Engaging Tails: Grizzly and Montana

While I can really get into styled shoots  and engagement sessions with loads of props, I also enjoy this simple engagement session that set in the woods by Kim J. Martin.  The things I love the most about it include the couple chose a place that was meaningful to them and their dogs had a blast!  The gorgeous settings are a bonus!

From Kim:  “Heather and Aaron’s love their dogs like their own children so of course they were going to be very involved in their pictures! We had a fun time road tripping out to Santa Cruz (where they are both originally from,) and going for a hike on one of their favorite paths. My favorite part was when they let Montana and Grizzly off leash once we got down to the creek, and the dogs just went wild. It was such a fun session and I just wanted to share it with other dog lovers!”

From Heather:  “Grizzly is a Chocolate Lab mix (50% lab, 25% Rottweiler, 25% Aussie according to a DNA test we did) and turned 3 this past May. He is a rescue from Paw Prints Rescue in Yuba City. Grizzly is mostly a typical Labrador, eager to please and loves to cuddle. He loves to chase the ball and Frisbee (is an amazing jumper), go in the water, and play tug-o-war.

Montana is a purebred Australian Shepherd who will be 3 this July. We call her the “princess” because she just loves the world revolving around her. While she does not have as much bursts of energy like Grizzly, she is awake most of the day following me around or playing with her toys. I think this is the herder in her, always having to be alert and taking care of her task. She absolutely loves tennis balls and we have probably around 10 lying around on the living room floor at any given time.

Previous to these two dogs we had an Aussie/Lab mix (can you tell my breed preference?) who was absolutely my heart and soul. and was from the Dog Spot Rescue. If anyone has ever had a dog that was like a soul mate, she was that for me and unfortunately was taken from us at an early age due to illness.

The tattoo definitely is me wearing my passion on my skin. I have volunteered for a local rescue Sacramento Independent Animal Rescuers  which is an amazing rescue dedicated to re-homing dogs. I fostered quite a bit for them, and though it provides its share of challenges there was not a moment I did not like. The future for me holds dogs as well; as I plan to one day open my own small scale boarding facility and training center. I hope to become certified in service dog training.  My ultimate goal is to work with dogs for PTSD sufferers and further expand the way dogs can help people with daily tasks and solidify the bond between canine and human. Hopefully I can then also continue to help a local rescue with volunteer work.”

Be sure to check out the rest of their engagement session (sunset at the beach and some romantic shots in the woods) on Kim’s blog.

About Kim J. Martin Photography:  Based in Sacramento, CA, Kim specializes in engagement and wedding photography.  She has an awesome guideline: “My rule of thumb, if you have a dog, they HAVE to be at your engagement session.”