Berit spent the better part of her 13 years around Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis, so it was the ideal setting for her Joy Session. When her mom first contacted me, they were hopeful for a few weeks or months left with their girl, but it wasn’t to be. Just over a week later, our 7pm session needed to be moved up to the morning. I met them at the lake and sweet Berit was in her favorite place. It was a grey day, and while I had hoped for a little sun, her mom assured me that this was very “Berit” weather — she always liked best a day that wasn’t too hot or sunny, and when the water was a little cool and choppy. If I was smart I would have worn a skirt or shorts, but I rolled up my jeans and joined her in the water. She couldn’t swim or even stand really, but her loving eyes and earnest face were all we needed for some great images. They said goodbye later that evening.
It’s often the case with Joy Sessions that the animals are not very mobile and the whole shoot takes place in a very small area. I really strive to get a good variety of images, and portray each person’s pet with the beauty and dignity they deserve. I think it helps to push my creativity and see things I might overlook with a more active subject.
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Such a beautiful pup and what a wonderful tribute! Heaven is a brighter place now with Berit watching over us all. Much love to her family at this time.
Oh god this is so very very very special, and the pictures are amazing. I can feel the emotion!
Just so stunning and heartbreaking. Beautiful.
Oh goodness, these are beautiful. I have tears!
just perfect, sarah. i love them. berit is a beauty!
Beautiful. Simply beautiful. Thank you for sharing these.
What a beautiful girl. These images are incredible, Sarah. She looks like she had a full, happy life. What a privilege that you were able to capture these memories before they said goodbye to Berit!
Makes me wish even more that I had been able to say good-bye in the same way before I lost two of my beloved pets in the past couple of years. I lost both pets unexpectedly, but am thankful for the pictures I do have. You truely have a gift for capturing the personalities of these lovely creatures! The portraits are breathtaking!! I am in tears!
Great photos, but i hate that the logo is moving constantly and is smack dab in the center of some. try and be consistant and it would improve the quality, but great photos.
Stefuhnnii, thank you for your feedback. I do select my logo placement based on each image and where I feel it’s most aesthetically pleasing.
God, I miss her. Thank you, Sarah. I just miss her so much. It is so huge to have these photos of her, at least. I can almost feel how her soft head felt against my cheek, looking at these photos.
Beautiful photos. What a great tribute to an obviously well-loved pup.
The third to last photo really got me….and I don’t even know the beautiful doggie. Amazing amazing photos.
The images and your writing are so powerful. Maybe it’s because I’m up at 4:45am with my kitty passed out next to me while keeping me company, but the love Berit has and the beauty in her gorgeous eyes is incredible. Amazing images as always!
that first image is pure perfection. what a beautiful tribute.
you had me at berit :: joy session. i definitely shouldn’t read any of the text otherwise i won’t be able to see the images without tears in my eyes. beautiful . . . ∞
love that last one. awesome color.
Your photos are stunning as always. And I happen to really love your logo and it’s placement in each photo–very clean and simple.