BUNNIES IN THE STUDIO

Had so much fun photographing these 4 bunnies in my studio a while back.

Meet Lily, Merlin, Jojo & Lucy 

(L to R in top photo)

these cuties are all rescues and their Mom & Dad brought them in to capture their fun personalities. 

It was really cute to see how different they all were.  

Hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed photographing them. 

ROCKY WHEATON AND LUCY SHOW {TAMPA AREA PET PHOTOGRAPHER}

OKAY SO I WROTE THIS LAST WEEK AND I REALLY WANTED IT TO BE THIS HAPPY GO LUCKY POST.  THEN THE REALITY HIT ME..  so 'fair warning' it's kind of sad but REAL with a good message..


Hey everyone..  wanted to write an update on these three crazies currently residing in my house. And to talk a little about Rescues.
 They have their own Instagram acct and they are starting to get a few followers so follow them there to see weekly photos I post of their crazy antics.  https://www.instagram.com/rockywheatonandlucyshow/

THE THREE AMIGOS (or crazies or goof balls) 

Before the history and update on these three let me tell you how this all started.

Listen.. I didn't always take on animals that others didn't want, or couldn't handle or just simply abandoned. I always got purebreds and had raised purebreds myself for a very short time. I didn't know then what I know now. And then by accident really or maybe by God's design that all changed with a search for a job.
It changed when I applied for a job at Hillsborough County Animal Services.
Naively I was thinking I could go in and make difference and not be affected.  WOW was I wrong.

When you go for an interview they tell you all about what you will be doing. How the whole operation works.  Ask you about yourself and why you are applying and so on. BUT toward the end of the interview they take you on a tour.  The first thing is they show you all the animals up for adoption.  then the medical area.  then you come by these rooms filled with animals.  Cats. Dogs. Exotics. Each door was labeled by each day of the week. ( I swear after all these years it still makes me cry to think about it) I remember turning to the person taking me on the tour and asking "what do the days mean?"  She looked at me for a second and then turned away as she looked into the room marked Wednesday (it was Tuesday BTW) and she says, "this is the day they will be put down" WHAT??!!!
I wanted to run right then, but she took me to the final stop on the tour. The euthanasia room.  If I live to be a million years old I will NEVER get those images out of my mind.  I won't go into detail but trust me, it was horrific.  I was screaming inside.  I was about to have a complete and utter meltdown and this woman was watching me to see my reaction.  A mere few minutes went by - IT SEEMED LIKE ETERNITY - and I finally said "Please can I go."  So back I went to finish the interview.  The sweet woman who interviewed me asked how I was.  Of course I was a hot mess.  I told her so. I told her that I wanted to be a light in pets lives before something bad happened to them. But even as I was saying it I knew I would never EVER be able to be that large of a light for so many.
She starts throwing statistics and numbers at me.  It was staggering.  in the slow months of winter, 75 to 125 are euthanized EVERY SINGLE DAY!! 7 days a week.  In summer.. the busy months.  125 to 250 EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!   I just remember thinking how crazy this was.  How can this be?  How did I not know this info.  How had I been so completely unaware.  WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN!
I went home from this interview, curled up in bed and cried for what seemed like days.  I couldn't stop crying.  I couldn't get out of bed.  And when she called two weeks later to offer me the job.. I started bawling the minute she told me who she was and I told her I couldn't do it.  To forgive me for being a coward and not taking it but that I knew it would ruin me inside.  She started crying and said "it's not a job for the kindest and most compassionate hearts.  Don't ever apologize for that."

So I started researching and reading how bad of an epidemic this was across the country. And I decided right then and there I will not buy another purebred dog.  Listen I want to sometimes.  I want to get another lab puppy or get a baby boxer or maybe try out a little dog.. you know something I picked out and raised and made my own. But I don't think that is something I will ever be able to consciously do again.  Do I think that there is a place for pure bred in society? Maybe.  Just not in my house unless they are no longer wanted by someone else.

