The Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch has been on my photo session location wish list for years. I always offer it up for pet, family and high school seniors sessions alike, but nobody chose it until I met Rhiana, Steven and Scooby. The Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch is located at Gussie Field Watterworth Park off Valley View Lane in the city of Farmers Branch, a suburb centrally located in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex. The garden was a gift to the City in honor of Ruthan Rogers, a rose enthusiast and past president and member of the Brookhaven Garden Club and the Dallas Rose Society, and it didn't disappoint. The entire garden was in bloom, so hence the title of this post; "Scooby in bloom".
Senior Canine Citizen Scooby And His Million Dollar Smile
It was May 1st, a sunny, gorgeous Sunday morning in the metroplex when I met Rhiana, Stephen and their 14-year-old senior yellow lab, Scooby and the entire rose garden was in bloom. There was color everywhere. It was a portrait photographer's dream come true. Roses in so many colors, climbing up trellis, long grasses with texture, large-leafed plants, gah, so much beauty I had to pause to take it all in order to develop a very specific plan for the session because I could have easily spent two or three hours photographing there and Scooby had a date with a mid-morning nap that he did not want to miss.
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Rhiana wanted color in their family portraits and boy did we get color. The blooming flowers made the perfect backdrop to Scooby's mellow yellow fur color. The Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch is a public park so we encountered a number of people (and dogs) during the session and Scooby wanted to meet every one of them. Stephen told me that Scooby loves everyone and therefore he just assumes that everyone will love him too and he's not wrong. People see his face and wagging tail and they're magnetically drawn to him. There is nothing to not love about Scooby, he is truly a once-in-a-lifetime dog.
Scooby's had a few health problems in his golden years, but he's shouldered the treatments with style and grace making him a favorite among the veterinary staff, so much so that Rhiana and Steve ordered them a print of their own as when they heard he had a professional pet portrait session scheduled, they exclaimed "We're going to need Scooby merch"!
All Around The Pet Photography Blog Circle
We're spotlighting recent sessions this week in the pet photography blog circle so let's head on over to Courtney Bryson, the dog photographer behind CM Bryson Photography, photographs, not one, but two miniature bernedoodles in Atlanta's iconic Piedmont Park and then continue clicking on the link at the bottom of each post until you land right back here and then you will have completed the circle.
Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography is a Certified Professional Photographer with the organization Professional Photographers of America; a designation held by fewer than 2,000 photographers nationwide and a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry and professionalism. Photographing senior pets is one of the most meaningful types of sessions that Tracy does, whether it's when you first start seeing gray on their muzzle, or closer to the end when your time together is limited, don't wait. I've never had a client tell me they regretted being photographed with their pet, only that they waited too long to do so.
Penny Whistle specializes in both on-location and studio photography providing pet, equine, family, couples & engagement and high school senior portraits as well as corporate headshots and commercial photography services in her studio located in historic downtown Carrollton as well as on location in Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, Flower Mound and surrounding communities in Dallas – Fort Worth, Texas.
11 Comments
Jun 18, 2022, 4:15:08 PM
Linda Perdue - Beautiful! Love all the wonderful color to surround your subjects! Glad someone finally took you up on the offer to photograph here!
Jun 17, 2022, 10:22:56 PM
Jessica Ramirez - These pictures came out great! I love the color and composition!
Jun 17, 2022, 6:19:20 PM
Jemma - These photos are gorgeous, so full of love and beautiful flowers.
Jun 17, 2022, 3:46:54 PM
Courtney - What s a beautiful location! I love all the flowers 🌸
Jun 17, 2022, 2:32:10 PM
Elaine - I absolutely love this location, and that last photo is a JOY! Good boy Scooby!
Jun 17, 2022, 1:05:39 PM
Holly - Everyone needs a Scooby in their life. What a great dog. What an amazing location!
Jun 17, 2022, 12:32:29 PM
Darlene - These are amazing, Tracy! What a beautiful spot for this session - love the pop of color. Scooby is stunning. Love the last image with mom and dad :) We would ALL love some Scooby "merch"!!!
Jun 17, 2022, 12:06:08 PM
Nicole - awww, I love the seniors. These are so colorful and beautiful.
Jun 17, 2022, 11:36:25 AM
Angela Schneider - Aw, what a sweet old man. I love that first image. His eyes are so bright and happy.
Jun 17, 2022, 7:26:59 AM
Terri - I love the colourful photos and what a great choice of location!
Jun 17, 2022, 7:01:07 AM
Carol - Scooby deserves all the lovins'! And such a lovely location with that explosion of color at the rose garden.