Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe that today is the first day of a whole new year, a whole new decade. 2009 just flew by… I started my photography business in February and my year was filled with so many amazing clients, adorable dogs, smiles, laughter, and a lot of fun. Thank you all for your unbelievable support… for inviting me into your lives and trusting me to capture your memories. I feel very lucky. Blessed. And if 2010 is even half as successful, I will be happy.
Reminiscing about the past year, I thought it’d be fun to have a little contest. I chose my favorite image from each of my pet sessions this year (that is, 46 dog sessions + 1 cat session!). That is only half true… for most of the sessions I couldn’t choose my very favorite, so I made Kev choose for me. It was tough! So I want you to choose your most FAVORITE of my favorites. Yes, you can choose your own image. And send your friends and family to choose your own. All you have to do is leave a comment with your favorite…
Contest will go until January 10 at midnight and the owner of the favorite image will be awarded an 8×12 print of the selected image!
Thank you again for a fabulous year! Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2010!!
1. Cash
2. TJ
3. Angus
4. Atticus
5. Bebe
6. Geno
7. Bentley (Pug)
8. Bentley (Yellow lab)
9. Jewels
10. Tristan
11. Butler
12. Dexter
13. Thor
14. Cody
15. Millie
16. Maggie (Pug)
17. Diggity
18. Lucy (Black lab)
19. Derby
20. Jersey Girl
21. Kaili
22. Lilly
23. Lucy (English cocker spaniel)
25. Molly (Sheltie)
26. Molly (Boston terrier)
27. Baxter
28. Otis
29. Maggie (Shih tzu/Bichon)
30. Riley
31. Sydney
32. Sam
33. Sierra
34. Rocky
35. Swagger
36. Phillie
37. Jackpot
38. Duke
39. Agassi
40. Toby
41. Dash
42. Vida
43. Ziggy
44. Presley
45. Timo
46. Molly (Chihuahua)
47. Clifford
Murphy Dog Studios - Wow April, this is an absolutely stunning portfolio of images from 2009. Well done.
My favorite is the one that I got a major connection with immediately. Now this was a hard choice because all these images are so aesthetically and technically wonderful.
#8. It totally makes me feel like I have known Bentley for years.
My other favorites are (in no certain order)
#12
#16 (one of the better “foot” images I have seen)
#18
#20
#22
#26
#38
#40
#41 (small dogs are really hard and this one is great)
Really great work. Can’t wait to see what you do in 2010.
– Rob
ashley folkema - Wow! What a year you have had. 🙂 Your work is just….ah!
becky - I love all of them…but something about jersey girl makes me smile really BIG!
jason - i love millie
Stephanie - They are all amazing but I have to go with Duke of course!
AmandaD - Congrats April- what an amazing year! 2 Viazslas…….I think I will go with Toby 🙂
Christina - Absolutely beautiful images! Love your blog! Thanks for sharing!
Tanya Sharkey - Wonderful April!!!
Zoe - My beautiful Jewels, of course! I love that shot too.
gingela5 - Agassi! There’s just something about his “They went THAT way” look that I love!
Emilee - This was really hard because all of your images are AMAZING! I finally decided to go with #34 of Rocky. I LOVE it! You captured such a sweet moment. 🙂
Nicole Shank - All of these shots are incredible, but I can only narrow them down to three. Cash, Lucy the cocker spaniel, and Swagger are my favorites!
Nicole Shank - I forgot about Thor. I love Thor’s pics too! ahh too hard! they are all so good!
Nick - My vote goes for Agassi #39
Donna - As a lab owner and lover, I have to go with #42, Vida
Li - I love the Sheltie and the Yorkie. But they’re all fabulous. What a fun and crazy year right? So glad to have met you!
Molly Uehling - We of course have to say that our baby boy Tristan’s picture #10 should win (although we love them all), during that picture April, you made a bird noise and he looked right at the camera like “what was that?” I love it. Thanks.
Caitlin - I love #10 of Tristan!
Sarah - I can’t pick just one! i love #4 – Atticus and #41 – Dash…
Tim Uehling - I have to pick #10 also… We love the shots you took of him.
claire - WOW have you had a fabulous year!
happy new year + here’s to 2010!
Rose - Oh, this post made me laugh so hard and I gave it already to my friends! 😀 Wonderful images, starting with the first one that I absolutely love the perspective and ending with the cat! Since I am a cat lover, have to go with Mr. Clifford! 😀
Zach - They are all wonderful but my vote is for Jewels!