So here I am now.. with three dogs for different reasons.  And three cats for different reasons and 2 rats for a different reason.  They all have their issues when they come into my life and yes some days I look at them and think "what the hell am I doing?" I get overwhelmed taking on someone else's issues manifested in these animals. And honestly..not gonna lie... the first few months are pure HELL!! You are trying to convince these animals that don't know you at all, that you - YOU aren't going to hurt them.  That they are safe with you finally.  Do I get ticked at my pets. Yes!! Do I scream some days because they just pooped all over the floor or chewed up my fav pair of boots or ate a whole chicken off the counter when I walked outside for 1 minute.  YES!! But what I am really learning is patience.  Compassion.  Empathy.

It tears me up when a dog I have hears something or sees something that reminds them of their past. Like a child or a child's laughter.  A baby doll or a baby's cry.  An angry voice.  All of these little things remnants of the life they use to have.  It breaks me on those rare days that I may yell at them for some offense and I see a certain look in their eye.  And I am immediately remorseful and I hug them and reassure them that they are safe.
I have learned so much from these previously unwanted now members of my family in there forever home.  I have learned about longing and loss.  But mainly I have learned about LOVE.  Unconditional, unbridled LOVE.  They love me no matter what.  If I am having a bad day I can watch them play or see them do something silly and immediately my day is better. If  I cry they comfort me. If I dance... they join in.  If I am sitting on the sofa.. they come and lay next to me. Heck.. if I take a pee and forget to shut the door all the way.. they join me there too.
THEY ARE MY LIFE!!
I can't imagine never having these animals that need me.  And there is always another one waiting. But for now.. this is what I have.  This is what I can handle. This is what I am hopefully giving back to the universe.

Here is a brief story of each of the dogs I have now.

Rocky we have had for almost three years now.  He is a full blooded boxer. He came through a friend of a friend.  He was living in a crate 12 hours a day and they just didn't have time for him. It was hard for him at first.  I think he kept waiting for them to come get him.  BUT now - He is my baby although he is the eldest.  He is never NOT by my side. His on going issue is he is terrified of loud noises.  Thunder, fireworks.. you name it.  It's very challenging.. but we are working on it.
He is the sweetest soul ever.  And his hop.. well it's something to see.

ROCKY OR AS I CALL HIM RO-RO

Wheaton, a mixed breed, we got after our first rescued boxer Sadie passed away suddenly almost two years now.  Rocky was so lonely so I went to animal services 2 years ago this coming December.  Wheaton was on limited time there.  He had already been returned twice I think she said.  When I brought him home he and Rocky were best buds immediately.  I imagine Wheaton came from a home with a baby.  Although he was found running the streets I am pretty sure it was a situation of -new baby in, out goes the dog. We love him.  He is reserved but funny.  Standoffish but then so loving. Quiet but vocal.  His ongoing issue is his eye problem.  Nothing life threatening just uncomfortable. A very expensive surgery might be in his future. But according to my vet it is not going to hurt his eye permanently.. it's just uncomfortable.  He has medicine for that.  His fav thing to do is lay in the sun.  And when he wants to love on me.. he lays on me completely.  He weighs 100 lbs

WHEATON - every single worker at Animal Services took selfies with him as we were leaving. One of them even said "thanks for saving his life."

And last but not least our third and newest addition is Lucy.  She is a Bull Mastiff and we have only had her since the end of February.  She has been a super big challenge for me.  She is BULL headed as most mastiffs are. BUT she is learning.  I will admit. There was a lot of OH MY GOSH WHAT HAVE YOU DONE NOW?  going on when I first got her.  She LOVES the boys though.  They play so well together.  She plays a little rough and there have been some mild dog fights that I have had to intervene on.  But that is settling down and her other issues, which were quite disgusting, are working themselves out. I realized that once I calmed down and dealt with her on an individual basis and watched and listened to what she was telling me.. things started working out better.  She spent a long period out of the crate today while I was gone.  almost two hours.  Nothing destroyed and no poop or pee. This is good. (she's never in the crate when someone is home)    I looked at her today and realized how much I love her. She's 115 lbs. Her ongoing issue is- She's stubborn as heck. But she is sweet and gentle and kind and when I walk her she LOVES everyone.  She especially loves little kids.  She came from that.  I can tell every once in awhile she misses them.  But it's still early in her life with us.  When I took her to the vet the other day she whined all the way home and bolted to the door.  She missed the boys. And they were right there licking her and smelling her and they were all genuinely glad to see each other.  It made my heart happy.

