We Are The Cure Blog | Canine Cancer Information

This week’s spotlight is on another of our Smile for a Cure photographers – Kelly Schulze.  Kelly was the top fund raiser in the first Smile for a Cure promotion in 2011.

Smile for a Cure Bo and Delilah by Mountain Dog Photography

Name of business

Mountain Dog Photography in Monkton, Vermont

Favorite subjects to shoot

Animals of course! Wild and domestic animals provide a continuous challenge.

Are you exclusively a dog photographer or do you do other subjects?

I’ve photographed dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, a yak, chickens, llamas, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, snakes, and lizards for clients. For private clients though dogs seem to be the most popular subject. I shy away from the term “pet photographer” as many of my clients own livestock, which they don’t consider pets. I also photograph wildlife.

How did you become interested in photography?

I was always interested in photographing my own animals, even at a young age. My father is an avid amateur photographer and my grandfather was a professional photographer in the 1950’s and 1960’s. I studied a bit more in college, but the thought of becoming a professional animal photographer never even crossed my mind until after I graduated and realized that I needed to find a career that I loved. I did a lot of research and found that other photographers were specializing in animals, so I figured I could too.

Why did you chose to include dogs/pets in your business?

I had a lot of animals growing up – cats, dogs, rats, gerbils, hamsters, and horses. I volunteered at an animal shelter, attended an agricultural high school, majored in Animal Science in college, worked as a veterinary technician, and worked as a dairy records specialist and milk tester. I’ve worked with a wide range of animals my whole life… there was no “non-animal” option for my career. I left my dairy career a year and a half ago to go full time with photography.

Smile for a Cure Session for Charlotte Willis and Jack by Mountain Dog Photograph

Why did you join Smile for a Cure?

The first two dogs my family had, Tristan the golden retriever and Samantha the lab/golden mix, died within two weeks of each other from different cancers. Tristan had malignant melanoma and it was a fast moving, devastating disease. Samantha’s cancer was never diagnosed because by the time we knew she was sick, it was too late to treat her. Many of my clients know the same heartbreak. One in particular lost their beloved Hannibal, a sheltie, early last summer. He had about 3 weeks from diagnosis to the end of his life. I was very close to Hannibal and saw him often, so when the Smile program started last summer I wanted to find another way of honoring him. The Smile For a Cure program lets me use my talent to do some good. We all hope that cancer is eradicated, but easing the treatment process is just as important. I appreciate that the NCCF supports research to cure cancer and to find better treatments.

Tell us your favorite Smile for a Cure session story.

I photographed 3 Smile sessions with a total of 10 dogs. They were all such different sessions. Delilah and Bilbo were special because Delilah was Hannibal’s best friend. The family adopted Bilbo last summer and it was bittersweet because I wished more than anything that Hannibal was my model, but Bilbo had such infectious puppy energy and has helped Delilah heal. Charlotte, Jack Maroo, and Willis were special because Charlotte is a cancer survivor. She lost a front leg, but she doesn’t let it slow her down. One portrait of Jack from that session recently earned me a blue ribbon at a print competition. My last session was with 5 newfies; Neeka, Ruby, Sparrow, Marley, and Mr. Spatz. Neeka is the mother of the others and all are beautiful dogs with wonderful personalities. The day of their portrait session threatened to rain and dark clouds loomed overhead. We were able to get all 5 together, relatively drool free, for a beautiful family portrait. Just after I got “the” shot it started down pouring and we ran back to the van with all 5 dogs loping along.

5 Newfies all in a row by Mountain Dog Photography!

Canon or Nikon? Nikon D700. It’s been a workhorse and has never let me down. I also still shoot with various medium and large format film cameras. Film photography is my hobby.

Tell us about your dogs:

My husband, Ian, and I currently have a pack of 4 motley mutts. Our oldest and largest is Logan, a 5 year old great Pyrenees mix. Strangers are usually intimidated, but he’s a big teddy bear once he feels comfortable. Jackson is a 3 year old collieish mix. He loves agility and meeting other dogs. His motto is “strangers are friends I haven’t met yet”. JB is a 1.5 year old min pin. She’s 10 pounds of pure attitude, but she has her silly moments and is quite photogenic. Molly is our most recent addition, a 1.5 year old berner/aussie mix. She’s incredibly smart and motivated to learn. Last month we lost our beautiful German shepherd, Maple, so it still feels odd to have 4 dogs. Also under our care are 6 cats (Miss Kitty, Luci, Bink, Dorie, Masson, and Judy), and 30 laying hens.

