Pet Photos by Denise

When Hobbes and Landes invited me to partner with them for this project, I was delighted! Okay fine, more than delighted… I was thrilled! Via a photo contest Hobbes launched in partnership with Bonifacio High Street, twelve “most PAWtogenic” doggies were chosen to grace the pages of Hobbes and Landes’ Limited Edition Dog Photo Calendar for 2012. Oh! And I was asked to take the photos. Yay!

I met the pawesome doggies for the first time at the awarding ceremonies held during the “Pet Appreciation Weekend (P.A.W.)” at BHS last October 16.  I could tell that each dog was wonderfully unique and figured it would be great to come up with a different concept for each dog. Because pet-friendly BHS was a major event partner, I was given freedom to shoot within the mall grounds. So I decided to make use of different locations around the mall that would hopefully help showcase each dog’s features and distinct personality.

Here’s a sneak-peek of the mini sessions I had with each of the twelve doggies.

First off is Bimby, a handsome 9-month old yellow Labrador Retriever photographed next to perhaps the most famous landmark at BHS – the huge suspended rock.  I thought this curious installation would be a fun backdrop for Bimby’s charmingly sweet face and inquisitive Lab eyes.

When I met pretty little Cassie at the P.A.W. event, I could tell she was the kind of dog that was loved, babied and cared for like a little princess. I thought the flowery trellis-covered walkways spread throughout BHS would be a pretty place for her, with lots of nice light to bring out her fur’s gorgeous color.

Dopey is an adorable Beagle pup that had absolutely sooooo much energy to expend that day. I could tell how attached she was to her mommy too. So before I could get the images I wanted by the cafe where I had planned to shoot her set, I had her and her lovely mommy both run around and play together first as I followed them with my camera. Soon enough, Dopey calmed down and agreed to sit and stay next to her mommy while I snapped away!

This sweet dog is Edge. Cool name, huh? So I thought to myself, “Edges and Hedges!” Edge is photographed here on the edge of the BHS steps, his beautiful chocolate brown coat looking great against the its colors. Edge’s expressive, kind, Labrador Retriever eyes are captured here too, peeping out from one of the neatly trimmed hedges in BHS.

Ahhh… now this little furry friend won my heart. This is probably my favorite set because of its over-all cuteness factor. Meet Hoby!!! When I met Hoby Bear, a chubby and round Toy Poodle with buttony eyes, I got inspired immediately and knew what concept I wanted for his session. Taken indoors this time at Hobbes and Landes!

Kumi seemed like a really fun-loving little Shih-Tzu. I remember that his photo contest entry was of  him running wild and free in the beach. So for his calendar shoot, I figured we’d do something different for him — more urban, more structured, but still have Kumi’s fun (and funny) personality shine through. And it did!

I was so worried the day of Muchi‘s session because the weather was so erratic and I had planned to shoot outdoors at the activity center of BHS. True enough, it rained that afternoon. Although the rain had stopped it was unusually dark out and Muchi’s time slot was right before sunset. No worries… I simply had to resort to plan B. But wait… I had no plan B!!! Hahaha! So I had to come up with one on-the-spot. Hobbes and Landes, here we come! In just a few minutes, Hobbes and Landes’ Playmobil area was transformed into a Play-Muchi area for this funny Chowchow in red shoes. In China, the Chowchow is referred to as “Songshi Quan”, which literally means “puffy lion dog”. Check it out! I think the Playmobil lion agrees! But Muchi thinks otherwise. “I’m way cuter than you!” Muchi says. Hahaha!

The perfect backdrop for a Rottweiler named Noodles? Giant green noodles of course! Hahaha! These green noodle-like listening tubes are a favorite spot among kids at BHS… and now among super gwapo dogs too!

Queen Truffles, the Daschund that won the photo contest through most number of “likes”, made everyone’s heads turn when she arrived at the P.A.W. event on a float (yes, a float!) and dressed up in an elaborate pink gown with a tiara on her head. Let’s not forget those false lashes too! I later learned that this was just one of her many haute couture-ish outfits and the contest just one of many she had joined. Whew! Naturally, I had to find a spot in BHS that was fit for this queen.

Named after Mel Gibson’s character in Lethal Weapon, Riggs the Pomeranian seemed just as skittish as the movie character. This lively dog just kept going and going and going like an Energizer bunny too. Sooo funny! Another good work-out for me! So cute and all-smiles…Riggs!

Dashing Stewy! This little cutie’s race car driver outfit was the inspiration for this set! Interestingly, the whole session was a bit like a race too. The weather wasn’t very ideal, the sky was overcast and I was losing light fast. So we had to work double-time! Stewy was such a good sport though.

Timi is a darling French Bulldog and new mommy to 6 pups. When I first saw her photo contest entry and saw her black and white coat, in my mind I immediately reserved this spot at BHS for her session and planned to give this new mom a glam shoot she deserved. Timi… you’re one beautiful, classy momma!

To all the pet-parents I met, thank you so much. I had so much fun! I hope you did too! Don’t forget to visit Hobbes and Landes in December and grab a copy of the calendar!