DLA Photography

11/13/2024

🤔 If you had told me years ago when I first picked up a camera that I’d become an International Award-Winning Pet Photographer, I’d have said, 'Yeah right!'

Yet here I am, a month shy of my 2nd anniversary of photographing your beloved companions, having won not just one, but 8 International Pet Photography Bronze Awards! 🎉🎉

Truth be told, if it weren’t for the pet photographers I look up to, who inspired me to enter my photographs into competitions, I probably wouldn’t have. Competitions unnerve me. The entire process is anxiety-ridden from start to finish. 😨 I don’t fully trust myself to say 'it’s okay, I’ll do better next time' if I get a result I’m not hoping for.

But I entered two competitions this year regardless... 🤞🏻

I didn’t win anything in the first competition. Which spiked my anxiety as I prepared myself not to receive any awards in the second.

Then the results came in... 🥹

Bronze. I won a bronze on my first photo! I scrolled to my second photo. Another Bronze! Onto my third photo, and by now I was grinning and telling Jeff, 'Look, hunny, some of my photos got a Bronze Award!!'

But then... I reached the first photo I entered that didn’t win an award but received a 'Pro Standard' score. A photo I was sure would get a higher score. 😟 Finally, the 10th photo I submitted also received a 'Pro Standard' score.

What saved me from going into full 'bummer mode' with these two images–was the feedback.

What’s so special about the International Pet Photography Awards, and what gave me the extra encouragement to enter this year, was that each photo entered received two critiques from the incredible judging panel. I told myself, no matter what my scores were, the feedback from them would be the true value of entering. 💚

All in all, 8 out of the 10 images I entered received a Bronze Award and to me, that’s just absolutely incredible and mind blowing! 🤯

I'm deeply honored by this recognition and inspired to reach even greater heights now. 🥹

Next year, I’ll be aiming for silver. ✨️

09/22/2024

🥇 Pinch me, I must be dreaming!!! 🥹 We won Platinum for Auburn CommunityVotes Best in Pet Portraits & Photographer categories of 2024!! 🎉

It's been such a pleasure & honor to work with so many beautiful pups and their super awesome hoomans. I enjoy being an artist, I enjoy turning your furry-pawed companions into beautiful artwork to fill your home with love and joy, but most of all I love the community that has risen out of this journey. Not just the friendships I've made, but the friendships you've made with each other through my artwork. And of course, the friendships my own wiggle butt Charlie Brown has made that truly, truly makes my heart so happy. 🥹🫶🏻

So thank you pet community, I will forever feel blessed to serve such a fun, silly, loving community!! 🐾

The pet-obsessed girl with a camera,
Kendra 💚

07/27/2024

Happy National Pet Photography Day! 📸🐾

Today, I'm pawsitively bursting with gratitude as I think back on this incredible adventure of capturing the unique and special spirits of so many wonderful pets.

To all my amazing clients, thank you for trusting me with your furry family members and letting me capture their joy, love, and quirky personalities for you all. Each wagging tail, playful bark, and soulful gaze has made my job simply a tail-wagging delight! 🥰

A big shoutout to the awesome photographer friends I've made along the way. I treasure y'alls support, creativity, and friendship that has added so much value to my life!

Here's to celebrating the unconditional love, endless joy, and inspiration our pets bring into our lives.

Thank you all for being a part of this pawsome journey with me! 🐶❤️

05/16/2024

I've been nominated for CommunityVotes Auburn 2024 in the "Pet Portraits" category! Ahhh!! 🥹 Top Nominees move onto the voting round and so if any of you incredible followers have a moment, I'd appreciate a nomination. Just click the link below and click "nominate" next to DLA Photography. Be sure to let me know if you nominate me so I can say thank you! 💚

Official 2024 Community Voting Awards Platform for Auburn, WA. Where the community votes for their favorites every year.

05/11/2024

🐾 Happy National Dog Mom Day to all the lovely doggo moms out there! 🎉

Celebrating today with one of my favorite captures from my BOTM project thus far, featuring Peaches ( .thedachshund ) and her momma who won a spot in March’s Dachshund BTOM giveaway.

This early morning session was just a blessing to capture. Peaches’ personality radiated and her momma’s goal was for me to capture that. Peaches made that SO easy with the love she exuded during her whole experience, from our Meet & Greet, through our session, and to the end of our Reveal. I could’ve spent forever with this little family. ✨️

My art revolves around your best friends, it’s what I specialize in, but the last couple of sessions I’ve had, I’ve made it a point to capture a few photos of doggos with their hoomans. And the results make me tear up every time. The bond you have with your pups just makes my heart so happy. 🥹

Keep being the incredible dog moms that you are! 🙌🏻

👉🏻 Be sure to check out my Breed of the Month Project!
www.dlaphotographywa.com/botm

Entries for May (the Beagle) are closed, but June’s breed will be announced June 1st at 9am PST! So be sure to keep a lookout! 👀

How are you and your best friends celebrating National Dog Mom Day?

04/01/2024

🐕 Breed of the Month Project Giveaway - 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: 𝐂𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥!

