Me with my muse, Bailey!

About Allison Shamrell Photography:

Thanks for visiting my blog! My name is Allison, and I work in San Diego, CA, capturing the personalities of dogs and cats of all sizes & temperaments. I do photo sessions on location and in-studio, and my photography style is natural, playful & soulful.

Here on my blog, I tell the stories of recent sessions and events. You might even find an insight or two into the behind-the-scenes side of my business! You can see my portfolio & session info on my main website, via the link above.

Call: 619-357-6624 //  Email: Allison@AllisonShamrell.com //  Visit: 11828 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 204, San Diego, CA 92128

Officially Voted the Best Pet Photographer in San Diego, 2014-2026.

Archive: ‘pet photography’



Madonna & The Gang ~ {Perdido Key, FL Pet Photographer Allison Shamrell}

Friday, May 20th, 2011

I know some people are very loyal to specific breeds. I have clients that absolutely love all golden retrievers, some that really can’t get enough of schnauzers, and one that wouldn’t consider owning anything but a westie. But I think they’ve all met their match with one of the most fearsome, intimidating breeds of all: the pug.

 

Talking to Madonna’s owners opened up a new level of devotion that I’ve never seen before. Don’t get me wrong; their house isn’t full of wall-to-wall pug decorations; they don’t head the Florida chapter of Pug Lovers; they don’t spend thousands of dollars for the finest grooming and boarding money can buy. No, they’re a completely normal couple. But their love for their pug, Madonna, makes them absolutely light up with joy whenever they talk about her or when she scoots into the room. This little roly-poly dog makes her owners so, so happy! And it was a beautiful thing to witness. Here is the Sneak Peek for this special session.

 

 

 

 

 

Madonna has a couple of Jack Russell Terrier brothers, too – this is Hobbes and Bully. Fisher the yellow lab joined in, too – you’ll see photos of him when I can reveal the entire session!

 

 

~ Dog Photography in Perdido Key, Florida by Allison Shamrell ~

 

 

Photo Day at Alyssa’s Antique Depot! ~ {Pace, FL Pet Photography by Allison Shamrell}

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

This weekend I had the great opportunity to meet lots of new people and their dogs, take their pictures, and raise money for the Pensacola Humane Society! Alyssa’s Antique Depot graciously hosted a day where a handful of lucky people could come in for a quickie 15-minute time slot for smiles and tail-wags on a classic white backdrop. It was just a taste of a full session, and offering such an event (some of you may know) is something I’ve NEVER done before! But when Alyssa suggested that we donate proceeds to the Humane Society, it was impossible to say no. So here are a few photos from Saturday – enjoy! And if you missed out, perhaps you should take a look at this.

 

Aren't these dogs gorgeous? Look at those coats!

 

 

This dog works for Search and Rescue in Escambia County, and has saved a life! I photographed a HERO!

 

 

 

 

 

This is Dawsen, the shop dog at Alyssa's. He was unfortunately hit by a car a little over a month ago, but has been recovering much better than expected. This dog has received a lot of prayers lately!

 

Dawsen with the fabulous Alyssa!

 

 

No more pictures, Dawsen? Oh, fine.

 

 

This was the most ball-obsessed dog I've EVER seen. Total fixation on one object. He should probably be studied by doggy psychologists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep in mind, it was a long day! Some of us got tired.

 

 

I mean REALLY tired.

 

Thanks again to everyone who came out and supported the Humane Society. We’re still tallying up the donations – keep them coming!

 

 

~ Dog Photography in Pace, Florida by Allison Shamrell ~

 

 

Sneak Peek: Josie & Gracie ~ {Pensacola Pet Photography by Allison Shamrell}

Friday, May 6th, 2011

I know Mothers’ Day is just two days away, so can you believe some people are already planning for Fathers’ Day?

Those people, apparently, have very organized lives. I am not one of those people. So I was pretty surprised when Kari called me! She’s going to surprise her husband with these photos on Fathers’ Day, and I am in total awe of her amazing planning-ahead abilities. So here is the Sneak Peek for their fur-babies, Josie (the golden retriever) and Gracie (the golden-colored Pomeranian). Don’t they both have the most beautiful colors?

