biscuit's space | The blog of photographer Katherine Carver

Jul 18

Victory: Photography Project — 26

“One of the most enduring friendships in history — dogs and their people, people and their dogs.” ~Terry Kay

Beginning in January of this year, I began 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.

Doug happened to leave the laptop on the sofa, and Victory hopped up and decided to go to work on the laptop! Victory told us that she does e-mail and she is pretty good at skyping, too! This images of Victory below reminded me of this image of Biscuit.

Happy Friday!

Jul 16

Have you heard about Lilly, the pet deer?

I recently came across this story about Lilly, a pet deer in Michigan. The video below talks briefly about Lilly’s interesting story about how she became a pet deer for the past five years. We hope that this family will find a way to keep Lilly despite the laws in Michigan forbidding a family from having a pet deer. Lilly has never lived in the wild. This is a truly unique story. Lilly reminded me of Victory — we think Victory’s face is a little reminiscent of a ‘deer face.’ There is also a Kickstarter project currently occurring to help raise funds to share Lilly’s story in the form of a book.

Jul 15

Making Photo Albums

A friend recently ask me how I keep my photo albums up to date. I previously wrote about how I like to make and have tangible photo albums. The way that I keep my photo albums up to date (most of the time) is that each week I edit images and then send them off for printing. I have found that it is much easier for me to keep up with this on a weekly basis or else I will get buried in images and editing and it becomes quite cumbersome to get current. When the prints arrive, I edit through the images and insert the images in chronological order into the photo album. For the images I especially love, I get archival fine art prints made and mat and frame these images. So much of our world today is digital; and I think it is really nice to have these tangible photo albums to flip through and reminisce. Also, people love to flip through the albums when they come over to our home. Below is a snippet of a few of our photo albums. I have made roughly twenty photo albums over the recent years.

Happy Tuesday!

Jul 14

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Victory: Nine Months In

“The more I know about people, the more I love my dog.” ~Mark Twain

Saturday marked nine months since we adopted our little Victory! You can read more about the previous months’ milestones here. The time is just flying by and Victory is blossoming!

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

She continues to enjoy riding in the car!

She loves to go on outings!

Recently she loves to eat popcorn when I make it in the evenings! She runs up to me in the hopes of getting some popcorn!

She loves when Doug grills and she has been going outside on the deck with her sniffer in the air! She even refuses to eat her dinner until she gets some meat from the grill!

It has been a little too warm to take her to the dog park. We plan to return to our weekly visits once the weather cools some.

Victory does not like walking in this heat, but we make her walk so she will go potty — otherwise she will leave us a nice ‘little present’ of poop in the house!

She continues to go out to eat with us since the weather has been so nice! She loves to go on outings!

She loves ribs — Doug made homemade ribs and he made a few unseasoned ones and cut the meat off the bone for little Victory — she gobbled the ribs right up! You can see her looking at her Daddy for more ribs!

She has not been chewing on as many ‘not for chewing’ items! She is sticking with chewing her chew toys that she loves to hoard in her hut! We have a weakness for buying her toys on a regular basis!

She still loves sitting on my hip, especially if we are out and about and she gets a little nervous. Whenever Victory gets nervous, her little paw goes up — Doug says she ‘strikes a pose’ with her paw!

She still has not barked as of yet!

Most of all, we love her so very much!

If you have not already, be sure to check out the six month video, our second video, and our most recent video of our little Victory!

Happy Monday!

Jul 11

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Victory: Photography Project — 25

“Not every person knows how to love a dog, but every dog knows how to love a person.” ~Unknown

Victory loves to eat with us especially if it involves her getting food! Whenever we eat at the dinning room table she wonders from side to side in the hopes that we will give her some food! We know that this is a bad habit — to give in and give her food as this just reinforces the fact that she gets what she wants! When we eat in the kitchen, she wonders into the kitchen in the hopes of getting some treats! She loves when we go out to eat and take her along with us! She is getting more confident and she knows when we go out to eat she will get some goodies! She even used to be afraid to come into the kitchen and now when she smells Doug cooking, she has no problem coming into the kitchen and sniffing around hoping for a treat! On Sundays, while Doug makes breakfast, Victory gets Siggi’s vanilla yogurt and she licks it up in no time flat!