📣 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞, 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚-𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞!

Warm, devoted, and adaptable, this breed is an ideal family companion, easily adjusting to active or relaxed lifestyles. Affectionate and sociable in nature, the Cavalier is the perfect breed to feature as April's Breed of the Month while we begin to see sunnier days!

𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉-𝙐𝙋 𝙄𝙎 𝙎𝙄𝙈𝙋𝙇𝙀:
👉🏻 Head over to the link in my bio (or click sign up!) to sign-up for the chance to win and learn more about what you’ll be getting!

𝙄𝙂 𝘽𝙊𝙉𝙐𝙎 𝙋𝙊𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙎:
👉🏻 Follow my account .wa.
👉🏻 Double tap to like this post.
👉🏻 Comment below with your Cavalier’s favorite pastime!
👉🏻 Share this post to your stories. (Make sure to tag me so I know you’ve shared it!)

*Entries close on April 10th, 2024 at 6pm.
*Entries must only be for the current Breed of the Month. Mixed breeds are welcomed.
*Pet Portrait Sessions are held in Washington State.
*Sessions must be booked within 30 days of winning.
*Must invest a $50 booking deposit (refundable!) if chosen to win.
*Must be willing to sign a pet model release.

🏆 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫-𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐈𝐀 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧-𝐮𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝟒𝟖 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝!

Be sure to keep a lookout for next month's Breed of the Month on May 1st.
📧 Better yet, Join The Pack in my bio for exclusive information on upcoming giveaways of 2024!

Per Instagram rules, this promotion is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc. By entering, entrants confirm that they are 18+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.

03/25/2024

Yesterday's "Portfolio Day" workshop by held so many firsts for me! 📸

First, let me start by saying thank you to Jess at Fuzzy Butt for giving everyone a chance to photograph at beautiful locations in the PNW. 🙏🏻

Here's the few firsts for me —

1️⃣ Photographed my first Dalmatian, Great Pyrenees, & Boston Terrier. 🐾

2️⃣ Photographed at a beach location. First time ever on the Oregon coast even! 🌊

3️⃣ Photographed in more than just "a sprinkle". I have photographed in a drizzle 🌧 but when it comes to pouring rain & wind; well then we're likely rescheduling. This event withstood the rain and wind (and everyone were great sports for it!) and I got to really put my equipment to the test in the elements. Although I will still suggest to any clients that we don't shoot in a downpour, it's still great to know that the precautions I took to protect my equipment, worked in a pinch! P.S. Yay for the camera rain cover!

4️⃣ Photographed in short burst of time, cycling through multiple dog models within 2 hours. I don't personally offer "mini sessions" (but might be in the future.. 😉) and this portfolio day was set-up as if it were mini sessions. 15-20 minutes per dog and then on to the next pup.

I won't hide it, I've been a bit hesitant in offering mini sessions to my clients because I LOVE offering a wide variety of poses and scenery in their galleries. I didn't realize just how many variations of scenery I can still offer in just under 20 minutes at the right location! It was a great trial for me, so if in the future I do offer mini's, I can be confident in capturing lots of beautiful photos of your pups in just a short time! 🥰

❓️ Would you be interested in booking a mini session with me if I offered them??

All in all, yesterday was such an incredible time and I'm so thankful to have been apart of it! ✨️

03/08/2024

Wishing .the.aussie a very happy 1st Birthday today!! 🐾🎉

You're officially Whaley-One! 🐳 Time zips by when you're a joyful pup, doesn't it?!

Participating in your birthday bash has been a blast, and photographing you for your special day has been such an honor! 🥰

Here's to more endless fun and happy boofs for my tail-wagging friend! 🥳

03/01/2024

🐕 Breed of the Month Project Giveaway - 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐝!

📣 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞, 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚-𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞!

With their distinctive silhouette and spirited personality, Dachshunds are a breed that brings a smile to many faces. Their enthusiasm for chasing and playing makes them a fun breed to feature as the world wakes up in spring.

𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉-𝙐𝙋 𝙄𝙎 𝙎𝙄𝙈𝙋𝙇𝙀:
👉🏻 Click the link below to enter for the chance to win and learn more about what you’ll be getting!
https://dlaphotographywa.com/botm

𝙄𝙂 𝘽𝙊𝙉𝙐𝙎 𝙋𝙊𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙎:
👉🏻 Follow my account .wa
👉🏻 Double tap to like this post.
👉🏻 Comment below with your favorite nickname for your Dachshund!
👉🏻 Share this post to your stories.

*Entries close on March 10th, 2024 at 6pm.
*Entries must only be for the current Breed of the Month. Mixed breeds are welcomed.
*Pet Portrait Sessions are held in Washington State.
*Sessions must be booked within 30 days of winning.
*Must invest a $50 booking deposit (refundable!) if chosen to win.
*Must be willing to sign a pet model release.

🏆 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫-𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐈𝐀 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧-𝐮𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟒-𝟒𝟖 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝!

Be sure to keep a lookout for next month's Breed of the Month on April 1st.

03/01/2024

Happy Leap Day from my wiggle bum y'all! 🫶🏻🐸