And here begins my first post for 2015 – aptly named Intoduction.
An introduction is a wonderful way to start both the new year and the Beautiful Beasties Pet Photography Project 52.

We can start with me briefly, I’m Tara and I live in the Waikato Region on the North Island of New Zealand.
I’ve been making photographs for the last 16 or 17 years – learning as I go both traveling and underwater.  I’ve sold images and been published in a collection by New Zealand Geographic and I’m still refining, still learning.
Through Pet Photography I have met some amazing people, heard the most wonderful stories and shed more than a couple of tears. In the past year, I’ve travelled the North Island introducing New Zealand to Pet Photography and I can’t wait to see what 2015 brings.

But let’s talk about the most important creatures in my life for a little while. And their myriad of nicknames.
How they can work out who I am talking about is beyond me – but they know!

Napoleon James Dynamite – Napoleon, Popo, Meowser, Fatty Boom Boom, BlopBlop.

He’s been with me since he was 5 weeks old, a tiny little kitten in need of medication and food – and someone to love him. 10 years later, all he needs is a spot in the sunshine and for me to make sure the hounds don’t bark at him. Oh and for me to turn the bathroom tap off when he’s finished drinking from it. I cheated with his photograph – he has the pip with me and I daren’t ask him to do anything!

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Nixie Tilda Lix – Nixie Lix, Nix, Nixxles, Pixie Lick, Bubblebutt, Face, Pixels.

She makes my day, every day. Head strong and a bit bossy but she’s also sweet and loving. Nix is my first dog and I feel I hit it rich. 2014 was a bit sucky as we found a fibrosarcoma growing on her back but with a good vet, a little surgery and now a raw food diet to keep the inflammation that cancer so loves away, we have high hopes for simple maintenance and no more lumps and bumps. This girl has frisbee competitions and possibly Pooch Racing to win!

Nixie-tarasutherland

Django Mako Lix – The Barking Shark, DjMako, Bango B, BWay, Browntown, Little Dude, Puppup.

Our latest addition – my partner Ken’s dog. He’s been anything but plain sailing however after being picked up as a mange ridden malnurished fleabag at 5 weeks old by Auckland Puppy Rescue, he deserves someone, us, who will give him time, training and love. He has a recall like nothing I have ever seen and is the cuddliest heart beat in our home. Everyday things get better for him and thats awesome, cos we have a whole lot of days left.

Django-tarasutherland

Project 52 is a weekly circle project so from here, use the following link to hop over and visit Barking Lab Studio, New Jersey dog photography and keep visiting the other blogs until you end up back here.

Have a great weekend everyone – and Happy New Year! x