float wraps | product

One of the best parts about researching professional printers is browsing through their catalogues and checking out all the really cool products they offer. One such item that I came across are float wraps, which I had never heard about before. So, of course I had to order one. And it came out so amazing that I'm now offering them to Happy Tails clients!

A float wrap is similar to a gallery wrap canvas — they both add dimension by extending out from the wall. But while gallery wraps are chunkier with a 1.5-inch profile all the way around, a float wrap has a 3/4-inch thick block on the back for mounting. This makes your art appear to be floating on the wall and puts all the focus on the image. The print itself is protected with laminate and padding is added between the print and masonite backing to add depth and create a raised, elegant look.

It is a unique way to display your images and how cool would it look to have several of these hung in a grouping? So fun. And Chloe approves too!

Float wraps are available in a variety of sizes — from 11x14 to 20x30. If you aren't sure what size is best, check back soon for a post on artwork and how to choose the correct size.

a little more about me

Hello everyone! Up until now I haven't gotten very personal when it comes to blogging, which is a little out of sorts for me, since I'm a writer by profession and I kept a regular old journal for quite a while. I guess the idea of putting myself out there — I mean, REALLY out there — for everyone on the web to read about is a bit unnerving.

The point of this post is to share a bit more of myself with everyone. Until now, I thought it was better to maintain a professional presence. But for those of you who are interested, here are a few things about me (and this journey I'm on) that you may not know.

1) Happy Tails isn't my full-time job. I have a journalism degree and my everyday job is working in the communications department of a local university. I'm currently on maternity leave and naively thought I could focus on Happy Tails full time while I was off work for the year ... can you tell this is my first baby? Motherhood is wonderful, but way more time consuming than I ever imagined! I'm still trying to find balance. I'm not sure how I will juggle everything when I go back to work in a few months.

2) I have a hard time calling myself a professional photographer. Sometimes I feel like a fraud even thinking it. What makes a person entitled to that designation? Working at it full time? A full roster of clients? I have days when my my confidence is pretty low — who am I to ask people to pay for the photos I take? Some days I think I should just pack it all in. But then I'll take a pretty darn good photo and think maybe I can do this after all ...

3) I'm learning as I go along. I know you are supposed to have a plan before you start a new business, but I'm winging it. I'm learning about marketing, advertising, printing, products, search-engine optimization — the list goes on and on. And I'm still adjusting my workflow and developing my post-processing. And learning how to manage a photo shoot, plus interact with clients and the four-leggers ... there is so much to learn. I'm not sure how successful I should be after a few months of this — getting clients in the door is hard. But I love photography and I love animals, so I will keep at it — shooting and practicing, practicing, practicing!

Thank you to everyone who has followed me on my journey so far — your comments on my blog posts and 'likes' on my Facebook page really keep me going and I do appreciate them!

And now a photo ... finally! Maybe this photo of puppy Wanda will help distract you from all that rambling!

puppy! | burlington, ontario, pet photographer

Need I say more? Feel free to click back on this link whenever you need a pick-me-up! This is Aphrodite and gosh did I ever have fun with her. She loved my green squeeky ball and was just the perfect amount of playful. Oh, and this little sweetie is available for adoption at the Burlington Humane Society!

cottage life | muskoka, ontario, pet photographer

One of our favourite ways to vacation in the summer is to rent a cottage in the beautiful Muskoka region of Ontario. It is so relaxing to have morning coffee on the dock, and spend the afternoon with a book and a drink, listening to the birds and crickets (check out my earlier post to see how Chloe likes to spend her vacation!). It's also fun to explore, and that's how we stumbled upon a gorgeous field down a dirt road while walking the dogs. Of course I had my camera. And of course I took photos. Here's Chloe and her friend Lucy enjoying some off-leash time.

And the best way to wrap up a spontaneous photo shoot? Basking in some sunshine with your feet hanging off the dock of course!

write a post, help a dog

Did you know that more than four million dogs end up in shelters and rescues each year? And they all need to be fed.

If you want to help, here's a really easy way to help a dog: Until September 3, Pedigree will donate 20 pounds of dry Pedigree for Dogs Recipe to shelters for each blog post mentioning the Write a Post, Help a Dog promotion.

So, just by posting this, I helped a dog!

If you have a blog and would like to join in it’s easy. Just write a blog post sharing the information on the program with your readers. If you don’t have a blog feel free to tweet about the campaign or share on Facebook so your friends who do blog can participate. Your blog doesn't have to be about pets to qualify — all bloggers are welcome! So post away!

In addition to writing a blog post, here’s how you can help support the Pedigree Foundation:

• Donate online at http://pedigreefoundation.org/donate.aspx
• Apply for a shelter grant from the Pedigree Foundation by completing a form at www.pedigreefoundation.org
• Purchase Dogs Rule Gear at www.dogsrulegear.com where the proceeds go to the Pedigree Foundation to help loving dogs find a home. SPECIAL OFFER: Get 10 percent off Dogs Rule Gear by using the promo code BlogPaws10 from August 22 – September 30.

Once you get your post up and ready please feel free to grab the link code below to include it in your post and add your link to the list so it is easier to keep track of all the posts, plus it makes it so easy for your friends to learn about the event and see the progress we are making towards the goal of 10,000 lb of food.