Ellie, a beautiful four-year-old golden retriever, recently joined me for a dynamic early August session around Phipps Conservatory surrounded by a sea of colorful blooms, fitting for its summer flower show, Under the Sea. True to the theme, Ellie made quite the splash, chasséing her way through the vibrant gardens with her signature golden coat gleaming in the late evening sunlight.
Her mom, Angela, won this special session at the 2024 Pittsburgh Metsquerade, a fundraiser for METAvivor that supports metastatic breast cancer research. At the start of her session, Angela revealed that there had been quite a bidding war during the silent auction for my session donation, and she wasn’t about to let her chance at winning it slip away. She went all in—and, of course, she came out on top!
Doggone Good Timing
That same excitement was clear when Ellie first came into Angela’s life in the summer of 2019 when her family placed a deposit on her. A few months later, on March 13, 2020—you know, the day the world decided to hit the pause button—Angela received the official news that Ellie would be ready to come home at the end of April. Talk about perfect timing. Nothing says “welcome to the family” like a global pandemic!
Angela describes Ellie as “super friendly with people,” always eager for pets, and happy to hear how pretty she is. Of course, it’s impossible not to admire Ellie’s gorgeous coloring and signature blocky head—two of Angela’s favorite things about her. And who could forget her fluffy behind, especially post-grooming?
While Ellie is all about being a submissive sweetheart with other dogs, her true loyalty lies with her human fans. At home, she coexists with two cats, and as Angela told me, their dynamic is a classic case of “you do you.” There’s zero aggression—just a harmonious blend of mutual disinterest that would make any peace negotiator proud. (Cue T. Swift’s “I Forgot That You Existed”: “It isn’t love, it isn’t hate, it’s just indifference.”)
No Off-Leash Drama
Before the session, Angela was worried about Ellie being unable to go off-leash. Like many dog parents, she wasn’t sure if Ellie would be able to stay focused in such a busy, open area. I reassured her that Ellie could stay safely on a leash during the entire session and that it would be removed during the retouching process, leaving her portraits looking natural and carefree—without the added stress of a spontaneous sprint toward the nearest distraction!
Knowing that, Angela picked Phipps Conservatory in late summer when the flowers were in full-on show-off mode. We struck gold with a peaceful evening, giving Ellie plenty of space to strut her stuff. “The best part? Watching her tackle everything we asked with the kind of enthusiasm only a golden can bring. She was all in, like, ‘Oh, you want me to pose and fetch? Hold my leash!’”
She had so much fun that when it was time to go, she flat-out refused to leave! (Or at least that’s what I’m choosing to believe. Reality check: Ellie doesn’t love car rides, but we’re sticking with my version because it’s more fun, right?)
Blooms, Brushstrokes, and Sibling Squabbles Avoided
After her ordering appointment, Angela selected a stunning bespoke canvas masterpiece of Ellie posed beautifully among the prettiest hot pink flowers. These canvases are one-of-a-kind, complete with acrylic hand-applied brushstrokes for that authentic fine art look. Each piece is framed in a handcrafted solid wood frame, carefully chosen to complement the rich tones of the portrait. Using museum-quality materials ensures these masterpieces stand the test of time, allowing Ellie’s sweet face and playful spirit to be enjoyed for years to come.
Angela also opted for several small matted gift prints that capture Ellie’s loving personality perfectly. These will be extra special for her young children, who think their four-legged sibling is the bee’s knees. And with multiple prints in the mix, there’s no risk of sibling squabbles over who gets which portrait—everyone gets to love on Ellie!
A Celebration of Awesomeness
So, there you have it—a full-blown celebration of how awesome Ellie is, brought to you by her mom’s win at this year’s Pittsburgh Metsquerade. From Ellie’s animated antics among the multicolored summer flowers to the meaningful art pieces Angela selected to hold those portraits, this experience shows the joy and love a dog can bring to her family, exactly as she is. Here’s to more adventures and more moments that prove every pup deserves their time in the limelight—even if it’s to be the star of the living room wall!
If your dog’s personality is larger than life, it’s time to capture it! Get in touch to learn more and lock in your session by choosing your adventure below.