Welcome!

Welcome! This blog will give a peek into my portrait sessions, celebrate canine history, and share some of the things that inspire me as a photographer. While I’m excited to jump into all of those topics, this first post will be a moment to introduce myself and Minna (my dog) through eight facts about each of us. 

Minna Facts

1. Minna came into my life by way of Copper’s Dream Animal Rescue about 2 years ago now. Copper’s Dream Animal Rescue is a San Francisco Bay Area foster-based rescue saving dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens of all breeds and ages. Minna was found shaking under a car in the middle of the night by a local sheriff who was kind enough to call an animal rescuer in the area for help. After over an hour, the rescuer finally coaxed her out. She was in extremely poor condition. It was also evident that she had come from a backyard breeder or puppy mill where she had multiple litters by only two years old. It took lots of time, oodles of love, good medical care, and plenty of treats, but against all odds, Minna is fully thriving today. It’s such a gift to witness that even with all her past mistreatment she has so much love and joy to give to this world.

2. She absolutely loves to eat sweet potato. Some of her other favorite fresh foods are pear, apple, and blueberry.

3. Minna adores soft blankets and pillows. She’s quite the cuddle bug! 

4. Once she’s asleep she’s a very active little dreamer. Her eyes roll around, she runs, she barks, wags her tail, and more. Also, when she’s really tired she sleeps with her tongue slightly out.

5. We actually have matching pajamas that we were given as a gift. I have yet to take a portrait of us both wearing them, but it will certainly be happening sometime in the near future. 

6. People are always asking what breed she is. Minna has been compared to ewoks, teddy bears, gremlins, fennec foxes, baby yoda, and other cute little creatures. I finally had her DNA tested through Wisdom Health to find out what makes her look so unique! She is 25% Miniature Pinscher, 25% Miniature Poodle, 25% Shih Tzu, 12.5% Dachshund (Miniature Shorthaired), and 12.5% terrier.

7. Minna really doesn't like rain or being wet! She also really dislikes busses and will usually bark at them.

8. One of her quirks is that if she hears a siren from a firetruck or ambulance go by she will howl at it. After doing some reading on this behavior, it seems it likely has to do with dogs being the descendants of wolves and that this action is actually programmed into their DNA. If you’d like to know more about this interesting trait there’s articles on Rover and Mental Floss that can tell you more.

Rebecca Facts

1. I grew up in Marin County, moved to The Hudson Valley in upstate New York for four years while attending college, and then returned to Northern California upon graduating. Berkeley is where I am lucky to call home these days.

2. I’ve always loved animals and have been lucky enough to share my life with many pets: two Maltese dogs, three birds, many fish, a guinea pig, and now Minna. 

3. Some of my favorite television shows include: Twin Peaks, The OA, Antiques Roadshow, The Good Place, Dark, The Great British Bake Off, Bojack Horseman, Desperate Housewives, and What We Do in the Shadows.

4. Antique objects, vintage clothing, music from long ago, and stories from the past have always intrigued me. Some of the places in the San Francisco Bay Area I go to admire things from the old days are Musee Mecanique, Alameda Point Antiques Faire, and Oakland Museum of California. 

5. The film photographers who inspire me most are Edouard Boubat, Eva Besenyo, Ruth Orkin, Dianne Arbus, Elliot Erwit, Francesca Woodman, Sally Mann, and Emmet Gowin.

6. I’m also a restorative yoga teacher. 

7. Theater is another true passion of mine. Whether I’m attending an innovative new work, reading performance theory, learning about theater history, or creating a new piece I am always in awe of what the performing arts can offer. 

8. The books on my nightstand right now are The Complete Stories by Clarice Lispector and Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente.