Photographing Louie: Why These Moments Matter
Gray hair, don’t care. At 14, Louie carries a face full of love, loyalty, and well-earned wisdom. The “Old Man” soaked up every bit of that late-summer, Oklahoma Golden Hour light. The Canon R6 Mark II and that buttery RF 28-70 f/2 L lens handled the job like pros — shot this at 61 mm, 1/250, ISO 100, wide open at f/2.
Louie is a good boy. The goodest of boys, in fact.
Old. Sweet. Tired, but still full of heart.
When his family reached out for a session, I had a feeling it was one of those sessions — the kind where the photos might carry a little more weight. Maybe they didn’t say it outright, but I knew. And I think they did too.
Of course he had to investigate, smell, and "mark” his territory at every location.
That’s the unspoken power of photography: sometimes, we capture what words don’t want to say.
“Even with the Oklahoma sunset trying to steal the show behind him, Louie still managed to shine — cute nub-of-a-tail, and all.”
It Wasn’t Just a Session
This wasn’t about outfits or Pinterest inspiration. It was about presence.
Louie, accompanied by “his human”, spent the evening enjoying the sunshine, the attention, and ear scratches.
With back legs that sometimes struggled to carry him, Louie soldiered on through the session. Rewarded by face scrunches and tons of “who’sa good boy?” And slobber — so much slobber!
No rush, no fuss — just a gentle time together.
We took our time. We let the moments breathe.
And in that quiet space, we captured something that will matter for years to come.
Why This Work Matters
Photography isn’t just about sharp focus or perfect lighting.
It’s about honoring moments — the ones that flutter by quickly, quietly, and sometimes unexpectedly.
This session with Louie reminded me how powerful that is.
A camera doesn’t just freeze time; it gives you something to hold when time keeps moving.
Not “Just a Dog”
Louie isn’t background scenery. He sure isn’t an accessory.
He is family.
This “Old Man” is a best friend, a foot-warmer, a couch guardian, a loyal listener. He is a presence in the room. And in this session, he took center stage — just as he should. Even with the Oklahoma sunset trying to steal the show behind him, Louie still managed to shine — cute nub-of-a-tail, and all.
A Gentle Nudge
If you’ve got a pet whose muzzle is getting a little grayer, whose steps are a little slower… don’t wait too long. Schedule the session.
And if you’re a photographer reading this — offer it. Be gentle. Be present. Be honored.
Sometimes the simplest photos become the most treasured.
