Simple pleasures.

Squirrel Dog.

Layla and I hiked 7-8 miles along mountains that parallel Turnagain Arm ... a trail known as the Potter/McHugh ridge this morning.  It was a four-hour hike and we LOVED the fresh air and company with friends and their dogs (two awesome Aussies and two Great Great Danes.)  The sunshine was astounding.   The trails were perfect.

Most of our party wore crampons (spikes on bottom of our shoes for traction) and a couple of us used ski poles for extra stability.  Plus, the ski poles give an excellent upper body workout and cardio.

Shown here, Layla did her usual diva-esque posing sitting inside a hollowed-out tree that seemed custom made for her mug.

Along the way, I've decided that Layla will one day have her own book documenting the many adventures she's expererienced.

I love all of my dogs more than anything else in the world (Carol's on board with this statement!!!).  Layla ... she has one of those exceptional special places in my heart.  What a soul.

Alex and Brigid

Today's first session was remarkable and heartwarming to me.

I photographed these two dogs several years ago under the names Laddie and Lassie.

Robert adopted them from Friends of Pets after seeing their photos through Pet Finder.

Today, they returned to the studio for portraits because they've been selected as the mascots for Friends of Pets's 25th annual Dog Jog (July 27, 2013).

I hope you'll mark your calendar for this event.  It's one we've supported ever since the first Dog Jog.

Thank you, Robert, for going through all of the effort to bring them to the studio today.  You're awesome.

Seeing Alex and Brigid was an amazing tremendous blessing.

Hannah

One of my favorites from today's session.Saturday was an exquisite day for photography in the snow with Hannah.

We toured the Turnagain Arm to some of my favorite locations.  It included tromping through snow and a bit of slippery navigation up the canyon ice of McHugh Creek - an adventure we both enjoyed.

Hannah is studying glaciers and will soon transfer from UAA to the University of Alaska, Southeast in Juneau where she'll definitely have up-close and personal contact with glaciers.  I envy her career choice a LOT!!

Thanks Hannah.  And thanks to Cassie, too, for helping with today's session.

Portraits at a private location I like to call "The Rock." It takes a little effort to get there but the scenery is totally worth it.

Our last image of the day. After positioning both of us safely we waited for falling ice shards to complete the scene. I wanted an environmental action image that would show Hannah in her element - complete with rocks, ice and blue skies.

Karle. Class of 2013

I enjoyed a wonderful portrait session with Karle today.  She's graduating in May!!!

Thank you, Karle.   You're a lovely lady. I had a lot of fun working with you today.