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: depending which session you choose, drop-off or meeting location will be Exshaw or Kananaskis.

Images: each session includes a set number of images. You will receive an invite to a gallery of your pup’s session a few days post-shoot. In your gallery, you can choose your included 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.

Rates and descriptions:

Express Session

This is your best option for pups with lower mobility, ramblers (just passing through), 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. As the small time constraints don’t allow travelling time to dramatic backdrops of the longer shoots, your pup will be the star of this show.

Includes 3 digital images

Location: Exshaw, Alberta (upgrade location to Kananaskis for $75)

Express Rate	$190
Adopted Special*	$150
Additional Images**	+ $25 per
Purchase Entire Gallery	+ $225

*let me know where you adopted your pup and if you’d like to have one of their photos forwarded to them
**you will get access to a gallery of 20 images to choose from within one week of the session. please feel free to select extra images at $25 each. can’t leave any behind? the entire gallery is available for $225

email: trailsandbears@gmail.com to book

Galavant Session

Excellent option for the very-busy-and-important dog. 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 5 digital images

Location: Exshaw, Alberta (2 shooting locations for increased variety in backdrop options)

Galavant Rate	$290
Adopted Special*	$230
Additional Images**	+ $25 per
Purchase Entire Gallery	+ $225

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

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 shoots are customized your monster’s physical ability. The Adventure Shoot 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 in and think about your dog.

Includes 10 digital images

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

Adventure Rate	$580
Adopted Special*	$480
Additional Images**	+ $25 per
Purchase Entire Gallery**	+ $225

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

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

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.