Christy - That’s tough. You have so many GREAT pics! My faves were Geno, Bentley, Thor, Agassi, Sydney, Dash & Clifford.
My vote goes to Geno!!! There’s something about that clown like face that I just LOVE!
Amy - #9, JEWELS!!!
Tim - #12 Dexter!!!
Sandi - #13 Thor all the way!
megan v - #8 of course! 🙂
Lisa - #8 Bentley is a cutie!
Becky Serpe - My vote goes to the handsome stud in #7! Bentley the pug 🙂 Cool idea april! I love all these pictures – they are beautiful!
Sarah - #13 Thor is my personal favorite. I also really like #8 Bentley (Yellow Lab), #42 Vida, and #47 Clifford, but they are all great.
Holly N - # 13 Thor!!!Handsome and Regal!
Donna O'Brien - I love TJ
Melissa Jaworowski - I vote for #13, Thor!!!! What an awesome dog!!!
Richie - Thank you for capturing Jewels (#9) at her best..your work is magnificent, gorgeous and entertaining, showing it is possible to combine the two qualities.
Megan Morris - My vote goes to my dog-nephew Tristan! #10
Hull - 9. Jewels – love that ‘ol girl. LET THE BALOGNA RULE!
Peggy Mendte - Love the picture of my grandpuppy Tristan! #10!
Kimberly - My vote is for Thor! He is the most beautiful dane ever!
kelly g - I have to go with 40! LOVE the light, comp, everything. So pretty.
Jackpot's Mom - I love Agassi, #39. It was wonderful to have met you and I hope this upcoming year will bring tons of success to your business. Keep up the good work!
Rachel - #9 – Jewels. So adorable!! They’re all really cute, though!
Rachel - #13 Thor, he’s so handsome!!! although #39, agassi is a close second!
Marisa - #39 Agassi ALL THE WAY!
Thomas Jaworowski - My vote is for Thor, #13.
Ben - They are all great pictures. But, I’m gonna have to go with #39 Agassi since he is my dog.
Bob Mendte - The pictures of Tristan are really nice, he’s a great dog. So, #10.
Meredith - I have to vote for what I feel is one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen, #10 Tristan. I love all of the photos of the adorable puppies.
Eliza & Patrick Savage - We love Jewels!! Our favorite without a shadow of a doubt is #9!!
Great photos.
Eliza & Patrick
Concetta - I love all your photos…if I had to pick just 1, I will go with TJ.
Looking forward to seeing what you have to show us in 2010:)
Mary - #22! of course 🙂
Julie - Thor #13 is my favorite!
CarolynFarino - # 46 Mandy & Molly! I love this picture
Nancy - #32 – my Sam of course!! My second choice is Agassi. That’s awesome!
Jane Cole - Love Molly & Mandy; I vote for #46.
Jen - They’re all so great, buuuuut I’m going to have to go with #11
Thomas - #41 is my favorite!
Louise and Marc - #9 Jewels is a hoot with an attitude
Jen - My vote is for Clifford (#47) of course 🙂 My second favorite is Dash (#41).
Michelle - #47–Clifford is a very handsome boy–love the look on his face!!
Kathy VanderVeur - Hello! My favorite photo for the contest is Clifford the cat! #47
Emily - #34 Rocky. BUT wow, these are all BEAUTIFUL!! You had such an awesome year!! Happy New Year, April!
Kim - My vote is for Clifford! Wonderful photographs!
Lindsey Rinker - #11 is soooo cute!
Carl H. - #13 Thor – great picture – great dog.
Sarah - I have to vote for my handsome boxer, Presley (#44), but Thor and Swagger are my other two favorites!
sam - #9 jewels!
Brian E - Gotta go with #44, my Presley! That tounge is amazing! Nice shot!
Gerri - Love the photo of Clifford (Cliffy). He’s one cool cat! 🙂
aliscia - Butler #11 is soo cute.
Lyon Goultiex - My favorite was #10 – Tristan
howard valentine - #11 – Butler
Mary - and I LOVE #43, ziggy had the cutest most sincere little face I have ever seen…so sweet.
Rick Eckert - #44…Presley!!!!
sheri - #11 – Butler please!
dee - Thor is my fave! lucky #13!!!!
JP - #15
Susan Miller - Just gotta love Molly #46! They have my vote.
