We all know how obsessed Mrs. Sizzle is with a dog in a car and Jenny Risher's photos fit the bill
Photo agent Lewis Van Arnam sent out one of his updates the other week with a new photographer that immediately caught my eye as there were multiple dogs in newsletter. As we all know I am a sucker for a dog in a car I immediately reached out to Jenny Risher. This is what I discovered:
WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHING DOGS?
I was invited to be a guest artist for a local Detroit Charity auction. The benefiting charity, Forgotten Harvest, helps many families and children in need. I thought it would be fun to create a series for kids.
"Go, Dog!" is a combination of three elements: our sons' favorite book,"Go, Dog. Go!" by P.D. Eastman, my admiration for dogs, and The Motor City's greatest love of all -the automobile.
DO YOU HAVE A DOG?
My husband and I visited a local dog shelter for over a year before we found Felix. On our last visit, the shelter's van had just returned from Alabama. Since the staff was familiar with us, we were invited to visit with the new arrivals. It was love at first sight- and a mixed breed, 7 month old pup named Felix, became part of our family. I often think about the incredible journey Felix had within that 24 hour day; leaving an Alabama kill shelter, traveling 14 hours in a small cage, meeting a strange new couple, and then falling alseep with his new forever family....What a day!
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT SHOOTING DOGS THAN PEOPLE?
Honestly, there isn't a difference to me in photographing dogs and people. With people you have to be patient - boost their confidence, and offer direction for posing. Well, for dogs- it's the same thing...I make noises to get their attention, given them positive praise, and position them for the photograph.
I give the same care and attention to a dog, as I do a person. I'm using the same intuitive skills of reading body language - I can tell if the dog has had enough, needs a break, wants a treat, feels relaxed, or happy.
WHERE DO YOU CAST THE DOGS YOU SHOOT AND WHAT'S THAT PROCESS LIKE?
For the "Go, Dog" series, I cast the dogs from friends and the wonderful worldwide web! I contacted local dog organizations to find specific breeds. It was important to me to pair the look of the dog, with the look of the car. I kept asking myself: "What kind of car would this dog drive?"
BESIDES DOGS WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO SHOOT?
Beside dogs, I love photographing portraits. I believe you can feel all the successes, struggles, loves, and losses through a person's eyes.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE KIND OF CAR?
My favorite car from the series is the Grey Mini Cooper and the Weimaraner. The owner of the dog, sat in the car with the Weimaraner. We were all laughing at the dog, because she was so
relaxed, and kept slumping over on to her owner, who was hiding behind the dog. I think in this image, the dog was thinking: "You humans are so silly".
I believe everything is captured in the eyes. If I don't feel a connection from the eyes, it's not a successful picture. My ultimate goal now, is to have this collection published in a book.
To get a peek of the BEHIND THE SCENES video of the making of the Dogs in Cars series click here.