Below are some images of Victory when we went to dinner at Wegmans recently — We wish that we had more dog friendly restaurants near our house!; and an image of Victory getting ready to eat her vanilla Siggi’s yogurt! However, Victory does not mind where we go as long as she can come with us (and get some treats)!

Happy Friday!

Jul 9

Interview with Sophie Gamand, Photographer

Interview with Sophie Gamand, Photographer

Recently, I had the great pleasure of interviewing Sophie Gamand, photographer. Sophie is originally from France and she now resides in New York City, where she photographs dogs as the subject of her work.

KATHERINE CARVER: What were your beginnings as a photographer and when did you realize it would become your chosen form of expression?

SOPHIE GAMAND: I think I demanded my first camera to my parents when I was ten years old. During high school, I worked with an analog camera I had taken from my Dad and developed my own black and white photos. At that point, photography was just an art medium amongst others for me. I integrated photos into paintings, montages, etc. Then I stopped while studying Law. In 2007, I discovered the world of digital cameras and I bought a simple DSLR and started photographing again. It was very liberating! I did a lot of self-portraiture, with heavy Photoshop work. It was easier than painting and I could achieve the results I wanted more quickly. Since then, the presence of photography has grown in my life, especially after I moved to New York in 2010, when it became my main activity. I even met my husband through photography!

KATHERINE CARVER: Did you study photography formally?

SOPHIE GAMAND: No, I did not study photography. Since 2010, I have taken a couple of classes here and there, just to tie up loose ends. For example I took a studio lightning class in 2011 and that completely changed the way I photograph. I also took a class about carrying long-term projects and it was very inspiring. I don’t believe in studying the arts extensively, but I believe taking a class every once in a while is a great way to push your boundaries, and meet fellow artists.

KATHERINE CARVER: How do you describe your style?

SOPHIE GAMAND: I think I am in-between fine art and commercial photography. My work used to be very dark, but with dog photography, I became more commercial. Now I am navigating between both worlds. For example my Wet Dog series won a big fine art award, but is also the subject of my first commercial book…

KATHERINE CARVER: Can you describe the time when you first realized that photographing was absolutely something that you had to do?

SOPHIE GAMAND: As a child, I was obsessed with it. I am not sure why. I loved taking portraits, especially close-ups. I wanted to be sucked in the faces I photographed. I think I was a lonely child and seeking more love and tenderness in my life. Photographing faces was like hugging those people, being very close to them. I loved photographing animals too, because there was no expectation from them. And also, I did not have to talk to them.

KATHERINE CARVER: What was the impetus that inspired you to begin photographing dogs?

SOPHIE GAMAND: In 2010, having moved to NYC, I wanted to reinvent my photography. I was used to taking self-portraits, in the intimacy of my studio. I was very scared to take my camera outside and photograph strangers, so I signed up for a documentary class. The first assignment was to go in my neighborhood and photograph a stranger. It was very scary. As I wandered in my new neighborhood, I saw a vet clinic and it looked so safe and inviting, I decided to hide in it! I thought I could photograph someone there. And as I was sitting in the waiting room, I saw a dog peeking from behind a wall (shown below). He looked completely worried and out-of-place. I snapped a portrait and it fueled everything! I became obsessed with the idea of urban dogs and the place they occupy in New York, and with all the things we do with and to dogs here.

KATHERINE CARVER: What was the impetus that inspired you to begin photographing wet dogs in your work entitled, Wet Dog?

SOPHIE GAMAND: For one of my projects I wanted to photograph the grooming process, and how we alter the way our dogs look. It is a project I called “Metamorphosis”. I met with a groomer who let me set a studio in his grooming parlor and I photographed his work. During the process, he started bathing the dogs. I loved the way the water played with the fur, the dogs looked dramatically different! And then I noticed their irresistible expressions, and I knew I had something unique and fun. I want to show the humanity there is in dogs. Photography is a great tool for that because it allows me to capture half a second – the moment their expression is the most poignant. Something I would probably not really see with naked eyes. I knew dogs had a wide range of emotions and facial expressions before I started Wet Dog, and I believed those had not been explored fully by contemporary photography. My mission was to photograph dogs as I would photograph humans. That’s why I focus on headshots. I care about the face, the eyes, the soul, what makes dogs human. Wet Dog allows me to magnify those expressions.

