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Dorothy Copus Brush The pets were sure hamming it up About a month ago an eye-catching ad appeared
in our Chronicle. It announced a "one day only opportunity
to have your pet's portrait made." It was described as Pet-rageous
Portraits done by Carolyn's Portrait Magic. On the appointed day I made my way to the
Community Complex to see how things were going. The large room
had been transformed into a photographic studio with lights and
a variety of background scenes and props. One long table was
filled with tiny hats, scarves and other pieces to use as costumes
for glamorous portraits. A large pet carrier held two furry cats belonging
to Bobbie Keyes. Her friend, Jackie Hughes, had accompanied her
and the pets. Inside the carrier was 1-year-old Gracie Mae, a
lilac point Siamese, and her buddy, 6-year-old Henry, a seal
point Himalayan. Ms. Keyes was looking through the large assortment
of costume finery for just the right piece for Gracie Mae. Released
from the carrier the young cat was most patient as different
pieces were popped on her head and around her neck. Henry had
no interest in all this nonsense and fuss. Instead, he explored
the cavernous room. Finally, decisions were made, and each cat
was posed. Each pose took several clicks of the camera before
there was no motion to spoil the shot. After the individual shots
were made, the two were posed together and eventually Carolyn
was successful in snapping the shutter before one cat moved. With the sitting completed there was time
to talk with photographer Carolyn Marsh and her friend, Linda
Bice, who came to help with this initial venture. Carolyn was
fascinated by the camera from the first picture she ever took.
When she got her first 35 millimeter camera she could not stop
taking pictures. She experimented and read and learned from experience.
Her talent spread by word and soon she was asked to do weddings.
About 12 years ago she set up her studio in Browntown. This mother of two adult sons and grandmother
of a 4-year-old granddaughter - the apple of her eye - is also
a nurse. She has been an LPN at Cumberland Medical Center for
four years. Linda is also a nurse there and in her off hours
she is involved in America's Angels beauty pageants. Two busy
women! Pet owners returned two weeks later to pick
up their pictures and, once again, I stopped by. The day of making
portraits had definitely been a dog's day. There was a Yorkshire
terrier, a pair of pure white Samoyeds, a schnauzer, another
pair of Afghan hounds, a rottweiler and a perfectly behaved mixed
breed who had been rescued from the shelter. Some owners chose
to be included in the pictures, and others preferred the pet
star alone. What portraits to treasure. The subjects were winsome, darling, adorable and it was clear they all knew they were stars to their owners. · · · |