A Lazy Day at the Ranch

Ok, so maybe its not so lazy. Lazy 5 Ranch is a way cool 200 acre animal park in Mooresville that boasts exotic creatures from six different continents. Running through the heart of the property is a 3.5 mile road that visitors can adventure down in either the comfort of their own car or on a rustic horse-drawn carriage. This unique ranch allows the guests to feed the giraffes, buffalo, ostriches, donkeys, deer, pigs, water buffalo and more in a fun petting zoo type of atmosphere.

I was asked by Lake Norman Currents Magazine to do a behind-the-scenes photo shoot showing how the staff get ready for a big day at the ranch. The workers were great and were very cooperative...they really went above and beyond to show me how things operate.

I highly recommend a trip to Lazy 5 Ranch for either a fun day trip with the kids or for a unique and adventurous date. My only suggestion - if you choose to drive your own car through the ranch, be ready for some inquisitive faces to peek through your windows and don't even bother washing your car beforehand. ;)

The staff at Lazy 5 Ranch were kind enough to let me photograph their daily morning routine. They begin the day bright and early by wrangling the horses and getting them harnessed up and ready for the wagon rides.Each wagon carries buckets of feed so visitors can lure the animals and get some quality face to face time.I was invited along on a wagon ride with a handful of excited children and their parents. Dave was our knowledgeable tour guide and was quick to answer any questions we had. He was awesome and made sure we had a great time!Here are a few of the animals you can meet at Lazy 5 Ranch...

Most visitors only get to see the lemurs from afar but I was lucky enough to cross the moat and be on hand when they were released from their overnight shelter and fed a breakfast of just-picked figs. Isn't he cute? The water buffalo...um...not so much.

My First Cover!

It's finally here!!! The October issue of Lake Norman Currents Magazine is now on stands! I have been waiting all year for this issue for several reasons. Number 1 - because it is the coveted pet issue. Number 2 - because I have a picture on the COVER! I was very fortunate to meet the publisher of Currents back in March during a Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce event. I told her I specialized in architectural photography and I was just getting into doing pet photography as well. I saw her ears perk up when I mentioned pet portraits and she instantly told me about one of their most popular issues - the October pet issue. From that day on, I knew I wanted to be in that issue. Even if I just had an ad, I would be happy.

After shooting several stories for the magazine, the editor approached me about photographing an event that would raise money for the Cornelius Animal Shelter Alliance. The event would be in the form of a contest with the winner gracing the cover of the October pet issue. Sold! Of course I would help out. I would get to photograph cute dogs not just for the magazine, but for a good cause as well.

But wait...that wasn't all. The email continued by saying that they wanted ME to shoot the contest winner's picture for the COVER! Really!?! Me? I about had a heart attack. This is the issue I just wanted to have an ad in and now I'm going to shoot the cover? Hmmm...let me think out this. I politely and calmly wrote back saying that I would take the assignment.

Webster was the lucky winner of the contest and will now have a taste of fame at a very young age. This handsome puppy was so well-mannered and was the perfect model for his first photo shoot. I mean, who couldn't take a good picture of Webster with those adorable ears of his? Many congrats to Webster and his mommy. I will remember you forever! XOXO! Here are a couple other pics of the little man without his winning trophy...

For more pictures from the Currents Commodore Cover Dog Contest, pick up your magazine today or click HERE for my blog post from the event.