LUCY BUT I CALL HER LULU BELLE

So this is my life.  I love it.. some days it's completely overwhelming.  But what I get out of it is LOVE.  They never judge me. They never expect anything from me really.  they just want to be loved and fed.  I may sacrifice other stuff to have them but really?  What sacrifice gets this kind of love and loyalty in return.  Rescued animals will always be the way at my house.  I will ALWAYS rescue animals.  I can't see that ever changing.

Hugs, love and WOOF everyone.
Love Constance

and a side note  -  I am not JUDGING anyone who buys a dog wherever they buy it.  All I ask is that if you are shopping for a dog give a rescue a chance.  No matter what pet you get..   PLEASE keep it till it naturally has no LOVE and life left to give you.  Make it a member of your family not just a possession. Be there holding it when it passes on.
Love it like your family because in reality.. it is your family.

here are some links to some rescues locally.  I am not affiliated with any of these rescues in any way.

http://www.petango.com/pinellas
http://www.petango.com/hillsboroughcounty
http://heidislegacydogrescue.com/
http://humanesocietytampa.org/
http://spcatampabay.org/
http://flbr.org/

My Personal Photography Challenge for the year and beyond!! {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

Hey Everyone.. hope you are having a great year so far.. I can’t believe that January is already half way over. And Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.

As a full time professional photographer I get wrapped up in taking client photos and editing and Marketing and Social Media and thinking of new ways to get my brand out there and so on and so on.  So when I have a few minutes, or need to take a few minutes for myself,  I hang out with my pets or redecorate something in my house ( I think I am a closet interior decorator) and I find that I am pulling out my phone to take photos of those things.. my pets.. my little projects – etc.  and I am always getting ticked because I was missing certain shots or didn’t like the way it looked in the photo and then it hit me.. HELLO.. Professional Photographer here.. what are you doing?

SOOOOO I thought about it.  I AM A PROFESSIONAL AWARD WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER.  Why am I not utilizing my talent.. My God given gift.  I wanted to give myself a palm plant to my forehead.  But I realized that would hurt, so I decided to CHALLENGE  myself…  just for me.. no one else.  So here’s what I came up with..  

TO USE MY PROFESSIONAL CAMERA MORE AND MY PHONE LESS!!!  yup that simple.

Don’t get me wrong sometimes I love the shots I get with my phone.. and those quick easy little effects.. sometimes they really rock.  But.. I get lazy.  I don’t challenge myself with lighting sometimes. Or my settings in my camera. ( I do everything manually) Or learning and experimenting with some new technique or looking at something differently.  Some days I am a really good ‘out of the box’ thinker.  Some days-not so much.

I am so adamant about getting the best shot for my clients that I forget that I am important too.  And by that I mean.. my everyday life is important. My day in day out..  It’s what makes me .. well ME!!! 

My house is filled with crazy most of the time.. I mean my kiddos are grown and live on their own.. but I have all these pets and all this STUFF! My girls swear I have hoarding tendencies but I think they are imagining it. ..

OH WAIT.. is that a chair on the side of the road.. gotta turn around. I could paint that and use it as a prop!!! 
Okay so maybe just maybe I have a slight hoarding problem.. HA!  Anyway..

So back to my challenge.. I am leaving my big professional camera out on my table in the dining room all the time. The same stuff I use for my clients during sessions.  So when the dog looks super cute looking at me a certain way or the cat makes a crazy face I can be camera ready and actually get the action.  Or if I set up a little display and I love how it looks.. I can get a true photo of the set up.

I can experiment with the lighting or the settings or take shots from different angles.  No constraints on time or the mood of the 2 year old (haha) or the weather or the sun.  Or making sure it’s just perfect.  These are the times I can mess up. TRY NEW WAYS.. Just doing it.. and then trying out new editing ideas or watching a video on how to do something I didn’t know how to do before.  I mean the sky is the limit.  

So that is my CHALLENGE to myself.. and although it’s a challenge.. it’s not a constraint. There are no rules..   It’s for ME.. when I have or need a few minutes for MYSELF.

So I am inviting you to walk on this photo journey with me.  Not sure how regular these types of post will be.. because remember.. NO CONSTRAINTS!!  I hope you enjoy this little self aware journey with me..

