Paws for the Park | Friends of Stillwater Dog Park

Friends of Stillwater Dog Park is an organization focused on creating and sustaining a fenced, off-leash dog park in the Stillwater area that will promote responsible dog ownership in the community.  Currently, the organization is busy creating awareness of their initiative to show the city of Stillwater that there is a formally organized group of volunteers committed to supporting and maintaining a dog park in the area.

Tomorrow evening (Saturday, February 27), Friends of Stillwater Dog Park is having a benefit event, Paws for the Park at The Town Hall at Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights.  I am happy to say that Lucky Mutt Photography has donated one Everyday Session to the silent auction at this event which will also include drawings, wine, appetizers, and live music.

For more information on the Paws for the Park fundraiser or to help Friends of Sillwater Dog Park, visit their website, complete their survey, or join the group on Facebook.

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for you. for celebrating with me…

Now that I’ve shared what fuels me, and how I plan to use that focus to give back this year, I have something for you…

Reduced session fees + product discounts for you and your pets!

I’m ready to revamp my portfolio so that it really reflects my passion in this business. So, I’m offering what I’m going to call a “fade-away promotion” for those interested in scheduling an Everyday Session that celebrates the relationship they have with their pets. For those of you who like bullet points (like I do), here’s what that means…

  • You schedule a session where I take photographs of your pet, and photos that show you and your pet interacting.
  • You receive a great discount on your session fee as well as your product purchases.

BUT…

  • The longer you wait to schedule your session, the smaller your discount will be.

That’s right, if you schedule your session today, you will get the biggest and best deal of all! However, if you wait to see how your friend Sally’s session with her adorable Bulldog turns out, you likely won’t get the same great deal she did. (And don’t you hate it when Sally gets the better deal?!)

Go ahead, beat Sally to the punch and contact me today for more information!

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keeping pets and people together

As with my last post, I’ve been meaning to get this one on the blog for a while. I’ve had it posted over here for quite some time, but haven’t made an official announcement. As I mentioned before, the beginning of this year has given me a great filter for making decisions about my business. That filter is knowing where my heart is, and really understanding why I’m in this game. Going into 2010 I knew I wanted to start giving back to the pet community through Lucky Mutt Photography, and the first thing I did was search for an organization that really fell in line with the “why” of my business.

Let me tell you, I didn’t have to look very hard. If you were reading the blog in December, you might remember that I had a Pounds per Comments food drive to benefit The Pet Project. I love everything about this organization, and I knew right away that I wanted to help them in any way that I could. As explained in their mission statement, “The Pet Project helps people keep their pets by providing pet food and basic supplies to those who are struggling. The Pet Project also provides connections to basic veterinary care and information on finding pet-friendly housing.” What really gets to me though is this part of their why, “We would really like to change the way the world thinks about relationships with pets and the role they play in our lives. The lessons of empathy, compassion, and responsibility that our pets can teach us shouldn’t have to be lost due to poverty or unexpected life circumstances.”

Hook. Line. Sinker. I’m sold.

The Pet Project MN

Ten percent of all Lucky Mutt Photography
2010 session fees will be donated to The Pet Project.


Amongst other plans I have to help out this organization, I’m happy to announce that I will be donating 10% of all Lucky Mutt Photography session fees to The Pet Project in 2010.  That means, while I help you celebrate your relationship with your pets, you are helping someone in need keep their pets in their life by helping them get the food and veterinary services they so badly need.

Of course, The Pet Project isn’t the only nonprofit I plan to help this year.  On the left side of this site there is a *new* Events tab listing upcoming events that Lucky Mutt Photography will be participating at, including fundraising events for local, pet-related nonprofit organizations.  If you, or someone you know works with a pet-related nonprofit group in need of donations or photography services, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  In addition,  individuals who volunteer for a local, pet-friendly nonprofit organization will receive a $50 credit towards their product purchases when they book an Everyday or Year-in-the-life session.  (Please note that this includes homes with service and/or therapy dogs.)  It is really the least I can do for those who dedicate a part of their lives to giving the best life possible to the pets we cherish.

