Ivy and The Odyssey - Dog Photography of the Quad Cities
Come along as we follow Ivy the Irish Wolfhound over the course of her first year! Capturing all her milestones throughout some of the most scenic locations in the Quad City IA/IL area including Vander Veer Botanical Park in Davenport, Schwiebert Riverfront Park, and Black Hawk State Historic Park in Rock Island. With Liz’s customized photography journey watch as Ivy grows from an adorable puppy to a stunning full grown wolfhound. Giving her pawrent, Julie, the chance to relive those moments that are gone far to soon.
Introducing The Odyssey a puppy’s photography journey staring Ivy.
Who doesn’t love the thrill of welcoming a new puppy into their life? Each day brings a flurry of firsts, and by the end of the first year, a whirlwind of unforgettable moments has unfolded. Liz has long dreamed of documenting this beautiful journey, but her previous life of travel left it to be only a dream. Now that she has settled in the Quad Cities, that dream has finally become a reality.
Over the past year Liz has collaborated with Ivy and her wonderful pawrent, Julie, to bring to life “The Odyssey” - a series of photography sessions designed to capture the transformation a puppy experiences in their first year of life.
Miss Ivy, an Irish Wolfhound, made her debut during her first outing at Vander Veer Botanical Park in Davenport, Iowa. At just 14 weeks old, Ivy was understandably timid, but the park offered her a world of wonders to explore. Liz came prepared with plenty of encouragement and treats, ensuring that this first session would be one to set her up for success. After a brief time for some sniffs and scratches Ivy was ready to shine as a model. The city park provided a unique backdrop, blending urban flair with hints of woodland charm, resulting in stunning photographs.
“At our first session I was a bit nervous wondering just what kind of a rodeo it was going to be working with my not yet all that well trained big, shy girl. But Liz was amazing! She was so patient, putting both Ivy and me at ease with her relaxed, encouraging, and patient approach. She was able to gently coax Ivy into nearly all her shot ideas, and if Ivy was not agreeable or nervous about a particular pose, Liz sensed that and simply transitioned to “Plan B.” Every step of the way, Liz was quick to praise Ivy (and me!) and to remind me to reward Ivy with lots of treats. It did not take long to forget my nerves and really enjoy the process, and Ivy actually enjoyed it too.”
Three months later, Liz reunited with Ivy, this time exploring the scenic walking paths of Schwiebert Riverfront Park in Rock Island, Illinois. Boy had she grown! From a “muppet” of a pup to a thriving young dog Ivy was finally growing into those legs. The picturesque park, nestled in the heart of the Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District, offered a perfect canvas for capturing the essence of this blossoming pup. With confidence Ivy took to the scene as the golden hour light poured over her and the city landscape.
“They were gorgeous, lifelike, and yet somehow magical as well! Liz is a true artist, able to envision and create amazing, soul-capturing photographs that truly exceeded my expectations. Some of the photos made me laugh, others were simply beautiful. I loved them all, even the muppet-puppy ones, because they showed the various subtleties of Ivy’s personality most people do not notice.”
Just after turning one year old, Liz and Ivy met for the final session at Black Hawk State Historic Park in Rock Island, Illinois. This woodland setting was the ideal location to document Ivy’s transformation from a shy puppy into a confident young dog. Taking to the woodland landscape Ivy was the epitome of grace and serenity. She took every moment in stride from the young buck popping up beside her while posing on the bridge to walking the mile long trail in our unexpected September heat wave. She truly seemed to enjoy her photography sessions as she showed off how much she had grown, but who can blame her when lots of tasty snacks are involved!
Between each session, Julie joined Liz for reveal sessions at her home in Geneseo, Illinois, where they celebrated the progress made. The final session showing a culmination of their efforts in a beautiful gallery of images that captured every stage of Ivy’s first year, preserving the memories of her incredible journey. Julie had this to say about the experience;
“At the final reveal, it was abundantly clear as I looked back through all the growth and changes, not only in size and shape, but also in personality and confidence, what a fantastic idea the puppy journey is. Liz successfully captured all of that and more. These photos will be a lifelong treasure that memorialize an incredibly special but brief time in a dog’s life and that make my heart happy.”
Click here to view Julie’s full testimonial.
Alongside Ivy’s journey in “The Odyssey,” Julie also arranged two additional photography sessions for her other Irish Wolfhounds. The combination of these experiences peaked in two stunning galleries that beautifully capture the essence of these remarkable dogs. These treasured collections will be cherished for a lifetime, celebrating the unique stories of each pup.
