MJ Pawtography

06/02/2026

🐾 Calling all Quad Cities pet lovers! 🐾

If your camera roll is 90% pets, if you know every dog in your neighborhood by name, or if you can't walk past a furry face without saying hello... this event is for you!

MJ Pawtography is excited to be attending the first annual Quad Cities Pet Expo at the RiverCenter in Davenport, and we'd love to see you there.

Join us for a weekend celebrating everything we love about pets, featuring:

🐶 Pet-focused vendors
🐱 Educational seminars
🏆 Fun contests and activities
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly entertainment
❤️ Support for local animals, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Humane Society of Scott County

📅 June 13 & 14
⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets $8 for 13+ Children 1-12 $3
📍 RiverCenter | Davenport, IA

Stop by the MJ Pawtography booth to say hello, chat about your pets, and learn more about our photography sessions. Whether you're a dog person, cat person, horse person, or simply an animal lover, this is a weekend you won't want to miss.

Who are you bringing with you? Tell us below! 🐾👇

05/21/2026

There’s something so special about getting to photograph not just one dog in a family… but watching that family grow over the years. 💕🐾

When Kim reached out to tell me they had added a new puppy to the crew, I was SO excited. After already photographing sweet Frankie and Andy, I knew little Clare was going to be something special. The original plan was to wait until fall for her session, but honestly? Those puppy days go by far too quickly.

So instead, we decided… why not both? 🌷🍂 A spring puppy session now and another this fall as she grows into a young lady.

And oh my goodness, Clare was everything puppyhood should be—soft, curious, wiggly, full of energy, and just the sweetest little soul. While she loved exploring the tulips, she also needed a little confidence boost during parts of the session. We took things slow, followed her pace, celebrated the small moments, and made sure she always felt safe and happy. Because the best images don’t come from forcing perfection… they come from creating an experience where dogs can simply be themselves.

Then came the reveal appointment… and this message from her mom absolutely melted me:

“We recently had Clare’s photos taken by MJ Pawtography, and when the images first popped up on the screen… I cried. 🥹💕 Somehow, Liz Schmuck captured not just how adorable our little girl is, but her sweetness, curiosity, sparkle, and personality too... 🌷🐾 Thank you, Liz, for giving us memories we’ll treasure forever.”

And truly… that’s why I do this. Because puppies don’t stay puppies for long. But these moments? These memories? They deserve to last forever. ✨

🐶 Tell me below — what’s your favorite thing about the puppy stage? ⬇️

05/01/2026

Some sessions start with a simple “I don’t think my dogs would love that…”

Winter was one of those.

Megan reached out wanting updated portraits of her pups — Nina, Tuuli, and Ozzy — but the idea of standing out in the cold, waiting their turn… yeah, not exactly their thing. (And honestly… fair.)

So instead of forcing a season that didn’t fit them, we pivoted.

Into the studio.

Now, I’ll be honest — this pushed me a little outside my comfort zone. Studio work has never been something I’ve heavily promoted. My style leans simple… clean backgrounds, intentional light, letting the little details and personality do all the talking.

No distractions. Just them.

And wow… these three delivered.

Nina with her quirky charms.
Tuuli bringing that puppy energy.
And Ozzy… stealing the spotlight like she was born for it.

Every expression, every tilt of the head, every tiny detail we never want to forget someday — it all came to life in a way that felt so them.

I can’t thank Megan enough for trusting me, trusting the process, and gently nudging me outside of my usual lane. Because sometimes that’s where the magic is waiting.

And in the end, she didn’t just get photos…

She added something new and beautiful to their story.

04/15/2026

So many families wait for the “perfect time.”

But if you’ve lived this life long enough, you already know—there’s always something.
And somehow, the “perfect time” never really arrives.

This is your reminder that you don’t need perfect.
And the best part? Your dog doesn’t care if everything is perfect.
They just want to be right there with you.

Celebrate this chapter of your life.
The loud, messy, beautiful one.

That’s what these sessions are about.

Full of noise, movement, and the little moments you don’t think much of now… but will miss more than you expect later.
A dog weaving through every image like they belong in the center of it all. Kids climbing into laps without asking. Laughter that doesn’t wait for anyone to be ready. That’s the part worth remembering.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about photos because you’re worried things won’t look “posed enough” or “perfect enough”… That’s exactly who these sessions are for. They’re calm, guided, and easy—built around connection, not performance. You don’t have to manage the moment. You just get to be in it.

