Awkward Portraits

Awkward portraits of awkward dogs.

Whether booking for your own pup or receiving this odd gift from a friend, here are some things that will help you prepare mentally and physically for the big day:

What to wear: your favourite leash + collar/harness combo that you would like in the photos. Dogs will be on leash throughout the shoot. Solid, neutral colours are least distracting.

Where: drop-off or meeting location is Exshaw unless a location upgrade has been implemented.

Images: each session includes a set number of images in the session price. You will receive an invite to a gallery of your pup’s session less than one week after the shoot where you can choose your images (and additional images at $25 each).

Snacks Provided: dried liver. mmm. please advise of any dietary restrictions and bring alternative snacks. If your pup has a snack that you know makes their eyes sparkle, bring those snacks.

Session rates and descriptions:

Express Session

This is a great option for ramblers (just passing through without much time), or dogs who just need an updated awkward portrait for their instagram or over the fireplace. The shoot requires 20-40 minutes of the dog’s time (depending on modelling experience) with human accompaniment. This session is shot in Exshaw unless a location upgrade is chosen.

Includes 3 digital images

Location: Exshaw, Alberta (change location to Kananaskis or Banff for $75)

Express Rate	$195
Adopted Special*	$165
Upgrades and Add-ons:
Enhance with a location change to Kananaskis or Banff°	$75
Additional Images**	+ $25 per
Purchase Entire Gallery**	+ $225
prices subject to 5% GST

*let me know where you adopted your pup and if you’d like to have one of their photos forwarded to them
°sessions with location changes must be paid in full at the time of booking
**you will be invited to a gallery of 20 final images to choose from within one week of your session. please feel free to select extra images at $25 each. can’t leave any behind? the entire gallery is available for $225 (this is separate from the session price)

email: trailsandbears@gmail.com to book

Gallivant Session

Excellent option for the very-busy-and-important dog. This shoot offers a great variety of photos from some of my favourite easy to access locations. The shoot is 60-90 minutes with optional human accompaniment (you may wish to head down the road to Canmore for a coffee or a microbrew while you wait).

Includes 4 digital images

Location: 2 shooting locations in Exshaw, Alberta (change location to Kananaskis or Banff for $75)

Gallivant Rate	$295
Adopted Special*	$260
Upgrades and Add-ons:
Enhance with a location change to Kananaskis or Banff°	$75
Additional Images**	+ $25 per
Purchase Entire Gallery**	+ $225
prices subject to 5% GST

*let me know where you adopted your pup and if you’d like to have one of their photos forwarded to them
°sessions with location changes must be paid in full at the time of booking
**you will be invited to a gallery of 25 final images to choose from within one week of your session. please feel free to select extra images at $25 each. can’t leave any behind? the entire gallery is available for $225 (this is separate from the session price)

email: trailsandbears@gmail.com to book

Adventure Session

This option is the most dramatic in terms of the season’s backdrops for your adventure monster. All sessions are customized your monster’s physical ability. The Adventure Session requires dog-napping your dog for 4-5 hours of one-on-one time. While we head into various nooks and mountain crannies, you could use this dog-free time for a spa day, some quiet time at Cafe Books, a drive around the Spray Lakes/Kananaskis loop, or a stroll around Canmore, Banff, or Lake Louise where there are many shops and restaurants to go into and think about your dog.

Includes 10 digital images

Location: Kananaskis, Alberta (various locations including nature walks and picnics)

Adventure Rate	$565
Adopted Special*	$495
Get more images:
Additional Images**	+ $25 per
Purchase Entire Gallery**	+ $225
prices subject to 5% GST

*let me know where you adopted your pup and if you’d like to have one of their photos forwarded to them
**you will be invited to a gallery of 40 final images to choose from within one week of your session. please feel free to select extra images at $25 each. can’t leave any behind? the entire gallery is available for $225 (this is separate from the session price)

email: trailsandbears@gmail.com to book

for the love of dogs

There’s this book, Adventures with Adoptable Dogs (by me) available now

home-finding: get started with my free quick guide: Instagram for Adoptable Dogs

Adventures with Adoptable Dogs

I’m touched by how many people want to help with these adventures. Time is the limiting factor for doing more adventures, but if you would like to help directly with the picnic supplies for adventures here’s a link to a list of the treats I pack for adoptable pups that will ship directly to me.
Snack List

Many other ways to help trailandbears adoptable pups:

Interact online with #adoptable posts – comment, save, and share the #adoptable to your story or privately to anyone who may be interested. Interactions with the post like these signal to Instagram to show the pup to more folks, so the more, the better!
Volunteer – download my guide above for helpful tips and put your own spin on showcasing adoptables in your area.
Foster – when you foster, you have daily access to a pup who needs exposure. Check out my guide above for tips on how to get him/her more reach online.

Beans, Denali, Anna

These two psychopaths and one goober (not in that order) are my daily inspiration and continual source of happiness (interlaced with sporadic sorrow and shame *cough* Anna).

a bit about me…

_D559342 My name is Rachael Rodgers.

I’m a Canadian artist, photographer, dog lover, and outdoor enthusiast. Not in that order. When our two fuzzheads need a recovery/nap day, I try to help other dogs find homes as cozy as Beans & Anna’s. To learn more about my obsession with dogs and how you can help, click here.

I live in Exshaw, Alberta. When it comes to scenic adventures, the Rockies do provide. Bold colours and awe-inspiring landscapes are everywhere. You probably won’t catch me being enthusiastic with my camera on a sunny day. I prefer stormy skies (for photography and everything else). I try to bring the spirit and mood of the scene alive through digital artistry while keeping a deep appreciation for natural elements. My art.

I grew up in New Brunswick with a mother who never put her camera down (to this day). Life was all about work, cars, and motorcycles,. Almost 20 years later I’m still very interested in cars and bikes, but with a slightly different emphasis. Now, I care how many dogs can fit in a car and seek out the best remote technical single track for self propelled mountain biking…

I kayak, skijor, mountain bike, and if I have nothing better to do, I’ll hike. These are my usual transport systems used while shooting. I’m not a tripod photographer. I’m not patient and I don’t wait for a shot. I like to get out in the lakes/mountains/trails everyday and see who and what I can see.