A few years back, I was asked to shoot people with their dogs on behalf of a dog food company. It was a great project and I had total freedom to shoot it anyway I wanted. These particular photos are 3 of my favorites.
When I walked into the house Tina Maristella and noticed it had this cool 70's vibe about it that brought back so many memories from my childhood but what makes this image so strong is the look on her face, the vertical lines of the wood panelling, her choice of clothes and the fact that the dog is looking away.
Tina Maristella
The image below of Bengy Today was another that just fell into place. I saw Bengy a couple of weeks previous to this photograph being made and asked him how long he planned to keep his beard. He informed me that he was going to shave it off soon so I asked him if he would mind keeping it until I took a photo of him and his dog. I asked him to wear all black and his leather jacket for a strong contrast to his dog Pablo. I think what makes this image work is a combination of Pablo's closed eyes, the black leather jacket, the beard, the glasses and Bengy's deadpan look to the camera.
Bengy Toda
When Mylene Dizon showed up at my studio with her dog, I remember her saying to me, "Tom, you have no idea how you want to photograph me and my dog, do you?" She was right. I then said to her all I know is that you will not be wearing any clothes. I then asked her to wrap her dog around her neck like a mink stole and once again, the dogs eyes being closed really helped make this image. I also like the look on Mylene with the slight smile and it didn't hurt having her half naked.
Mylene Dizon