Bev Hollis Photography bio picture
  • Bev Hollis Photography- The Art of Pet Photography

    Bev Hollis Photography is passionate about pets!  We work to create timeless, classic, stylistic pet portraits worthy of being displayed next to your other art.

    We serve northern Virginia, Maryland and the Washington, DC areas.  We can come to you for a creative session at your home or nearby park or landmark. We also hold sessions at our Purcellville, VA farm location in the middle of western Loudoun county's beautiful wine and hunt country.

    Please click on the portfolio link above for more information on sessions at our website.

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  • Meet the Artist

    I am a veterinarian by training and an artist at heart.  I am lucky enough to blend my two loves and work as a pet photographer!

    It is my vast experience with animals, in my opinion, that allows me to capture something unique about each pet.  I have studied animal behavior for many years. I understand animals. Even more importantly, they seem to understand me. 

    I work with extremely talented assistants who are also well versed in animal handling. Together, as a team, we strive to create a truly stylistic image that you will be proud to display.

    I would love to be your pet photographer!

Bicoastal & Bionic: Potter & Josie!

We had the pleasure of meeting and photographing two wonderful dogs this weekend when Dr. Paige Evans took time out of her very busy schedule to join us for a romp at the farm. We met Dr. Evans when we photographed her cats two years ago.

New to the area at that time, Dr. Evans had recently arrived to complete her residency in veterinary ophthalmology at The Life Centre in Leesburg. A wonderful referral and emergency center here in northern Virginia that we feel lucky to have!

She moved here from the Los Angeles area and her two dogs, Potter & Josie, continue the commute while Paige finishes her residency.

They seem to handle this travel quite well and certainly seemed at home on Virginia soil! Potter, the black lab is totally attached to Josie.  Josie, the older of the two, is happy to take the lead.

The pair have more in common than their bicoastal lifestyle.  Both have undergone extensive surgeries – Josie had TPLOs done on her knees and Potter had reconstructive elbow surgery when he presented to Dr. Evan’s surgery center in Los Angeles with two broken front legs.  The owner at the time seemed baffled as to how it might have happened and when presented with the surgical options and cost, elected to euthanize Potter.

Instead, Dr. Evans convinced her to sign Potter over to her and the rest is history.

So, these two dogs, with some pins and plates holding them together, are quite the jet setters.  I wonder how they get through airport security with all that metal?

Thanks for coming out Potter & Josie. We had a lovely evening!

September 1, 2010 - 9:07 pm

Brandy - Hi Paige, I had fun working with Josie and Potter. The head shots are so nice, Their eyes are beautiful.

September 1, 2010 - 7:34 pm

donald dechow - Josie and Potter are way to cute. What a great story! I love the feet shot! :-)

And Penny Makes Four…

It was almost two years ago that I first met my wonderful business partner Don, and his partner Kevin.  At that time we photographed their three Westies at their beautiful home.

New to the family then was Cassie, also known as Girlie.  She was a shy girl who preferred to stay on the periphery and watch her brother’s antics.  Now, two years later, Girlie was much more approachable and easier to photograph.

Enter Penny.  A.K.A. Penny Loaf, Henny-Penny.  A white schnauzer, rescued last fall from a rescue group who had snatched her from a hoarder.  Though Penny has come a tremendously long way since entering this “white dog” household, she had yet to experience a photo session.  And while Girlie hovered about when we shot 2 years ago, Penny ran for cover this year.

We still managed though to coax and cajole and wrangle a few lovely photos.  Penny has these remarkable ears that move about like antennas.  I’m so glad I got a few shots that show them!

As always Blake and Dash were the consummate hosts.  Smiling, playing, and ready to pose.

Don and Kevin have this amazing ability to bring damaged, neglected and sometimes abused pets into their home, and with time and a lot of love, allow them to flourish.  Penny is no exception.

It was a magical evening.

Dash & Blake

August 31, 2010 - 4:16 pm

Jeanne - Adorable! Glad Penny found such a loving home for her and her precious ears. :) Love the group shot!

