Yes, I have been photographing Chihuahuawas of late. And every time I write the name (Chihuahuawa), I have to look it up. I may not have learned to spell 'Chihuahuawa,' but I did learn that just like individuals within racial and cultural groups, it is impossible to stereo-type the characteristics of a breed.
The first thing I learned is that not all Chihuahuawas enjoy the world of the studio. Bright lights flashing in wide-open eye-balls aren't for everyone ... especially every Chihuahuawa. They are delicate creatures, tiny, slender, wide-eyed and have the propensity to startle easily. It must be a bit scary being a Chihuahuawa at times: human feet as large as you looming over-head, always in mid-step and about to step, only able to look as high as the average human companion's shin-bone, short-haired and often shivering if they forgot their jacket (at least Canadian Chihuahuawas).
Meet Pica. A sweet little Chihuahuawa. She is the first of her breed I ever photographed and she really didn't want anything to do with the studio as soon as her little being was jolted by the sharp flash of light. She looked up at her human companion in disbelief and quickly made her way for the door. She was having nothing to do with our plan to create an adorable portrait of her sweet self and, steadfast in her determination, was not even lured back by a tiny organic cookie to remain in the frame. Very soon into the shoot, she exited stage left:
And then:
And then:
And yes: Ciau
Now, it was not all 'Ya da dadadada da da da da'
(exit stage left), dashing for the door or swooshing under the couch for our dear Pica. With the ten or so shots we managed to get, we got a few beauties! Two to follow. Way to go Pica!
But, next time, let's take your picture in a pretty park, with gentle breezes, soft sunlight and no studio lights!
And then she gave us this coy little over the shoulder twist:
A few days later, I had a shoot with two more Chihuahuawas: Shorty and Macho Man! Concerned that they would react to the studio the same as Pica, I warned their human companion about the potential Chihuahuawa horrors of the studio and, in so doing, stereo-typed the Chihuahuawa as studio-phobic. However, my hasty theory was soon to be proven, well, hasty, unfounded and just plain presumptuous.
Enter Shorty! She is made for the camera and the razzel-dazzle of the studio lights! She was instantly on stage, a true performer, loving the lilac light (and check out her 'bling'):
But, I couldn't resist memories of Pica as Shorty bounced playfully out of the frame, a very different energy to her 'exit stage right,' don't you think?
And then it was her side-kick Macho Man's turn. Unlike the sparkling Shorty, he has more of a thoughtful, perhaps even existential, personality, looking like a moody movie star in his fur collared coat (by the way, this is the first time I photographed a dog wearing more than their furry birthday suit):
Macho Man ... you fascinate with your ineffable glamour.
Where are you gazing? What's on your Chihuahuawa mind?
Where are you going in that fabulous coat after the shoot?
Some smokey lounge ... cigars? Swirling of cognac? I wasn't privy to that information. Alas ...
And Macho Man, again, gazing off into some unfathomable distance, his other-worldliness as poised as a deer. Despite hisautonomous gaze, he seems carved, like an emblem, into the flowery textures of the background, giving us an essence of a most noble Chihuahuawa.
And we conclude our Chi-Chi-Chihuahuawa story with Shorty.She seemed sad to be off stage as we focused on the mysteries of Macho Man. But, back in front of the camera, the love affair resumed like it had never lapsed and she didn't miss a shot, her sweet face and doe-like eyes gleaming right through us and revealing yet another, very different, breed of Chihuahuawa.
That's all for now folks! Join the only Dog Blog in Vancouver for more frolics and fun in the philosophical land of Karen Moe's (that's me) Dog Art.