Because years from now, it won’t be the posing you remember…
It will be the feeling of being together.

✨ Now booking a limited number of family sessions
🐾 Dogs are always welcome

Send me a message when you’re ready, and we’ll start planning your story.

02/20/2026

So many pet parents tell me,
“We’ll get to it eventually.”

Eventually when life slows down.
Eventually when work isn’t so busy.
Eventually when the house is cleaner, the dog is calmer, the timing feels perfect.

But here’s the quiet truth…

Eventually shows up faster than we expect.

One day you notice the muzzle isn’t as dark as it used to be.
The walks are a little slower.
The naps are a little longer.
Their body carries the beautiful wear of years filled with love and adventure.

And suddenly you realize — time has been moving the whole time.

These images aren’t just for today.
They’re for the day when you miss the weight of their head in your lap.
When you try to remember the exact shape of their ears, the sparkle in their eyes, the way they looked at you like you were their whole world.

Photographs are how we hold onto those details when memory starts to soften.

Your dog is worth remembering — in every stage.
The wild years.
The steady years.
And yes, the slower years too.

Don’t wait for “eventually.”
One day, you’ll be so grateful you didn’t. 🤍

Message me today to start your photography journey!

02/13/2026

Sushi sat there like he knew exactly what he was doing.
Chest out. Ears up. Eyes locked on something only he could see.

The funny part?
He was still very much a puppy. No formal training. No polished commands. No “perfect sit” on cue. Just curiosity, confidence, and that unmistakable main character energy.

This session was a reminder that dogs don’t need to be finished products to be photographed beautifully. Sushi didn’t need to know what was expected of him — he just needed space to be himself. And in that space, he absolutely stole the show.

Young pups like Sushi often surprise their people the most. They fidget. They explore. They forget what they were doing halfway through doing it. But then there are moments like this… where everything slows down, and their personality shines through in a way that feels honest and fleeting all at once.

At MJ Pawtography, sessions aren’t about obedience or perfection. They’re about meeting your dog where they are right now — whether that’s a seasoned soul or a puppy still figuring out the world.

Because this version of them?
This chapter?
It’s one you’ll want to remember. 🤍

02/11/2026

You’re not just paying for photos.

You’re investing in time.
Time to slow down.
Time to notice the way they look at you.
Time to preserve who they are right now — quirks, energy, gray hairs and all.

Professional dog photography isn’t about a quick click and a file delivery.
It’s thoughtful planning.
Years of experience with dogs of every personality.
Patience. Safety. Guidance.
And turning fleeting moments into artwork that actually lives in your home.

One day, these images won’t feel like a luxury.
They’ll feel like one of the best decisions you ever made for yourself — and for them. 🤍

If this has been on your heart, let’s talk.

02/10/2026

✨ 2026 availability is officially open ✨

Each photography journey is designed to be unhurried, personal, and centered around your dog — which is why I only accept a small number of sessions each month.

2026 dates are now booking, with spring and summer already filling quickly.

If you’ve been dreaming about portraits that feel timeless and meaningful, I’d love to start planning with you.

🤍 Comment “2026” and I’ll send you more information to reserve your spot

01/28/2026

🍃 Remi stood still for a moment, paws planted on cool stone, ears tuned to every echo the caves had to offer. The air was damp, the walls worn smooth by time, and sunlight slipped in just enough to catch the edges of his fur. It felt ancient here — quiet in the way that makes you slow down and breathe a little deeper.

This was taken back in May at Maquoketa Caves in Iowa, one of those places that doesn’t need much from you… it just asks you to be present. Remi did exactly that. Thoughtful. Steady. Completely himself — like he was guarding a secret only the caves knew.

One of my favorite parts of what I do at MJ Pawtography is finding locations that match the vibe of your dog. Moody. Adventurous. Soft. Wild. Peaceful. Sometimes that means staying close to home. Sometimes it means traveling to a place that feels like it was made just for them.

And while this image feels timeless, the calendar definitely is not. Sessions are currently sold out through April, and summer dates are already filling quickly. If you’ve been dreaming about telling your dog’s story in a way that feels true to who they are, now is a good time to start planning.

No rush. No pressure.
Just a reminder that these moments — and these stories — are always worth making space for. 🤍

01/04/2026

Mozart was such an amazing model for us Wide River Winery Village of East Davenport. If you’re looking for a pet friendly patio with delicious drink options be sure to check them out!

Mozart says Sunday Funday begins now 🐶🍷
Open 12-6