August 30, 2010 - 10:42 pm

Linda and Reba - OMG! Don Penny looks just like Reba! Cover those ears up and it’s the same head! Same eyes, same expression, same nose, same little beard (cept Reba’s is always dirty). I want to meet Penny she’s adorable! Congratulations to Penny for landing in such a loving home!

August 30, 2010 - 12:44 pm

Brandy - Hi, Don and Kevin, I love the one with all 4 of the kids. The colors behind them look great.

August 30, 2010 - 11:31 am

Maria - Love these! What a great family!

August 30, 2010 - 11:11 am

Sue Thomas - Oh how cute!!! I love the group photo and those ears are to die for!!!

August 30, 2010 - 11:04 am

angie W - gorgeous!

August 30, 2010 - 10:12 am

Don - Ok I may be a little biased, but I think this is one of the best session of the year! Thanks you Bev and Team!

August 30, 2010 - 9:41 am

Nicola - What a FUN time! Those pillows look great!

August 30, 2010 - 9:15 am

Beth Andrews - These are GREAT Bev!! Love them:)

August 30, 2010 - 7:46 am

Barbara Breitsameter - Fabulous! Great expressions captured in such beautiful surroundings.

August 30, 2010 - 7:42 am

Elaine Nawiesiak Frederick MD Photographer - These are great Bev! I love them. I can’t imagine getting two dogs looking at the camera at the same time much less four! You are the Dog Whisperer! So talented.

Scarlet: From The Mall Parking Lot to Her Forever Home

After a day of torrential rains, the skies cleared and allowed us to have our session with Scarlet.  Scarlet’s photo shoot was a surprise birthday present to her human Berkeley from Berkeley’s mom, Cynthia.

Though the session was a surprise, the gift of a photo shoot was not a novelty.  In fact, it was a payback of sorts.  It was just about a year ago that Berkeley contacted us and wanted to do a surprise session with Cynthia’s dog Dudley, for a Christmas gift.

So, while Cynthia was of town, Berkeley and Dudley had a summer session. Dudley had a blast and Berkeley’s Christmas shopping was done!

Since Dudley never had a “proper” blog post because we couldn’t let the proverbial cat out of the bag, I thought I’d post one from his session in 2009.

Dudley

Yesterday was Scarlet’s turn.  A little sprite of a dog with an indomitable spirit, I first met Scarlet as a patient when she presented with a strange, horrific skin affliction.  Though no one ever diagnosed her, she is back in fine form today.

She is thought to be about 7 years old, likely some mixture of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Pekinese.  She was found wandering the highly trafficked streets near a local mall and turned into the local shelter.

Which is where Berkeley entered the picture.  Young, and living at home, she was a shelter volunteer when Scarlet found her way there.  She fell immediately for this tiny dog but needed her parent’s permission to bring Scarlet home.

Cynthia, having no interest in having a dog in the house (this was BD {before Dudley}, sent Berkeley’s dad to the shelter knowing full well that he would say “no.”

It seems Scarlet had other plans.  When Scarlet came into the room she promptly jumped into Berkeley’s dads lap which apparently sealed the deal. And thus, Scarlet had found her forever home.  Where she now “mothers” 110LB Dewey – a Labrador Retriever.

We are so glad to see Scarlet healed from her medical issues of last year.  She is truly a delight of a dog and we loved our morning session!  Thanks for coming out Berkeley, Cynthia and Scarlet!

August 29, 2010 - 12:43 am

Greg Lynch - What a wonderful outcome for Scarlet – and amazing images. Well done, all concerned!

August 25, 2010 - 7:04 pm

Alexa - LOVE that 2nd shot of her. Adorable. Absolutely so!

August 24, 2010 - 9:03 pm

donald dechow - Scarlet is a real Charmer! Well done….Love it!

August 23, 2010 - 7:41 am

Cynthia - Gorgeous pictures of of the cutest dog in the world! Don’t tell Dudley I said that!! Bev, thanks for your beautiful work and for a wonderful experience!! Cynthia

August 21, 2010 - 10:38 pm

Jeanne - Dudley and Scarlet are both adorable pups – love Scarlet’s fold-over ears and sweet smile. And the lighting… gorgeous! So glad she’s thriving and had her turn in front of the camera!