Your work is awesome.
Kelley - Thor- The coolest Great Dane ever!!!!!
Wendy - They are all very adorable but Butler is my favorite.
Melissa - I left my comments for THOR under his other photo… I hope that was right
Lori - #46 Molly
Sarah - #41 – Dash
Sandi - My Little Molly (#26)!!
Tracy - Boston Terrier #26! She is so sweet!
Sandra - Dash #41!!
Stefanie - I vote for # 11 -Butler!!!
sarah collins - all beautiful pics, but #11 butler is the best!
Nikki - Butler! He’s got the “how you doin'” look on his little face. So cute!
Adam C - #11 Butler
Krista - Ok I should be bias and vote for my Swagg-Man! But I love the picture of Dash!!! Sorry Swagg!
Michael - Butler #11 AMAZING
Andrea L. - Butler! #11
jbenedetto - ALL dogs are awesome! But #11 Butler is the awesomest (besides my guy Valentino)!
If dogs could actually talk I think Butler would be saying in that photo “Pick me!”
Heather Bianchini - I love ALL of these dogs, however I have to go with Butler (#11) because he is so handsome 🙂
Andy Duffy - #11 Butler
Dexter - #12 Dexter, my nephdog and the handsomest guy ever!!!
janice Uehling - Picking all the prints of tristan was so fun – I have to vote for him! #10
Gwynne - Agassi, #39, has been and always will be the best.
melissa swartley - Although I am partial to pugs….I love the picture of Bulter #11 !
Tim @ Lorie Kelly - As you would guess we are a little partial to #35 Swagger. With that being said all your pictures are great.
DENISE - 15 Millie !!!!!!!!!!!!! We love her :::))))
Lien - Millie has my vote.
MARYANN SWEENEY - #15 mILLIE
gina fellona - Millie #15 is without a doubt the best picture up there!!! So so cute!!! Let’s go Millie and here’s to wishing Mommy and Daddy good luck in their future endevours too:))))
Amanda - I LOVE MILLIES PICTURE!!!!!!!!! #15
Kate Fetscher - #15 Millie Love how she asked “mom” to marry “dad”
Ellen White - My very favorite was MILLIE— Just too cute. I know I’d marry her if she asked— She’s a real winner—–
Jeannine Streeter - #15 How awesome is this!!!!
michele - #15 millie has to win
z - #15
Stephanie - We love #15 Millie
jackie kelso - i vote for millie……
Kathleen - Millie #15
Michele - How cute is #15 Millie??!!!!!!
katie Uehling - I have to pick my neph-dog Tristan! He’s the cutest pup-muffin ever! #10!!!
Mike Jaggers - #10 Tristan gets my vote.
Mel - I love #35, Swagger! He has his little paw stepping out showing that he’s got that “swagger” in his step.
Teresa - #15 millie
Kathy - #15. What a cute way to propose.
karen connor - vote for tristan #10 your photos are amazing
Lijo George - I vote for #10 Tristan
Rini Montgomery - #10 Tristan!!!! He’s so cute and so loved by his mommy and daddy 🙂
Cheryl - Millie is the best!
Dee - Krista….How dare you??? Off to the naughty chair! Swagger all the way!! #35
Debbie - #15 Millie what is wrong with u people Millie is by far the most adorable dog in this contest!!
Karen - #10 is my pick!! Tristan defines regal…and you do a wonderful job of capturing that!
Stacia - Although all the photos are stunning, my vote is for #10 Tristan. He is not only beautiful but an amazing dog as well. Tristan all the way!!!!
Doug - Millie #15.
Janet - Millie #15
Linda Larosa - #10 Tristan adorable
Mia Antonelli - I vote for #10!
Marianne Rullo - I vote for Millie #15 – adorable!!!
Maggie - 14 and 2 are my favorites
candy - #15 – Millie
regina bromley - # 15
Michelle Scharff - April, thank you for such an amazing job this summer! You captured everyone’s personality PERFECTLY. They are memories I will treasure forever…. My vote goes to my very first bulldog who has the most caring soul of any dog I have ever known! He is truly one of a kind and will always hold a very special place in my heart for MANY reasons… He makes his parents and grandparents very proud every single day. #4, Mr. Atticus Carpathia Finch…
Kathy Scharr - #15 is my favorite, what a great way to propose.