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april - That’s so generous, Becky. I love that you have found a way to use your talent to help others. You rock. :)

Lucky Mutt Photography | Twin Cities Pet Photography | Minneapolis/St Paul Dog Photographer » for you. for celebrating with me… - [...] that I’ve shared what fuels me, and how I plan to use that focus to give back this year, I have something for [...]

from my heart

Since the beginning of the new year, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on this business and what it means to me.  The reflection was due, in part, to a book I picked up late last year, then because of some incredibly inspiring people I found myself in the company of, and largely due to my own introspective nature and my desire to really build from my heart.  It was really a fantastic month in which I had some great conversations with new friends and got a lot out on paper regarding my own dreams and goals for myself and for Lucky Mutt Photography.  Taking that time out really solidified for me why I want this business to be such a huge part of my life (because there’s no question that it is), and gave me a filter for making decisions on how to move forward.

In the last month and a half I’ve written this post in my head approximately 478,932 times. No lie.  (Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea.)  I am not one who wears my heart on my sleeve, and it is most definitely in my nature to keep my crazy dreams closely guarded until I’ve scoped things out and built trust with those around me.  But, I realize that while there is risk in putting oneself out there for the world (aka the internets) to see, the rewards can beat those risks by a long shot.  And so, I sit here pushing myself out of that oh-so-cozy comfort zone, past my fears, and past that nagging urge inside me to hit “Save as draft” and walk away.

“Until one has loved an animal,
a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”

-Anatole France

To me, the heart and soul of Lucky Mutt Photography is not about photography.  That is to say, this venture did not stem from a love of my camera…the photography piece is just the outlet I was drawn to.  Instead, it is about witnessing and sharing the stories that people share with the pets in their lives.   The truth is, I find the bond between people and their pets to be fascinating, endearing, and sometimes even tear-inducing…listening to people talk about their pets captivates me.  What I really, really want, is to help people in the Twin Cities celebrate the relationships they have with their pets.  For me this is not about remembering what a dog or cat looks like, it is about capturing moments that pay tribute to the special place our pets have in our lives.

Celebrating relationships and celebrating everyday life, that is what I want this part of my life to be about.

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Meredith Perdue - Becky, this is beautifully written. I’m so glad that you were able to share these thoughts with us. And the pictures you chose to include complement your words perfectly!

els - Awesome post, and i love the photos/relationships you’ve included. I’m right there with you about keeping thoughts/dreams/goals closely guarded. Thanks for sharing…you’re inspiring :)

josh solar - Great post! I, too, have a problem expressing my most personal thoughts clearly in a public place. This is an inspiring read and I’m glad that you shared with us :)

gwen - Beautiful post, Becky.

andrea - wow, Becky. this is beautiful.
i’m glad you’ve found something you love in what you do. it’s hard to do and not everyone is able to find and realize their own. you are lucky to have lucky mutt!

Maria - Beautiful. Just beautiful. And very well written. Your heart is in the right place. Photography is but a small part of the equation.

johnwaire | photo - …really well said!

Kristy - “Celebrating relationships and celebrating everyday life, that is what I want this part of my life to be about.”

I can tell. Looking at the few pictures in this post, I can see that.

Thanks for hitting “publish” instead of “save as draft.” I think I needed the motivation to start doing some research so I can work out my plan. I’ve just added Barnes & Noble to my list of stops when I run errands today so I can pick up that book. And thanks for linking to Lara’s post. Also very helpful & encouraging. =)

april - Thank you for stepping outside your comfort zone & sharing! It is so true about the relationships of humans & their pets, it’s a beautiful thing to witness & be able to capture. Looking forward to watching your business grow this year!

Lucky Mutt Photography | Twin Cities Pet Photography | Minneapolis/St Paul Dog Photographer » for you, for celebrating with me… - [...] that I’ve shared what fuels me, and how I plan to use that focus to give back this year, I have something for [...]

Lucky Mutt Photography | Twin Cities Pet Photography | Minneapolis/St Paul Dog Photographer » keeping pets and people together - [...] over here for quite some time, but haven’t made an official announcement. As I mentioned before, the beginning of this year has given me a great filter for making decisions about my business. [...]

for the last minute lovebirds

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner (read: TWO DAYS AWAY), and Lucky Mutt Photography has the perfect last minute gift idea for Twin Cities pet lovers…

Twin Cities pet photography gift certificates.

Give the gift of memories with a Lucky Mutt Photography gift certificate! Gift certificates are currently available in amounts of $150 or more, and promise a unique and personalized gift for your loved one, that won’t wilt away in seven days. Best of all, when you purchase your gift, a certificate will be emailed to you within hours to ensure you have something to hand to your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. For more information on Lucky Mutt Photography gift certificates, please contact me at luckyme@luckymuttphotography.com.

(Please note: The $150 minimum ensures the gift recipient receives full coverage for a Lucky Mutt Photography Everyday Session with the current pricing structure.)

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