2022: A YEAR IN REVIEW
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
2022 was a busy year for my little boutique pet photography business. It was another incredible year filled with meaningful portrait sessions, outdoor adventures, and designing lots of beautiful artwork and albums.
I treasure the relationships I’ve built with my clients this year, many of whom became friends, and it goes without saying that their hairy lowriders are endeared to me forever. ♥
Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of twenty twenty-two…
TAILS OF THE WORLD
In early 2022 Heidi Grace Pet Portraiture became Calgary’s official Tails of the World book series photographer! TOTW is a worldwide book project to raise money for local and international animal rescue charities. Calgary pet parents jumped on board to support this wonderful charity project and have their dogs included in the book. We raised $1000 for our local Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation! I travelled in and around our beautiful city for the photo sessions to create a nice variety of images for our city’s feature in the book.
The books arrived at the end of the year and it was a thrill to see Calgary dogs amongst portraits of dogs from all over the world! After the book arrived we received the news that Tails of the World will be an annual project! This means that in 2023 I’ll be looking for another ten fun and friendly dogs who’d like to represent Calgary!
If you’d like to help me raise funds for animal rescue AND see your dog’s adorable face in the pages of this gorgeous international book – make sure you are on my VIP email list! VIPs get access to everything first. 😉
LEGACY SESSIONS
We can all agree that no matter how long our pets live – it’s never long enough. Although I don’t have the power to directly extend time, what I can do is capture your pet’s unique personality and quirks so that you’ll never forget them. I’ll take beautiful photographs of the loving relationship you share and create a collection of story-telling images that will remind you of why loving them was worth the loss.
In 2022 I created a special session offering for senior/elderly pets and those diagnosed with a terminal or challenging illness. After a lot of careful thought and consideration as to the heartfelt purpose behind them, I decided to call them ‘Legacy Sessions‘. I believe that photographic artwork and albums can carry on the legacy of love that our pets leave behind for us. At Heidi Grace Pet Portraiture front-of-the-line booking is always available to those in need.
Learn more about Legacy Sessions here.
BEST OF ALBERTA PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
The Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) is an organization dedicated to the highest standards in professional imaging. The PPOC offers annual regional and national image salon competitions – and this year I spontaneously entered three of my dog photographs into the 2022 Alberta competition. To my delight, all three scored the equivalent of a silver medal rating which is extra special because this image competition is open to all genres of photography not just pets. These portraits are being featured in the Best of Alberta Photography Exhibition which is displayed in venues around the Province throughout 2023. You can see the winning photographs here on my blog.
FINE ART BLACK BACKGROUND EQUINE PORTRAITS
A few of my favourite Calgary area horse portraits from 2022, a trail mix (ha! get it?) of big and little, sleek and fluffy, old and young.
Most Popular Artwork of 2022
I ran the numbers and it’s official: The most popular keepsake that my clients preserved their portraits in was… the Signature Album Set! Of all the artwork options that I offer to my clients – my custom albums stand apart from the rest. They give me the ability to tell your pet’s story with detailed and emotional imagery like nothing else. Nothing is more powerful than cuddling up on the couch and holding your beloved memories in your hands.
The set – which consists of a big beautiful album protected inside a wooden window box – will showcase all of your favourite session photographs in one place. Gorgeous, detailed, and thick lay-flat pages tell the story of you and your pup with every turn of the page. I create my client’s albums in the present but I’m always keeping the future in mind. I believe these albums are the best way for us to recall in vivid detail our pet’s unique personalities, favourite activities and the love we shared with them – now and forever.
Loved Beyond Words – Missed Without Measure
BUTTONS | COCOA | JACKSON | JOEY | OLIVER
These precious angels received their wings in 2022. I feel a deep sense of gratitude to have been able to provide their loving parents with everlasting memories of these beautiful souls – until they meet again. ♥
What’s happening in 2023?
Hopefully more of the same! 2022 was a great year with so many new friendships made, animals loved on and artwork delivered!
Legacy Sessions are available on short notice – but I only have 3 session dates left between January and June so if you’d like your session in late winter or spring please reach out today! Summer session dates for July and August are booking now!
I’m passionate about capturing lasting memories and creating meaningful keepsakes for you and your pets. If you’re interested in discussing your own pet portraiture experience with me just hop over here to schedule a meet-and-greet call. I’d love to hear from you and see what we can create together!
Here’s to a fantastic 2023 for you and your animal companions!
