willow. One very large and ginger in colour with a striking resemblance to Garfield, the other small and slim, almost white with some patches in her face and the tail. Willow is still a young kitten and colour changes are apparent even between the original shooting date and now.

An album is a fully customized book, based on 10 double spreads. The book is constructed so that there are no folds in the centre so that images can be placed across the full double spread. I produce these albums in 12"x12" and it usually includes 25 to 30 images from the shoot. 

Here are Larry and Kylee as they receive their customized album "Poppy and Willow".

Poppy has a good look too. She is almost life size in this double spread image.

I was so happy to see how pleased Larry and Kylee were with the production. To get your own album of your cat, dog, horse, rabbit or your whole family - contact me!

Taking photos at the beach

I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Oregon and thought it would be a good opportunity to write about taking pictures of your dog at the beach. There are some challenges in doing so:
Firstly, you are likely going to be at the beach on a sunny day, resulting in high contrast and strong shadows. This is even more obvious when you are photographing close to the water's edge and if the water is very shallow, resulting in strong glare.
Secondly, your dog (if he or she is anything like mine) is going to be excited, running around and splashing in the shallow waters - which of course makes you fear for your gear. Protect your gear at all times. Salt water is your enemy when it comes to your electronics. Make sure you wipe your camera clean of sand and salt water mist.

Rather than "fight" these conditions - make them work for you. Silhouette shots can have their very special appeal or try and capture the special beach environment by taking photos from further away or a high point. If your dog does not feel like the centre of your attention and just minds his or her own business, you may get some lovely shots of a "dog in heaven".

One of the rare moments for Sidney to sit still at the beach - I grabbed it!

I also try and have my dog sit while I walk away and then call him to me, taking a series of action shots of my dog running towards me. While only a few of these usually turn out, you may end up with a photo of your dog having the biggest grin on his or her face. Try and set your camera to 1/1000th of a second for these shots to get good focus.

I love this photo of Sidney running between me and my sister in the background. We all had fun!

My dog is quite dark, so I either go for silhouettes or position him so the sun is lightening his face. I also try and direct him to run through shallow water, creating a lovely reflection.

Sidney running towards me creating almost a silhouette and reflection in shallow water

The most important is - have fun and make sure your dog has it too. So you come back from your trip to the beach happy and refreshed - no matter if you managed to take the star photograph. There is always next time too.

The snow geese are back!

About a week ago one evening while walking my dog I noticed the chatter of birds in the night sky. The snow geese are back! 

On Saturday I then went to see the early arrivals at Terra Nova Park in Richmond. I was lucky.  A large flock was just flying into the grassy field, not far from the Richmond/Steveston dyke. 

Get out there and visit the geese. They are always a spectacle to see!

Creating lasting memories

Recently I had the opportunity to meet Darlene C. and her yellow lab, Jessie, in North Vancouver for their own personal photo session. Darlene was my newsletter prize winner from summer 2011 and this was her photo shoot. Jessie is a very sweet 11 year old labrador. As you can see from the photos she still has spark in her but she is also a real lounger. Jessie was so cooperative during the shoot - despite the fact that she did find it rather boring and she had no idea why she was suddenly allowed on the sofa and in the flower bed.

I think she much preferred the outdoor part of the shoot, which took place at the Lynn Valley head waters. Running through the water and the woods was much more her taste.

Ultimately she was glad when she could retire to a sunny spot on the deck to rest from all the exertion.

For Darlene it means that she now has a nice variety of images to pick from.

If you want to create your lasting memories of your special pooch or kitty or horse - get in touch. No better time than now!

So how come I am allowed on the sofa?

OK, I'll relax if you say so!

A  bit more action, please! 

So this is the favourite look?

I said "action"!

Oh, much better!

Yes, I can handle this!

and this...

But this is the best!

Thanks Jessie! And thanks Darlene for letting me photograph the two of you.

Who let the dogs out???

18 September and a bunch of Cocker Spaniel were out and about for the first Annual Cocker Walk, benefiting the Angels under our Wings Cocker Spaniel rescue. Cockers of all colours mingled, sniffed, got treats, raced around, walked and - raised money for helping fellow Cockers. 

If you're interested to adopt a Cocker Spaniel, contact Angels under our Wings Cocker Rescue and fill in an application form. 

Lisa Atterby runs the rescue from Victoria and has dedicated volunteers in Vancouver who can help you with questions about Cockers and what you can do to help. The Cockers come from high-kill shelters in Los Angeles and most would probably be euthanized if it were not for Angels under our Wings. Milo on the picture above found a new home on 18 September. 

When you see these happy faces of Cockers who found a new and loving home, you will appreciate the difference that Lisa and her volunteers make to these dogs and their new owners. 

See the slideshow for all pictures from the event:

Did you participate? Do you want to order images from the event - 50% of the profit will be donated to Angels under our Wings Cocker Rescue. Please contact Petra at PPP-Photography for your order!

Like a family picnic - well of a very large and dog loving family

On Sunday 11 September 2011 the SPCA held its annual Paws for a Cause event in Stanley Park, Vancouver. It was a lovely day and had the feeling of a big family picnic.  People of all ages with their dogs of all sizes came to Lumberman's Arch to have a good time, chat with vendors and other animal lovers and show off their dog's good looks and talents - OK, also their own good looks and talents.

At 11.30 the sporty crowd went for a run, while at 12.00 the fun-loving crowd got their dogs in a row, ready for a 3km walk in the park. Dogs of all sizes and abilities participated!

I had a table at the Community tent and sponsored the prize for the popular look-alike contest. Glad I was not the judge with all those good looking look-alike teams....

The jury - read the audience - had a hard time to select between these talented participants. Susannah and her Papillon Gergie were just too sporty to ignore and walked away with the prize of a photo shoot and an exclusive album from PPP-Photography. With such a pretty and well trained dog it should be fun to create this keepsake for Susannah.

As per the SPCA website, they raised $740,000 during this event. Thanks for coming out and stopping by my table too. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to keep informed about upcoming events and special offers from PPP-Photography.

West End Dog Show 2011 in Vancouver

The West End Dog Show in Vancouver on 20 August 2011 was a great success. In fabulous summer weather many two- and four-legged friends of the BC Guide Dog Services came to get entertained by the organisers and their fun dog competitions and informed by the vendors at their tables promoting healthy dog food, art, dog services and dog health care services.

Dogs could get a 10 minutes massage benefiting the BC Guide Dog Services and their owners could be taken on a guided tour through the obstacle course by one of the working dogs.

Of course I could not ignore this opportunity 

For me as a photographer I have to say the fashion show was the highlight of the day.

In addition, there were many true doggy characters abound:

See all images from this great neighbourhood day with the dogs

The West End Dog Show by PPP-Photographyhttp://www.flickr.com//photos/58299064@N04/sets/72157627513244656/show/