Pets. This is a word that brings a few things to mind…  Things like unconditional love, laughter, counting to ten, a few lost shoes, mystery spots on the carpet, and all the people friends you collect along the way while out walking or riding. Who can resist benefits like these?

Our animals are our family, and often our refuge for peace, comfort, healing and safety.  One of the most precious treasures you can enjoy is a professional, carefully thought out portrait of your beloved furry family member(s).   I’d love to visit with you about a portrait for your pet(s) or your entire family!  I may be reached at:  nina@ninabeheim.com
Home office:  (360)613-0914    Mobile:  (360)674-8175
Skype: nina.beheim

Let me introduce you to some of my friends I’ve met through portrait sessions.  They are the coolest of the cool, and their people are pretty awesome too!

The Three Muskateers here are absolutely incredible! Kind, gentle, and will do anything for a snackie!

I am a huge fan of B&W images, and the “Three Muskateers” are quite impressive printed on pearl paper, in black and white, however, I can’t decide if I prefer the color version or not… When in doubt, get two.

Here’s Murphy! No, not the one who wrote “The Law” (Murphy’s Law)… He’s a fabulous little service dog with more love to give than a bus load of grandmas!

This is Hercules, and his girl.  The adoration in both of them is amazing.  Horses are so incredibly intelligent, and their emotions are without measure.  Think of a horse like this:  Horses are used to fix broken people, and those who cannot communicate, due to emotional and physical impairments.   Any animal that can fix broken people must be somethin’ else…

This is Sophie.  A truer friend cannot be found.  It took many tries, and a lot of patience to corral this girl, and create such a beautiful portrait.  She is a busy bee, with no time for photographs.
Photographic patience and planning will always yield victory.

Here we have Tucker.  He’s just a baby, and full of life.  Like all babies, he has unlimited energy. Again, as when working with any baby, patience, care, and planning deliver victory in the form of a beautiful portrait.   Understanding how a dog’s mind works, especially a young dog, helps too!  Much like a toddler, once they’ve expelled a bit of that amazing energy, and the “new” has worn off, it’s time to pull out your bag of tricks, and grab their attention. You don’t have to bait a dog to get the desired results. Don’t get me wrong, there are animals who are so focused on their people, something extra is required to get their attention, even for a fleeting moment. So I won’t say I never have a snackie (or two) in my pocket…

Marley.  What a girl.  She’s a “tween” doggie.  A twuppie, a tweenager.Not a puppy, not an adult.  A tweenager in dog years. Her days involve staring at her mom with adoration (while her mom stares back and professes her undying love), sniffing around the farm, watching those wiley chickens to make sure they’re not up to any shenanigans, following the horses and playing with a half deflated soccer ball in the driveway.  She’s quite the sharp girl, choosing the center of the drive at the farm, in front of the house, with a direct view of the chickens, ducks, garden, and horses.. nothing gets past Marley!

Ahhh, here we have the “Squires” children.  Jade, Timmy, and Easton.  Timmy is the baby, he’s a “tweenager” just like Marley.  He’s also clueless as to why everyone else on the couch isn’t as comfy as he seems to be… I guess it’s good to be the baby.
This portrait was made while at Howe Farm with the fur-kids’ parents.  Mom &  Dad just got married in August, and we were out having their wedding portrait made in a very beautiful location, completely relaxed, and stress-free. The Squires’ kids apparently needed a rest… after all, scampering through bushes, sniffing bear poop and deer trails, bounding through the fields, and mooching snacks from blackberry pickers can be VERY tiring.

This is an old friend of an old friend.
This is Levi.
Levi crossed the Rainbow Bridge this weekend to help guard the gates of heaven, fetch sticks tossed by angels, eat scraps from the table of plenty, and wait patiently, and happily for his master and mistress to someday join him.  While our selfish nature mourns the loss of these amazing friends, there is a quiet beauty in the sleep of passing, a gentle comfort in knowing a precious and treasured friend no longer moves slowly, no longer feels pain.  This friend now runs, jumps, barks, rolls in whatever he wants, doing so without limits.  This freedom is the thought to which we must cling, as we fight to overcome the selfishness of our grief.
Would we bring them back to appease our loss, allowing them to continue in pain and discomfort?  I honestly believe if we were given the option, while tempted, not one of would return our pet to a life of pain and suffering, ultimately our hearts only want joy and comfort for these faithful companions.

This beautiful girl’s name is Ruby.  No sweeter nature can be found.  Her mind is chasing bees, and romping through fields, her lips gleefully allow pooch snackies to pass to her tummy with much vigor.  Her ears welcome rubs, as does her nose, chin, and chest.  Her body is growing weary, but her love for her family shines strong.
Mobility issues will, at times, present themselves, however, that should never stop the capture of the beautiful spirit and face of your loving pet.  Ruby’s love has made a boy’s life much richer, provided a family more laughter, and simultaneously, many strangers and children have been entertained and loved thanks to Ruby.  What a wonderful wonderful girl.

Now here’s the Squire’s kids – before their owners became “Mr. & Mrs.”   These images were created the day little puppy Timmy came to live with them.  It was a VERY VERY HAPPY day for the Mr., Mrs., Jade, Easton, and it was especially for puppy Timmy.
The Squire’s household cats are not commenting, as they await  their publicist’s official response.  But that’s the way of the cat, every cat lover knows this!  I think it’s a safe bet they like Timmy too!
Here we have Easton & Jade…

And finally, Easton, Jade & Timmy – the day Timmy  came to visit, and never left his forever home!