KATHERINE CARVER: Where do you show/exhibit your work?

SOPHIE GAMAND: Mostly online. When living in Europe, as a photographer, I spent a lot of time organizing exhibitions, and trying to be shown in different places. After a while, I lost touch with my own creativity because I was too caught up in marketing and logistics. So now I take it as it comes. I would love to exhibit again at some point, but I want to focus on creating and producing images. I would also love to create a mix media show. My Wet Dog series won the Sony Awards and I went to London to see the exhibit. As I entered the room, there they were, nine (9) of my wet dogs lined-up on the wall. It was amazing. I had goose bumps and teared-up and giggled. I think I whispered out loud “oh my god they are so cute, my little babies.” I wanted to kiss each and every one of them, and tell them the bath was almost over. Seeing your work exhibited is amazing. The series will be exhibited in Paris in September 2014 as well.

KATHERINE CARVER: What does “being creative” mean to you?

SOPHIE GAMAND: It is the blood flow. The ideas and desires are constantly there. I tried to live without the creative life in the past, but it was clear I could not escape it. Creative ideas are all I think about, day and night, until I act on them and make them happen. If I do not act on them, I become depressed and difficult to live with. They work like visions almost. Sometimes they are strong and ready to go, so I just create the images, take the photos, write, and then it’s done. At other times, I am not sure what the idea is exactly, I cannot see the picture in my head yet, and I go crazy. It’s hard to explain, but I guess it is like phantom pain. My soul wants to create that thing that my brain does not visualize yet. There is nothing to be in pain for, but the pain is there and it is real and overwhelming. I know it might sound a little crazy, but I literally feel like I am dying. I used to be lost during those times because it was really painful and confusing, and nobody could help me through them. Then I realized those dark moments were part of my creative process so now I try to embrace the cycle more. I am very lucky to have found a wonderfully supportive husband, also a creative person, who totally understand those cycles and respect my creative process.

KATHERINE CARVER: What is the most challenging aspect of being a photographer?

SOPHIE GAMAND: With my work, photographing dogs, one of the challenging aspects is to not having access to my models all the time. I am very jealous of artists who live with their muse! Sometimes, the idea is ready and I need to photograph it NOW. But I have to wait days, weeks, before my models can come to the studio. It makes the creative process less smooth.

Generally speaking, I would say that photographers are faced with a huge challenge nowadays: everyone thinks they are a photographer; and everyone can be one, technically. So how do we define ourselves in the constellation of photographers that surrounds us? Also some people still think photography is not an art per se. Photography can take many shapes: you can be at the service of a client, in which case photography is simply a tool; you can use photos in intricate art pieces; retouch or not; you can document stories, etc… Photography takes so many different shapes that it is difficult to educate the public to what constitutes good contemporary photography.

KATHERINE CARVER: What inspires you to keep going and what keeps you motivated?

SOPHIE GAMAND: I don’t have a choice! I am obsessed with what I do, and I cannot explain why. I want to become better: a better artist; and a better person. I keep receiving new ideas and desires. I have a list of maybe 20 series I want to photograph involving dogs. I don’t think I’ll have the time or energy to do them all, so I don’t have the luxury to just stop.

KATHERINE CARVER: What is the most rewarding and satisfying part about being an artist and creating photographs?

SOPHIE GAMAND: When you finally start making a living photographing, you know that you will not have to divide yourself anymore. I want to be whole with my art, and I want to be able to focus on just that: creating more images and projects. I don’t think about my art in terms of rewards or satisfaction. I don’t do it for anybody in particular. I just don’t have a choice. I cannot do anything else with my life, or I would go crazy.

KATHERINE CARVER: What are you working on now?

SOPHIE GAMAND: I have a long list of projects in a notebook. I try to focus on one or two projects at once, but right now I have about 4-5 series I am working on in parallel – all involving dogs. I have 2 series ready to be released but I don’t seem to ever find the good moment to release them… I am working on my first book – the Wet Dog book – and another big fine-art project that is very demanding. I also work on several projects for animal rescues.

