Amiee Stubbs | Pet Photography: Blog

Holiday 2014 Gift Certificate Special! | Nashville Pet Photographer

Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:20:22 GMT

Are you interested in booking a session for your pets, or are you looking for the perfect gift for the animal lover in your life? Now through December 20th, I'm offering a special $300 pet session gift certificate package! This includes a one-hour session, 5 prints, and a custom digital album on an app for your smartphone and tablet! Certificate expires 12/31/2016. A $435 value for $300!

You can purchase them in person during the Art Crawl this Saturday at the UltraViolet Gallery in downtown Nashville from 6pm-9pm, or buy them online, and a certificate will be mailed to you in time for the holidays! Get all the details and buy yours here: https://squareup.com/market/amiee-stubbs-photography/holiday-pet-session-gift-certificate

Voted Nashville's Best Photographer!

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 18:30:00 GMT

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who voted for me in Nashville Scene's 2014 Best of Nashville Readers' Poll. Your continued support inspires me to work harder every single day!

Bailey - Senior Airedale | Nashville Dog Photography

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 18:27:18 GMT

One of my favorite things about photographing pets is witnessing firsthand the bond between a dog and her guardian. I love walking into a home and feeling right away that their pets aren't just possessions. They are indeed companions, a part of the family. That was definitely the case with Bailey, a 13-year-old Airedale. She was family. They'd called me for a session because they had learned that Bailey was terminally ill. It's usually hard for me to keep my composure during sessions like that. I'm not sure if the guardians always know, but I'm often holding back tears. I end up thinking about my own dogs, and how hard it's going to be if that day comes. So I can't imagine what they're going through, but I'm honored that they've chosen me to be there. It's a privilege to be asked to capture these memories for them.
Since our session together, beautiful Bailey has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I feel very fortunate that I got to spend that day with her. She may have been sick at the time, but I saw life and love in her eyes. And she had a family that loved her. So much. What more could a dog ask for?

Custom Dog PortraitsAiredale

Pet Photography Interview

Tue, 09 Sep 2014 18:25:00 GMT

Zenfolio recently interviewed me about my pet photography. You can read it on their blog right here.

Amiee StubbsNashville Pet Photographer

Get ready for fall pet events!

Wed, 03 Sep 2014 17:03:08 GMT

It's almost fall! Which means the pet events are about to be filling our calendars! Yay! I've got several on my schedule and hope to see you & your pups at one or all of these events:

Nashville Humane Association's 25th annual Dog Day and Mutt Strutt at Centennial Park on Saturday, September 20th (I'll have a vendor booth.)
Dog Art for Old Friends at the Omni Hotel on Friday, October 10th (I'm one of the artists!)
Mars Petcare Adoption Fair on Saturday, October 18th (I'll have a vendor booth and an adopted pet photo booth.)
Pit Bull Awareness Day at the Pavillion East on Saturday, October 25th (I'll have a pet photo booth.)

Nashville Pet Photography | Boxer

Wed, 27 Aug 2014 16:00:00 GMT

This is Maggie, a beautiful white Boxer who had so much fun during our session, she jumped in my car to go home with me at the end of the day! I love my job.

Nashville Dog PhotographerMaggie

National Dog Day! [Nashville Pet Photographer]

Tue, 26 Aug 2014 05:30:00 GMT

To celebrate National Dog Day, I thought I'd share these two stunning Standard Poodles, Bijoux and Dugan. Hope you're all spoiling your pups today!

Animal Rescue Corps BARC Training Coming to Tennessee

Sat, 23 Aug 2014 05:00:00 GMT

The Animal Rescue Corps BARC (Basic Animal Rescue Course) training is just two weeks away in Lebanon, TN! This is the first time we've had the BARC 1 course in TN since early 2012, and it will be our first ever BARC 2 course! I'll be teaching the photography portion both days, too! Get more details and register online here: http://animalrescuecorps.org/barc/

Nashville Sounds welcome dogs to the ballpark!

Sun, 03 Aug 2014 16:30:00 GMT

Make plans to attend Bark in the Park at Greer Stadium on Sunday, August 10th! Yes, you can bring your dog to the Nashville Sounds baseball game with you! This event benefits Nashville Humane Association and I'll have a doggie photo booth there, too. Hope to see you there!

And how cute is this adoptable pup that I got to photograph on the field!

