This week finds me in Maine attending a week long session at the Maine Media Workshops for photographers and film makers. I am here, in part, on a scholarship from the Virginia Professional Photographers Association.

The workshops have been here, creating magic, for 35 years. For those of us lucky enough to attend it is a week of emotion and hard work that often leads to a major change of direction in one's artistic career.

This year I am studying with Stan Grossfeld, associate editor of the Boston Globe. Stan has won two Pulitzer Prizes, written many books, and has documented the human emotion found in so many world events. Our class is aptly named, "Photographs that Make an Impact."

So, while I post this with a fun image taken yesterday in Camden Harbor, my work here is going much deeper. And though I will continue to work to make lovely images of pets, it's time as well to work to help them too.

Below is Carmella, an Italian Spinone, who lightened my day with a swim amongst the ducks.

Well, it's time to start thinking about Christmas cards again! We will have a lot of fun new designs this year.

We'll also be offering some Limited Edition mini-sessions at the farm - perfect for Christmas cards.

Please check back for more details. Join our mailing list to receive our Christmas card announcement that will include special pricing!

The hottest of days didn't put a damper on the herding breed meet-up at Leesburg Canine Country Club.

Always the working breed these dogs braved the heat and enjoyed the afternoon.

What a beautiful group of dogs!

Bev Hollis Photography is honored to be photographing some of the service dogs of Loudoun County.

Jimmy was our first session and I suspect she has us spoiled. When I was told we'd be photographing a 2 year old CALM yellow lab I laughed and said, "There's no such thing as calm 2 year old lab."

She proved otherwise. The perfect subject and yes, calm.

Jimmy has been destined to be a working dog since puppy hood. She started her early career training to be a seeing eye dog. But it was discovered early on that "sniffing" was her specialty.

She was trained through the Puppies Behind Bars program and was then chosen by the ATF to become an "accelerant detection canine."

She spent six weeks sniffing all things flammable and then partnered up with Investigator/Bomb Technician Bud Herndon. The two of them trained together for 6 weeks in Front Royal, VA and graduated in March 2008.

Jimmy is only one of many dogs who serve the citizens of Loudoun County. These dogs work and live with their partners, become members of the family, and are valued members of Fire and Police departments.

We are saying thank you to these canine heroes with photo sessions.

We will also be doing some work on their behalf in the form of a fund raiser to equip all Loudoun County patrol dogs with bullet and stab-proof vests.

If you would like to help this cause please email me at: bev@bevhollisphoto.com

Below are also links to the Fire Marshal's web page and to the Brigg's Animal Adoption Center who graciously sponsors Jimmy which pays for her veterinary care.

Well, we finished our year-long puppy series with Sky. A fitting finish, photographed at the farm, on a morning filled with shifting light and lovely backdrops.

He is a beautiful dog, full of spirit and intelligence!

What a great year of photos. I'll have a year slide show as soon as this shoot is processed.