KATHERINE CARVER: What artists inspire your work?

SOPHIE GAMAND: I have stopped looking at what other artists do, because it can be very destructive. All my life, I self-doubted myself and my art. So now I feel the need to protect my inner artist from all the amazing stuff that’s out there! If I really had to mention names, it would be William Wegman because he has photographed the same breed of dogs since the 1970s and made a career out of it! It reminded me that freedom can be the death of art. Sometimes, setting ourselves strict limitations is the most inspiring thing. The other artist that blew my mind was Jill Greenberg, for her esthetic and her use of light. I thought, if you can combine Wegman’s creativity with Greenberg’s sleek looks, you are golden!

KATHERINE CARVER: What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

SOPHIE GAMAND: Start doing. Stop thinking, questioning, agonizing, etc. Things only come to those who do. Do what you love and love what you do – that means, follow your gut feelings when creating, but also be proud of every single piece you put out there. Hold your art to the highest standards.

KATHERINE CARVER: How can people view and purchase your art works?

SOPHIE GAMAND: In the US, people can purchase Wet Dog prints here, and Dog Vogue prints here.

For the rest of the world, wet dog prints are available here, and Dog Vogue prints here.

My best work is on www.sophiegamand.com.

With my Striking Paws website, I help rescue groups and participate in charitable projects.

Instagram and Twitter accounts: @SophieGamand

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sophiegamandphotography.

Striking Paws Facebook: www.facebook.com/strikingpaws.

Thanks!

The photographs included in this blog post are courtesy of Sophie Gamand.

You can read additional interviews here.

Jul 8

Photography Study: The Family — Zed Nelson

I came across this interesting long-term photography study by Zed Nelson documenting a family each year over a twenty-one year period using the same lighting and backdrop. It is fascinating to me to see all of the changes in this family over the years. I really like the idea of keeping the background and lighting constant with the people inhabiting this space changing over time. “There are no distractions,” Nelson says. “Only the miracle of growth and the changes of time and age.”

A screenshot of an image by Zed Nelson is below, but you can view the entire project here. This is a very neat idea, and I found the images very moving illustrating the changes of the family throughout the years.

Jul 7

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Honoring Biscuit: One Year — A Letter to Biscuit

Dearest Biscuit:

We cannot believe that your physical being has been gone a year ago today. Our time together was too short, just two and a half years. During this time, you changed our lives forever. We miss you very much. We know that your physical being has left this life, but we know that you are always with us. You brought us so much joy and you gave us so many, many gifts that we are so thankful for that we continue to receive today. We think of you every day and your images are displayed throughout our home. Whenever we see an vibrant orange sky or a rainbow, we think of you. Your gift of your sissy, Victory, makes us think of you every day as well. Although you two have distinct personalities, she exudes some of the characteristics you exhibited. This is why we know you sent us the ‘right sheltie friend.’ We thought we would describe to you how you two share some of the same qualities.

1. You and Victory are extremely cautious. You both are weary of new situations and people. You always had anxiety of being left somewhere; and Victory gets scared of new people and situations. We know that her confidence will continue to grow. She has made significant progress since she came to live with us and joined our family.

2. You and Victory sleep in during the morning. We are lucky in that you both like to sleep in, which is very nice on the weekends!

3. You and Victory are night owls. We think that you both would prefer a later bed time during the week!

4. You and Victory like the snow. You both enjoy walking around in the snow. During recent winters, we received quite a bit of snow along with some snow days.

5. You and Victory love to sleep in front of the fan. You both love sleeping in front of the fan during naps and during the night; and you both position yourselves in the path of the fan.

6. You and Victory love to beg at the dinning room table and while we make dinner in the kitchen! This is partially our fault for giving in to you because you two are so cute when you beg for food — of course, we do this in moderation!

7. You and Victory love to eat yogurt! You loved yogurt parfaits that I made for you on the weekends and Victory loves eating yogurt on the weekends as well gobbling it up in no time flat!