Nashville PITTIE's PittieFest [Nashville Dog Photographer]

Sun, 20 Jul 2014 16:30:00 GMT

Join me at Nashville PITTIE's annual PittieFest on Sunday, July 27rh from 11am until 3pm at the Streets of Indian Lake in Hendersonville. Auction, Vendors, Prizes, Live Music, a Splash Pad to cool off, and FREE spay/neuter for Pit Bulls! Hope to see you there!

Meet Wylie! [Nashville Cat Photographer]

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 16:30:00 GMT

Sometimes when I go to a house to photograph kitties they can be a little shy at first. And then other times... they're like Wylie! He was definitely hamming it up for my camera from the minute I walked in the door. His session was part of a recent photography project I did for the Associates of Mars Petcare.

Special Pet Portraits offer at the Nashville Pet Expo!

Thu, 10 Jul 2014 18:40:00 GMT

This Saturday, July 12th! It's the FREE Nashville Pet Expo! 10am-6pm at the Nashville Fairgrounds! I'll be in booth #362 with some free giveaways! Plus, I'll have special limited edition gift certificates available, which you can buy ONLY at the Expo! If you've been waiting to book a pet session, this is your chance! For $300, you can buy a certificate good for a 1-hour session (1-2 pets) plus it will include three 5x7 and two 8x10 prints of your choice! Plan ahead now and pick up one for your fall or holiday session! Please be sure to stop by and say hello. Hope to see you there!

Operation Liberty Dogs | Animal Rescue Photography

Thu, 03 Jul 2014 05:30:00 GMT

I'm on the scene in ARC in Virginia. Here's an update:

ANIMAL RESCUE CORPS AND PAGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE RESCUE APPROXIMATELY 120 ANIMALS FROM PUPPY MILL

Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) assisted the Page County Sheriff’s Office and Animal Control today in the rescue of approximately 120 dogs and four parrots found living in extremely neglectful conditions at a breeding facility at a home in Page County, VA, about two hours west of Washington, D.C. All of the animals were seized by the Page County Sheriff’s Office. Read more here.

One of my favorite dog sessions! [Nashville Pet Photographer]

Sat, 07 Jun 2014 16:30:00 GMT

I shared an image from Herschel's session on my Facebook page several weeks back, and was having the hardest time deciding on another one to share. So... here's a whole bunch! I've never had a dog pose for the camera like this guy. He's smiling in all of them!

Adorable Dachshund! [Nashville Dog Photography]

Thu, 29 May 2014 16:45:00 GMT

I had a blast photographing this spunky little girl named Beenie Weenie at Cumberland Park in downtown Nashville!

Dog Fighting Rescue - Operation Delta Dogs

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 18:45:00 GMT

I was on the scene with Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), working with the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office, as we removed 12 dogs from the property of a suspected dog fighting operation today in Isola, MS, about an hour and a half north of Jackson, in a rescue mission called Operation Delta Dogs. Please follow the ARC Facebook page to get the most current information.

Bark for Life event on April 26th [Nashville Dog Photographer]

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 04:30:00 GMT

I'll have a booth at the American Cancer Society's Bark for Life event on Saturday, April 26th! Come join us!

Gregory Mill Park
390 Enon Springs Road East
Smyrna, TN 37167

The American Cancer Society Bark For Life is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer.

By supporting Bark For Life, you help the American Cancer Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

So bring your best canine friend and join us for a fun-filled day starting with a walk, and then continuing with demonstrations, contests, and games. Get all of the activity details here.

On-site Registration Begins at 10:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremony at 11:00 a.m.
Events and Contests until 2:00 p.m.
$10 per participant; please limit 2 canines per human

St. Puppy's Day | Dog Photo Booth for Nashville Humane Association

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 16:45:00 GMT

The first annual St. Puppy's Day event took place on Saturday, March 15th at Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville! I had a dog photo booth at the event and raised $400 for Nashville Humane Association! Thanks to everyone who stopped by! Met a ton of adorable pups! You can see all of the photos from St. Puppy's Day here.

Featured in Nashville Scene's 2014 People Issue!

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:00:00 GMT

As a native Nashvillian, I cannot begin to tell you what an honor it is to have been selected for this year's Nashville Scene annual People Issue, which hit newsstands today. And though my U2 obsession hasn't been a secret here, I think most of you might be surprised to find out I used to be a professional wrestler, so be sure to read the interview if you have a minute! Life's definitely been interesting along the way, but I just turned 40 and I'm happier now than I've ever been! I'm doing what I love, in the city I love, and your support drives me to work harder every day! Thank you!

