I am so excited to announce the return of my studio passion project, With Love & Dogs. I originally began this project in early 2020 and put it on hold when the pandemic happened. Over the last five years I have not wavered in my desire to work on this project, I’ve just had several major life events that caused it to remain on hold, such as the loss of my dad and Oats, plus the founding of a second business. I believe it may be even more important work now than it was five years ago, and I can now work on it in Oatsy’s memory. In 2025 I plan to resume work on this project, and I’d love to work with you and YOUR DOG!
THE WITH LOVE & DOGS PROJECT
This project will aim to share messages of love, hope, kindness and equality using chalkboard signs and a simple studio set up, with dogs as the main subjects. There will be focuses on human and animal rights, environmental awareness, friendship, inclusion and more.
The simplicity allows the focus to be on the dog and the message, and combines two of my favorite things: dogs and quotes. I have big dreams for this project, including an exhibition and possibly *a book!* and I would love for you to be a part of it.
I am looking for confident, friendly, well-trained dogs in a variety of colors and breeds for specific images for this project. Below I’ll show you some of the images I’m currently working to create, as well as information on how participate in the model call. Please complete the application to be considered and thank you for your interest in the With Love & Dogs Project!
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE PROJECT
I have so many ideas in my head for this project and the images I want to create, but I’d been struggling with how to get other people excited about certain visions that are only living in my brain! So I finally just sharpened a pencil and sat down and did a type of artwork that I NEVER do: drawing.
These are amateur sketches so go easy on me, but I just wanted to attempt to convey the thoughts in my brain onto paper so that you can see my vision. I’m going to explain each image below in more detail, so if one jumps out at you, you can read more about it below. I am looking for confident, friendly and WELL-TRAINED model dogs to help me create these images. For some, I will be looking for specific breeds, colors, sizes, etc. For others, I just need a sweet, well-trained pup that’s willing to pose with a chalkboard (and maybe sunglasses)! If you think your dog would be a great fit for one of these images, continue reading below for more information about my MODEL CALL and the different options for you, and complete the Model Call Application to be considered. Please also feel free to share this post with your friends, if you know someone who might be interested!
Here are sketches of the images I’m looking to turn into photographs for the next phase of the project:
1) All Colors Are Beautiful
(6 Dog Image)
This is the image that most excites me and I absolutely cannot wait to create it. I am looking for 6 dogs of different breeds, but the same height (around 30-35” tall when sitting) that can all pose together with a giant chalkboard in front of them. I am looking to showcase the variety of colors of human ethnicities, but using dogs, as a reminder that we are ALL beautiful. I will need dogs of various breeds that are fully black, brown, red, yellow and white, and then I am hoping to also include a multi-colored dog, such as a Dalmatian or a brindle Australian Shepherd. Due to the nature of the photograph and how large the chalkboard will be, I am looking for 6 dogs that are all about the same height, and fully one color (with the exception of the multi-colored pup). For this image it will be a requirement that all dogs are extremely friendly (especially with other, new dogs), confident, calm and very well-trained.
Needed:
Fully black dog, any breed, 30-35” tall when sitting, well-trained and friendly
Fully brown dog, any breed, 30-35” tall when sitting, well-trained and friendly
Preferably looking for a Dalmation or brindle Australian Shepherd, 30-35” tall when sitting, well-trained and friendly
Preferably looking for an Irish Setter, 30-35” tall when sitting, well-trained and friendly
Fully yellow dog, any breed, 30-35” tall when sitting, well-trained and friendly
Fully white dog, any breed but possibly Great Pyrenees or Samoyed, 30-35” tall when sitting, well-trained and friendly
*Please note that I will be looking for certain breeds and looks to compliment each other in this image, certain shades of colors, and very specific temperaments and training levels. If your dog doesn’t get chosen for this image you may still be able to participate in another image :)
2) trying to see your perspective
(2 Dog Image)
For this image I am looking for a great dane and a very small breed (if you have both of these dogs in your family, please let me know!) that are looking at each other, with the smaller dog on a stool to be at eye level with the larger dog. I know there are many other large breeds, but to start off I’d really love to try and get a Great Dane because they are famously the tallest. The breed of the smaller dog is open, as long as they are comfortable sitting on a stool and being in a studio space and with a larger dog.
Needed:
Great Dane, well-trained and friendly
Small dog, any breed, well-trained, friendly, who would be okay sitting on a stool
3) You Can Sit With Us
(3-4 Dog Image)
I love this idea - which aims to send a message of kindness, inclusion and anti-bullying. I am looking for 2-3 dogs of one breed, preferably golden retrievers. Then I will need 1 other dog of a different breed, hopefully shorter and much different looking, to show that we can include those who are different from us.
Needed:
Ideally 3 Golden Retrievers, all about the same height, well-trained and friendly
Smaller dog, any breed, well-trained and friendly
4) Kindness is so Gangster
(1 Dog Image)
I am so excited to create this simple, fun image and I’m looking for a rottweiler specifically (at this time) who would be able to wear sunglasses for a few minutes to get a cute “gangster” looking image. Please contact me if you think your rottie would be great for this image!
Needed:
Rottweiler, well-trained and willing to wear sunglasses :)
5) Admire someone else’s beauty
(2 Dog Image)
This image focuses on inclusion and love, and I really love this quote. I am looking for two similar breed dogs that look slightly different for this image, so f you have two dogs in your family that get along well and would be able to look at each other, I’d love to work with you!
