Thank You to all our Fluffy Friends & Features in 2013!

What an amazing year it has been with tremendous photography from the absolute best pet photographers in the world! We are so proud to have featured each and every single session on Itty Bitty Fluffy and to have made some fantastic friends along the way too!

You will have seen many of our Fluffy Friends features - celebrating individual pet photographers, sharing their work and introducing themselves to you on a more personal level, alongside their very own pets. We are delighted to be following up with our Fluffy Friends in 2014 - keep an eye out for these! Until then, Thank You again to all our readers in 2013, contributors and friends. We wish you the happiest New Year!

With special Thanks to Itty Bitty Fluffy Friends - see their 2013 features here:

Dana Cubbage Photography | Dana, Beckham Brady & Camden

Britt Croft Photography | Brittani, Riley & Lexi

Missy Moo Studio | Julie & Missy Moo

Allison Mae Photography | Allison, Ansel & Tilda

Kira DeDecker Photography | Kira, Bixby, Waffles & Sox

Anna Hardy Photography | Anna & Freddie

Sarah McGraw Photography | Sarah, Sadie & Eva

Erin King Photography | Erin & Peanut

Vela Images | Greta & Hunter

Photos | From left to right

Top row \\ Dana Cubbage Photography \ Britt Croft Photography \ Missy Moo Studio

Middle row \\ Allison Mae Photography \ Kira DeDecker Photography \ Anna Hardy Photography

Bottom row \\ Sarah McGraw Photography \ Erin King Photography \ Vela Images

Fluffy Friends - Beckham, Brady, Camden & Dana Cubbage Photography

We are delighted to introduce you to Dana Cubbage a wonderful pet and wedding photographer and her three beautiful dogs Beckham, Brady & Camden. Dana's photography is natural, relaxed and utterly wonderful! Dana tells us about how she started her career and of course about her beautiful dogs...

"For as long as I can remember, I've loved photography.  I used to shoot my parents' 35mm Minolta film camera when I was young and I was always the kid with a camera on school trips.  I still have boxes of albums + prints from my childhood that I can't bear to throw away.  Those are special to me.  Those are my memories.  I got serious about photography in 2010 when I bought my first DSLR camera.  I taught myself to shoot manually from the start and everything I've learned has come from reading books, blogs, and attending workshops."

"In early 2011, I decided to launch my pet photography business – Dana Cubbage Photography.  It's been amazing, meeting so many wonderful clients + their beloved pets.  I spent a lot of time volunteering for my local high-kill animal shelter (BARCS in Baltimore City) in 2011 and through that, I met a fellow volunteer who is a wedding photographer.  I asked her if I could tag along to a wedding and she said yes.  I shot my first wedding with her in the fall of 2011 and fell in love."

. Beckham .

"In January 2012, we moved from Baltimore to Charleston, SC and I continued to work full-time while also running my pet photography business + second shooting weddings for various wedding photographers here in Charleston.  I was working non-stop and thought to myself, why don't I shoot weddings for myself?  I put the wheels in motion to start my wedding photography business in May 2012, with a launch date of August 1 in mind.  On July 31, I was laid off from my full-time job so I took it as a sign that I was meant to be a wedding photographer.  I launched Dana Cubbage Wedding Photography on August 1, 2012 and I've been a full-time pet + wedding photographer ever since!"

. Brady .

"I have three dogs – the Bubbas – and they are the inspiration for my pet photography work.  Early on, when I first got my DSLR and was teaching myself to shoot, they were my very patient models.  We got Camden in 2006 as a puppy so he's technically our first born :)  He is the most patient, kind-hearted dog I've ever met – and everyone who meets him says the same.  He is truly one of a kind.  My heart dog.  I absolutely adore him."

"We rescued Brady from GoldHeart Golden Retriever Rescue in 2008 when he was 3 years old.  He has pretty severe epilepsy and requires daily medication, but he is so sweet.  He loves to be around people.  Other dogs?  Not as much.  But he is so funny + always making us laugh."

