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Hello!

My name is Beth Andrews and I *love* what I do. My days are jumping up and down, making animal noises, coaxing and pleading, shaking feed buckets, sit-stay....no....sit-stay, changing halters, throwing balls, finding the light, capturing with each click of the camera what is special and true: about an animal and about the bond between pets and their people.

I live in Louisville, Kentucky with my fun family. My husband Bruce once pulled the car over because a frightened squirrel had dropped his nut in the road and he wanted to make sure the little guy got it back. So...of course, I married him! My son Jake knows and loves every species of mammal, fish, reptile, bird and insect on Earth. He's going to save the planet, I think. ( I hope I am not expecting too much....) My life is completed by my canine besties- crazy Daisy "the Dingo", a big white dog with very deep thoughts and an extraordinary need to please, and Henry "McFlee", the always food and attention deprived corgi who does a belly dance after every meal. Then there are my two horses- "Mighty Max", my Reining show horse who never met a lead rope he couldn't untie and "Sweet Kid", my big-hearted boy who happens to be the longest male relationship of my adult life- we've been together for 21 years. Smile.

I've always had a deep connection to animals. I just get them- and they get me. There is simply nothing better, for me, than to wake up every morning knowing I get to mingle with really amazing pets and the wonderful people who love them. I find it profoundly rewarding to make an animal really shine in a photograph. And if capturing the beauty, wisdom and unique character of animals helps us humans appreciate them more- then that's even better.

So, thanks so much for stopping in and checking out my blog. We'll meet some pets and people here who will make you laugh- others will touch your heart. We'll also chat about the pet community in the Louisville area and whatever other mostly insightful ramblings we happen to come upon!

Oh- and if you'd like to learn a little more about Hound and Hoof Pet Photography, you can just click right here: www.houndandhoof.com.

Enjoy!

Family time…

November 21, 2011 – 3:31 pm

People often ask me whether or not I photograph children and families.  Well the answer is yes!  But I like to have those families include someone with fur… after all.. this is pet photography:)

Here’s the perfect example.  This is Tia and Tess with their super fun parents!

Tia and Tess are adorable… seriously… the shoot was a blast and the editing was even better because their silly little faces just make me laugh out loud.

And the run like bunnies….

And they love their parents.  They will even pose on top of them - which is a definite advantage when you have five pound dogs.  My dog would probably break my ribs if she tried to pose like this.

Haha- don’t tell me this dog doesn’t make you smile:)

I’m so lucky to have my job- photographing happy little dogs and their families.

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Jack

November 10, 2011 – 2:59 pm

I love beagles.  They all look like big puppies- floppy ears, big eyes, goofy grins and silly shenanigans.  Jack is a much adored member of his family. And I can see why- he was a delightful dog to photograph.  He was alert and eager to try just about anything- which is always lots of fun for me as a pet photographer.  So here’s a bit of Jack’s portrait shoot on a gorgeous Kentucky fall day!

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Squirrel on a string….

November 2, 2011 – 1:57 pm

I love pet photography in the fall!  It’s my favorite time of year. It can be a little tough juggling things around the weather but there have been enough gorgeous says this season that it hasn’t been too much of a problem.

I photographed my first-ever Basenji the other day.  They are known for their ability to yodel. I didn’t get to hear little Annie do her thing- she was keeping quiet during the shoot.  But I did get to see her jump and twirl and run- her owner called her a “squirrel on a string” and at some points she did bear resemblance as she whirled around on her leash!

But she is a beautiful dog and photographed very well in all kinds of backdrops.  That’s the thing about autumn… the colors are so stunning and so wide in variety.  It’s a perfect time to photograph, especially with an adorable and attentive model like Annie. Enjoy!

By Beth | Posted in Dogs {and their people} | 1 comments         Hide Comments | Add a Comment
  1. Angie Wojciechowska   -  

    So beautiful! They look like paintings!

Jason and Ty

June 15, 2011 – 11:28 am

I recently had the great pleasure to photograph Jason and his dog Ty.  It was Jason’s graduation gift from medical school from his mother because she worries that Jason will really miss Ty when he goes to Florida to start his residency.

I’m sure she is right because Ty is adorable. He is an dachshund adoptee from the Animal Care Society and he is such a bold little guy! He trotted around and smelled the flowers and posed here and posed there. He was so much fun to photograph!

Jason is leaving Ty with his parents because they are so attached to each other and he will be extremely busy. Plus Ty is definitely a Kentucky dog!

So good luck to Jason starting a huge new career. And Ty will always be waiting by the front door of his Mom’s house with his little tail wagging when Jason comes home:)

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Esme- La petit chien francais

June 13, 2011 – 9:03 am

I’m not trying to show off my superb french skills- or lack thereof-  when putting “un peu de francais” in this post. It’s only fitting because Esme is indeed a real french dog. As in… she’s from France. As in… all of her commands are said to her in French. As in.. she eats crepes for breakfast and she wears a beret when she’s not being photographed. ( OK….maybe not- but she would look cute in a beret and I’m sure she would like to eat crepes)

Esme is a Beauceron- a french herding dog. And she is one of the best behaved dogs I’ve ever photographed. Of course, I can ‘t command her to do anything because if you tell her to “stay” or offer her a “cookie” she looks at you like you are nuts.  But.. her Dad can tell her to do whatever he wants- as long as it’s in french. And, yes, he speaks fluent French- which certainly helps with a family member who doesn’t speak English.

One of the cool traits of a Beauceron is the double dew claw.  I’ve never seen that before!

Also cool about the breed is a love for water. Makes a creek shoot way more fun!

Ah as the sun set on our shoot I had to say “au revoir” to little Esme. But she was an awesome little girl to photograph. Je t’aime, Esme:)

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  1. Joanna Reichert   -  

    Gorgeous pics - you never see a Beauceron here in the States! Everyone thinks they’re a scruffier Doberman. Very nice set - I’m sure her mom is very pleased! : )