 

 

Oh – fun side note! The couple is expecting their first child in about five months! So this is their last Mothers’ and Fathers’ Days with dogs as their only children! Kari wanted to celebrate these “babies” before the birth… how cool!

 

 

 

Okay, the shoot was mostly for Josie, since she’s Daddy’s dog. But I couldn’t resist this little collage of Mommy’s girl!

 

I hope you like the photos, Kari! I can’t wait to show you the rest – under total cover of secrecy, of course. Are you sure your hubby won’t be checking my blog? :)

 

 

~   Dog Photography in Pensacola, Florida by Allison Shamrell   ~

 

 

Small Dog Meetup Group! ~ {Pensacola Pet Photography by Allison Shamrell}

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of going to Pensacola’s Small Dog Meetup Group! It was a round-up of some seriously adorable little dogs.

It’s always fun to introduce my business and myself to people I’ve never met before. When I say I’m a full-time pet photographer, I usually see a mixture of surprise and disbelief on people’s faces. I hear things like, “No way! I didn’t know you existed!”

That’s what I love about my niche of photography. I’ve never met someone who said, “Oh, your job sounds boring and terrible.” People do tell me that my job is difficult, all the time; I suppose some of them are getting fed up with blurry photos on their cell phones that they’ve tried to take on their own, or maybe their dogs are scared of cameras – which is difficult to deal with.

Then again, dog owners have (at least) one great advantage that I’ll never have as a professional photographer. They get to be around their dogs all day, every day! The sessions I spend with dogs and their owners are tons of fun, and we create memories that will last for years, but I’m just not there for the normal, everyday stuff that makes you laugh and remember how much you really, really love your dog. I can’t be there to take the photo at 7:15 when you’re leaving for work and your dog is just peeking out from beneath the covers, saying goodbye in his own way. I’m not there when you get back home after grocery shopping, and even though you’ve only been gone for half an hour, your dog is jumping and panting and tail-wagging like mad because he’s so happy to see you again! Unfortunately, I miss out on all that. (But then again, don’t feel too bad for me – I get it from my Bailey!)

So that’s why I really like events like this Small Dog Meetup Group. It’s a normal part of these dogs’ lives, and I get to hang out in the background and take a few photos. Nothing is staged, I’m never asking a dog to please stay there for one more second – it’s all natural. And beautiful. So thank you, owners of Pensacola’s Small Dog group, for letting me photograph your fun last Saturday morning.

 

 

This guy preferred to stay near his dad for most of the meetup… just a little shy!

Look at that FACE!

 

 

 

 

~   Dog Photography in Pensacola, Florida by Allison Shamrell   ~

 

 

Sneak Peek: Jolie, Beau & Bella ~ {Pensacola Pet Photography by Allison Shamrell}

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Do you notice something about these dogs’ names? They all mean beautiful (or handsome) in different languages! “Jolie” is “pretty” in French, “Beau” is “handsome” in French, and “Bella” is “beautiful” in Spanish! Something tells me their mom couldn’t have planned it better! (I think those are the best languages to use, too: I got curious and looked up pretty in German. It’s “recht”. Doesn’t have the same ring to it.)

These three gorgeous Schnauzers spend their days at Mainstay Financial in Pensacola, a great local financial services company. They’re there to console people who invested in the wrong stocks, and celebrate with the lucky clients who are ready to retire! … or at least that’s what I imagine.

Here are a few photos from our session in the office and the studio! As you can see, Jolie was very excited to get going!

 

 

But soon, Beau took command of our meeting.

 

Don’t make him angry!

 

Here are all three dogs, including little Bella. It’s a wonder how they can see perfectly, even with their fur in front of their eyes!

 

Be on the lookout for more photos of these cute pups soon!

 

 

~   Dog Photography in Pensacola, Florida by Allison Shamrell   ~

 

 

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