Photo by Eric England

Operation Mending Hearts | Animal Rescue Photography

Sun, 16 Feb 2014 17:45:00 GMT

Operation Mending Hearts - Feb. 15, 2014

Animal Rescue Corps responded to an urgent call from Hamblen County officials for assistance with 73 dogs of various breeds and two cats found living in deplorable conditions in a home in Morristown, TN, approximately four hours east of Nashville. All of the animals were seized by the Morristown Hamblen Humane Society.

The Morristown Hamblen Humane Society made this discovery on Valentine’s Day while responding to complaints regarding an animal rescue organization being operated in the home and they immediately reached out to ARC for help upon discovering the severity of the conditions and the large number of animals in danger at the property. ARC was on the ground less than 24 hours later with the necessary equipment and supplies, transport vehicles, volunteers, and a veterinarian.

ARC safely removed 100% of the animals and transported them to an emergency shelter where ARC is providing daily care until they can be placed with partnering shelters and rescue groups. If you'd like to help with the funding of this rescue, please make a donation to ARC here: http://animalrescuecorps.org/donate/

Thank you for your support!

Amiee Stubbs joins the Zenfolio Pro Team | Pet Photographer

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 00:12:00 GMT

I have been dying to share this news with you, and the day is finally here! Zenfolio recently asked me to join their Pro Team as a pet photographer! I'm honestly blown away to see my name next to some of the most talented, inspiring photographers in the business. You can read my Q&A on the Zenfolio website!

So to my fellow photographers, be sure to like the Zenfolio Facebook page to get animal photography tips from me and tips the rest of the team, too!

Special Valentine's Day offer! {Nashville Pet Photographer}

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 07:53:02 GMT

Valentine's Day Special! Give it to someone you love, or buy one for yourself! The certificate includes a one-hour photo session in the greater Nashville area for 1-2 pets. You'll also receive three 5x7 prints and two 8x10 prints (images of your choice) in a gift box that will be shipped to your door! Once your gallery has been posted online, you'll have 30 days to purchase any additional prints, digital files or other products. No minimum required. Sessions outside of the greater Nashville area subject to a travel fee. Additional pets from the same household are $25 each. Certificate expires 2/14/2016. A $435 value for $300! Purchase yours here!

You'll receive a beautiful press paper gift certificate in the mail, which is perfect for gift-giving!

Photography Classes at the Nashville Zoo | 2014 Schedule

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 08:00:00 GMT

Want to learn my secrets for taking great pet photos? Did you know I teach animal photography classes at the Nashville Zoo? Here's my 2014 schedule! Adding a new class this year -Post-Processing Workshop: Editing Your Animal Photography. More info on that to come! You can get details about the classes, and register online through the zoo's website. And remember, I teach Private Photography Lessons at the zoo around your schedule all tear long, 7 days a week!

Animal Art Photography I

Saturday, February 22 | 12pm-4pm (CLASS FULL)

Saturday, April 26 | 8am-12pm (CLASS FULL)

Saturday, May 17 | 8am-12pm

Saturday, June 28 | 8am-12pm

Saturday, July 26 | 8am-12pm

Saturday, September 13 | 2pm-6pm

Saturday, November 22 | 8am-12pm

Animal Art Photography II

Saturday, May 10 | 8am-6pm (CLASS FULL)

Saturday, August 2 | 8am-6pm

Saturday, September 27 | 8am-6pm

Post-Processing Workshop: Editing Your Animal Photography

Saturday, April 12 | 2pm-6pm

Saturday, November 15 | 9am-1pm

Kids Photography Class

Tuesday, March 25 | 1pm-4pm

Teen Photography Class

Wednesday, March 26 | 1pm-5pm

What's in the bag? | A detailed list of my photography gear

Thu, 23 Jan 2014 09:15:00 GMT

People often ask me what I carry in my camera bags, so I thought this would be a great place to list my essential gear!

Cameras & Lenses:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 17-40mm USM
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 IS USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro
Lensbaby Composer

Speedlites & Modifiers:

And though I don't use flash very often when I'm photographing animals, I've always got my Speedlites with me, just in case: a Canon 580EX II, a Canon 430EX II, a Yonguno YN560-II and a Canon ST-E2 transmitter.

