It was a pretty great year for Wishbone Photography and the Williamses. Our son Taos turned 1 year old in September, already having seen his mama and papa make some big decisions for the business. He also saw us at work with a few volunteer/rescue dog photo shoots. And Taos loves, loves, loves to see doggy and kitty photos on the computer when I’m in post-production at home.
The significant changes Becca and I made to our business in 2011 included beginning a new chapter as Wishbone Photography. We changed our name this past spring from Benton Park Photo Co. Also, we renovated and opened a boutique studio space this past summer at the old Barn at Lucerne in west St. Louis County. Feedback from clients who have come for viewing sessions at the studio has been spectacular. Each client visit affirms our decision to face the risk that comes with opening a space despite the Great Recession.
Also this past year, I joined HeARTs Speak and, in that spirit of volunteering artistic skills for the benefit of rescued animals, began a yearlong project with Love A Golden Rescue (see calendar photo session #4 to learn more about that work and to see a few outtakes). We had a vendor booth at the annual Bark in the Park, put on by the Humane Society of Missouri, and photographed the annual Celebrate Spot event, also held in Forest Park. We also partnered with the wonderful Treats Unleashed for new photography in their stores, showing their dog treat baking process.

Overall for Wishbone Photography, we launched a new identity and welcomed opportunities to work with more fantastic clients — some pets, some people, and some combinations of the two. Thanks to all our wonderful clients who have helped make it such a great Wishbone year!!
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Editorial & Commercial Pet Photographer
As many of our Wishbone clients know, I also have a pretty sweet “day job” life at what must be the world’s best place for a pet-loving scribbler-lensman: Purina.
In my work at Purina this year, I became editor of Rally to Rescue magazine, a national publication dedicated to the heartwarming triumphs of rescued dogs and cats and the people who love them.
Among my work for Rally to Rescue and other publications at Purina, I wrote and photographed several cover stories, traveling mostly the eastern half of the U.S. From horseback on the prairie of North Dakota to the swamps of Georgia, and from the moose-tromped mountains of New Hampshire to the tornado-ravaged corner of my home state, Missouri.
The cherry on top … I recently learned some of that work has brought some finalist nominations for national honors to be awarded in February.
With that in mind, 2012 looks like it will bring even more of an adventure than 2011. I look forward to coast-to-coast travel before January even is done, more covers, new rounds of commercial photography to update Purina Pro Plan ad campaigns, a trip to NYC to photograph the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and lots more opportunities through Rally to Rescue and beyond.
What will happen in 2012 for Wishbone Photography? Time and you will tell. We will assuredly continue building this great thing our family has going and keep following the journey into the unknown. Becca, Taos and I wish everyone a sensational new year, and hope our paths cross somewhere along the way.
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