National Magazine Award nomination June 15, 2007
The Human Being Jack C-ing Magazine April 2006
For those who are not aware, my background is as a newspaper staff photographer for close to 10 years. My training as a photojournalist is to capture emotions within people and tell their stories through photography.

Back in 2004, while working at the Ottawa Sun, I spent 8 months documenting an unconventional guy named Jack Davidson. Living at Ottawa's Hospice Mission Palliative Care unit, Jack learned to deal with his fate living with Hepatitis C and AIDS. This photos published originally in The Ottawa Sun, were re-published in 2006 by a great Canadian magazine called C-ing. A magazine dedicated to showcasing Canadian photojournalists and their work from across the country.

Recently, the photos of Jack were nominated in the Portrait category for the National Magazine Awards. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Toronto June 15, 2007.

Although I have moved on to photographing a different subject, my passion for capturing truth and moments that speak volumes has not changed. Photographer and publisher Keith Morison recently said to me that as a photographer you should be able to find a great photo in all that you are passionate about. (I say here here!)

Publisher Keith Morison's C-ing magazine has had a wonderful year with numerous awards and nominations from the POYi 64 and National Magazine Awards. And check out his site for a "Foxy" golden retriever in his wild art section! Posted below are some of the photographs from Jack's story Published as a special pull out section in the Ottawa Sun December of 2004 and re-published in April of 2006 in C-ing magazine. I am truly honoured to be nominated beside talented, indredible photographers from across the country. I raise a toast to you all!

AHH!! The Spring air!

You know it's spring when the dog's nose gets moving a mile a minute! Had to let you see this shot of Timmie, the famous dog of Timmie Doggie Outfitters in Toronto. We had a great time during Timmie's photo shoot at his local dog park hang out! Timmie's now offers a spa for the papered pouch! If you get a chance to go by you can check out the photo exhibit featuring three of my images.


On a different note I wanted to direct your attention to a link that I have added called "Walking for Veronica". In March I lost a dear friend to a Brain Tumour. Veronica was a close family friend and was only diagnosed a year prior to her death. It was a journey that nor myself my mother or father will ever forget. If there was a day that deserved a good walk in the park it is May 12th at the Ottawa Spring Sprint at Vincent Massey Park. In honour of Veronica, her family has started a blog and foundation in her memory. Their team "walking for Veronica" will be at the Spring Sprint raising money. Please visit their blog to read about Veronica and this great cause. Walking for Veronica

Sue

Thanks to everyone for coming out to the Pet Lover's Expo and stopping by the booth. Although the weather was not exactly great, Merrickville is still a beautiful town to visit for the day! All of you were the first to grab the new brochure featured here. The cover image is of Scooter, the proud owner of Gloria. I wanted to point out a great pet friendly place to stay! Only a couple of hours away from Ottawa is the pet friendly cottage resort that you can bring your loyal canine with you! Check out www.lakeedge.com.

And....you need to check out this artist! Lee-Anne Healey's Carvings in Wood! www.healeycarvings.bravehost.com

May 6th
B.A.R.K. Woofs and Wags walkathon
So everyone has to come out this event! A great day at the arboretum raising money for an awesome organization and cause that helps a ton of dogs! The day includes a free barbeque and vendors that have provided their services for free. In fact the line was large for photographs that I have enlisted a great photography friend of mine Brigitte Bouvier.

Last year B.A.R.K. spent close to $175,000 in vet bills. Any money raised during their largest fundraising event of the year will go towards a great cause. I have been working with B.A.R.K. for close to 6 years and I have been inspired and propelled to action by the awesome conditions that Sharon and Peter go into to rescue these dogs. If there was a day that was worth a walk in the park, it is this day. Plus the trees are always blooming in the park! It is a beautiful day. Everyone do the non-rain dance please! So stop by, grab the new brochure, get your photo done....but most of all enjoy raising money for an awesome group!

Cheers
Sue

Spring Fever!

Well it has been a crazy spring and it continues to get even more busy! March was a great month with a great trip to Vegas for a great workshop with one of the world's top wedding photographers, Bambi Cantrell and the WPPI. I had a blast and refreshed my shooting skills at the same time! I have a list of events that have happened or are about to! Hope to see you there!

Thursday April 19th
Timmie Doggie Outfitters
Toronto Ontario Canada
A great store at 867 Queen St. W. that has now opened a Spa for doggies. For the grand opening, owners Paul and George held a little photo exhibit of four dog photographers. So have a peek and visit the store to check out the photos I have hanging on the walls of the Spa!

