Photography | biscuit's space | The blog of photographer Katherine Carver

Mar 5

Photo of the Day!

Today is a fun blog post!

Can you locate little Victory in the menagerie of cheetah and panda friends?

For those of you who have been following the blog for a while, know that cheetahs and pandas are near and dear to our hearts. The cheetah and panda have become a metaphor in our relationship. As an anniversary gift, I had a custom Cheetah and Panda Totem made for Doug!

Anyone who has been to our home knows that we have a menagerie of “friends” (stuffed cheetahs and pandas) who have taken over our guest room! We have more “friends” than we know what to do with, and they are all not pictured in the photo below — there are even more friends! Our entire guest room has so many “friends” all of whom have names (although we forget their names at times)! Buddy, not pictured, is our most recent “friend” addition! (The pandas out number the cheetahs!)

Victory is not allowed in the guest room unsupervised as she loves to chew — her favorite passage of time! She chews on and through her own “friends” that she keeps in her little ‘hut!’

Happy Wednesday!

Mar 3

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Victory: Photography Project — Part 8

“If you don’t have a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you. But there may be something wrong with your life.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

I have recently begun a weekly photography project with my muse, Victory! I will continue to share this project on the blog! I have also been documenting Victory’s milestones so to speak each month — you can read these here! I think that it is fun to document all of Victory’s changes, while preserving fleeting moments and memories.

Recently, we had a few really nice days, almost like it was spring and then we received snow the following day! During the nice weather, we were able to open our windows and enjoy being outside after having some really brutal winter days! Doug and I decided to take Victory out in the Hound About! We originally purchased the Hound About to help our beloved Biscuit motor around since he had severe arthritis. This enabled Biscuit to go on long walks and see places that he would not otherwise have seen. Doug originally thought the idea to purchase the Hound About was “over the top,” but soon learned how much Biscuit loved his Hound About! We have many fond memories with Biscuit in his Hound About!

We decided to let Victory have a test drive in her Hound About! At first, she was a little nervous, but soon after she too was smiling (like her brother Biscuit did) as she rode around the neighborhood in her Hound About — the only difference being that she liked the screen in the front zipped, whereas Biscuit loved poking his head out the front of the Hound About! Perhaps, in time, Victory too will be riding around in her Hound About with her beautiful face poking through! We hope to have many adventures with little Victory in her Hound About and perhaps this will be a way to get Victory out and about while having a “safe zone” similar to her ‘hut‘ at home! Hopefully our dog training, which starts in about two weeks, will help build her confidence even more! Victory is doing great and her fur coat is literally sprouting!

P.S. If you are interested in getting a Hound About, you can learn more here!

Happy Monday!

Feb 25

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Victory: Photography Project — Part 7

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” ~Anatole France

I have recently begun a weekly photography project with my muse, Victory! I will continue to share this project on the blog! I have also been documenting Victory’s milestones so to speak each month — you can read these here! I think that it is fun to document all of Victory’s changes, while preserving fleeting moments and memories.

For Valentine’s Day, we gave Victory a BarkBox, shown below! Due to BarkBox’s monthly shipping schedule, we received Victory’s BarkBox shortly after Valentine’s Day! She especially loves the Cheese Please treats and her new chew toy, shown below! We still have more treats inside the BarkBox for Victory to try! So far, the BarkBox has been a hit with little Victory!

Happy Tuesday!

Feb 24

Creating A Strong Portfolio

As photographers and artists, it is very important to update your portfolio. Below are some tips to help curate a strong portfolio.

1. Limit the number of images. The best way to make your portfolio stronger is to limit the number of images in your portfolio to your ‘strongest images.’ This can be difficult. If you are having trouble, it is a good idea really reflect on your work, and if need be, to seek critiques from those you trust. In the book, Annie Leibovitz At Work, Annie Leibovitz indicated that the greatest and most difficult work we do as a photographer is being the editor and curator of our own work. I think that this is true. This is why I believe it truly helps to obtain feedback from those you trust and from those whose work you respect.

