I've been working on our fall print newsletter, and we recently did the photo shoot for the photo of Alayne and me that goes on page 2 of each issue. Earlier this year I posted the outtakes of the photo shoot for the spring/summer newsletter, so I thought you might enjoy seeing some from this latest session. Our new admin assistant, Judy L., was pressed into service as the photographer. Alayne had already warned her what this would be like ... i.e., taking direction from a fussy "tyrant photographer" (can you believe she calls me that?), having to take dozens and dozens of photos until Mr. I'll-Know-It-When-I-See-It is finally satisfied, and making sure that all three subjects are posing just-so for the camera.
Our co-subject this time was blind and wobbly Briggs, who alternately wouldn't stay still or, worse, would suddenly go limp in my arms and look like he'd just died. That first shot above gives you an idea of the challenge that day.
Then Mr. I'll-Know-It-When-I-See-It stepped out of the shot to take another look through the camera, and this is what he saw:
Stepping back into the shot, a few frames later and someone is still having a problem managing a small, wobbly Beagle:
We then changed sides and things quickly fell apart, though Miss Marker seems unaware that I have lost complete control at this point and is still staring at the camera:
Canine control problems continue, and Miss Marker now appears not nearly as cheery as a few moments before:
But, somewhere along the way to taking 67 photos, we get the right framing, have the dog cooperating, and Judy gets the photo Mr. I'll-Know-It-When-I-See-It wants:
Whew!
Beautiful photo and what nice smiles on all 3 faces! Bravo!
Posted by: Lisa in CA | August 16, 2010 at 01:29 PM
Thanks for sharing those pictures, they made me laugh and brightened my day. And it's nice to see Briggs again!
Posted by: Ann | August 14, 2010 at 03:22 AM
Briggs was just sniffing and making sure he wasn't missing any ladies who might be wandering by. Briggs loves the ladies.
Posted by: Bob | August 13, 2010 at 09:19 PM
Funny....love the commentary Steve.
And getting to the last photo, which is really great was a nice treat.
Love Briggs paw over your arm...so sweet.
Posted by: Chloe | August 13, 2010 at 03:53 PM
Well, the last picture was worth all the trouble! Looks great.
Posted by: Reta Davis | August 13, 2010 at 02:23 PM
great job everyone! love the picture and the house in the background is beautiful.
Posted by: Randi | August 13, 2010 at 01:42 PM
Whew! Glad you finally got a great pic! Really cute!
Posted by: Colleen & In Memory of Sweet Kitty Erin | August 13, 2010 at 01:40 PM
Always love it when you see the "smiling" dog and what they are doing is really panting from wiggling around so much :) Great picture!
Posted by: Suzanne | August 13, 2010 at 01:00 PM
Steve, You are too funny! Thanks for making my day. P.S. You just leave Little Miss Marker alone. She's a sweetheart. :)
Posted by: Dee's Mom | August 13, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Whew! Final pictures is PERFECT!
All of you look as though this was the "first take" BRAVO!
Posted by: Doe George | August 13, 2010 at 11:38 AM
Whew is right! You had to pick the wobbly RDR resident for the still photo..........
Posted by: Ev | August 13, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Please write a book, with pictures!!!...I think it's on the top of many of our wish lists ;)
Posted by: Sasha in MN | August 13, 2010 at 11:24 AM
Well, the final photo IS absolutely perfect (especially Brigg's paw hanging over your arm and his big smile), but dang Steve, you got 59 other subjects! Why in the world would you try 67 times???? Perhaps you need to have a stand-in at the ready next time!
Have a great weekend and congrats on hiring Judy L. (of whom I'm completely jealous!!)
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | August 13, 2010 at 11:20 AM
Way to go, Steve....break that new admin assistant in right!! LOL....lovely 67th photo, though....well worth the wait.
Posted by: Debbie | August 13, 2010 at 10:30 AM
And Briggs is smiling perfectly! Alayne's got the "just-keep-smiling-no-matter-what" thing down perfectly.
Posted by: Linda | August 13, 2010 at 10:04 AM
Alayne wouldn't be an "outtake" for most photographers! As for Briggs, he might have been considering temporary death over any more of this posing stuff!!!! What a funny story.
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | August 13, 2010 at 09:58 AM
Did Judy have ANY idea what she was getting herself into when she took this position? ha ha
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | August 13, 2010 at 09:58 AM
Hmmm... why do I seem to remember 67 not even being close to a record for these newsletter photos? Alayne clearly understands her job and stays out of the "tyrant photographer's" way.
Posted by: Karla | August 13, 2010 at 09:57 AM
I don't understand why Alayne isn't holding the minion. Steve, you and Briggs look like you are having a 'howl in' in the first photo. Steve, maybe you should stick with cats. ;p
Posted by: Amy A | August 13, 2010 at 09:56 AM
Maybe separate photo of each then photoshop the group? 3 vs 67? Just a thought! LOLO
Posted by: Miranda Brooks | August 13, 2010 at 09:18 AM
How does Alayne stay so cool, calm & collected through all the craziness? She deserves a special treat for putting up with your "weirdness" about the photograph. You owe her bigtime! I got lots of laughs out of the saga. Thanks for starting my day off with lots of smiles.
Big hugs all around,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | August 13, 2010 at 08:37 AM
Oh, that is so funny! This really had me laughing out loud:
"...would suddenly go limp in my arms and look like he'd just died."
Oh, Briggs, too much!
Posted by: Lynne Parker | August 13, 2010 at 07:41 AM
Well, a bit of fame is okay and allright, but probably Briggs will pass the cookie next time! He has been off his feet for waaaaaaay to long ;-)).
Great shot, the final one! If you'd left it at that single picture, we would all think your days are only nice and easy, so thank you for the inside information, hehe.
Is Blanca still with you?
Posted by: Jessica, NL | August 13, 2010 at 07:41 AM
Great picture and lots of chuckles until the "Whew!" Love reading about you all and the dogs. Thanks for doing such a great job and writing so well.
Posted by: Dee in KY | August 13, 2010 at 06:56 AM
Well worth it Mr. I'll-Know-It-When-I-See-It. Not for the final pic, which is great, but for the photo story!
Posted by: Harry | August 13, 2010 at 06:14 AM
Hey, I am so happy to see Briggs! He looks as dashing and handsome as ever!
Posted by: Hkiljan53 | August 13, 2010 at 02:07 AM
Too Funny...Oh Judy I'm sorry you had to go through that. I know what you went through as I have been on both sides of that camera!! Welcome to Steve's world!! HA!! Just kidding Steve...well sort of!
Posted by: Laura, Levi & Timmy | August 12, 2010 at 11:43 PM
LOL!! And there you have it! :-)
Posted by: Leila - Washington | August 12, 2010 at 11:41 PM
Boy, Alayne has the most consistently pretty smile of anyone I've ever seen! A good partner for a "tyrant photographer". :)
Posted by: Kelly | August 12, 2010 at 10:59 PM
The end result was great but ummmm........Alayne looks good in ALL of the shots.....it is you and Briggs that seem to be the issue.....LOL!!!
Posted by: Marla | August 12, 2010 at 10:31 PM