Just thirty-two miles north of Dallas lies the city of McKinney. McKinney is the county seat of Collin County in north Texas and has the largest population after Plano and Frisco. All three cities are among the fastest-growing suburbs in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.
Thanks to a 21st-century network of east-west thruways like the George Bush and Sam Rayburn turnpikes, McKinney is a relatively easy 40-minute drive for me so I've been photographing there more often not only at Adriatica but also the CottonMill (a wonderfully old and authentic former mill building with exposed brick and character for days).
The history of McKinney dates back to 1841 when the area was first settled. Settlers arrived from Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee. McKinney was named after Collin McKinney, one of the people who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. His importance to the area is evident from not only the naming of the city, but also the county in which it resides.
It was on a recent scouting trip to the McKinney / Frisco / Plano area that I discovered Adriatica Village. Its architecture makes you feel as though you stepped into old-world Europe or the shores of Lake Como in Italy.
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Senior Pet Portrait Session at Adriatica Village
Adriatica Village has it all, including its own website! Modeled after a fishing village in Croatia, the 45-acre hamlet is in McKinney's Stonebridge Ranch development. The Village offers single-family residential homes and I've always wanted to do a pet portrait session there. When David contacted me about photos with his senior pup Sandy, we discussed lots of location ideas and he settled on Adriatica for his rustic appeal which would go well with his bachelor style.
Despite being fourteen (14) years old, Sandy is young at heart and clearly loves David. She wasn't too sure about the new location, but after we gave her some time to explore, sniff, and relax, she settled into the role of a supermodel.
Sandy's eyesight and hearing are failing her a bit, but she still knocked it out of the park during her session giving us some truly "Wonder Dog" poses in front of iconic locations like the stone bridge above and on the shores of the lake below.
Sandy's partial to pinks and purples, so I bought along some things from the studio to add a bit of femininity to the pastoral environment. David liked the purple bandana and the small rose collar complemented the big flower pots nicely. My handmade button collars are a client fave and I had the perfect one for Sandy's session.
Sandy always looked happiest when she was right next to David. Her silver muzzle and beautiful smile warmed my heart. I love photographing the seniors, Silver Sessions are so rewarding and an important milestone in the journey with your dog. Tomorrow is never guaranteed and you want to remember your pup like this; healthy, happy and living their best life with you.
We're talking new, favorite, and memorable locations today in the pet photography blog circle, so let's head on over to Niagara dog photographer Kim Learn from Two Saints Photography shares one of her most favourite locations for a pet photography session 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 Master Photographer and Certified Professional Photographer with Professional Photographers of America; a designation held by fewer than 2,000 photographers nationwide and a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry, and professionalism.
Penny Whistle specializes in both on-location and studio photography providing pet, equine, family, 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.