Saturday April 28th
Pet Lovers Expo
Merickville Ontario
Come and visit my booth at the Pet Lover's Expo where I will be showcasing my photography and the books that you can have made from your own dog's photo session. Hope to see you there!


Sunday MAY 6
6th Annual Woof and Wags walkathon

What a great day to spend at the arboretum while raising money for a great group. I'll be set up at the event to help B.A.R.K. out for the day. Come by the booth and say hello. See you there!

Stay tuned for events this May!

Lick For Life

Last month, I celebrated valentine's day by photographing beautiful dogs at Ottawa's Bark and Fitz location on Richmond Rd. in Westboro. I wanted to capture the dogs in mid-lick! What a hoot!

Along with the photo shoot was an awareness campaign about an organization in Kingston called Lifestream www.animalbloodbank.ca
Here is a brief explanation of their organization taken from their web site:

"Veterinarians are keenly aware of the shortage of companion animal blood supplies.

LifeStream Animal Blood Bank team members are passionate about animal welfare.

Our team is willing to do whatever it takes to promote public awareness of veterinary transfusion medicine and the magic of animal blood donations.

The mission of the LifeStream Animal Blood Bank is to provide quality blood and blood products for veterinary transfusion medicine.

We collect blood donations from volunteer canine blood donors." ~lifestream

The plan is to visit a couple of Toronto area Bark & Fitz locations for more Lick for Life photo shoots. Stay tuned for more info in the near future! ~Sue

Woof 'n' Wag Walkathon

This is my second year that has invited me back as the photographer for B.A.R.K.'s annual walkathon and major fundraiser on Sunday May 6. This is a great day in that you need to attend & and help fundraise for. The 7th annual Woof ' n' Wag walkathon for BARK will be taking place at the Arberetum on Sunday May 6, 2007. This is a wonderful hard working group that rescues, provides medical attention, fostering and adoption for dogs. I wouldn't have Chili-dog (the crazy terrier seen above) if it wasn't for B.A.R.K's trip to the Hurricane Katrina areas.

I hope to see you there. Come by and shake a paw! ~Sue
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ~ Gandhi

I was so sad to hear that a wonderful dog I had the pleasure of photographing passed away during the Christmas holidays. Kelly was a beautiful girl with a wonderful gentle soul who captured my heart and lens on top of Montreal's Mount Royal. My thoughts are with you.

~ Sue

PerPETual Calendar
I am excited to introduce a calendar that I am designing and having printed. The Calendar will be for sale through my web site www.photobysuebird.com. The calendar will feature one year on all breeds and a second year dedicated to my Greyhound photography. The calendar will feature many photos captured over the year of 2006. The calendar will help in many of my fundraising events and will be for sale raising funds for breast cancer research with the PAWS for Charity team.

I'll update you when they will be available.
~sue

PAWS for Charity

A quick note to direct you to the new blog for the PAWS for Charity team. This will be the spot to get up to date info from the four of us involved. Check it out www.pawsforcharity.blogspot.com

A new year! We are officially leaving the Year of the Dog, what a great year to have launched my Dog photography business! Thank you to all of you who allowed me to meet and document your incredible loyal companions.

Kicking off the year of 2007 for me is a great day at Bark&Fitz on Sunday Feb 4. I have called it Lick for Life! in support of a great organization called Lifestream . This is one of only two animal blood banks in Canada providing Vet clinics the valuable blood needed for animal emergencies. Lifestream is one of my chosen organizations that I will be supporting throughout the year.

Hope to see you there!
Sue

A great Grey: Louis

This image was captured during a photo session while attending Greyhounds Reach the Beach in October of 2006. Louis has a great personality with a loving side of him that truly captured me. It was with a heavy heart that I heard about Louis' cancer just before Christmas.

I feel so privileged to have had the two hours with Louis to capture his presence for his owner to embrace forever.

My thoughts are with you in this journey,

~Sue

X-mas photos for B.A.R.K.
Every year I donate a day to B.A.R.K for Santa Paws photos. It is always great to see the returning owners and pets who I have come to know over the past couple of years. As well as the committed volunteers who spend endless hours pulling together to help raise money for this incredible rescue group. I'll have you know
Santa was on his best behaviour for the visiting dogs.

Once again, as every year, I am always torn by the horror stories & conditions that some of the rescued dogs have come from. I encourage you to visit the B.A.R.K. web site and think about volunteering or donating at the next event.