Leah Mc - #4 Atticus Finch, of course 🙂
Sarah - Okay…i’ve decided # 4 Atticus! That was tough!!!
Donna O'Malley - Butler was my favorite – he looks so proud and content!!!!
Tom Battiste - #4 Atticus Finch
Patrick - Voting for number 4 Atticus.
B Mack - As if there was a choice!! #15 Millie!!!!!!!
Gina T. Weinman - I vote for #4 Atticus.
Leigh Ann - #4 atticus is my fav. what a classic.
grace - #15 millie is the best
harry - millie #15 she is a sweety
grace - #15 millie is the best
harry - millie is a sweety
J Mc - Not that I’m biased by my absolute love of bullies, but #4, Atticus. Hands down. Look at that DROOL!
Patty - What a way to propose! Just have millie (15) help ask for Nick’s hand in marriage!
dominique - definitely #4 Atticus Finch!
greer zellers - Love the bulldog Atticus
Carolynn - #4 Atticus-Because his mommy is the best!
Lauren - My favorite is #4…can’t get enough of that Bull Doggy drool :o)
Terry S - hello all! gotta love the drool and the cuteness for #4 – Atticus Finch – he’s my guy!
sabine - I love #10!!!!
ROSE DALESSANDRO - WELL, I LOVE #15 Millie, its absolutly unique.
Nick W - Gotta go with Swagg and them big ol’ ears. #35
Katie - Geno of COURSE! but after a Good Geno Steak, I would have to say Riley( Love the pink) and Swagger!
Louise Haas - I vote for # 4 Atticus Finch
Alexis Abate - #10 Def. Tristan is the best…and that picture is way too cute!
Gina Marie - #4 Atticus…gotta love that face!!
Fallon Link - # 15… millie…definately!!!
Margaret Kline - #4 Aticus!
Leigh - Vote for #4: Atticus – Love the bully drool 🙂
Beth - I vote for #4: Atticus. ADORABLE!
Debbie - #4 Atticus Fitch
tommy mcfarland - #15 Millie is there really any contest?
Julie McCollum - #15 Millie hands down she is by far the cutest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Denise Peters - #15 Millie gets my vote!
emerson - I think Atticus is great what a beautiful and loving dog i enter my vote for Atticus
Frank - #4: Atticus Finch
melissa - vote for # 15 adorable
Rocco - #15 Millie, you know how we get down!!
Jordan - #4 atticus!!!
Brian - Millie is the best #15
Broad St. Bully - #15 The will you marry me mommy shirt is classic! Millie
Deneen - Luv you Millie!!! #15
Christina - Butler #11
Debra - i want to vote for Butler number 11.
Lillian Moser - #11 Butler
Danielle Jones - 11
Ann - Butler #11
tim shields - I like #11 nice dog, hot chick
Kelsey Brown - #11 Butler so cute 🙂
Steven K - I vote for #15 Millie
Amy - Atticus #4, love the drool!! 🙂
Anthony C - Vote for #4 –
Clayton McDowell - They are all adorable, but in my opinion #15 should take the prize!!
Jennifer Youngers - #15 is the best.
c patter - # 15 is by far the cutest!
LINDA - MILLIE FROM SOUTH PHILLY!!!
Tim N - #4 Atticus-that picture is amazing!!!!
RANDI - Millie #15 all the way x0x00x0
MIKE - millie needs to win this!!!!
doug - millie aka “da millster”
liz - millie…….she is the reason we picked you to be our photographer at our wedding!!!
jw - millie…….who doesn’t love this chubby puppy!!
Michele - I vote for Millie #15
Jennifer - Atticus…#4 What a great picture…love the drool!
vicki - I vote for millie #15
Christine - I vote for Millie #15! She’s so sweet! These are great photos!
Frank - Millie is the bomb!!! #15
victoria c - I love Millie!!! #15
victoria - I vote for millie #15
Mike - I am going with #15 . Millie is quite the pet. I would like to take her crabbing one day.
Kim Heim - #46 Molly was my fav !
HOLLY - Millie #15 is THE BEST!!!! did she say yes???
Cheryl - Clifford #47 is a Purrrr-fect kitty! The picture reflects his personality so well!
Tricia - All the pictures are awesome, you know I love your work! But what kind of mother would I be if I didn’t vote for Kaili, #21!!! If only she wore Millie’s cute shirt when she helped Evan propose! Thanks April 🙂
Lauren - Kaili, #21. Paws down.