"Beckham is the newest addition to our family.  We were fostering him for a local animal shelter here in Charleston and we fell in love.  We've had him since he was 6 weeks old.  He is a wild man with seemingly endless energy but he his one of the smartest dogs I've ever met too!  I love all 3 of my Bubbas.  They each have such different + fun personalities.  They definitely inspire my pet photography work and I often use them for location scouting purposes since they really get excited when I get the camera out :)"

. Brady .

"I've had the honor of photographing for Lowcountry Dog Magazine, where I am now a staff photographer.  I've done some commercial work as well.  Pet photography is a growing niche and I feel blessed to have such a following.  I love helping other photographers and often get emails asking for advice or tips.  I started a "For Photographers" category on my blog, where I try to write content that will help other emerging pet photographers grow their business + help our industry."

. Camden .

"Pet photography is so important.  I take great pride in preserving the memories of my clients' pets.  To some, their pets are their children and I think they deserve the limelight!  My pet photography is fun, fresh + vibrant.  I really strive to capture beautiful colors, textures, backgrounds, and sunlight in all of my images.  I use all natural light and my sessions are done on-location, usually somewhere meaningful or convenient for my clients."

"I have always had a unique bond with animals, so that's what makes me different from other photographers.  I know how to work with the pets to get the best expressions from them and I make it fun so that the pets are stressed out.  Several times, I've had clients tell me that I probably won't be able to get any good shots of their pet or that their pets will hide from me and nine times out of ten, I prove them wrong."

. Camden .

"I am a member of HeARTs Speak and volunteer my time to local animal shelters + rescues whenever I can. I am also a wedding photographer based in Charleston, SC and I absolutely LOVE it when my wedding clients choose to include their pet in their wedding or engagement session.  To me, that's the best of both worlds!!"

. Images by Dana Cubbage Photography .

With Thanks to Beckham, Brady, Camden & Dana Cubbage Photography

for sharing their story and photos with us today!

See more features on Itty Bitty & Fluffy starring Dana Cubbage Photography { here 

For more information about Dana and to see more of her fantastic portfolio
of photographic, work head on over to her beautiful blogs...

Dana's Pet Photography > www.danacubbagephotography.com/blog
Dana's Wedding Photography > www.danacubbageweddings.com/blog/

Fluffy Friends - Brittani, Riley & Lexi

We are delighted to introduce you to Brittani the amazing photographer behind Britt Croft Photography and of course her dogs Riley and Lexi. We truly admire Brittani's lifestyle photography work for weddings, families and of course pets! We also love the wonderful work she does in opening her home and life to foster Labradors too. We hand over to Brittani to tell us more about her beautiful Labradors Riley & Lexi as well as Britt Croft Photography...

"My name is Brittani Croft and I'm a wedding and pet photographer head over heels in love with my family, four-legged kids, and my job. While the core my business is now centered around weddings and the type of love those with two legs share, my business was initially inspired by my love for animals and the unexplainable bond people share with their pets. I grew up with horses and dogs, both of which were considered members of the family. As a kid, we always had "family dogs" but I'd always dreamed of having my very own dog."

"When I was 18, my mom finally obliged and soon came Riley. For such an energetic and on-the-move yellow lab, Riley ended up being my most patient model, and after two years practicing with my camera on him, my business was officially born. Since then I've had the honor of documenting many incredible relationships between pets and their people, and it's a job and honor I take seriously and pour myself into. It saddens me how short our pets lives are in comparison to ours, so I strongly believe that anyone who loves their dogs should have professional images to commemorate that intangible bond you share together."

"You may notice that Riley seems to have a slightly smaller "twin." Lexi is our two-year-old female lab and together she and Riley are quite the duo. Working from home can be lonely, but these two are my constant companions and are always inspiring me to get outside, explore, and see my surroundings in a new way that truly makes my heart happy. They are undoubtedly a huge part of our family and come with us everywhere...on vacations, road trips, and they were even in attendance at our wedding. They have quite a number of miles under those paws!"

"Riley and Lexi have also inspired my husband and I to foster for our local lab rescue several times a year. We feel so strongly that the personality, energy level, and demeanor of the Labrador Retriever fits our home so well and it's been such an honor playing a role in several other wonderful dogs happy endings."

