What are the International Photography Awards?

They have been described as the “Oscars for the photography community.” In 2008, over 24,000 entries were received from over 124 countries around the world. The categories range from fashion, to pets to architecture. If you take the photo, there is a place for it in the competition. This is my third year entering the competition. Since my business has done a drastic 360 degree change this past year, I had definite high hopes for my entries.

I submitted 5 entries into three different categories, with two of the categories involving a series.

Sooooo….do you know why I have been squirming with excitement for the past two days on twitter? (And no…my squirming has nothing to do with going to the bathroom!! Get your heads out of the gutter!!) Four of my entries have made it into round two of judging!!! I find out tomorrow if any have made it through to round three.

And Round Three is HUGE!! That means I am either an honorable mention, or a finalist. Of course I want to be a finalist, but I would be super stoked just to be mentioned!!! SERIOUSLY PEOPLE!!! THIS IS THE OSCARS!!!!!

If I am a finalist, I get to get all dressed up fancy-like. It’s a red carpet event in NY (and would be my first one….0_0 ).

So, without further ado….here are my entries and the categories they have been submitted to!!!

A lot of these are from Melissa and Josh Johnston’s weddings. The emotion and details in their wedding day were amazing. I was tearing up half the day!! And Melissa’s father….oh goodness. That man’s love for Melissa made me more emotional than a Hallmark Commercial at Christmas. So, these first three entries are from their beautiful getting ready portion of the day.

This image was submitted into the “wedding’ category.

These two were the ringbearer and flower girl. Probably some of the most quiet…but sweet kids I’ve encountered at a wedding yet. And so beautiful!!!! The ring bearer shot hasn’t made it to the second round as of yet, but I’ll letcha if I get the email!! These were both submitted into the “Children’s” category.

And finally, one of my personal fav subjects to photograph, the DOGGIES!!! These, of course, were submitted into “pets” category.

Bella is my big mutt girl!! She acts like the mamma-dog to the rest of the pack. She’s constantly cleaning eyes and ears and keeping the other dogs in line. She obviously needed to be kept in line this day, though. Instead of getting in trouble for a digging a hole under the shed, I just grabbed a camera to take her picture. I LOVE HER HUGE SMILE!!

And finally, one of personal favs…..DORA!!!! This is the most ornery, lazy, sweet slobbery dog you could run across. In this photo, I think I was holding a sandwich……her attention was un-faltering. lol.

I’ll let you guys know just as soon as I get any emails!!! Keep your toes and fingers crossed!! And maybe your tongue curled as well!! (For luck, of course…)

It was grooming day today in my household!!! That means….my dogs hate me for the majority of the day and sulk when they get home. I am considered an evil, evil doggie mum.

The first time we took Johnnie Bean Versace (or Jo-Jo) to Battlefield Animal Clinic, we warned Shannon that she was hard to groom.

“She screams,” we said.

“Oh, I’ve dealt with screamers before. We can handle it, huh, Jo?” She smiled the naive smile of a groomer who doesn’t know she has just met the cutest dog-devil ever born.

When I picked her up a few hours later, Jo looked fabulous and Shannon looked frazzled.

“She’s really loud!”

Yeah…I laughed. I felt bad, but I laughed. Shannon is excellent and spends all day working with the dogs at a slow pace. And she said Jo is improving!!! She said she held pretty still and didn’t scream quite so loud this time.

Don’t let her fool you. Dog-devil…….

Captain Kiddo Carroway (Kidd), on the other hand, is incredibly predictable at the groomers. He’ll try to take your hand off. Shannon was fully prepared and ready. He wore a muzzle, but she took her time with him all day, and let me tell you…the boy is HANDSOME!! (Oh, and he smells so gooood. It’s the doggy cologne.) I was hoping the groomer’s would give him little bows like Jo-Bean’s, but apparently she thought he was too manly for bows. Ah well.
He gave the camera a wink. I wonder if he knows something I don’t. Hmm….I wonder if he’s chewed something of mine and where in the backyard it’s ended up.

