Fetch Portraits

Show me something that made you happy… even if only for a minute. 🤣

Truth be told, I spent pretty much the entire weekend at my computer getting ready for the Howliday Launch this week.

This photo was from LAST weekend, and I’m so glad I took a minute to stop and document it.

If you didn’t know, one of the reasons I love photography so much is because I can look at a photo years later and instantly remember what life felt like.

The smell.
The temperature.
What I was doing.
How I felt that day.

Everything.

And if I hadn’t taken this photo, it honestly wouldn’t be long before I might not even remember that this day happened. Or that I even went. 🤣

So, without further anticipation… let me tell you about this completely ridiculous little adventure.

We have been SUPER disciplined all summer about getting some things done.

“Move that needle” is our new motto.

BUT…

Last Sunday, we decided that killing FOUR birds with one stone was a valid enough reason to go have a little fun.

So we headed out to the Morton Arboretum for Dog Days to:

🐶 See some puppies
🛍️ Visit the vendors
🌳 Take a gorgeous walk and see some art
❤️ Visit a client and dear friend who has started a pretty incredible movement

Four birds.
One stone.

Seemed reasonable.

Well…

We walked in and immediately saw one of our favorite pupstomers and his parents.

We chatted for a while, and they suddenly pointed out the GIANT STORM CLOUDS directly behind us.

We hadn’t even noticed them.

There had been NO rain in the forecast.

But now it was DARK. 😳

So we hurried through the vendor area.

No time for puppies.

No time for vendors.

LET’S GO SEE OUR FRIEND.

We got to their booth and, although she was completely surprised to see us, they were already breaking everything down because the storms were coming.

So we helped them pack up.

They needed to make a couple of trips to the car, so we stayed with their stuff.

We drove all the way from St. John, IN to Wheaton, IL…

…to watch their stuff while they loaded the car.

🤣

Yep.

Apparently, THIS was what we were needed for in that moment.

So that's what we did.

And then we left.

That was pretty much the extent of half our day.

BUT WAIT.

When we got back to our car, who did we see DIRECTLY ACROSS THE LANE from our parking spot?

Yep.

That same dear friend. 😂

So we got to take a photo together, too.

And THAT was our big adventure.

Aren’t things just silly sometimes?

You make a plan.

You have an agenda.

You think you’re going to accomplish ALL THE THINGS…

…and somehow you spend half the day driving across state lines to watch someone’s stuff in a parking lot. 🤣

I don’t know what it was all for.

But I DO know that I couldn’t have been happier to have the opportunity to help in whatever tiny way we could.

Because the dogs chi town is doing some pretty incredible things to help the puppies. ❤️🐶

So…

What about YOU?

Did you do something that was almost completely useless but still made you smile?

Did you make one plan and wind up doing something completely different?

Tell me about it.



And if you have a photo to go with it…

EVEN BETTER. 📸❤️

A pumpkin patch. Before the crowds. With your dog. 🎃🐾

That’s Punkies - & this is our 10th Annual visit 🥰

We have exclusive early access to Puckerville Farms in Lemont, IL - a beautiful, family-owned pumpkin patch, so you get to enjoy the magic before they even open for the day. And our shooting area is just steps from the parking lot—because getting beautiful portraits with your dog shouldn’t have to be complicated.

Don't even get me started on the adorable little shop, farmstand & oh my — the mums! Someone stop me. 😂🍁

Punkies Pet Portraits are now booking! 🎃

👉 https://www.facebook.com/FetchPortraitsPhoto/events

🎃 WE HAVE A WINNER!!! 🎃

One lucky follower from this weekend's festival giveaway has won a FREE HOWL-O-WEEN SESSION! 👻🐶

The winner has been notified by DM — check your inbox! 💌

If we don't hear back within 48 hours, we'll draw another winner.

THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by, followed us, and signed up for our newsletter! We loved meeting so many of you this weekend! ❤️

like the Pet Industry makes my every-day! 🥰

Can we talk about old friends and new friends, friends?

There's also cheerleader friends, like so many of you 💛

I can't begin to count the number of friends we've made or measure how much they've enriched our lives.

I seriously can't imagine my life without all the people that have come to me because they love their dog.

You all are the COOLEST people 🌈🦄✨

Always fun to talk to!
Always quick with a laugh & quick-witted!
& you all have a genuineness about you that simply doesn't exist in everyone you meet 💛

I can say this 💯 after doing this for almost 20 years.

This weekend, we kicked off our 19th Season in our hometown & let me tell you why I love this photo...

I'm hugging one of my favorite people in the whole, wide world & the only reason I know her is dogs (Landheim).

And right next to their booth on one side is The Complete Canine Pet Spa, who I only just met this weekend because of dogs, but we already can't wait to collaborate! & on the other side (not pictured) is Trudy Lou's Kitchen, who we've only known a short while, but absolutely adore.

& don't get me started on my first time meeting so many wonderful people at St. John Parks and Recreation...also, only because of dogs.

I couldn't be luckier to have landed this gig 🥰

How about you?

Anything make you feel the love this weekend?

If it was hard to find, but your dog still made you smile, that counts!

I'd also love to hear about it!

If your photo tells the story, I'll be so happy you shared it & even more happy if you talk to me about it because that's what is all about 🤗💛

If you are planning on Punkies or Halloween, you *might* want to try to get that done sooner than later~
(don't say I didn't warn ya 😉)
🐾
https://www.facebook.com/FetchPortraitsPhoto/events

Today's the day! 🥳
Dolly says you should come out and see her demo today and visit with all the other pup vendors and have a great time with us!
We can't wait to see you!!!
https://www.fetchportraits.com/so/00Q2Lzv_d?languageTag=en

Remember that lil potato I was carrying a few weeks ago?
Her name is ✨Esme ✨
She seems to have absolutely no idea what a little queen she is.
She will grow up surrounded by Bernes Mountain dog siblings 😄
I can't wait to meet her again and again as she gets older...they change so much so fast...
Before you know it.....you have a little adult 🥹
Not yet, though.
Right now, she's still lil potato 🥰

Ready to ?
Today, I'm throwing it allllll the way back to Spring of this year when we visited old loves (and one new one ) at their new home, out in Las Vegas ✈️🎲
Being commissioned to capture a pack at home while they live their lives is a dream come true. I am incredibly honored to be given the opportunity to be a fly on the wall and document what life was like today.
We got to spend the entire weekend with these 4 souls and their humans.
Being surrounded by four Old English Sheepdogs is nothing short of heaven 😇
They are sweet, gentle, playful balls of energy and quirks that I fell completely in love with!
I kept thinking "but, I only have ONE dog at home 😭😨"
Gosh, I hated to leave them.
Charlie, Gatsby, Lucy & Snoopy 🥰
Which one do you most want to snuggle with?
I'll put their names in the comments on each photo 🤗