“best friend” Image: JB Brookman

For my Day 9 Image, I didn’t even have to leave my backyard…

This is Rocket…  definitely man’s best friend.  He has been with me for almost 10 years, now… a faithful companion through cancer (twice) and the ups and downs of life.  I truly believe that God gives us dogs, as a lesson in faithfulness.  There is no more loyal companion.

Pet Photography is challenging, to say the least.  The key to it, as a photographer, is to be willing to get “in there and get dirty.”  I often find myself lying in the dirt and grass, in strange and contorted positions, trying to capture the emotion and personality of the pet!  You have to really know your equipment, as the lighting, motion and conditions are constantly changing.

For this image, I used a Nikon D4 body with a 50mm 1.4 lens…  I had the ISO notched up, a bit, to make up for the fact that it was past 8pm and that Rocket was all over the place!  I used a tennis ball to coax him, into this joyful expression.  I believe I was on my back, with the camera in one hand and the ball in the other.  I kept having to dodge the dog as he would try to periodically attack the object.

I can’t believe I am 1/10th done with this 90 Day project.  It has been- to be completely honest- extremely challenging, to put the hours into creating each image as I run our portraiture business and get ready to travel.  But… well worth it… definitely, worth it…

JB Brookman

“Capturing Emotion, Through Portraiture”

Westlake Village Portraitist and Photographer

310.502.9877