Bella, the lucky dog, didn’t have to go to the groomer’s today. If she did, though, there would not have been any horror stories. She’s happy anywhere she is. She thinks going to the groomers is like a day at the spa. But, she got in on the photoshoot action anyways.
She’s just a camera hog. When she saw the other two getting their photos taken, she charged the camera.

Ah….grooming day. Always fun for all involved.

Ok…not Shannon.

Or Jo.

Or Kidd.

But it’s certainly a quiet day for me!!

Terra

A few days ago, I got a REALLY sweet comment from Tanya, a small business owner and blogger. Not only did she make me blush with her compliments, but she also informed me that an image of mine had been featured on Tails Pet Media Group’s Blog!!!

I enter a lot of my pet images into the Tail’s flickr group pool, but it is usually just to exchange comments and see other photographer’s work.  I am flattered that they loved this image of Mary enough to feature it!!  Mary is just one of the many dogs up for adoption at the Pulaski Humane Society in Dublin, VA.  She was a little shy at first, but quickly let me know that all it took was a tennis ball to get her to open up.  Her smile was genuine as she waited for me juggle my equipment and throw another ball for her. She would make the perfect addition to almost any house.

To learn more about Mary or to check out any of the other dogs and cats available for adoption, click the link above.  And be sure to keep an eye on the blog next week!!  I will have another trip to Pulaski to post, as well as the slideshow images for Matoli and Alexander’s wedding.

Can’t wait!!!

If you want to check out more of my flickr gallery, head here.

I would like to introduce you all to Walter.

Walter is eight years old and was given up for adoption by his owner due to financial stress.  He’s had the name Walter for 8 years and has known nothing other than one man’s companionship.  He is incredibly well taken care of at the Pulaski County Humane Society where he lives.  He has toys, walks, food, play time, and good dog friends as companions.  Unfortunately, there is a large chance that Walter won’t get adopted.  Although he, most likely, has a good 10 years left to live, he is not a puppy.

Out of all of the dogs I had the pleasure to photograph on Monday, Walter was my favorite.  He was the one that dove headfirst into the kiddie pool of water.  If my situation were different, I would have taken him home that day.  THAT is what gives me hope that this little boy will find a home with someone before it is too late for him. But he’s been at the shelter for nearly three weeks, so time may be short.

I’m working with the PCHS to bring more attention the older and special needs dogs they have available for adoption. If you are in VA and in a situation where you think you might be able to provide a home for any of these babies, give the shelter a call at:  (540) 674-0089 . If you are looking for a companion and are NOT in the VA area, please consider some of the adult animals at your local shelter.  MOST OF THEM COME POTTY TRAINED!!!

Although puppies are cute, they grow up to be dogs. And dogs need just as much love when they are older as when they are younger.

They DO have cats as well!! I will give a post for them tomorrow.

Terra

**************UPDATES*******************

COMMENTS FOR A CAUSE TOTAL: $31 – Keep the comments coming!! $31 is not a lot and we want to see that grow!!! Comment with any comment on ANY post and $1 goes to Inner City Inner Child!!! Check out this post for more information……..

Listening to: “Digital Love” by Daft Punk

Do you see what I mean!!!??? I can’t stay in the house!!!! I went to the National Zoo, of all places, yesterday.

Actually, that’s not so surprising. I used to work there with the Cheetahs. (Only one of the coolest jobs I have EVER had.) That was a few years, though…..and a lot has changed. Except the cats.

Unfortunately, they had most of the zoo closed for a youth event…which means no lions, tigers, or bears (I’m not going to say it!! You can’t make me!!!).

So, my trip was pretty short. I got to see the Elephants, Cheetahs, a donkey thing (Przewalski’s Horse…but it looks like a donkey!!), and some birds (Oh my!! *grumble*grumble*). Honestly, birds have never interested me much. They’re pretty, but I don’t think I’m going to be watching them in my spare time.

So, without further ado (ado…hahaha, that was a further one) here a few pics I took. They aren’t genius, and the elephants are remarkably hard to photograph!! I may try again later. But the cats were posers. +1 donkey.

Terra