2009 May » Bev Hollis Photography

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!

Monthly Archives: May 2009

A Day Away

Friday, May 29, 2009 12:42 pm Posted in For Fun!

Every once in a while you have to take a break from what you do. When you’re lucky enough to love what you do for a living, the break you take often involves more of the same.

Such was the case for me this morning. Two good friends dragged me out of bed at 4AM to head into Georgetown for some shooting along the Potomac.

Since I tend to be good at getting into trouble I wasn’t on the dock long at Thompson Boat Center before I found I was, once again, breaking a few rules. Namely, no life jacket, no dock…

A kind employee, Gary Weeden, welcomed us though, and told us all about the Boat Center. He gave us a look inside and showed us the view from the upper level. And as it often is with photography, the light was beautiful for just a few minutes.

Some days you’re just glad you made the effort…

[caption id="attachment_485" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Key Bridge from Thompson's Boat Center"]

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Mocha, Penny & Snickers (and their girl Morgan)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 4:37 pm Posted in Uncategorized

This was certainly our most challenging shoot in some time. Three dogs, on a large piece of property, all camera shy and only one that is food motivated…

We tried most of our tricks and were still dealing with 3 canines who didn’t want to be one inch from their adult human.. Even our evil smelling treats were accepted only if we came to the dogs. And once the camera came up – everyone scattered!

But just when all seemed lost, their girl Morgan came home! Morgan happily frolicked with her dogs and distracted them while we got some fun shots.¬† The fact that we got to enjoy watching a girl and her dogs on a warm spring Virginia day was just icing on the cake.

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These lucky pups have a gorgeous, large yard that is flanked by fields. In the middle of our session they all stopped for deer patrol. Can you spot the 3 deer in the field?

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[caption id="attachment_477" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Snickers rests a moment."]

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I love this last image. It sums up our session so well – each dog going in a different direction, none of them looking at the camera!

[caption id="attachment_476" align="aligncenter" width="875" caption="Mocha, Penny & Snickers"]

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We’re so glad we got to spend such a beautiful evening with this great family of dogs.¬† We hope their family will enjoy these playful images!

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Happy Birthday Lily..

Friday, May 15, 2009 3:35 pm Posted in Uncategorized

Today is my Lily’s birthday. Well, that’s the date we gave her anyway.¬† She came into the Nashville Metro Shelter on my first day there as the shelter’s first full-time vet.¬† She was weary, and wormy, and skinny.¬† But she was adorable.¬† She was accompanied by a beagle puppy, both of them were about 4 months old at the time.

I gave them prime real estate- the first cage. Certain they would both be snapped up by some lucky family.¬† Days turned into weeks.¬† The beagle became ill and was euthanized.¬† I took Lily (I was already calling her that) out every day to play.

Finally, there was a long holiday weekend and I thought, what the heck. The shelter is closed. I won’t keep her from getting adopted and I’ll get her out of there for a few days.¬† That was truly my intent.

She made instant friends with my then aging greyhound, Zephyr and that, my friends, ended any thoughts of her going back on Monday.

Today Lily celebrates her ninth birthday. I don’t know how the time passes so quickly.¬† Lily is my heart dog. She knows my soul, and I hers.¬† She’s quirky, friendly, worried and happy – all in the space of a minute.¬† She is my ultimate model and has sat through more lighting, posing and lens experiments than I care to count.

Happy Birthday Lily. Here’s to many more…

[caption id="attachment_472" align="aligncenter" width="407" caption="Lily"] Lily

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Oscar & Peanut or “Youth Meets Wisdom!”

Monday, May 11, 2009 12:48 pm Posted in Uncategorized

On one of the most beautiful spring afternoons this season we met up with Oscar and Peanut at the farm.¬† Oscar, almost 14, and Peanut, a rambunctious 8 month old Yorkie, frolicked amongst the tall (that’s an understatement!) grasses for a late day session.

When you’re a Yorkie, it doesn’t take much for the grasses to be taller than you. We had to select our fields wisely, lest we’d lose this little munchkin..

[caption id="attachment_460" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Peanut"] Peanut

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Even Oscar was at “frond” level in several of the fields.. I loved this shot as you really appreciate how much he favors a fox!

[caption id="attachment_465" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Oscar"] Oscar

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While Oscar was happy to settle and relax in our strategically placed chairs, Peanut was another story.¬† He got up there ok, but he sure didn’t want to stay there!

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We played around with the lens baby a bit. This was much more successful with the slower moving Oscar!

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We finished the day in one of the upper fields and caught the last of the golden light.

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Thanks for spending your afternoon with us Oscar and Peanut. It was a fun and laughter-filled session with lots of bright spring color!

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Lakeland Terrier – “Boo!”

Monday, May 4, 2009 9:51 am Posted in Uncategorized

Well we came through a soggy weekend with 4 shoots on the schedule and only one completed.¬† Yesterday, with the skies pouring rain and an inside ambient light of about 1.0, we made our way to the lovely home of Kathleen where we photographed a wonderful senior pet named Boo who belongs to Kathleen’s mother, Majorie.

Well, his name is “Champion Holly Brier Sweet Baboo” to be exact.

[caption id="attachment_441" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption=""Boo""] "Boo"

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This photo session was a gift from Kathleen to Majorie who celebrated her birthday on Saturday. “Boo” comes from a long line of champions and though he is approaching his 15th birthday, he still knows how to work a room.

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You never know what to expect when you arrive to shoot a “senior pet” but Boo did not let us down. He was active and inquisitive and more than happy to work for our treats.

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In fact, I think Boo liked being a celebrity again after his days in the ring!

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Not only is Boo nearly 15 years old (he turns 15 in June), he just underwent surgery this past February for a testicular tumor. Majorie says he bounced back like a trooper and hasn’t missed a beat since.

I’d like to suggest that perhaps there’s a fountain of youth elixir somewhere in Boo’s home because Majorie is equally as spry and beautiful and full of life!

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[caption id="attachment_445" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The skies brightened for a moment.."]

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This is a remarkable little dog. We’re so glad we got to spend a brief time with him while he visited from Virginia Beach! And Happy Birthday Majorie!

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