. Images by Britt Croft Photography .

We have a super follow up feature for Brittani coming up this week so

don't forget to check back for that!

With many Thanks to Brittani, Riley, Lexi  and Britt Croft Photography

for sharing these beautiful images and story with us.

To see more of  Brittani Croft Photography's beautiful portfolio
of work head on over to www.brittcroft.com

Fluffy Friends - Julie & Missy Moo

We are thrilled to introduce you to Julie the fab photographer behind Missy Moo Studio,inspired by and named after her very own fluffy friend Missy Moo! We have long admired Julie's photography work and Missy Moo herself! Isn't she adorable! Who can resist an English Bulldog - we certainly can't!

Julie tells us that dear little Missy Moo is four years old and enjoys short walks andtrips to Starbucks for puppy whip too! She also lies to play with frisbees but prefers to chew them instead of chasing them! 

Julie is the owner of Missy Moo Studio. She likes chocolate, pink, and anything retro. She drives a new Beetle and hopes someday to have it custom painted pink. She (of course) loves design and photography. She adores animals sooo much, she almost became a veterinarian.

She fell in love with computers…and that grew into a love of design. After 10 years
of doing print design she branched out into photography. She now volunteers for a
local rescue called Mikey's Chance and takes family/fur baby photos
(when she isn't working at her day job).

. Images by Missy Moo Studio .

. Julie & Missy Moo's portrait image is by Andrea Starr Photography .

With thanks to Julie for sharing her adorable Missy Moo with us and the beautiful photos too!

To see Julie's wonderful portfolio of work, for more information about Missy Moo Studio and to make a booking head on over to www.missymoostudio.com

Fluffy Friends - Allison, Ansel & Tilda

We are so pleased to introduce you to the fantastic Allison Mae Photography and her own beautiful pet dogs, Ansel and Tilda. Allison tells us about the inspirations behind her work, her approach to pet portraiture, how her career started and of course she shares with us her beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback Tilda and new addition to the family - her Border Collie puppy Ansel... 

"I find inspiration in the idea that our pets lead rich inner lives and have found that
portrait photography has a way of exposing this emotional landscape by removing the
clutter and laying bare the bonds we share. Pets are our confidants, our family, our
friends. And for an all too short time we are lucky enough to share our lives with these
incredible beings. Three years ago I started Allison Mae Photography with the aim of
documenting the lovely creatures who play such a starring role in our lives."

"Utilizing a mix of of fine art and photojournalism I let relationships unfold naturally in a
setting that is meaningful to both pet and human to create images that are beautiful and
authentic. I feel incredibly fortunate to work with the most amazing clients who
love their pets just as much as I do mine."

"I share my life with my wonderful husband and our two dogs: Tilda, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and Ansel, a Border Collie. Tilda came to our family five years ago as a puppy. Thanks to her small stature and boundless energy she's often confused with a Viszla or occasionally even a puppy. She is absolutely the sweetest thing on four legs and has the craziest ears, which I love as the completely suit her slightly off-kilter personality. She also has the most adorable smile."

"Our dogs are very  much a part of our family and we take them with us whenever possible. Because we love to travel, this means plenty of planning and logging lots of hours in the car in order to make our trips as dog-friendly as possible.

These images of Tilda were taken on our trip to Montana this past fall."

"Ansel joined our family in January. Having only had Ridgebacks before we weren't quite

sure what to expect but I'm happy to report that he has been nothing short of fantastic.

Naturally, he's very smart and energetic, but he's also incredibly sweet and a great

snuggler. From the moment he came home he fit right in and it's hard to believe that

there was ever a time when he wasn't a part of our lives."

. Images by Allison Mae Photography .

With Thanks to Allison for sharing her photography, pets and inspirations with us!

For more information and to see Allison's fab photography 

portfolio head on over to www.allisonmae.com/blog

You can also connect with Allsion via Twitter and Facebook:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/AllisonMaePhoto

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllisonMaePhotography