• Rio
  • Pork Chop
  • Oscar
  • Riley
  • Skyler
  • Higgins
  • Madison
  • Sundance, Russ & Cisco
  • Riley
  • Kendall & Raven
  • Gemma
  • Casey & Brittany
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.

A Difficult Senior Dog Session: Bubba the Border Collie

July 16th, 2012

Bubba is a super-sweet old border collie whom I had the honor of meeting on Saturday. We had a great session – he was a patient model, he made us laugh throughout the whole hour, and we scheduled a follow-up session for outdoor photos later this week! At a glance, it was a wonderful time, and a typical experience for my clients. But under the surface, unfortunately, we were working with a very time-sensitive purpose: at 13, Bubba has stopped eating his meals and appears to be in a bit of chronic pain. His mom Kim doesn’t think he has much time left, so we got together as SOON as possible. And while that thought made the session harder than most, it also made it SO important. (Future clients, please know that if your dog is in a similar condition, I make it a policy to drop what I’m doing and come to you immediately. When time is short I don’t want to leave anything to chance, and I’ll do whatever I can to make sure you have beautiful portraits of your dog, even if it’s in his or her last hours.)

 

Enjoy these photos of Bubba – hopefully I’ll have even more to blog (from a gorgeous farm, with horses!) by the end of the week!

An old border collie dog barks and lays down in the studio.

 

We found a couch to relax on, and that was a bit more comfortable for Bubba…

An old border collie dog relaxes on a couch in the studio and smiles.

 

But mostly he just wanted to be close to mom.

An old border collie dog lays down in the studio and looks up at his owner.

 

Thank you so much for the privilege of working with your family, Kim. I’ll see you soon!

 

 

Bulldogs and boxers and shih tzus – oh my!

July 9th, 2012

I first met one of these dogs (Mr. Chubbs, in fact) during Mini-Sessions at 3 Dogs & A Chick – see his ridiculously happy, smiling face here on Facebook! So I was absolutely thrilled when his parents, Ashlee & Joseph, invited me back to their house to meet the rest of their pack! As soon as I walked in the door, all SIX dogs converged on me, and it kind of made me feel like I was the victim of a relentless, multi-tier assault. With super-adorable assailants, of course! Let me introduce you to them!

 

Maggie (left) is actually just as cheerful as Cleatus (right), but she wanted to show off her serious side.

Two English bulldogs look up at the camera.

 

Tink is the eldest of the family at 11, and this shih tzu gets to come to work with Mom & Dad every day at one of the veterinary clinics they own! Lucky dog!

A shih tzu dog stands in a back yard and looks at the camera.

 

Romy isn’t exactly an “outside dog” but we eventually got her to brave the elements (of the gorgeous sunny day), and she really lit up when the toy pig got involved!

An English bulldog plays with her owner with a squeaky toy.

 

I am so taken aback by how beautiful Desi is that I can’t post just one photo. Look at this sweet, pretty girl!

A brown brindle boxer dog sits in front of a backyard tree.

 

And last but certainly not least, Mr. Chubbs, enjoying a blissful solo escape to the front yard.

A bulldog pug mixed breed dog lays in the front yard and smiles.

 

Thank you so much for such a wonderful afternoon, Ashlee & Joseph! I have MANY more photos to show you, including all the ones we took inside the house! I can’t wait – so I’ll see you soon! :)

 

And Now for Something Totally Different: Portland Senior Girls Photography

June 28th, 2012

You’re about to see something you’ve NEVER seen on this blog before… are you ready? Here come a bunch of two-leggers!

This past week, I went home to Portland, Oregon (where I grew up) to photograph my little sister! She’ll be a senior in high school this year, and senior portraits are a big deal in the northwest. So I got together with her (and a bunch of her friends), and we had a great time!

I’ll tell you what, seniors were an incredible challenge to photograph – but so much fun at the same time! Since I’m used to my “clients” paying little attention to me and only doing what I want so they can play with a ball or snack on a treat, it was a HUGE change to have my subjects actually do what I tell them to! Every time! Haha… I definitely have more respect for senior photographers now, because they have to have incredible creativity and posing knowledge. I mean, I always figured as much, but things are always eye-opening when you do them yourself for the first time. These girls were not only incredibly patient with me, but they were GORGEOUS models, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group to work with!

For the record, I can’t possibly imagine changing the focus of my business – I’ll always love photographing dogs. And my many pet clients certainly keep me busy, I’m lucky to say! So I’m still Allison Shamrell Pet Photography. But every once in a while I don’t mind a change of pace… so check out my first foray into senior photography! :)

 

Morgan

A high school senior in Portland, Oregon stands amongst trees and grass.

 

Keaton

A high school senior in Portland, Oregon sits on brick stairs.

 

Noelle

A high school senior in Portland, Oregon stands in downtown streets.

 

Katie

A high school senior in Portland, Oregon sits in the grass.

 

Kristine

A high school senior in Portland, Oregon sits under the St. John's Bridge.

 

Shelby

A high school senior in Portland, Oregon smiles up at the camera.

 

Noelle

A high school senior in Portland, Oregon smiles in a wheat field.

 

Last but not least, my gorgeous sister Katherine!

A high school senior in Portland, Oregon strikes a pose against a wooden door.

 

THANK YOU so much to all of you ladies for your time! I’ll have your galleries up next week! (hopefully!)

 

Labradors and Dachshunds and Mixed Breeds… oh my!

June 26th, 2012

Here’s just a quick post since I’m out of town (in Portland, Oregon) on a “working vacation”… these pups should look familiar! I suppose you could call this an extended Sneak Peek since their mom has to be so patient before she can see the rest. Enjoy, Lori!

 

 

 

 

 

The semi-miraculous group shot!

 

See you soon after I get back, Lori!

 

Dogs in Kayaks: Gracie & Chief

June 20th, 2012

You probably expected to see golden retrievers, labradors, or perhaps setters of some kind upon reading this post title. Those are outdoorsy breeds that probably love kayak trips, right? Well I have a surprise for you: this session features a miniature poodle and a rat terrier! Ha! This is just one of the things I love about dogs: breed “standards” oftentimes don’t matter at all! Each dog is unique, with his or her own likes and dislikes, and you just can’t pigeonhole a dog because of his or her breed. My clients have pups with totally individual personalities and I love capturing that!

Gracie is a ten-year-old miniature poodle that her mom rescued from a puppy mill. This poor, sweet girl has given birth to 149 puppies in her lifetime. Did you hear that? Should I say it again? One hundred and forty nine!!! Some love and TLC is WAY overdue for miss Gracie. Chief, on the other hand, is just ten months old, and he’s a little more wary of strangers than Gracie. But I’m so glad he found such a great family so early in his life! These dogs’ dad, Andrew, will be deploying soon, so we did our best to get him some great photos of his furkids before he leaves!

Gracie is a natural in the kayak!

A grey miniature poodle in a kayak with her owner in Pensacola, Florida.

Chief was… a bit unsure. :)

A rat terrier shyly peeks out of a kayak.

Don’t they make a cute pair?

A rat terrier and a gray miniature poodle in a park in Pensacola, Florida.

I hope you enjoyed their Sneak Peek, Kirsten! I’ll see you soon!

 

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