2. Highlight what you want to shoot. Only highlight in your portfolio what you want to photography because this is what you will attract. Go over each image in your portfolio closely, and eliminate what you do not want to photograph in order to highlight what you do want to photograph.

3. Avoid mixing different genres in one portfolio. In addition to limiting your images to your strongest images, concentrating your work into individual portfolios by genre will also make the work appear stronger.

4. Update your portfolio often with strong, new work. It is important to consistently update your portfolio with strong, new work. You want people who visit your website/portfolio to see your current work. Your website and blog are your primary tools to showcase your work, so it is important that your work is current.

Happy Monday!

Feb 21

Four&Sons Magazine: Issue One

I am a fan of Four&Sons! Four&Sons is based in Australia and this print and online publication documents the relationship of man and his best friend. Four&Sons covers art, design, fashion, music, and lifestyle. Four&Sons brings together an eclectic mix of inspiring ‘dog-centric’ content to dog-lovers passionate about culture and creativity.

Four& Sons: Issue One, a print magazine, will be released in May 2014, which includes among others, an interview with well-known photographer, Elliott Erwitt, tips from filmmaker Mike Mills, and a behind-the-scenes studio tour with artist couple Chris Johanson and Johanna Jackson. Not to mention, photographs by Martin Usborne, the hilarious artwork of Nathaniel Russell, and an engaging story by Dave Eggers.

I ordered my issue! You can pre-order the upcoming premiere print issue before its general release. If you order by February 28, 2014, you will also have a chance to win a luxury pet travel carrier courtesy of Cloud7 and TUMI — see video here!

Happy Friday!

The above images are courtesy of Marta Roca, Editor, Four&Sons.

Feb 19

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Victory: Photography Project — Part 6

“If I had a dollar for every time my dog made me smile, I would be a millionaire.” ~Unknown

I have recently begun a weekly photography project with my muse, Victory! I will continue to share this project on the blog! I have also been documenting Victory’s milestones so to speak each month — you can read these here! I think that it is fun to document all of Victory’s changes, while preserving fleeting moments and memories.

We have had what seems like a ton of snow this winter! Victory has experienced more snow in the short amount of time since we adopted her than Biscuit ever did! They both like the snow! Last week, when we opened our front door all we could see was tons of snow — snow, snow, and more snow! I wanted to capture this moment in time. The image on the lower right, below, is one of my favorite images of little Victory for so many reasons!

Victory is doing very well and she is making great progress. Her confidence is building, and we hope to make even more progress when we begin our training next month! Within the past week, Victory has expanded her radius in our house from only going into our bedroom and living room! She now comes to the dining room table at dinner time for some goodies (similar to little Biscuit), and she made her way to the kitchen! She even made it down to her Daddy’s study to keep him company while he worked! I really do think that she is her Daddy’s girl! She showers her Daddy with a face and arm washing each night before bed!

Happy Wednesday!

Feb 17

Dogs XL Rescue, Inc. — Part VII – Rescue dogs in need of furever homes

I am excited about a long-term Dog Photography Project that I am working on with the Baltimore Animal Rescue Care Shelter (BARCS) as well as some local dog rescue organizations, including the Dogs XL Rescue, Inc. I hope to share further information in the future. Using the following links, you can view Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, and Part VI.

For now, I can share some color photographs of these doggies pictured below in the hopes that they receive furever homes! If you are interested in adopting (or fostering in some cases) any of these dogs pictured below, please contact Dogs XL Rescue, Inc. for further information. Please consider dog rescue! Biscuit’s story illustrates that we can make a positive difference and impact in one dog’s life.

Below is a brief description of the dogs in the order they are pictured below.

1. Minerva — is a female Lab-Great Dame mix, approximately 1-2 years old. Minerva is very pretty and full of energy and she is in need of a furever home!

2. Clem — is a female Shepherd mix, approximately 3 years old. Clem is very playful and she is in need of a furever home!

3. Stradlater — is a male Lab-Shepherd mix, approximately 1-year-old. Stradlater is very handsome and he is in need of a furever home! *Update — Stradlater was adopted!