It should be a HOOT!!!      Check out a few from the first couple of weeks.  SO MUCH FUN!!

WOW! APRIL IS OFF TO A GREAT START. {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

Hey Everyone.. it's already an exciting April.  started the month off with some great April Fool's jokes.. got about 6 people.  haha!! Had a fantastic photo shoot same day that was given to them as a gift certificate from some friends  (GREAT IDEA FOR MOM'S DAY BTW)

and then off to Indiana for my Mom's 80th birthday party.  We had a really good time.. about 50+ people showed up it was so great to see everyone!!
Love my mom so much..

Then a fast trip to Brown County to walk around and just hang out..

 

had a little celebration for my niece Felicia whom I love since her 21st bday was April fool's day.  Isn't she beautiful!

 

met up with some of my friends from high school on Sunday night and then home today.


I designed a book for the guest to sign at the party.  My Mom loved it.
here are the pages.  (before everyone signed of course)

BOOK COVER front and back

 

OPENING PAGE

 

SPREADS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLOSING PAGE

 thanks to everyone who came and signed the book.. Mom absolutely LOVED IT!!

PLUSH, STUFFED & WIND UP {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

Plush, Stuffed & Wind up!

I have had several phone calls asking me if I will be doing LIVE baby animal shoots for Easter.  I am not and have no intentions of ever doing such events.

Let me tell you why..

I have always been a big animal lover, have always had numerous pets and I was a successful pet sitter for many years - but in the last 15 years I have tried to become an advocate and a voice for those in our world that don’t have one. Trust me when I say.. I didn’t always have this kind of attitude.  I was uninformed and therefore ignorant of the issue.  But after years of working with and having friends that work daily with the situation I am now more aware than ever.  

Don’t get me wrong - I don’t think there is anything cuter then a baby animal.  Especially those Chicks, Ducklings and Bunnies.  I understand how tempting they can be - But the challenge and question I want to put out to potential clients and even photographers that participate, is this:  Is it really worth it?   

Let’s talk about babies that are taken from their mothers too young and shipped across the country in crates or boxes.  IF they arrive safely unharmed… what then?  Are you sure they are free of disease?  Are your children or client’s children in the shoots going to be able to hold them without harming them?  And after the shoots?  What happens to these babies that have no sense of survival?  Are they released in the wild as I have heard people do?  What do you think their rate of survival is? 

I ask you - don’t you think it is safer all the way around if plush or stuffed animals were used? Or some other form of decorations?   Wind up chicks or ducks or bunnies even.  Children love to cuddle things and what better thing to really cuddle then a sweet, plush stuffed animal? I mean really shouldn’t the photo be about the child, your child or the client’s child?

If you as a photographer really want to do a LIVE animal shoot - Why not contact your local shelter and see if they would be willing to participate with friendly and lovable animals that need homes.  Why not have an adoption drive to find responsible loving homes?  You would be providing a service and bringing to light an issue of a country already extremely over populated with unwanted or disposable animals. 

All anyone need do is go to a local shelter, animal services or any place that takes in unwanted animals to see the impact. Call your local Humane Society or SPCA and find out how you can help. 

I know in the county where I live EVERY SINGLE DAY at Animal Services they are forced to put down anywhere from 125 to 250 unwanted animals.  EVERYDAY!  And that is ONE county in Florida.

Why am I talking about it? Because aren’t we suppose to be the guardians of these creatures that we share this space with?  As guardians are we really doing our best? 

I love being a photographer and I love animals.  I will be happy to take your photo with your own pets or at your farm with your animals.  Nothing makes me happier then taking photos of families where they include their furry, feathered or even scaly family members.  Animals are a joy and I enjoy seeing the interaction between people and their pets.

I am also writing this post to hopefully educate and open up some communication about an ever growing problem.  I hope after reading this you think about it a bit.  I hope if you are in the market for a pet that you go to your local animal shelter or county animal services.  And really – I just hope that at least one person makes a different decision.

All of my pets, with one exception (and I now have seven remaining) are rescued animals. From various situations.  I love them.  They always bring a smile to my heart.  It is a lot sometimes but it never outweighs the joy they bring me. I am blessed to have them in my life.

