Every pet photo session has its own flavor—sometimes calm and serene, sometimes wild and goofy. Oliver the dachshund brought the best of both worlds, along with his awesome family: Sam, Alex, Max, and Cooper. With three dogs and two humans, I knew this session was going to be full of energy, laughter, and maybe a little bit of chaos (the best kind).
We met at the river, with the stunning backdrop of Mt. Garfield behind us. Mother Nature really showed off that day—golden light, lush greenery, and plenty of logs for the dogs to climb (or, in Oliver’s case, pretend he was King of the Mountain). If you’re looking for a pet photography session in Grand Junction, trust me, this location is pure magic.
Now, let’s talk about Oliver. This little guy may be small, but his personality is bigger than Mt. Garfield itself. He trotted into the session ready for his close-up, ears flopping and tail wagging like he knew he was the star of the show.
And then came the shot. Sam snuggled Oliver in close, and the two of them gave me matching smiles that could melt even the grumpiest heart. Half human, half dachshund—both equally photogenic. Honestly, it’s impossible to look at that photo without grinning right back. This is why I adore pet and family photography in Grand Junction—the unscripted, heartwarming connections that shine through so naturally.
Of course, Max and Cooper weren’t about to let Oliver hog all the attention. They brought their own charm, including some impressive posing skills and, of course, a few slobbery kisses for the camera.
The best part? Every single photo tells a story: the way Oliver leaned into Sam, the way Cooper stood tall like the family’s bodyguard, the way Max gave me that “yep, I’m adorable and I know it” look. These are the kinds of moments that make a family and pet photography session in Grand Junction so worth it—real life, real love, and a little bit of comedy mixed in.
And just when we thought we had wrapped things up, Cooper made his grand finale splash. With Olympic-level enthusiasm, he charged into the river, water flying in every direction, tongue out, ears flapping. If there were medals for “pure joy,” Cooper would’ve taken home the gold that day.
If you’ve been thinking about booking a session with your four-legged family members, consider this your sign. Whether you have one dog with superstar energy like Oliver, or a whole pack like Max and Cooper, your pets deserve their moment in the spotlight (and you’ll end up with portraits that make you smile every time you see them).
Ready to book your own pet photography session in Grand Junction? Get in touch today—I’d love to meet your crew!
Much Love,
Csilla
PS: oh and last but definitely not least I have to mention that we got connected through the AMAZING Happy Little Rescue
where Alex and Sam volunteer and foster pups from and I very much love supporting them myself. Check out the adoptable pups here and give them a like and follow here.
At Csilla Leonard Fine Art Portraits, we specialize in capturing the unique bond between pets and their people. As a professional pet photographer in Grand Junction, our photo studio is dedicated to creating timeless images that celebrate love, personality, and connection. Whether you’re looking for stunning wall art, custom albums, or keepsake portraits of your furry family members, we make the experience fun, stress-free, and unforgettable. If you’re searching for the best photographer in Grand Junction to capture your pet’s story, we’d love to help turn those fleeting moments into beautiful works of art.
We also serve Fruita, Glenwood Springs and Montrose, CO.