My favorite light modifiers are the RoundFlash and the Rogue Grid & FlashBenders.

Reflectors:

It's massive, and there's always concern my assistant Lauren might blow away while she's holding it, but my 6'x6' Westcott Scrim Jim is absolutely incredible. I also love my Lastolite TriGrips and TriFlip, too! The handles are especially convenient when I'm working without an assistant.

Accessories:

I'm a big fan of Black Rapid's camera straps. I use the women's RS-W1 strap every day, and the DR-2 Double Strap when I'm shooting events and concerts with multiple cameras.

Hope this helps! Please feel free to post any questions if you have them.

Animal Rescue Corps training course in Washington, D.C.

Tue, 21 Jan 2014 10:45:00 GMT

ARC Brings BARC to Washington, D.C.

Join the experienced Animal Rescue Corps team on Saturday, March 1st in Washington, D.C.! ARC's Basic Animal Rescue Course is a fun and informative day of practical training and certification on the structure of emergency response and the invaluable knowledge and skills necessary to aid animals in natural disasters, large-scale cruelty cases and many other situations.

The purpose of this training is to provide practical information and skills that will benefit anyone interested in animal rescue. The course is designed to better prepare someone to be efficient and effective, and to keep themselves, others, and animals safe in many situations – from finding a loose dog on the street to a large-scale rescue operation. Topics will include animal handling, logistics, intake, placement, emergency sheltering, animal photography (taught by yours truly!) and much more. Attendees will receive an ARC certificate for the Basic Animal Rescue Course as well as an ARC Volunteer t-shirt, and will be better prepared to volunteer with ARC or other organizations to help animals in your community. Get all the details on ARC's website.

I hope to see you there!

Cat Portraits {Nashville Pet Photographer}

Tue, 07 Jan 2014 10:30:00 GMT

Working as the Official Photographer for the Nashville Zoo, I often photograph big cats like leopards and cougars. And on a much smaller (and safer!) scale, I truly love it when I get a call to do a cat session, like this one with Squirrel! We've found that patience is key with most kitties, so Lauren & I will arrive armed with feather toys, catnip, and treats. I'll spend as much time as it takes to create unique, contemporary portraits that you'll cherish for a lifetime.

Favorite animal images of 2013! Interview on WSMV's More at Midday

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 10:00:00 GMT

Happy New Year! I was a guest on WSMV's More at Midday yesterday sharing my favorite photographs from 2013. You can watch the video here. After my studio interview ends, you'll see a fun photography segment we filmed last summer at the zoo, too!

Dog photography + marriage proposal = YES!

Sat, 21 Dec 2013 08:15:00 GMT

Several weeks ago, I got a message asking for my help with a very special project. John wanted to surprise his girlfriend Allyson with a custom album of photos of her dog, Barksdale! He wanted the book to be called "Why We Love Barksdale" and gave me a list of all of the reasons they do. Over the course of a couple days, while Allyson was at work, we took Barksdale out and posed her in photos to go along with every reason on the list. It was clear to me that John loved Barksdale just as much as his own dog, and he loved Allyson, too.

But the best part? On the very last page of the book, John proposed with Barksdale by his side! It was so much fun putting the book together knowing how surprised Allyson would be. He gave the book to her last night… and she said YES! So a huge congratulations to John & Allyson today! And I think this proves the quickest way to a woman’s heart is through her dog!

French Bulldog & Boston Terrier {Nashville Dog Photography}

Thu, 12 Dec 2013 09:30:00 GMT

Talk about a pet photographer's dream! Getting a call to photograph a French Bulldog and a Boston Terrier... together!! I've found that some people have a hard time telling these two breeds apart. When you see them together, you can definitely see the differences. Hopefully these photos will help if you've had a hard time telling them apart, too. Bella is the Frenchie and Woody is the Boston. In the top two photos, Bella is on the left, and Woody is on the right. They were both adorable and this was easily one of my favorite shoots this year!

Three Dachshunds at Gravel Road Traditions {Nashville Dog Photographer}

Fri, 06 Dec 2013 08:15:00 GMT

There's something about Dachshunds that brings a smile to my face every time I see them. Those funny little sausage bodies paired with larger than life personalities. Meet Lucy, Molly and Hershey! I'd been wanting to do a shoot at Gravel Road Traditions all year, and this adorable trio was the perfect choice for my very first visit to the farm. Can't wait to go back there for more pet sessions in the future!

