On the 12th day of Christmas, Roxborough gave to me… 12 festive dogs, 3 local businesses, and a photo session filled with festivity!

As a local photographer, I’m always looking for nearby businesses to collaborate with. The holiday season in particular is a wonderful time to partner with local shops in order to spread some seasonal cheer while supporting the small businesses that provide for us year-round.

My fur baby, Bear, inspired me to get involved with pet photography in the first place. Thanks to him, I now specialize in taking dynamic photographs of other people’s dogs, too. A family and wedding photographer by background, I believe that pets are just another extension of our beloved family. We celebrate our families during the holiday season, so why not celebrate our pets, too?

For this photo shoot, I worked with some of my favorite local business in Roxborough, places that I depend on not just for these canine-modeling sessions, but for my daily life with Bear, as well.

Paw Prints Professional Grooming provides pet grooming services for all animals, big and small. A couple of lucky dogs were treated to a luxurious spa day, which helped them to look freshly groomed, cleaned, and camera-ready. Loreta Montenegro, owner and operator of Paw Prints, stressed the importance of shopping small. “Supporting local business is not just important this time of year, but always! Collaborating with others in your industry and sharing networks can really help grow a successful business.”

“Supporting local business is not just important this time of year, but always! 

I count on the amazing staff at Liberty Vet Clinic, including Dr. Caroline Patten, to provide quality and professional care to my dog, and the state-of-the-art amenities at the clinic served as the perfect backdrop to our photo shoot. Dr. Patten, who I met while working with community-led groups in East Falls, has an all-star staff of veterinary technicians who made the stars of our photo session feel comfortable and safe.

"We recently celebrated our second anniversary with an open house party. The party was a way to show our appreciation to our current clients and to welcome new clients to the hospital. Our clients loved the pet holiday portraits. Each photograph was unique and matched the personality of each dog,” Dr. Patten added.

This fun and festive photo shoot would not have been possible without the help of Joseph DeCandido from ADVENT Consulting. Joe is a Roxborough pro who has a talent for connecting small businesses, helping us to support each other and foster growth in the local community.

This holiday season, remember to support your local businesses, and of course, don’t forget to show your furry family members some love!