August 20, 2010 - 6:58 pm

Anne Hooks - Oh, it’s so nice to see these pictures! I was volunteering at the shelter when Berkeley adopted Scarlet; I always thought she looked like a wrong-color Japanese Chin. How good to know that she is so happy and healthy.

August 20, 2010 - 6:23 pm

Teresa - what beautiful color –and what a beautiful dog! I think I’d want one on every wall…

August 20, 2010 - 2:30 pm

Berkeley - Ah God – its going to be a hard time choosing a few to own. Thanks again Bev!

August 20, 2010 - 10:49 am

angie W - What a cutie pie! I love how Scarlet’s tongue hangs out so super cute!
Beautiful photos!

Ridgeback Tucker in Virginia Wine Lover Magazine!

I was pleasantly surprised when a friend said she saw one of my images in Virginia Wine Lover Magazine.

They had asked for some images a while back and I had forgotten all about it.  While we didn’t shoot the cover, (though we’d love to some day..) beautiful Tucker whom we shot in 2008 with his brother Henry, highlighted the calendar section.

His photo was taken at the top of our Tranquility Farm property in late summer when the grapes were ripe.  They’re almost in that shape now!

We’re so excited about our upcoming fall shooting season! We hope to see you there.

August 27, 2010 - 5:39 pm

Heather - Wow Bev this is fantastic. Seriously. Kudos to you!

August 14, 2010 - 10:04 pm

angie W - Love it!

Sirius: A Gentle Giant at the Farm!

We met up with Sirius this weekend after a reschedule from another of our scorching hot days earlier last week.

Sirius is a 10 year old Bouvier. He was adopted by the Mason family after a divorce landed him with a Bouvier rescue.

Sirius came to his new family with a mission of his own it seems. The family had lost their previous beloved Bouvier, Benny, suddenly and were hoping a new family member would help ease the pain of their loss.

Sirius’ human Julia told us that when they met him he was “a sad soul.”  She said it took two weeks at his new home before he would even wag his tail.  But once it “clicked” he assimilated perfectly into his new family.

Even more exciting news, it was discovered that Sirius and Benny had the same mother!

So, in a round about way, Benny lives on it this wonderful “bear of a dog” named Sirius.

As expected with any giant breed he is slowing down at 10. But we still saw the remarkable gentle spirit of this dog and hope he has many more years with his loving family.  For now, we are glad to provide Julia with some images. Her husband is serving a year in Pakistan and she wanted to surprise him with some images! Thanks for spending the evening with us Sirius!

August 27, 2010 - 5:41 pm

Heather - Oh Bev a bouv! Gorgeous photos as always. You brought a smile to my face. We had to put our bouv down this spring and these pics brought tears. Beautiful Bev!!

August 25, 2010 - 2:39 pm

Kathy and Paul Hagen - Siruis is a very handsome guy and a very lucky dog. I really like the black spots on his tongue! I’m sure his “new” dad will love these pictures. Hopefully he will be home soon. Afterall, it is a small world considering the connection with Sirius and Mason. Lots of wonderful, healthy and happy years to all of you.
Kathy and Paul(friends of Kay and Bill)

August 14, 2010 - 11:06 am

alexa - WOW! What an awesome dog! I haven’t seen/heard of this breed before- really magnificent! And gorgeous photos as always.

August 14, 2010 - 6:51 am

Sharon - Isn’t he gorgeous. I’m glad he’s found love once again. It has to be so upsetting for a dog to be moved around at the age of 10. Good for you Beth, and your husband, at giving him a loving family.

August 13, 2010 - 9:56 pm

Barbara Breitsameter - Such a magnification dog!!! Bev you did such an amazing job capturing him. I am one of your BIGGEST fans!!!!

August 11, 2010 - 6:33 pm

don - What a Handsome Guy!!! Im sure his Dad will love these pics.

August 11, 2010 - 7:12 am

Beth - Awww! That’s my handsome boy!! Great job!!