From the Racetrack to the Portrait Studio: Lincoln and Sally's Signature Session

When Chris contacted me about photographing his current retired racing greyhounds, Lincoln and Sally, I knew we were in for something special. This wasn't our first collaboration—I had photographed his previous adopted greyhounds back in 2015, creating a multi-photo wall display that had become a treasured part of his home. Now, with Lincoln and Sally settled into their retirement, Chris wanted to create a companion piece that would mirror that earlier work while celebrating his new family members.

Meeting the Models

Lincoln and Sally at the start of the session look to Chris for guidance

Lincoln and Sally arrived with that distinctive greyhound grace—those long, sculptural lines that make them such compelling photographic subjects. As I began setting up my mobile studio equipment in Chris's home, I could see the difference in their personalities emerging. Lincoln was initially more reserved, while Sally seemed naturally curious about the process.

"They're very sculptural animals," Chris observed during the session, and he couldn't have been more accurate. The way light plays across a greyhound's lean musculature creates natural shadows and highlights that any fine art photographer dreams of capturing.

The Session Unfolds

One of the things I've learned from nearly two decades of pet photography is that patience always pays off. While Lincoln started the session a bit standoffish—which is completely normal for greyhounds who often need time to assess new situations—some of the most beautiful images actually came from those early moments.

An early portrait of Lincoln

"I had the thought that Lincoln was a little bit more standoffish, but there were some good images right from the start of him," I mentioned to Chris during our review session.

The real magic happened as both dogs relaxed. We captured everything from intimate close-ups showcasing their soulful eyes to dynamic full-body shots that emphasized their athletic build. Sally's personality really began to shine through as she became more comfortable, and we caught several shots of her with that characteristic greyhound "smile"—tongue out, eyes bright with contentment.

Technical Challenges and Creative Solutions

Working with greyhounds presents unique photographic opportunities. Their lean build and distinctive silhouette require careful attention to lighting to emphasize their elegant bone structure without creating harsh shadows. I used directional lighting to sculpt their forms while maintaining the soft, museum-quality aesthetic that defines my work.

The image selection process revealed just how invested Chris was in the outcome. "This is gonna be really hard to figure out," he said as we went through the options, demonstrating the kind of thoughtful engagement that makes these review sessions so rewarding for me as an artist. With the technical work complete, we moved to what's often the most emotional part of any session: the image review.

The Joy of Selection

The image selection process is always one of my favorite parts of any session, and Chris's reaction reminded me why I love what I do.

Sally smiling for the camera

"Michael, all of them are fantastic, dude, that's good," he said as we began going through the gallery. His enthusiasm only grew as we continued: "Wow. Mike, I love them all. Man, oh, look at that."

What struck me most was his genuine engagement with each image. "If you see me stopping for a few seconds, it's just that I'm enjoying the picture," he explained, taking time to really absorb what we'd captured together.

"Oh, this is, this is great, man. This is wonderful. Thank you," he said at one point, and that emotional impact was immediate and genuine—exactly the response I'm hoping for when clients see their beloved companions elevated to fine art. Something magical happens in that moment of recognition.

The Art of Capturing Character

Each image told a different story. We had the serious, contemplative portraits that showcased the dignity these former athletes carry, as well as the joyful, tongue-out shots that revealed their playful retirement personalities. Chris particularly loved one image where Sally appeared to be "squinting and smiling at the same time"—a perfect example of how timing and patience can capture those fleeting expressions that make each pet unique.

"Usually your customers, how long do they take to go through these pictures? I could be here for hours," Chris mentioned, echoing what many clients experience. The abundance of beautiful options often makes selection both a joy and a challenge.

Creating Lasting Memories

What struck me most about this session was witnessing the clear bond between Chris and his retired racers. These dogs had found their forever home after their racing careers, and the love in that household was evident in every frame. Lincoln and Sally weren't just pets—they were family members whose retirement was being celebrated through fine art.

Lincoln was even smiling by the end

"This is gonna be really hard to figure out," Chris repeated during selection, but that's exactly the problem you want to have. When every image captures something special about your beloved companions, the difficulty isn't finding good shots—it's choosing among many beautiful options.

The Final Collection

We ended up with a stunning collection that truly captured both dogs' personalities and their relationship with each other. From intimate individual portraits to beautiful shots of them together, each image was processed with the same museum-quality standards I apply to all my fine art pieces.

The session also reinforced something I've observed throughout my career: rescued animals, especially those like racing greyhounds who've had such structured previous lives, often seem to understand when they're being celebrated. There's a dignity in their bearing during these sessions that translates beautifully to the final portraits.

Working with Lincoln and Sally reminded me why I'm passionate about creating fine art portraits of beloved companions. These aren't just pictures—they're lasting tributes to the animals who bring such joy to our lives, especially those who've earned their retirement after years of service. In Lincoln and Sally's case, their racing days might be over, but their modeling careers were just beginning.

Interested in creating museum-quality fine art portraits of your beloved companions? Contact Tucson Pet Photography to discuss your Signature Pet Portrait Experience. Based in Tucson, Arizona, I serve families throughout Pima County with mobile studio sessions that bring professional lighting and fine art photography directly to your home.