Tim - Tristan #10!
Mary kate maloney - Millie of course # 15
Ken - # 15 Millie
agnes - #15
Jen - Definitely #21!
Great pics!
patrick - my votes for #11 Butler
Adam - I vote # 10
mr. hand - #10 tristan
Mercadies Brown - TRISTAN NUMBER TEN IS GORGE0OUS…. definately a true winner.
Brent - Tristan number ten sooooo cuteee!!!!!!!!!!
tommy tucker - Tristan number ten!!!!
Steel City Vizsla - Love, love Swagger. What a great shot of such a lovely puppy. Thanks for all the great dogs and one cat.
Bill S. - #4 Atticus Finch (love the dripping slobber)
Kristin - Yeay for #10! Tristan is such a sweet lil doggie <3
Darla Mirenda - tristan
Dina Handwerk - My favorite is #4 Atticus.
Laura Imbesi - #4 Atticus Finch!! Love the drool!!
Barbara Kahn - All of the pictures are terrific but Atticus Finch #4 wins the prize in my book! Go Atticus!!!
gl zellers - #4 Atticus Finch- WOW
John Ennis - #4 Atticus Finch
jeannie - i vote for tristan, #10… so cute.
kim - #10 tristan. what a love.
anne - #10 Tristan. cool looking dog. great shot.
tim - #10 tristan all the way.
pat - tristan #10
sharon - i like 10 the best. tristan.
laurette - aw! 10. i like tristan.
missymazza@att.net - 10 is a 10! tristan
justin - tristan,10.
christina - tristan #10! thanks!
tracy - tristan!!!! so cute!
elizabeth - i vote for #10.
larry - 10 tristan
dawn - tristan #10
robyn - tristan 10
Anushka - tristan
laura - 10 tristan
lsjaro - tristan is the best one.
husna - 10 tristan is my vote
Lucas - 10 tristan
sara - tristan 10
mario - tristan 10!!!!!!!
lea - tristan is my vote.
lisa - tristan gets my vote.
Cheryl Mezger - Beautiful pictures, but the most amazing is Tristan!! #10
Good Luck Tristan!
jenica - the picture of tristan is just darling. i vote for 10.
liz - i like tristan #10
laura - i vote for #10
megan - Tristan! my doggy nephew! love him! love the picture!
bob - tristan #10
bobby v - #10 dog is cutest pic.
maureen - oooh! i love tristan. how cute!
peter - i vote for tristan.
emma - i love the intensity of tristan’s stare, so i have to go with 10. great capture! all of the pictures are amazing.
Stephanie - Cash! To me, its hands down the most memorable shoot of yours 🙂
Lisa L. - I love #4
Meghan - #10 Tristan….He is so ADORABLE!
Bruce McCutcheon - #4 Atticus C. Finch
Cheryl Scharff - The most handsome bulldog who is very special
Susan - #11 is it!
lisa - #21 Kaili!
Emily West - I vote for #10 Tristan, so cute.
Tara - #11 Butler is ADORABLE!!!
Maureen - I love them all but choose Millie#15 as the best! Love the t-shirt!
Donna Kubicky - #15 Millie is a sweetheart!
Nick - This vote is for Millie!
OD - #11, WOW WE WE WOW! BUTLER is FABULOUS! Can I also get the BEAUTIFUL ladies number behind that JAWDROPPING BUTLER!
Sandi - #41 Dash!
Carey - #11
Lindsay Cavanaugh - Butler #11
Greg Pocius - They are all great, but Butler #11 is the best!!!
Jamie Jaggers - I vote for #10, I love my buddy Tristan!
patti - # 4..Atticus is great!
gwen - #11, butler is, by far, the cutest thing that i have ever seen
Beth - I vote for #9 jewels
Nicole - #11 – Butler- what a cutie!!!
Leslie - Dexter! He’s so handsome =) Great work with everyone’s pictures though! My 2nd favorite is #8, Bentley.
Angus & Robyn - #3 Mr. Angus McBeef!!! I think the bumble bee deserves all the credit for this picture. I guess we were in the right place at the right time. Thanks again April for the awesome photo shoot!! 🙂
Ellen White - I have to vote for number 8—- Great black and White and very candid
Ben - #9!
Janice - I love #7 of father and son. Says Tommycole!!!
mark ormand - #11- Butler. And I like the gal in the background as well… she pretty.