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SPOTLIGHT
Annabel & Philip
"We really came in to have our 18 year-old cat Porter photographed."
From the time Deanna first read about Sutton Studios in Forbes magazine years ago, she'd always wanted to bring in her cat. When she visited the Sutton website, she says, she saw that David also photographs people, "so I figured we'd all come in and see what happened."
"Usually my photo sessions with the kids are such a chore. On the drive in, Philip (age 3 at the time) said he didn't want his photo taken - and that's the norm. I didn't think he would even participate, and that was okay since our focus was to get some photos of our cat. Annabel (age 5 at the time) is usually pretty cooperative, and I figured she might be willing to be in some shots.
"When we arrived, David greeted each of the kids on their level and immediately won them over. They had a ball - they were playing and laughing during the entire session. I couldn't believe it. They would do anything David asked of them with huge smiles on their faces - he was almost like the Pied Piper."
Not only did everyone have a good time, but the photo session produced some great results. Deanna was especially happy with the photos of her cat, who had to be put down shortly afterwards.
"As you can imagine, we cherish the photos we have of her from that day."
Our framing partners
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REFLECTION & REFRACTION
For Zane!
 I had not meant to become a dog photographer.
Then one day, trudging against the undertow of a relationship's recent end, I met an eight-week-old Border Collie/Cattledog cross. I took him home, named him Zane!, and things began to shift. Important things. His presence in my life and my commitment to his care set the stage for a series of developments I could not have predicted.
On our second day together, puppy Zane! stepped off a curb and into a street. A non-event, really. But, in that instant of imagining the tragic possibilities, I realized my life had changed. I was responsible for someone. I also became conscious of the certainty that I would outlive my dog. I promised him on the spot that I would be there for him at his life's end to ease his crossing.
Zane! spent most of his waking hours anticipating our next trip to the park, a twice-daily ritual in which he gleefully demonstrated his athletic prowess and stamina by running down racquet balls or snatching Frisbees out of the air.
If we had company at the park, Zane! would take a couple of tosses from me, but on the fourth or fifth throw he'd bring the Frisbee or ball back and drop it on the feet of the spectator. Zane! thought everyone should play.
On several occasions I watched him launch himself up after a hovering disk, reach what had to have been the apex of his jump, and then in response to an updraft that took the Frisbee just out of his reach, stretch up another six inches to snag it. What a sight! Watching him perform was truly one of my greatest joys.
They say that you attract what you hold in your thoughts. If that's true, then Zane! must have thought constantly about tennis balls.
Out for a walk, sometimes he'd stop dead in his tracks, focused on a hedge (or a snow bank or a pile of leaves). He'd look at me, then he'd look back at the hedge. I'd give his leash a little slack and he'd push his snout in, sometimes diving in almost to his tail. He'd come back out, tail wagging, with a tennis ball in his mouth.
At first I didn't know how he found them. Then I thought he must have been picking up on the tennis ball scent. I finally conceded that Zane! manifested tennis balls into existence through sheer mental focus. In twelve years I never bought a tennis ball, but we had dozens of them, each ball a grubby, green testimony to his powers.
One night when Zane! was twelve and our daughter was three we got an urgent call from our babysitter - our daughter was hurt. We rushed home.
Feeling bubbly, our little girl had come from behind to give Zane! a hug. Startled, he gave her a bark and a slap with his snout. He did not bite her, but his canine method of discipline wasn't suited to the delicate skin of our three-year-old's face. The wound was small but deep - and significant.
It took me a day or two, but I finally arrived at the gut-wrenching conclusion that I could not be certain an accident like this would not happen again, and that for my daughter's safety, Zane! would have to go.
I called a friend who had always adored him. She quickly agreed to make Zane! her dog, and within the hour, before I could second guess myself, I was driving Zane! into exile.
Zane! had a better life at my friend's house, a better deal all around. I honestly believe this, and not just because I have to. Zane! no longer had to commute with me, nor spend his days being shushed and scolded when other dogs came to the studio to have their pictures taken. He had a wonderful new dog companion named William. He spent his summer days lying in a rose garden, his winters being spoiled indoors.
Last month, on the first of June, I got a phone call from my friend. Zane! had died. My family and I had lost our dog a second time.
I tell myself that in placing Zane! in the loving care of a friend who adored him, I was there for him at the end, that I kept the promise I made to him. Still, sometimes it's difficult to convince myself that I did not let him down.
Well into the thirteenth year of a rich and varied career (the one I had not meant to have), I can look over the many wonderful developments I could not have predicted and squarely say that it all started with a little black dog.
Thanks, Bud.
David Sutton |
COMMUNITY FOCUS
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Dog Days needs you!
We'd like to invite you to become a Dog Days 2008 sponsor!
We know that you care about animals and about helping the organizations who shelter, spay/neuter and facilitate adoptions for homeless and abused pets.
100% of the revenue from the sale of this beautiful calendar goes to support the more than 25 shelters and animal welfare organizations throughout Chicagoland that receive it free of charge. We'd like your help to be able to continue making these services available for pets throughout the area.
As a sponsor, your name, URL, phone number, and a brief message will appear on the month of your choosing. Just contribute $650 or more to the production of the 2008 calendar and you'll be reminding 10,000 potential clients of your generosity every time they check the date. To become a sponsor, contact Stacey by July 10th. Thanks!
 Horsing around
If you have a loved one who is also a horse, you'll be happy to hear that Sutton Studios has recently gone equine! Check out the portraits in our newly created horse gallery, and call us for more information.
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