As a photographer, it is my job to set up the shoot, pay attention to details and control the session as much as possible. DJ and mother nature decided to show me just how little of control that I have.
The plan for this shoot was to get images of DJ and Rojo along with their owners Michelle and Jill at Moraine State park on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. It was partly cloudy but no rain on the radar. I arrived at the location of the shoot (which usually has very few people) only to find the area packed with kayakers and multiple other horses. Thankfully, all of the horses had left for their trail ride before DJ showed up. I would find out at the end of the shoot, when all the horses came back from their trail ride, that DJ had no love for them.
DJ decided as soon as the shoot started, that he needed to antagonize his buddy Rojo by pushing, biting and stealing his hay. Of course, this made my job a bit harder. Then mother nature decided to pour down on us just 15 minutes into the shoot. We waited out the short pop up rain to grab a few more images. By this time, DJ was much more interested in Rojo than what I wanted him to do, their coats were spotted from the rain and poor Michelle and Jill looked like drowned rats. Michelle and Jill were good sports and let me take a few more shots of their rain soaked hair and clothes along with the spotted boys.
For each session, I raise the bar pretty high for myself. Sometimes, my expectations are not realistic and not obtainable with the circumstances. Like this one! I had high expectations on myself for this photo shoot. I have to admit that I left that shoot feeling defeated and frustrated. Nothing about that session went the way that I wanted and needed it to go. I let my ego whine a bit and then shook it off, looking at it as a learning experience.
Michelle is the owner of DJ. I have known Michelle for many years. She is my massage therapist and sounding board. Long gone are the days of going for a relaxing massage. Nope! Michelle and I have too much to say and topics to explore. I look forward to my 2 hours with Michelle every month. Michelle is not only my massage therapist, she is also a great friend, wonderful person inside and out and has a great love for DJ. This was the first time that I had met DJ but I have been hearing about his life for years. I have enjoyed getting to know DJ from afar. His personality is unique. He knows what he likes and what he doesn't like. He pushes boundaries with Michelle as often as he can. Michelle has provided him with the best life he could hope for. I can promise you, this won't be the last time you see Michelle and DJ.
I met Rojo and Jill for the first time at this session. What a team! Jill is full of life and good energy. Fun vibes were coming off of her. Such a wonder person and a great sport, rolling with the punches. Rojo is handsome, gentle and sweet. He seemed curious of what I was doing. It is very apparent the love that Jill has for him. Such a beautiful connection.