Needed:
2 Dogs of a similar breed with slightly different looks (preferably from the same family), well-trained
6) Wake Up Humans
(1 Dog Image)
As I mentioned above, there will be a focus on a variety of timely, important topics, including environmental awareness. I love this image, especially from the perspective of an animal. Since I can’t use a polar bear, a dog will be the next best thing :)
Needed:
Any breed, any size, well-trained
7) My Human’s Rights
(1 Dog Image)
Human rights and equality have always been one of my main objectives of this project, and again I think these type of messages are very timely and important. I am looking for any well-behaved, confident dog for this image (breed and color are open) but if you have a special connection to human rights issues, please let me know! I would love to have people participate who love the messages and find them personally meaningful.
Needed:
Any breed, any size, well-trained
8) F*ck Society’s Idea of Beauty
(1 Dog Image)
This image again focuses on inclusion and love. I used Maggie the Wunderdog for my sketch, and if you’re unfamiliar with Maggie’s heartbreaking and inspiring story, I invite you to check her out. (You can find her on Instagram @maggiethewunderdog.) Maggie lost her eyes and one ear to severe abuse, but now spreads so much joy and love to everyone shes meets (and many of us that just follow her online!). I used Maggie as an example, but I am looking for a dog model with a similarly difficult story to feature in this image. I would love to tell your dog’s story if they have suffered a difficult past, and perhaps do not look like the “traditional dog.” I am also open to working with a dog that is up for adoption and meets these criteria! Please contact me if this speaks to you and you have a dog that would be a great match for this quote.
Needed:
Blind, injured, disfigured dog that had a tough past and has had a second chance at life, or that is currently up for adoption! :)
9) Don’t Just Be Sorry, Do Something
(1 Dog Image - open to also including a cat and/or rabbit)
Ok please don’t judge this sketch too hard! I know it’s awful but I am not a sketch artist :) This images aims to focus on animal rights, environmental awareness and kindness in general. I am looking for 1-2 dogs, or possibly a cat and/or rabbit can be included as well. If you have one dog or a variety of animals that would be able to sit for this image, please let me know!
Needed:
Any breed, any size, well-trained
Want to See more??
Check out the studio video!
Check out this video from my studio announcement to see what studio sessions look like, the gorgeous space I work in, and to see more images from the With Love & Dogs Project. I invite you and your dog to join me in this amazing space to create meaningful images and fun memories that you can cherish forever!
Model Call!
I am offering two different types of Model Calls for participation in the With Love & Dogs Project.
Option 1 - Book a Full Session & Get $100 off Artwork & a digital image
Book a full Studio Session at $400 and receive a $100 Print Credit for participation in the project, plus the digital copy of your project image! You will get the full With Love & Oats Photography Experience, with the print credit and an image as a thank you for participation in the project.
See a full studio session HERE.
What's included:
Pre-Session Planning / Consultation
Welcome Packet with treats!
40-60 minute session for 1-2 pets (and human family members!)
Studio location in Killingworth (typically held on Fridays but can be flexible)
Viewing of a minimum of 15-20 professionally edited & enhanced proofs
Personal Viewing & Ordering Appointment
Selection of beautiful print and art products*
Web-sized digital files of all purchased images
Delicious, healthy pet treats
Lifetime memories!
**$100 Print Credit for Artwork
**Complimentary web-sized (non-watermarked) digital copy of your image for the project (A $50 Value!)
*Customized art, prints and digital files are available for purchase at the Viewing & Ordering Appointment, and are not included in the session price. Small charges may apply for additional pets and extra studio time.
Option 2 - free 20 minute mini session for project image only
If a full session is not currently in your budget, but you would really love to have your dog participate in the project, I will be hosting a few “Mini Session” Days where you can bring your dog in to be photographed for the project image only. You will receive a web-sized, watermarked digital image of your dog’s project image to share on social media. You may upgrade to a non-watermarked image, artwork or prints for an additional fee. These dates will likely take place in mid 2025, and will be set days on either a Friday or Saturday. A $50 refundable deposit will be required to hold your spot, but will be refunded after you complete your mini session, or can be applied toward artwork or digital upgrades.
*Please note that an upgrade to a full session will be $350 but you will receive $100 back toward your artwork purchase. If you are unsure which option is best for you, please contact me and I’ll be happy to discuss it with you!
How To Apply:
Complete the questionnaire in full by clicking the green button below (be sure to specify which image you’re applying for)
Follow With Love & Oats on Instagram by clicking here (thank you!)
Like With Love & Oats on Facebook by clicking here (thank you!)
Timeline:
Model applications will be received until all spots are filled for all images
Full Studio Sessions can be scheduled anytime (coordination will be needed for multiple dog sessions)
Mini Session Day(s) - if needed - will take place on a rolling basis
I’m thrilled to continue work on this exciting passion project and I’m looking forward to working with you and your dogs to create meaningful images, fun memories and heirloom artwork that you can cherish forever.
I am also currently offering my Signature Outdoor Sessions, so if you don’t feel that a studio session is right for your dog but would still love to work together, please click below to contact me about an outdoor session! I also offer studio sessions year round, even if you’d prefer not to participate in the project. If you’re considering either, let’s chat!
