It is my favorite day in January when hundreds of people strip bare on a Saturday to leap into the icy water of Lake Michigan for a polar plunge. I enjoy photographing the experiences found on people's faces. In Finland, there is a word for this — sisu. The strength of will, perseverance, and determination when against adversity. When you have sisu, you sustain courage.

When a Dog Shows You How to Live

Fiona: Joy Unleashed was a Chicago dog photography exhibit celebrating the joyful spirit of Fiona through vibrant beach portraits. On view at RAYGUN in Andersonville, the show captured the playful energy and emotional depth of pet photography.

There's a unique spirit to a good road trip. It contains the ability to move freely from one region to another. You can plan the destination, but who or what you encounter is unavoidable on the way. My ancestors embarked on unforgettable road trips during their lifetimes.

Temperatures plunged to five degrees while setting up my tent in a snow swale in Wisconsin. I had been to a cold, snowy wilderness, and now a hot arid desert, where there is no greater extreme. Watching the changing light on a sea of dunes was transcendent — nature shifting from soft repose to harsh contrast in the blink of an eye.

Aristotle first said nature abhors an empty space. Here is wisdom, yet also a paradox because that is where I found these two cubs, fearless in an open field, foraging in a black walnut tree. For me, open space is something to embrace rather than disdain.

While exploring Yosemite Valley, I found myself drawn into Ansel Adams’ gallery, where his Special Edition prints line the walls. Among the iconic images—El Capitan, Half Dome from Glacier Point, Bridalveil Fall—one stood out: a photograph of a solitary, weathered tree titled Jeffrey Pine.

The holidays are a time for joy, connection, and unforgettable moments. This post holds a special place for me — it features my beloved Stanley with Santa, taken during my very first holiday marathon shoot, and was honored to be featured in ParadePets. At 16, Stanley's gentle face next to Santa's jolly smile is a timeless reminder of the magic that happens when we celebrate the ones we love — furry or not.

Our homes are filled with personal touches that express who we are. Naturally, you may want to display dog photography portraits in your home as a pet owner. After all, photos of our loved ones, including our pets, offer comfort and sanctuary, fill our living spaces with personal touches, and help make them feel cozy. 

My journey with animals began with an unexpected lesson — learned from binge-watching The Dog Whisperer to become more assertive at work. Cesar Millan's core message stuck: to change a dog's behavior, start with the human. That insight carried me through years of pet photography in Chicago, and still guides my animal communication work today. Calm, present energy changes everything — for the dog, and for the person on the other end of the session.

Discover highlights from our debut solo exhibition, Dogs: Social Beings, held in August 2023 in Chicago. Showcasing soulful pet portraits from Stan's Photo, the exhibit celebrated dogs’ unique personalities and their role in community connection. It also launched Dogs of Andersonville, a project capturing 100 local dogs and the stories that make this neighborhood one of the friendliest around.