Before & After | Removing leashes from pet photos

Thu, 05 Dec 2013 09:00:00 GMT

When people walk into my downtown gallery and see the walls covered in pet portraits, they almost always ask me how I keep the dogs still. Because I'm an animal lover first, and a photographer second, a pet's safety is always my top priority during a session. About 95% of the time, dogs are leashed when I'm photographing them. Removing the leashes in Photoshop can be time consuming work, but it's worth it to keep your dogs safe. Here's a fun before and after so you can get a better idea! In this case, my assistant was holding a few leashes on one side, while the owners were holding leashes on the other. I must admit, it helped that these 4 dogs were calm and stayed in place. That's not always the case, but I can work with the squirmy ones, too!

Dachshund + Yorkie Mix {Nashville Pet Photographer}

Tue, 03 Dec 2013 09:30:00 GMT

This is Sammy, a spunky Dachshund & Yorkie mix. He's a little guy, but every ounce of him is packed full of energy! We recently had his session at Cumberland Park in downtown Nashville. It's rich with texture and color, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite locations for pet sessions.

Pet Portraits in the Snow! {Nashville Dog Photographer}

Wed, 27 Nov 2013 08:15:00 GMT

As someone who was born & raised in Nashville, I know how rare a November snow can be for us here. I had a family & pet photo shoot scheduled on the afternoon of Monday, November 25th. According to the Weather Channel app on my iPhone, the precipitation chance at the time was 0%. But just as Lauren & I pulled up to meet John, Alli and their dog Morgan, the snowflakes filled the sky! We decided to take advantage of it, grit our teeth & get out there anyway! We managed to create the perfect images for their Christmas cards this year! Thanks to all three of them (and Lauren!) for being such good sports and braving the cold for the sake of art! Here are a couple of my favorite shots of Morgan.

Catahoula Mix in the Fall Leaves! {Nashville Pet Photographer}

Fri, 22 Nov 2013 09:15:00 GMT

The busiest time of the year for a pet photographer is definitely fall! But I'd shoot every waking hour during this time of year if I could. (Hmmm.....I might have to make that a goal for 2014.) Meet Roo! He's a handsome Catahoula mix and his coat looked incredible next to the amazing colors in Nashville's Centennial Park.

Virginia, Steven & their rescue dogs! {Nashville Pet Photography}

Tue, 05 Nov 2013 17:45:00 GMT

I love doing family portraits that include pets! Meet Virginia, Steven and their 3 rescued dogs Tiger, Mae and Rebel! Virginia & Steven used to walk the dogs at Ellington Agricultural Center when they lived nearby, so we thought it would be the perfect spot for their session!

Three French Bulldogs {Nashville Pet Photography}

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 07:30:00 GMT

How absolutely adorable is this trio of Frenchies? Meet Buddy, Itty Bitty, and 9-week-old Honey Pie! There are so many things about these snorty, chunky little pups that I absolutely adore, but I think their ears are my favorite! This crew traveled several hours to have their session with me in Centennial Park and downtown Nashville. It was truly an honor.

Max at the Lake House {Nashville Dog Photographer}

Tue, 20 Aug 2013 07:45:00 GMT

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my job? I recently got to photograph Max at the most beautiful lake house! I was supposed to relax a bit while I was there, but given the surroundings, and the fact that Max was such a great model, I spent most of the day following him around with my camera. I think he was having as much fun as I was, too!

Interview on WSMV More at Midday | Dogs of New York Exhibit

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 07:30:00 GMT

I spent last week working in New York City where I photographed over a dozen dogs! I was a guest on WSMV's More at Midday earlier today to discuss pet photography and my upcoming Dogs of New York gallery exhibit. The exhibit will be held at my UltraViolet Gallery, and takes place this weekend during downtown Nashville's First Saturday Art Crawl. To watch the video, just click here.

Tennessee Department of Tourism article on my Nashville Zoo Photography Classes

Fri, 05 Jul 2013 07:30:00 GMT

Thanks so much to Dayle Fergusson with the Tennessee Department of Tourism for this wonderful article about my animal photography classes at the Nashville Zoo! Read the article here.

If you're interested in taking one of my zoo classes, please feel free to contact me with any questions. You will need to register for the classes through the zoo's website.