8. You and Victory love ice cream (in moderation, of course!) You both love ice cream. Remember the time in Nova Scotia where we gave you Cows Ice Cream and you got a tummy ache because it was so rich (a high butter fat content) — fortunately a local vet helped us out and we had to give you Pepto-Bismol via an eye dropper — those were good times chasing you around the cottage with an eye dropper trying to help you! Victory loves ice cream as well, but we are careful not to give her too much!

9. You and Victory love to go to Home Depot/Lowes! When we sold and moved out of our old house, while we waited for our current house to be finished being built, we had to get you more outings as you missed our old neighborhood and house. Daddy came up with the idea of taking you to Home Depot and Lowes since these stores are furry friend friendly! You loved going and everyone told you how handsome you were. Many people thought you were a girl because you were just so happy and beautiful! Victory also loves going to Home Depot/Lowes. She also receives many nice comments about how beautiful she is and she smiles ear to ear prancing around the store!

10. You and Victory love to go on outings in the car! We are fortunate that you both travel extremely well in the car and you enjoy it! You both love to go in the car with us and the destination does not concern you both — you just like going out and about. We shared so many dinners, adventures, and lovely vacations together. We will never forget those times together. Victory also loves going in the car and she loves coming home and going into the garage. She thinks it is the best thing ever — who knew a garage could be that exciting, but it is for Victory!

11. You and Victory allow me to photograph you. You both are so patient with me when I photograph you. I think you both know what the camera is, as you both are naturals in front of the camera. You are my muse and have brought photography back into my life.

12. You and Victory love to be with us and you are both special and perfect just the way you are! You both enjoy being with us as much as we enjoy being with you two. You and Victory are great company and companions — you are our little fur babies! We have been blessed with wonderful shelties and we could not be happier to have you both a part of our lives. You both are special and warm our hearts. We cannot imagine not having either one of you as part of our little family. We love you both.

Thank you for being part of our lives, Biscuit. Your memory will always live on and we will never forget you. You are the reason Biscuit’s Space exists and Biscuit’s Space will continue in your great memory. You also inspired my dog photography project and I hope, upon its completion, it will have a positive impact. This body of work is for you and it will be dedicated to you. We love you, Biscuit. We know that you are with us always.

Love always,

Mamma & Daddy

Jul 4

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Happy Fourth of July (Weekend)!

Happy Fourth of July from your favorite Sheltie Girl, Victory! This is Victory’s first Fourth of July! We are enjoying beautiful weather, homemade crepes, walks with the Hound About, grilling, time with friends, and rest! Have a great long weekend, friends!

Jul 3

Fallston Animal Rescue Movement, Inc. — Part XIII – 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 Fallston Animal Rescue Movement, 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, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX and X, Part XI, and Part XII.

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 Fallston Animal Rescue Movement, Inc. for further information. Please consider dog rescue! Biscuit’s rescue story illustrates that we can make a positive difference and impact in one dog’s life.

At this point, almost all of the images for Part 1 of this project have been photographed! I have been working on this project for over a year! Part 2 of this project is also under way! I can’t wait to share this project upon its completion!

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

1. Simon — is a male 14-year-old Fox Terrier Mix. Simon is very loving, sweet, and easy going senior dog, and he is in need of a furever home!

2. Mello — is a male 4-year-old Corgi Mix. Mellow is a happy go-lucky doggie who is in need of a furever home! Mello is housebroken and he does well with children!

3. Skylar — Adopted!

4. Fiona — is a female 8-year-old Maltese Mix. Fiona had a terrible flea infestation when she arrived in rescue. She has been treated and, as a result, has some skin issues that are being treated. Fiona is in need of a furever home!

5. Patches — is a 12 week old Pit Bull Terrier. Patches is full of energy! Patches has a medial issue that is being treated by the rescue. Patches is looking for a home with someone willing to care for and train a puppy pit bull.

If you want to adopt a rescue dog; donate money; and/or contribute your time to the Fallston Animal Rescue Movement, Inc., please contact Fallston Animal Rescue Movement, Inc. via email at fallstonrescue@aol.com. To learn more, you can also visit the Fallston Animal Rescue Movement, Inc.’s website.