4. Murdock — is a mix breed and his age is unknown at this time. Murdock is very handsome and sweet and a little shy and he is in need of a furever home!

5. Minnie — is a Pit bull mix, approximately 3 years old. Minnie is very sweet, gentle, and very well-behaved and she is in need of a furever home!

6. Luna — is a Cane Corso, approximately 3 years old. Luna is extremely sweet, gentle, and well-behaved and she is in need of a furever home!

If you want to adopt a rescue dog; donate money; and/or contribute your time to the Dogs XL Rescue, Inc., please, please contact Dogs XL Rescue, Inc. via e-mail at info@dogsxlrescue.org; or via telephone at 410-205-5014. To learn more, you can also visit the Dogs XL Rescue, Inc.’s website.

Happy Monday!

Feb 13

Victory: Photography Project — Part 5

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” ~Unknown

I have recently begun a weekly photography project with my muse, Victory! I will continue to share this project on the blog! I have also been documenting Victory’s milestones so to speak each month — you can read these here! I think that it is fun to document all of Victory’s changes, while preserving fleeting moments and memories.

Victory is shown below sporting her Valentine’s Day bandana! This originally was Biscuit’s bandana. Victory loves the sofa, so I thought that I would take a few photographs of her looking so pretty and aristocratic! We can’t wait to give Victory her Valentine’s gift!

In other news, we have so much snow here — another snow day! We put Victory’s pink coat on her (we left the boots off), and poor Victory could barely make it out of our front door this morning for her morning walk! Luckily, Doug carried her! As shown below, when he put her down, her poor little legs and body sunk in the snow! We did get her to go potty, so that is good!

Everything is so quiet. The snow came down and blotted out the neighborhood colors. Isn’t it amazing how the snow blankets the other noise in your life and you become grateful to be tucked in and witness winter’s beauty? Although, we are really ready for spring. This has been quite a harsh winter in these parts!

Here is a link to one of my favorite images of Biscuit in the snow! Victory has experienced more snow in the short amount of time we have had her than our precious little Biscuit did!

Happy Thursday!

Feb 12

Victory: Four Months In

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” ~Roger Caras

Today marks four months since we adopted our little Victory! You can read more about the previous months’ milestones here.

Below are some things that we learned about Victory this month:

She took her first visit to the pet store and she did really well! This is the first time we took her to a public place. Everyone at the pet store thought she was gorgeous! Of course, we agreed! We purchased Victory some chew toys that she loves, including a Rainbow Care Bear chew toy! I had the same Care Bear when I was a kid, except it was not a chew toy!
She did really well when we took her recently to a friend’s house for dinner! Our friend has two dogs and Victory had a good time! Everyone loved her and wanted to pet and hold her!
She out grew her raincoat! Victory is getting more fur in and she has gained some weight since we adopted her! As a result, I ordered her the next size up of the same rain coat along with matching boots (rain and snow boots) shown below!
She loves rice cakes — we only give her little crumbs!
She is getting more confidence and is almost ready to go into our dinning room and kitchen! Currently, she only goes to our bedroom and living room! She loves when Doug roasts a chicken in the crock pot as she knows that she will get some chicken for dinner, and hopefully, this will get her in the kitchen at some point!
She is still eating her dinner on the sofa!
She is getting us up less during the night for a drink of water — she is sleeping more!
She, along with both of us, begin training classes next month with little Victory!
She is waking me up giving us kisses — licks on the eyes and ears in the morning! Victory is quite affectionate!
She still loves to cuddle, I call her my little cuddle bug!
She missed her Daddy recently when he went away on travel!

Feb 6

Collage: Biscuit and Victory

“Eventually I discovered for myself the utterly simple prescription for creativity: Be intensely yourself. Don’t try to be outstanding; don’t try to be a success; don’t try to do pictures for others to look at – just please yourself.” ~Ralph Steiner

Below is a small photo collage of our fur babies, Biscuit and Victory! I am so grateful that I consistently photographed Biscuit and continue to photograph Victory,both my muse. It is really nice to flip through our photo albums and our digital images. We are so grateful for Biscuit and Victory — they make life so much sweeter!