West Oak Dog Photography

06/03/2026

Okay, but can we talk about these details?

The texture.
The frame.
The way the light hits the canvas.

This is the Guild Canvas, and it is one of my favorite ways to turn a portrait of the dog you love into something you actually get to enjoy every single day.

Because yes, the session is fun.

Yes, the head tilts are important.

And yes, I will absolutely make ridiculous noises to get the expression.

But this? This is where it all comes together.

The Guild Canvas is made for:
* That one portrait you cannot stop looking at
* A wall that needs something meaningful
* A home that deserves more than digital clutter
* The chapter with your dog you never want to forget

Hand-brushed acrylic, a handmade frame, and all the tiny finishing details that make it feel special before it ever reaches your wall.

This is not just “getting photos taken.”

This is turning the dog you love into handcrafted art for your home.

And honestly? I love that part just as much as the session.

05/30/2026

Mojo understood the assignment.

Be himself.
Have fun.
Let me catch the good stuff as it happened.

Mojo was ridiculously photogenic during his session, but what I loved most was how much personality he brought to it.

That is the whole point of The Dogs of Ann Arbor.

Not perfect manners.
Not perfect posing.
Just the dogs we love, exactly as they are.

I have 10 spots left for the book, and I need your help finding the final dogs.

Tag someone who loves their dog and lives in, loves, or has a connection to Ann Arbor.

Share this with someone whose dog should be included.

Apply now if the dog you love belongs in the book.
https://www.westoakphotography.com/dogs-of-ann-arbor-book

Registration is $200, with $100 donated to the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

Help me fill these last 10 spots.

05/29/2026

Meet Flash & Grover, two of the dogs featured in The Dogs of Ann Arbor. ❤️

The Dogs of Ann Arbor is a 2026 coffee table book celebrating local dogs and raising $3,000 for the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

I photographed these two Shih Tzus for the project, and their session had the kind of moments I love: movement, curiosity, grass under their feet, and their people close by, laughing along with them.

It was plain to see how much Flash and Grover are loved.

That is the heart of this project for me. Not perfect poses. Not dogs who know exactly what to do. Just the dog you love, with all the little in-between moments that make this chapter worth remembering.

Their Ann Arbor story is a special one, too. It’s where Grover was found before joining the family, and now both Flash and Grover will have their own page in the book.

There are just 10 spots left in the project. If you’ve been thinking about applying, this is the time.

https://www.westoakphotography.com/dogs-of-ann-arbor-book

05/21/2026

Cash is 13, sweet as pie, and very aware that the camera loves him.

This darling senior gentleman showed up for his Dogs of Ann Arbor session ready to sniff the grass, work his angles, and quietly prove that older dogs have a kind of magic all their own.

His owner told me Cash was adopted at age 9 after a heartbreaking start. He had been left behind when his former family moved, and by the time help arrived, he was in terrible shape. But Cash? He chose love anyway.

He is gentle. He is calm. He is friendly with everyone. And yes, he was an absolute ham for his session.

That’s exactly why I wanted The Dogs of Ann Arbor to exist.

Not every story is loud. Some stories walk slowly through the grass, pause for a sniff, look up with soft eyes, and remind us that love is still worth choosing.

I have 11 spots left for The Dogs of Ann Arbor, a limited coffee table book project raising $3,000 for the Humane Society of Huron Valley

Registration is $200, with $100 donated to HSHV.

Sessions are currently taking place through August, with the possibility of extending into September.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to celebrate the dog you love, this is it.

Learn more and apply here:
https://www.westoakphotography.com/dogs-of-ann-arbor-book

05/13/2026

“My dog won’t sit still.”

I hear this all the time before sessions.

Here’s the good news: your dog does not need a perfect sit-stay to have beautiful portraits. I work at their pace, keep things relaxed, and look for the quirks, movement, and expressions you already love.

I wrote a new post about what actually happens when your dog is wiggly, distracted, shy, or full of opinions.

Read it here: https://www.westoakphotography.com/blog/what-if-my-dog-wont-sit-still-for-photos

05/11/2026

May Breed of the Month applications are open!

This month, I’m looking for one local German Shepherd to feature with West Oak Dog Photography.

The selected dog will receive:
• A gifted Signature Session — $200 value
• A $350 artwork credit toward handcrafted artwork
• Personalized planning for their session
• A private image reveal
• No minimum order requirement

I’m not looking for perfection. I’m looking for personality.

The dog who has opinions.

The dog who keeps an eye on everything.

The dog who is equal parts loyal, goofy, watchful, and deeply loved.

And if you’re already thinking, “My dog would never sit still for this,” please don’t worry.

We go at their pace. I don’t need a trained dog to capture the personality you love.

Applications are open now for May!

Apply at:
www.westoakphotography.com/breed-of-the-month

*Sessions will take place within the greater Ann Arbor area, so applicants should be able to travel here for their session.

05/10/2026

Happy National Dog Mom’s Day 🤍

To the women who plan their days around walks, keep treat crumbs in their coat pockets, and know exactly which look means “one more snack, please” — today is for you.

The love you share with the dog you love is not small. It’s part of your daily rhythm, your home, and your story.

Celebrate it.
Take the long walk.
Print the photo.
Get in the frame.

Make space for this chapter to live somewhere more meaningful than your camera roll.

Because these days you share — the muddy paws, the soft head tilts, the familiar way they look for you — are the moments that deserve to be remembered.

Your story matters. And it deserves to be captured with intention.

Happy Dog Mom’s Day to every woman loving her dog with her whole heart. 🐾

05/07/2026

I couldn’t help it, I had to share more photos from my colouriffic session with Teddy from earlier this week! While my husband and I were scouting out locations, I discovered this flower mural right in downtown Brighton and the stunning sunset scene in Howell. I am excited for all the new places I’ll discover around my home because of this challenge!!

05/07/2026