My Story
There he was, I was smitten! Never before had I felt this way about any of the dogs that had been a part of my life in the past (mind you, I loved them all), this one, this one just had me by the heart strings from the moment he came home with us! The two and a half hour drive home with him on my lap...sealed the deal! To think, I wasn't even sure I wanted another dog. I couldn't think of anything other than the heartbreak. My Rottie Bear was with me and then us for 14 years before we had to say goodbye. This new pup was all my husband Tim's idea. He felt that the house had been too quiet and that we needed a fuzzy. There we were driving home with the newest member of our family.
We had in our arms a wrinkly, squishy, wiggly 8 week old Boxer puppy who Tim, named Gromit. Yes, after Wallace and Gromit. And yes, it so fit him.
I didn't know at the time that he would play a major roll in redirecting my future! I had no idea he would lead the way down this path that I absolutely love. But he did, all the way from the first few blurry snaps to the award winning portraits, magazine covers, articles and a book. He led me each step of the way.
January of 2016 Gromit was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed just 10 days later. He had just turned 7 only two months before. It is amazing to me that time has both gone so fast and so slow all at the same time. At the time, I was absolutely devastated. I couldn't think, I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I just couldn't...I couldn't step foot in my studio for weeks.
I seriously thought about closing up shop. I couldn't see how I could go on without this amazing dog by my side. Something wouldn't let me, he wouldn't let me. The phone kept ringing and pups of all shapes and sizes just had to have their lives and personalities captured in time and I couldn't say no. I found that the more I talked about Gromit, the better I felt. Don't get me wrong, tears would flow, tears still flow to this day but I wasn't alone...Even as I write this almost three years later, my eyes are pooling.
Gromit was my muse, my model, my confidant and it was with his help that Fog Dog Studios came to be. He will forever be a part of who I am today as both a person, dog mom and photographer. I have thousands of photos of him (10's of thousands of photos actually) and he inspires me everyday. I truly believe that Gromit brought Dot to me...over and over again...that is a whole different story.
A Dog is a Bundle of Pure Love,
Gift Wrapped in Fur.
~ Andrea Lochen
Details
Diane K. Costello, M.Photog., Cr., CPP. A quick Bio about Diane - A member of Professional Photographers of America (PPA) since 2005 she is currently a PPA Councilor for California. Diane is a Certified Professional Photographer and holds a Master of Photography Degree and Photographic Craftsman degree through PPA. She ahs also earned her Professional Photographers of California Master of Photographer and Service Medallions. Diane is on the Executive Team for Professional Photographers of California. Her work has won numerous awards at the State, District and International levels as well as multiple gold and silver medals in the International Photographic Competition.
Diane has authored the book Top Dogs; Portraits and Stories which is available at bookstores nation wide as well as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She has also had numerous magazine covers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Along with being a wife, sister, friend, teacher and Dot's mom (you'll meet her later), Diane has been photographing people, places and things for almost 25 years and still loves the process. Diane's love of photography is all about light, color, capturing a tiny moment in time to be held onto for ever.
Who REALLY Runs the Show?
Meet Dot - Office Manager
Receptionist - Greeter!
Dot takes her job incredibly seriously, except when there is a bone to chew on or food in the food bowl! She is one of seven rescue pups from the little town we live in and gets to see and hang out with quite a few of her siblings on a regular basis (which is great because she is busy...I MEAN BUSY). As a professional Greeter, she will be the first to jump on your lap for attention and give you kisses (she can't hold her licker) when you least expect it - you have been warned! She is the snuggliest snuggle bug you have ever met and she does not like to get up early (hides under the blankets)!
Her favorite things aside from food - a good run on the beach and her clothes! She LOVES her clothes! And posing....because she gets more treats!
Because they ARE family!
Let's create beautiful artwork for you and your family!