Philadelphia Portrait & Pet Photographer | April Ziegler Photography

About four years ago, Amy was looking for a puppy. She walked into the humane society convinced that she would not adopt a pit bull. She had heard the stories… all the misconceptions about pit bulls as a breed. She found him. Instantly, he had her heart. Still cautious, she went home and researched the breed for hours and hours. And she returned the very next day to take home her new puppy, her best friend, her american pit bull named Rocky…

Cute pup, cute shoes…

Love this. Love their bond…

At four months old, he sat in a high-kill shelter in South Carolina. Unwanted. A woman with a rescue organization scoured the shelter for dogs to rescue, but left without Derby and his littermates. But something made her change her mind and she returned to save Derby, his brother, and sister just 24 hours before they were scheduled to be euthanized. His brother and sister were quickly adopted but Derby remained. Unwanted, still. Until the day that Lauri and Mikey saw him online and instantly fell in love. Before they knew it they were on their way to the airport… driving through a snowstorm in the middle of the night, with nervous anticipation, to pick up the spunky new addition to their family. As soon as I met them for our session, I knew that Derby would never again know the feeling of being unwanted. He is so much more than wanted… he is totally and completely adored… 

To watch Derby’s adorably expressive slideshow, click HERE!

This series is one of my favorites… No words are needed to show how much joy Derby brings to their lives…

This was my first session photographing another photographer (well, another photographer’s dog), which admittedly is a bit nerve-wracking. Particularly when the photographer’s own wedding was shot by the one and only Jasmine Star. Lauri is a fabulous wedding photographer herself, so I am immensely flattered that she chose me to photograph her Derby dog.  🙂

This year I have been blessed with a passion and a business that have grown faster than I ever imagined. I feel so very lucky to have found something that I Iove, and to be able to share that with others. I want to give back. 

You know someone. You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling and is grateful for the consolation from a loyal pup, is ill or is caring for a pet that is ill, has rescued/fostered/adopted a dog or cat that would otherwise be homeless, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their pet’s spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography — $750 worth, to be exact. It’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a free session themselves ($125 value). What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The session must take place within a 40-mile radius of the zip code 19473. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : aprilziegler@gmail.com

You have until Christmas Eve to submit your story. We’ll start the new year off right by announcing the winner on New Years Day — get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

April