Flashback...Project Purrrfect Portrait

Wow!  It certainly has been a long time since my last post in April.  The year is quickly coming to a close, and before that happens, I'd like to share some of my favorite images from one of this year's most meaningful shoots...Project Purrrfect Portrait.  2012 was the second year of this project's existence, and I can't tell you what it has meant to be able to partner with the Central Brevard Humane Society, and spread awareness about our shelter animals in search of their forever home.

© 2012, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Reproduction or downloading of any of these images is prohibited without written consent from Karen Rodriguez Photography.

I am a cat person.  I have two of my own, Sandi and Chuey.  So when asked how on Earth I was able to get these cats to sit, lay, or even apparently pose for their portrait, this answer was simple...patience.  Cats, by nature, are inquisitive animals...always needing to check out their surroundings before deciding that they are comfortable.  Now, imagine a cat who has been stuck in a kennel, in a room full of cats, for who knows how long, and you can bet that cat is going to take some time to warm up to you!

I was fortunate enough to be able to take each cat out of their shelter environment, and into a quiet room in another building, free from the hustle and bustle of the shelter...free from the barking and howling of the many dogs who resided just outside the cat room.  Once on the quiet set, I knew exactly what to expect, and it was the same for each cat.  Skulking out of the cat carrier, each feline timidly sniffed every inch of the room, as I just laid on the floor, allowing them to acclimate. Typically within 10 minutes, they then realized there was a human in the room who just wanted to love on them (that would be me), and it became a snuggle fest good enough for anyone to fall in love!  After that...play time!  And finally...plop...a tired and totally relaxed cat...click, click, click!

I photographed so many animals this summer, and each one created a special memory for me.  It was so hard to not bring every one of them home with me!  There are so many wonderful things about this project, but by far, the best is hearing the news that one of these beautiful felines has been adopted!  I am blessed to be part of it!  Looking forward to Summer 2013, when I return for year three!  Happy New Year to all!

Karen

© 2012, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Reproduction or downloading of any of these images is prohibited without written consent from Karen Rodriguez Photography.

Mardi Paws 2012

This past Sunday started out just right...out the door at 6:15 a.m. for an eleven mile run; temperature the 60's and the sky was overcast...though I do have to say it was a bit on the windy side.  The frontal boundary was just north of us, threatening the start of the Daytona 500.  We would luck out.  And thank goodness, because today was Mardi Gras Paws in the Park in Cocoa Village, or as I like to call it, Mardi Paws!  Mardi Paws benefits the Central Brevard Humane Society...such a great cause.

After my run, I zipped home to have breakfast, throw a load of laundry in to wash, take a shower, and then head back out again, to hit the park, in search of some really cute dogs.  Boy, did I find them!  This event has certainly grown in the six years since it began.  There were so many different breeds of dogs...great danes, bernease mountain dogs, pugs, chihuahuas, doberman pinschers, poodles, boston terriers, you name it, it was there!

I had so much fun with these pups and their people!  That cute little pooch in the image above was such a riot.  Every time she noticed the camera was pointing in her direction, she made a beeline for me...so funny to watch that through the lens!  There were certainly some interesting get-ups too!  From boas, to tutus, to body glitter, well, I guess fur glitter, these dogs were dressed to the nines!

Check out some of the sweetness I got to capture throughout the day.

Just like the day started, it ended...perfect!  LOVE days like this!

© 2012, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Reproduction of any of these images is prohibited without written consent from Karen Rodriguez Photography.

A Very Short, But Fun Afternoon With Sophie

A quick drop by Sophie's house, this afternoon, made for a fun 20 minutes and a great photo op!

Make It Rain - Sophie

That beautiful Springer Spaniel you see is Sophie...a wild girl, with a soft side that could conquer anyone!  This shoot worked out perfectly, since Sophie needed a bath when I arrived at her home.  Poor girl does not like the bath, but not to fear...we were about to make bath time a whole lot of fun!

...and so we made it rain!

...and what happened over the next 20 minutes had us laughing until our stomachs hurt.

"I Gotta Shake It Off"

Do I need to tell you the "bath" never happened?  An hour later, she was all dry, well rested, and I'm sure, ready to go at it all over again!  I had a different plan, though...just quietly enjoy the remainder of the beautiful, late Florida afternoon...and we did.

Life is good!  Enjoy!

                                 

Baxter...My Arch Nemesis

This is Baxter.  He looks sweet, right?  Not quite.  Baxter is vicious, and I'm his arch nemesis, in every sense of the word.  He is my sister's cat, and I've never been quite sure what it is about me that makes him so angry, but something does.  I just want to love him, but the moment he sees my hands, he freaks out!  Throw a camera in the mix, and watch out!

I have been trying to friend Baxter for years...at least seven.  In his mind, it won't happen, but I say we've come a long way.  I remember when Baxter was younger, he would stalk me, and leap out from behind things, and latch onto my leg...injuring me several times.  One time, I was sitting on the floor talking to my sister, and he leaped about five feet across the room, knocked me onto my back, and began attacking me...for NO reason!  My sister had to beat him off me with a pillow!  Oh Baxter.

Fortunately, we're in somewhat of a different place today.  Baxter no longer ambushes me as I come around corners, and if I come from behind, he might let me pet him for about five seconds...as long as he doesn't see my hands.  With a little bit of patience (and more than a few tense moments), I was able to fire off some shots and capture Baxter at his best.  Those eyes just make you wonder "what in the world is zipping through that head"!  I'm not so sure I'd want to know...

I typically wouldn't share the shots that don't make print, but this was an outtake I just couldn't refuse.  Now you can see just how much he does not like me...but I still love him!

...And My Sweet Girl, Sandi

Just spent quite some time processing the images from a dog shoot yesterday afternoon.  I had so much fun!  I'll be posting those in the coming days, but this second entry belongs to my sweet, sweet Sandi.  Sandi's been with our family since April 2007.  Actually, she was adopted first, before Chuey.  Chuey joined the family a about eight months later, when we decided Sandi needed a friend.

Sandi is just as sweet as she looks, and such a beauty!  She's a mix of an orange and brown tabby, and if you pay close enough attention, you'll see that her face is divided right down the middle...half orange, half brown.  She's a true mama's girl; waiting at the bathroom door every night, for me to get out of the shower.  Then, following my every step until I finally settle into my recliner for the night, when she jumps up and nuzzles herself between me and the armrest of the chair.  

Unlike Chuey, she never finds herself in trouble.  Sandi is a bit more on the timid side.  I never have to worry about her getting into things.  Unfortunately, though, I do have to worry about her health, as she has a chronic condition that flares up every once in a while.  Lucky for her, she has a family who loves her unconditionally, and will do anything to make sure she lives the best life ever.  Only love given to the kitties in our home!  The Rodriguez cats have it all!  Life is good!