The Mountain Dog Photography Pack

Contact information:

Kelly @ MountainDogPhotography.net
www.MountainDogPhotography.net
802-989-5707

The Smile for the Cure fund raiser is the brain child of Nunthany Johnson.  Two times a year, a group of photographers across the country donation 100% of their session fees to the NCCF.  Since Smile for a Cure started in 2011 it has raised $12,756 to fight canine cancer!

I would like to introduce you to all the Smile for a Cure photographers so, I thought there was no better place to start than with the organizer of this great fund raiser, Nunthany!

Georgia by Nunthany Johnson Photography

Name of business:  Nunthany Johnson Photography
Location:  North Carolina
Favorite subjects to shoot;  Dogs! (of course).  Horses, Nature.
Are you exclusively a dog photographer or do you do other subjects? mainly dogs ( allow a few cats from time to time. )

How did you become interested in photography?

I was the photographer for my high school newspaper (yes, a very long time ago!) and ever since then I’ve been hooked! I’ve always been interested in people’s stories and I think that’s part of what appeals to me so much about photography.  Its an opportunity to connect with someone (or something), learn about it, and then share it.  Its all consuming and has always been a form of expression for me. I love that its an ever changing craft and there is always more to learn and master.

Bruno by Nunthany Johnson Photography

Why did you chose to include dogs/pets in your business  /  Or make it your exclusive business.
It sort of happened by accident.  I started out using my own dog as a subject to practice different techniques or in different lighting situations. I ended up having so much fun with it that I decided to begin photographing dogs for other dog parents.  It was like a whole new world opened up!  I love that dogs are so open and real.  Photographing dogs is challenging and super fun all at the same time.  I love capturing how they just live in the moment and take things as they come.  One of the things I enjoy the most is connecting with other dog parents who appreciate the canine species and want to celebrate everything that’s special about having a dog.  It’s also very meaningful because I can combine my passion for photography with my love for animals and give people beautiful photographs that they are so grateful to have.

Louie by Nunthany Johnson Photography

Why did you join Smile for a Cure?

Smile for a Cure is very near and dear to my heart because I started it in honor of our wonderful dog Max who passed away from cancer in 2009.  Max was a wonderful dog, a good friend, and such an important part of our family. He had a contagious zest for life & taught us so much about living in the moment and really appreciating the simpler things in life.   I think many people can relate to the fact that losing a pet is like losing a member of the family.  I wanted to do something special not only to remember Max but also to raise awareness of cancer & better the odds for the other dogs and their families dealing with cancer.   What’s so great about this effort is that I’m now joined by pet photographers nationwide & we are all working together to make a difference in the lives of dogs with cancer and the people who love them.

Tell us your favorite Smile for a Cure session story. ( Tell me about a dog that touched your heart, or a funny behind the scenes story…)

Solow was the first Smile for a Cure dog.  He was a senior dog with lung disease and a pituitary tumor.  I was expecting a pretty mellow shoot…but not this guy! You wouldn’t know he had any problems.  He was happy as can be, just enjoying life in his great backyard with the rest of his pack (3 other dogs and 1 cat…who was a pack member but probably not by choice!:)).  It brought home for me just how much we can learn from dogs and their great attitude about life.  The other part that was so memorable was experiencing how Solow interacted with the kids in his family.  He was so gentle and loving with them.  He had several spots on his tummy, one of which was shaped like a heart. The kids told me that was there on purpose because Solow had such a big heart with lots of love to give.  It was so touching and beautiful to see how much they loved and respected their dog Solow.   After this first Smile shoot, I knew I could make a difference with Smile for a Cure!

Nunthany Johnson Photography

Canon or Nikon?  LOL

Nikon.  I shoot with a Nikon D700. My go to lens is typically the 28-70/2.8 when shooting dogs.  I also love to use my 50MM prime lens especially during closeup shots to get great shots of those expressive eyes!

Tell us about your dogs.

We have a wonderful family of rescued dogs that includes Scout, Toto, and Benji.  We love our guys so much! They bring so much happiness and fun to our lives.  Scout is our crazy little black poodle mix.  He’s super high energy and obsessed with one thing and one thing only:  THE BALL.  Toto is a shitzu mix (we found him running for his life on the interstate!) who enjoys cuddling, chewing on his bone and roughhousing with his older brother Scout. Toto is a registered therapy dog with Therapy Dog International and Scout is working on his certification.  We take both of them to visit with the elderly and children and we are so proud of their ability to bring a smile to everyone they meet.  Benji is our older wheaten terrier mix who can be a little cranky at times but tries his best to keep up with the younger guys.  When he’s not napping on his pet bed, he likes to run real fast from the top of the yard to the bottom.  They are all great dogs and a big part of our family.

Contact information:  www.nunthanyjohnson.com/blog