Have a happy Howl-i-day!
Sue

PAWS for Charity

I am proud to be a part of the group called PAWS for Charity, where myself and three very talented women have come together to help raise funds for breast cancer research. We made a great first time donation to the Canadian Cancer Society for $2200, raising the money in only a short couple of months. This is only the beginning of our effort bringing dogs and our products together to help raise money for very important issues. We plan to continue our fundraising and will launch our 2007 campaign ideas soon!
From left to right is: Kelly Goan Canadian Cancer Society, Sara Harley Barkingbiscuit.com, Char Harding Around the hounds.com, Julie Kelly of chillydogs.ca & moi.

Wag Doggin it Cafe
We had a great time at Wag on Bank Street near Lansdown park November 30. I met some great dogs & cool cats! Here is a one of my handsome models!

It was great to meet all of the owners, look for a gallery of select images captured that night on my web site
www.photobysuebird.com. If you would like access to the gallery for reprints, drop me an email and I'll let you in!


All the best,
Sue

Dogs in Canada Magazine

A little update for all, Check out the Dog in Canada Annual on sale now. The Zen of Fetch was shot in Constance Bay this past September with beautiful labs from breeder Mike Quennville of Mooselakelabs.com His labs are also featured in the upcoming December issue of Dogs in Canada magazine. Keep a look out for upcoming issues next year of Dogs in Canada for more Ottawa featured dogs.


WAG Pet Shop November 30 3-9 pm
If you want to come out and say hi, I will be at a meet and greet social night at WAG Doggin' it cafe WagPetshop.ca on Bank Street on November 30 from 3-9pm. I am even bringing my camera to capture your pet's personality. I look forward to meeting all the people and their pouches! See you there!

Lots going on since the last post. I had an awesome trip with some fantastic women entrepreneurs Char & Julie of Aroundthehounds.com & Chillydogs.ca for an event called "Greyhounds Reach the Beach". We had an incredible week of vending in Rehobooth Deleware in the firehall and resting our heads at a very cute little cottage in Dewey. Despite the Nor'Easter that hit the coast while we were there, we had a great time visiting all the incredible dogs visiting our booth over the weekend. I had the honour to photograph many wonderful people and their beautiful greys and even a non-grey! Here are some shots from one of the shoots on the beach with Gaby, Tinkerbelle & Doc. I cannot wait to get their books back, keep posted for an update and a peak into their books in the next couple of months. I look forward to pre-booking for Dewey 2007!

Chinese New Year of the Dog poster
featuring a beautiful retired greyhound & Dachsund puppy.




Canadian photographer Suzanne Bird photographed and designed the Year of the Dog poster for those who love great photography and everything about dogs. A great addition to the office wall. Trained as a photojournalist, Suzanne has focused her eye and talents on capturing a pet's personality for her clients. What a better year to launch her dog photography business featuring the beautiful greyhound Isabelle, this poster is a special keepsake for the discerning greyhound lover. Poster dimensions 11"X 17" (Daschund slightly smaller) Posters $21.00
tx (.8) $1.68 shp/hnd $6.50

To Purchase these posters please email me at birdpix@sympatico.ca with your shipping information. I will send you the mailing information or paypal information. Once your payment is received, your shipment will be processed.
~Sue

To keep you in suspense here is the page that features my photo of Betty and Sara-Belle, a breast cancer survivor and her loyal canine. Betty was photographed with her dog Sara-Belle for the package of Sara Harley's fundraising biscuit called Crunch for a Cure. You can get these biscuits at barkingbiscuit.com I am hoping to bring some packages along to the Wine and Cheese preview night at our beach house. Sara's picture, our group PAWS for Charity and one of Char's collars are featured in Canadian Home & Country October issue. Did you know that you can also get your own dog's picture put onto a package of Sara's biscuits? Very cool idea! Check it out.

Sue

Can you say Chili? As the temperatures drop in the Ottawa Valley, we all want to stay warm...even the pouchies! Check out this shot of Bizmark wearing a Chillydogs.ca head muff!

Dog Books : coffee table books featuring your dog
These are one of a kind, published and bound hard covered books featuring images captured during a two hour photo session at your dogs home. Each book is designed with your loyal canine in mind, capturing their personality and quarky habits for you to remember for years. For many clients, the book photo session came just in time as they lost their beloved dogs due to illness or old age. Gift certificates available, email for package options and prices birdpix@sympatico.ca



CARDS $6.50 (tx+SHP/HND= $9.00)
Thought I would finally add some photos of some of the dog greeting cards that I have created, with sayings like "with sympathy, I am so sorry, from the bottom of my heart." Each card features an archival print from my growing collection of dog photography. With a wide selection of colors and funky envelopes, it will certainly add a special touch for someone who has lost a beloved canine.



Hope you enjoy.
Suzanne