Category Archives: Personal

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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to new beginnings | thursday thanks

Okay, I admit, I’m a sucker for holidays–and you (being the perceptive person you are) have probably figured that out. When it comes to ringing in the new year, however, I look less to the celebration-heavy New Year’s Eve and more toward New Year’s Day itself. Maybe it’s because in my younger days, my NYE outings rarely lived up to their hype-or maybe it’s because after a month of traveling from one celebration to another (all of which I enjoy) I crave a relaxing, non-demanding respite. Of course it could also be that January 1 provides us an opportunity to reflect and to learn from our experiences over the year gone by, and allows us the chance to look toward the blank slate before us.

For me, 2010 will be a year focused on growth. I have a number of goals for myself, including a list of inspirational books that I can’t wait to delve into, but mostly I plan to push myself outside the limits of my comfort zone in order to grow as person. As for Lucky Mutt Photography, I definitely have goals to help grow my business, and as I get those things rolling, I can’t wait to share them here.

To those of you who have supported me in starting this business, and those who have welcomed Lucky Mutt Photography into your home and your lives in 2009, I thank you so very much. I look forward to capturing more of your memories, and sharing those bonds between pets and people in 2010.

And because a post with no pictures just isn’t fun, I leave you with two of my favorite pictures of my girl from early in 2009. Two very different images, but both capture her oh-so-well. Have a safe and happy new year–Cheers!

Lucky_Mutt_Photography_Phaneuf2009


P.S. Thank you so much to those who commented on last week’s pounds per comments post! There were 18 comments left on Wednesday resulting in a total of 56 pounds of pet food to be donated to The Pet Project!!

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Christmas Thanks: Spirit of Giving | pounds per comments

Yep, I know, it’s Wednesday, not Thursday. I also know that tomorrow many of you will be busy doing much more important things (hopefully enjoying time with your family and friends) than reading the Lucky Mutt blog. So, before the holiday festivities begin, I wanted to make sure to thank everyone who commented on the blog during pounds per comments. There were twenty comments left, which means I will be donating twenty pounds of pet food to The Pet Project…but, here’s the thing…I want more.

So, for today only (December 23, 2009), I will donate two pounds of dog and/or cat food per comment left on the blog* (any post, and feel free to comment more than once) to The Pet Project, an organization dedicated to helping people keep their pets by providing pet food and basic supplies to those who are struggling. Please join me in helping these people and pets in need by leaving a comment!

To everyone who stops by over the next few days, happy holidays from our home to yours, and if you are in the midwest, we wish you safe travels through the upcoming snow storm!

Lucky_Mutt_Photography_Christmas


*As previously stated, as much as my heart wishes I could donate endless amounts of food to these pets and people in need, my pocketbook requires a ceiling. This year the maximum amount of food I will be able to donate is 100 lbs. Thank you!

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life in pictures: frosted window panes | pounds per comments

Although it’s not my favorite Christmas song, it’s what I’ve been singing over and over this cold snowy morning, and it has me curious…What’s your favorite Christmas song??

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Don’t forget! A pound of dog or cat food will be donated to The Pet Project for every comment left on the blog between now and Thursday, December 17!

P.S. I have a long list of favorite holiday songs myself, and while I can’t pick just one, this one is definitely towards the top.

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thursday thanks: holiday spirit | pounds per comments

I LOVE the holiday season – and with ten years of working in retail under my belt, that says a lot!! Every year I get swept up in the first snowfall, the twinkle lights on neighborhood homes, the plethora of must-watch Christmas movies, and the music. (Yep, I love me some Christmas tunes.) Call me crazy, but I even enjoy the satisfaction of finding a gift I know someone will love…and I love wrapping Christmas presents. Of course, I completely blame my parents (and grandparents) for this crazy-Christmas love, as the winter holidays of my childhood were always filled with a sense of magic.

Now, I’m not saying I’m immune to the holiday stresses, or that every year is filled with picture-perfect holiday memories, but I will say that I find it darn near impossible to be a Scrooge this time of year, and for that I am incredibly thankful.

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Inspired by the fantastic Gina Zeidler (of Zeidler Photography), this year I hope to spread some extra holiday cheer by participating in an animal friendly version of Cans for Comments.

Here’s how it works…

  • Today through December 17th, I will donate one pound of dog or cat food for every comment left on this blog.*
  • Comments can be left on any post on the blog.
  • All food donations will go to The Pet Project, a Twin Cities organization dedicated to helping people keep their pets by providing pet food and basic supplies to those who are struggling.

Please help make a difference for those in need this holiday season by leaving lots of comments in the next week!

Lucky_Mutt_Photography_112909_002

*As much as my heart wishes I could donate endless amounts of food to these pets and people in need, my pocketbook requires a ceiling. This year the maximum amount of food I will be able to donate is 100 lbs. Thank you!

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