Wesley & Josh’s Pet Portrait at Umstead Park

Wesley & Josh’s Pet Portrait at Umstead Park

Wesley & Josh contacted me because their dog, Lucy, the black golden retriever/Aussie mix, was recently diagnosed with cancer. They wanted to get some photos as a family while Lucy was still in good health, which I think is a great decision. These sessions are always bittersweet for me, but I’m also always honored to help create meaningful and lasting memories for my clients.

Wesley & Josh settled on Umstead Park for their shoot location because it holds sentimental value for them. Wesley & Lucy used to hike in Umstead frequently and Wesley & Josh are outdoorsy people who love hiking in general. Since we would be hiking down a short trail to the lake and I usually have a cart of gear with me, I brought along my husband (a pathetic dog lover like me) in addition to my assistant. Boy did he come in handy when it was time to climb back up the hill from the lake!

In the first image below, I think you can see a glimpse of the dogs’ personalities. Lucy, who is very mature at 10 years of age is sitting perfectly for the camera. Her 3-year-old sister, Finley, on the other hand, is flopped down in front after excitedly rolling on her back. She looks up for an instant long enough for me to grab the money shot. This is usually the way it goes with pet portraits, I just think the contrast is comical! 😆

A bit about Lucy & Finley…

I like to ask my clients questions about their dogs to get a sense of their personalities.

Are there any funny stories about your pets that really illustrate their personalities?

“Lucy loves to watch TV, especially animal shows. She gets very excited whenever dogs, bears, wolves, etc come onto the screen.

Finley is a full-grown golden retriever, but some days she still thinks she’s not big enough to jump onto the bed or into the car (even though she absolutely is). She will put her front paws up on the bed and then turn and stare at us with her big eyes until someone lifts her all the way up.”

Can you describe your pets’ personalities?

“Lucy is a very smart, protective, and quirky girl. She’s the most intelligent dog I’ve ever known and some days we swear she understands every single word she hears. Lucy loves going on hikes, chasing the water when we’re using the hose, rolling on the bed, and getting doggy whip cream cups from Goodberry’s.

Finley is a sweetheart. She loves to snuggle and usually sleeps on her back with her legs up in the air. Finley is happiest when she’s with people and demands pets by pawing at your arm. She makes an adorable snoring noise when she’s happy- like a dog purr.”

This was my last session of 2021. What a great way to end the year! ❤️