Neot the cat | Sydney cat photographer

I think this beautiful cat is like an angel in a forest - graceful (and filled with fun). It makes me think that, in this new year, there is hope in the natural world and in those that inhabit it - and for those who like to communicate with it (and who value photos that record it).

Happy New Year! :)

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year

Our cats are ready to party! Maybe they’ll start dancing on the table tops, or swinging from the chandelier. Lets hope not! Christmas is pretty much here and we at twoguineapigs HQ wish you all the best for the season - eat well (not too much) - drink well (ditto!) and stay safe. Hope all your wishes come true.

Adopt before you shop.

Manly Daily Local News Image Featured | Sydney pet photographer

This is a bit of a late post. A few weekends ago, the Manly Daily wanted to publish an article on Amy Smith and the importance of dog training. I was asked to make an image of Amy for the feature.

Here’s what was published. I’m happy with the result!

Article Image featuring Amy Smith

Portrait of Amy Smith with Dogs for Manly Daily Career One feature, 8 Dec 2012. Thank you Sarah from news.com.au for letting me put this page up on my blog.

Look for Issue 8 Dec 2012, Page 55.

Christmas with Bernard the Cavamalt | Thomaz boys | sydney pet photography

At Christmas time we can be angels and santas. This santa lives in our neighbourhood, Potts Point, with his angel: a Cavamalt / Maltalier puppy. The angel’s name is Bernard (how many angels have that name??).

I photographed these two last year, and, the season now being on us all, we decided it was a good time to revisit the experience. Santa wanted some shots as keepsakes and also to send to his family in South America.

Now 1 year and 2 months old, Bernard showed me he could sit, wear his costumes and rock it. A very well loved pooch (erm, angel/ reindeer, sorry!).

Remember peeps - pet photography is where art and love combine.

BTW, Bernard's the only Cavamalt in our neighbourhood the last time I checked - how special is that!

schnitzel the dachshund | sydney award winning pet photographer

Meet Schnitzel, a 7 month old Dachshund who lives in the neighbourhood. Schnitzel’s Mum, L, commissioned a photoshoot so Schnitzel will be remembered as the gorgeous puppy that he is - before he turns into the ripe old age of 1 year old. I did some family shots for Christmas and some art pieces for the home.

Here’s a sneak from the shoot.

Custom Wall Art for your Pets | Sydney Pet Photography

No matter how much I get wooed by the newest, latest range of print products, good old fashioned custom framing prints are almost certainly always the most popular choice (for customers. Check out these high-quality custom frames by the professional framer I partnered with.

(1) a standard frame in classic dark wood (also comes in creme/neutral and black) - proudly modeled by Mr Big;

^ Standard Frame

^ Standard Frame in classic dark wood

(2) art deco classics (my signature frame) featuring Napoleon; and

^ Art Deco Classics (signature frame)

^ Art Deco Classics (signature frame)

(3) baroque gothic (my other signature frame) - proudly modelled by PF.

^ Baroque Gothic (signature frame)

^ Baroque Gothic (signature frame)

They now hang proud at twoguinepaigs HQ home base and tag along with me to Client visits.

Nothing beats hand-picked, framed to size wall art to present the love and dedication towards your pets, fur babies, and life-long companions - making a statement of it!

Why custom framing?

Professionally framed prints or fine art prints not only look good and present well, they also protect and help preserve your prints for a very long time to come. A professional framer understands the printing process enough to know what is best to preserve the prints; not like DYI framing where you find your print slipping from its position and stuck to the frame/glass after 2 Summers (did you know that prints sweat in Summer too?)

Custom framing will inevitably cost you more than say frames from Ikea or any retail shops but it’s worth it.

If you can’t decide which frames to use or don’t have the time to pick them yourself, let me do the work for you! This is all part of twoguineapigs’ friendly service. I look forward to helping you decorate your place with wall art featuring your pets!

Gift custom wall art this Christmas?

For those who wants to gift this as Christmas present, they are included as part of my gift card package!

Behind-the-scenes notes
Shots of Mr Big and PF were made at twoguineapigs HQ with available light. In case you’re wondering whether these can be made on location, yes they can!

New Fine Art Album | Sydney Professional Pet Photography

Presenting twoguineapigs’ newest product - a fine art album for those who prefer to display their beautiful images on printed matte pages.

I am excited about this product because it offers you a variety of layouts on the page; a single image on a page (or across the 2 pages), or a good few images.

So if you are looking for that perfect heirloom piece to display at home or as a present this Christmas or Summer, order one now when you book your photoshoot with twoguineapigs - introductory price @$600 (10x10”, 30 pages, chocolate leather cover).

Summer Gift Cards Are Out | Christmas | Professional Pet Photography

I long to have such a memorial of every being dear to me in the world. It is not merely the likeness which is precious in such cases - but the association and the sense of nearness involved in the thing … the fact of the very shadow of the person lying there fixed forever! 

It is the very sanctification of portraits I think [...].

- Elizabeth Barrett, British Poet
(1843, letter to Mary Russell Mitford, English Author and Dramatist on photography)

If like me you love photography as an art form (and you love pets too) what could be nicer than to give someone special an opportunity to experience a professional photoshoot for themselves?

My new summer gift card is a simple, fun, and unique offer of a professional pet photoshoot complete with a choice of (1) a framed print (3 sizes to pick from) or (2) a fine art album. All offers come with a digital album for your personal device.

The perfect gift for Christmas > available here. Offer ends 26 21 December 2012 (from $300).

The card also entitles the recipient to a 10% saving on all additional prints.

Nothing complicated for you the gift giver to do - I know we all want to spend more quality time with our loved ones, including our fur friends, especially during this festive season. And the photoshoot can happen after the madness is over - no stress!

However, if you want to book a shoot and have the final results presented for this festive season, better make sure you book now to avoid disappointment. Contact me via Contact Form, I look forward to speaking with you.

Rambo the Cat | Professional Cat Photography Sydney

I had the pleasure of doing an impromptu portrait of Rambo the cat one early Spring late afternoon. Rambo is 17 years old - a major age for any kitten to get to - he was affectionate and a people-cat. He obviously had a few aches and pains here and there due to age, but Rambo gracefully concented still to sit and pose for his portrait.

The Art of Framing | Sydney Professional Framing Service

The earliest examples of picture framing date from ancient Egypt. In the Middle Ages (quite a bit later) elaborate ornamental frames decorated religious devotional images. As art became more democratised in the Renaissance and post-Renaissance periods, and artworks found their way slowly into private residences, framing became a craft that was aligned to furniture making and decor.

Today the art of framing is thriving, and it's not just painting, but photograhy that is benefiting.

A beautifully framed professional photo is a tasteful and modern addition to a home. As well, frames protect the artwork, keep it clean.

Its nice to see photos on an ipad or a laptop or a digital frame, sure - but I would argue, not as amazing as a beautifully printed and framed photo on a wall, adding the mood and feel of a room.

twoguineapigs partners with Boronia Park Framing Studio. We like Peter Kenny because of the quality of his work and his frames, plus Peter’s no-nonsense approach.

Peter also frames all of my Award winning prints for this year’s AIPP APPA and Epson PPY Awards. Pretty big responsibility to help me present my artwork.