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.

Tag: ‘dogs’



Beach Session: Mercedes the Rhodesian Ridgeback and Jaguar the Greyhound

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Sometimes I come across a spectacularly well-named dog, and I just love it when the name I keep calling during their session (usually with little effect, haha) is funny or has a great meaning behind it. This session may have been my all-time favorite: I had the privilege of photographing Mercedes and Jaguar! Both dogs are six years old: Jaguar is a retired greyhound and Mercedes is a Rhodesian ridgeback.

 

I was extra-excited for this session for another reason: my dog Bailey is part Rhodesian ridgeback (we think!). So it was fascinating to see the purebred version of my mutt, and honestly, I think they have a lot in common personality-wise! They’re both a bit stubborn and don’t have that eager-to-please attitude of, say, a golden retriever. But my gosh, when they run around free of a leash, I’ve hardly seen a dog smile bigger. Mercedes had a huge grin on her face! For now, enjoy these pictures while I keep working on the rest…

 

A greyhound and a Rhodesian ridgeback on the beach.

 

A greyhound and a Rhodesian ridgeback on the beach.

 

A greyhound and a Rhodesian ridgeback on the beach, silhouettes in black and white.

 

Thanks for a great afternoon at the beach, Cheryl!

 

Foster Puppy Mustang!

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

If you’re a fan of the Facebook page, then you already know the big news: we have a foster puppy! His name is Mustang (love that name!), he’s 3 months old, and we think he’s a husky-lab mix. I’m about to gush over how cute he is, but here’s the most important part of this blog post: Mustang is looking for his forever home. He’s adoptable through the Junior Humane Society of Pensacola and you can reach them at 850-968-3260 if you have any questions. I can personally attest to his fantastic, loving personality. He’s got a great little spirit and would love to spend half his days romping around a nice backyard, and the other half snuggling up to you! This boy really is a snuggler.

 

(Side note: regular blog readers will notice the different way I’ve included vertical photos: now they’re side-by-side! I hope this will make them easier to scroll through… I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!)

 

We started out the week with a bath, poor guy. I think for a few minutes he regretted leaving the Jr. Humane Society.

Foster puppy takes a bath and looks very sad.

 

 

I think he was in shock/disbelief. But he was a few shades whiter when he came out of the tub!

Foster puppy takes a bath and looks very sad.

 

These photos made quite a splash on Facebook… isn’t he adorable? (Trust me, the second photo is 100% Mustang!)

Foster puppy lab husky mix having fun outside in the grass.

 

Foster puppy lab husky mix having fun outside in the grass.

 

 

Foster puppy lab husky mix having fun outside in the grass.

 

Foster puppy lab husky mix having fun outside in the grass.

 

I love those little forehead wrinkles. Maybe he has some pointer in him?

 

His favorite pose. Seriously, this is all day long. He’s all about the belly-rubs.

 

His “big sister” may have taught him how to pose…

 

 

I can’t get enough of his NOSE!

Foster puppy lab husky mix having fun outside in the grass.

 

Arguably one of my favorite things about puppies: their head tilts are frequent and easy to get!

Foster puppy lab husky mix having fun outside in the grass.

 

Foster puppy lab husky mix having fun outside in the grass.

 

Foster puppy lab husky mix having fun outside in the grass.

 

I think he looks cynical here… “Really? I got the crazy foster mom with the camera?”

Foster puppy lab husky mix having fun outside in the grass.

 

Foster puppy lab husky mix having fun outside in the grass, black and white image.

 

 

If you have any questions about Mustang, please ask in the comments or contact me directly. He’s SO much fun and the sweetest little boy! I know he’d love to meet you!

 

 

Sneak Peek: Shelby & Gunther ~ Navarre Pet Photography by Allison Shamrell

Monday, January 30th, 2012

This fun session was a first for me in several ways, besides being the first on my calendar for 2012: it was the first time I’d seen a fountain of everlasting energy from something other than a labrador. It was the first time we visited my new favorite location – and I can’t disclose where it is! For clients’ eyes only, haha! But most surprisingly, this was the first time that the family added a new member in-between their pre-session consultation and the actual session! That’s right, the number of animals in this household increased by one over the past week, and they kept it under wraps from me until I arrived to see a tiny black cat in mom Jessica’s arms! Needless to say, it was a wonderful surprise! We were laughing about how Jessica has rescued almost all their pets, and she just “can’t say no” to a dog or cat who needs rescuing. And although it may make for a hectic household, I’m pretty sure the world is a better place for Jessica’s being in it.

 

So I’m going to do something a bit different with this Sneak Peek. As regular blog followers know, I usually post 3-4 photos of the subject(s) in question. But since this family has twice that many pets, how about one photo per animal? Sound fair? I think so.

 

We’ll start with the dogs: this is Shelby, the world’s most active 1-year-old standard poodle. She also emanates beauty; I think she’s a contender for most gorgeous dog EVER.

 

This is Gunter, Jessica’s little sweetheart.

 

This is Sushi, an old cat that Jessica has owned since her college days. Sushi wasn’t really in the mood to be photographed but I think we got a few cute ones!

 

These next two are Siamese cats, Simba & Sheba! Stunning creatures – I don’t know if I’ve ever met a Siamese before so it was a real treat to meet two! (“We are Siamese if you please…”) Simba is the one sitting up, and Sheba is the one whose nose I just had to get a close-up of, because it reminds me of a LION!

 

 

The Most Photogenic Cat Award goes to Otis. He made himself quite at home on the dining room table.

 

And last but not least, this is the newest addition, Ruby! She actually only has three legs – her from left one is missing – but she was in such a playful mood it couldn’t have mattered less. Here she is sandwiched between a chair back and its cushion, trying to get at me and my camera.

 

Jessica and Jon, I hope you had a great time on Saturday! Your photogenic animals have given me plenty of work in the meantime. See you soon!

 

 

~ Dog Photography by Allison Shamrell in Navarre and Pensacola, Florida ~

 
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Labs on a Boat: Tulley, Hannah & Jake ~ {Destin Pet Photography by Allison Shamrell}

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

The original Sneak Peek about these three happy dogs elicited lots of comments, Facebook posts and emails from people saying they loved the photos! (Thank you to everyone, because it means a lot!) I actually received SO many that – although I’m terribly behind on blogging sessions after they’ve completed post-production – I just had to release this video as quickly as I could. Spoiler alert: you’ll find a few of our session’s uninvited guests in the video as well. Enjoy!

~   Dog Photography by Allison Shamrell in Destin, Florida   ~

 

Merry Christmas! ~ {Pensacola Pet Photography by Allison Shamrell}

Sunday, December 25th, 2011

I hope you’re having a wonderful, memorable, and family-filled day!

This is Maximus the English bulldog, and I couldn’t decide between posting his “Merry Christmas” and his “Bah humbug” face. So here are both of them… take your pick!

 

Can you believe this is his happy face?

 

 

Yes, the Santa hat was torture.

Merry, merry, merry Christmas!

 

 

~   Dog Photography by Allison Shamrell in Pensacola, Florida   ~

 

 

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