And as it’s been said:

‘SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS HAVE NEVER SAID A WORD TO ME’

Thanks for reading and please share or comment if you like. 

www.humanesociety.org/

www.aspca.org/

http://www.spcafl.org/

http://humanesocietytampa.org/

http://www.makeminechocolate.org/mission.php

WOW WHAT A COUPLE OF WEEKS.... AND IT'S NOT EVEN THANKSGIVING YET {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

Hey everyone.. just thought I would drop a line to let you know what I have been up to..
I have been soooo busy but you know I love that. 
It's been photo shoots and editing and Christmas card designing and mailing and delivering and pet sitting and non-profit events and my daughter had emergency surgery and then a whirlwind trip to Indiana for my brother's wedding..  **breathe**
BUT -
I am back in town with lots of catching up to do and 9 photo shoots before the 29th when my other girl and the babies will be here.  It was great seeing them this past week end at the wedding but we were all so busy I really didn't spend much time with them.  So I am super excited for them to get here.
I am attaching a few photos of some of the most recent shoots.. not all of them but a few...
So just in case I don't have a chance to tell you later this week

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND BE A BLESSING AND LOVE EACH OTHER.

NEW WEBSITE!!! {TAMPA AREA PHOTOGRAPHER}

OKAY - FINALLY.... after a year of working on it when I had time... it's finally here.
I am sooo excited.  My new website is now HTML also and can be viewed on tablets and smart phones.  I am sure there will be a few bugs initially so bear with me while I work them out.
thanks for all the love and support...  MY CLIENTS MAKE MY JOB GREAT!  I LOVE IT!
GO CHECK IT OUT AND GIVE ME SOME FEEDBACK...  :)
http://constanceavellinophotos.com

newborn helpful hints {newborn photographer tampa)

this was on Facebook and I thought I would share it.. love it!

SNEAK PEEK - JAXIE WITH MOM & DAD IN THE STUDIO {tampa pet photographer}

Hey everyone.. since Jaxie's Mom & Dad aren't on FB I decided to put their Sneak Peek on my blog so that they can enjoy it.
I know it's been a while since I posted on my blog (bad me) but I am going to try to do it with each FB entry. 
So anyway.. back to Jaxie.. she's a little Jack  Russell  and full of energy.  But she did soooo good.
We did some Christmas photos of her.  She was very patient with all of our crazy doings..
There were so many to choose from but this one just really appealed to me.  I think it's the look on her face.  How cute.

So here she is:  JAXIE!!!



PET LIFE INSTALLMENT #4 (i think) Sadie in the Studio once again. {tampa pet photographer}

So I was checking out my lighting as I seemed to be having an issue with one of my lights.. soooooo..
my trusty assistant/model came in to help me check things out. 
I have no idea how much she's going to charge... she's pretty expensive!  :)

LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! September 10th

Hey Everyone... Recently numerous people have asked if I would ever consider doing a workshop. So GUESS WHAT?  I am going to do a workshop. If I get a great response and the people want more I will add additonal subjects for future workshops.  This particular workshop will focus on LOCATIONS! .  What to look for... how to utilize that area and how to make it work for all different types of photography. 
So years ago when I started in photograpy it was hit and miss on what I knew and how to appoach it.  So I knew that I needed a more well rounded education - so I went to school.  I took as many classes as I could and still to this day I go to seminars and workshops such as the one I am going to provide.  
Once I had more knowledge and only then, did I start the 'business' of photography.  I joined photography organizations such as TAPPA and PPA.  I started using labs that only work with photographers and those things have helped me and still help me be a better photographer.
I don't know it all and I am learning everyday - but I know what works for me right now.  It changes constantly but the basics remain the same and without those.. it just doesn't work.
So - if you are comfortable with your camera and know how to work it and use it and you just want a little help on the area of location shooting, then please contact me and sign up. This will be limited to 10 people.  We will be meeting at a location (to be determined later)  There will be walking so... be prepared. 
September 10th - 8 am. 
The cost is $25.00 per person. 
Contact me at 813-600-8152 to reserve your spot and arrange payment. 
Looking forward to it.... 
btw... I ALWAYS HAVE FUN NO MATTER WHAT!

ALL OF THESE LOCATIONS ARE WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF MY STUDIO!