Well, yeah, but you're a pushy broad . Puppies can handle outdoor environments from 4 weeks on regardless of vaccination protocol. These people only wanted to make it as difficult as possible. Not enlightened breeders. When someone asks you to photograph their dog -- puppy or adult -- make sure you can. If they make it impossible; walk out.

Jim

Yes, I am pushy, but, if you do it their (wrong) way and don't get good photos, you are a bad photographer. I'd rather they be irritated with me for a few minutes then happy with their photos later

First of all, you know I was kidding about you being "too" pushy. And I agree that you have to manage the shoot or, ultimately, you will be blamed if the images don't come out the way you want. Having said that, we all find ourselves in situations that are simply not manageable. So, you make do and move on. But if you look at every photo situation as ultimately reflecting your professional standards, then you do what's necessary to make sure you get good stuff. Sometimes that means planning better and sometimes it means controlling the shoot as it happens. Either way, it's your shoot and the results are your responsibility.

Jim

(well I am pushy lol) I am just excited you are going to be at the Orlando shows!! I am pushy enough to ask

For what it's worth, I think pushy is good. I'm very pushy in my day job, landscape architect for the National Park Service. That's because I am very secure in what I know. Knowledge enables a person to be strong. Conversely, photographing puppies is more tenuous for me, so I tend to get pushed. Getting pushy as a photographer will come in time, I am sure, as I develop my skills. Pushy is good.

Funny the subject of "assertiveness" comes up. I've been a bit pushy with the club I'm shooting for this weekend. It doesn't hurt that they've seen and appreciate the difference between what I deliver and what their usual / "old" photographers deliver.

Yes, you are. And I'm a good enough friend to always say "yes" to you. Besides, I'm really excited about meeting Chroma. Pls. tell Graham that I'll want to meet the puppy.

Jim

I will tell her. Don't be surprised if she is running from ring to ring. I am not sure if she has any help with her or not. Her mom is not traveling with her anymore.

If anyone wonders why I am begging Jim to go to Orlando and take photos of my puppy, he took my favorite moving photo of Dot EVER.

Regarding the posted image. For what its worth. I find the lighting flat, the pose with the one eye is a awkward and a little spooky to my eye, and the dog hasn't been groomed and prepared for the photo shoot. I understand that the conditions were difficult and the subject and owner were not cooperative, but the challenge is always to make a beautiful portrait in spite of the situation. I think this falls a little short.

That said, Diane...I have these sort of sessions, too. I've worked for over an hour with one subject and owner and gotten nothing that I want to put my name on. Cats (and Dogs) have their own agenda sometimes.

Now...did you get a good group shot of the litter? :-)

For puppy shoots, I have them bring them to my studio and if I go there, its in their yard. All the breeders I know put their dogs in their own yards by 4 weeks. They are all very small volume breeders(a litter a year MAX) And don't keep a kennel full of dogs. So, they don't have disease running through their homes.

If you want to see some of the puppy stuff I have done, you can look through my dogs website. http://aperturewhippets.com and scroll to the bottom and then go to the previous page of the blog too.

many many puppy shoots to look at. Some are good, some are ok. People listen to me, but, they are spending enough they don't want to waste their time and money

http://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=84868100230

Oh, and I will turn breeders away that I do not agree with. I have my own personal convictions and have no problem with breeders who do things in a responsible way. I have serious issues with backyard breeders and the money is not worth it to me. I am nice about it, but, I just can't go there