Posing-pooch project raises money for humane society

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SARAH PRALL

Longhaired chihuahua Laci, according to owner Diane Miller of Northampton, posed like a pro for a benefit photographer Sarah Prall staged for Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society last month. "She's not your typical little dog," Miller said. "She's a very mellow dog. She just sat there and posed." Prall described Laci as "a little dog with a big personality."

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SARAH PRALL

Ken Bernstein of Amherst gets big love from silky terrier Butter, adopted from the Dakin shelter, as his daughter, Leah, laughs at the sloppy smooch. Leah was the driving force behind getting the dog, but Bernstein knew he had to approve the choice as well, since he also would be a prime caretaker. According to Bernstein, "one look into Butter's eyes," and he was in love.

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SARAH PRALL

Hank, left, is a Welsh corgi and Trixie, a Border collie-corgi mix. Hank was a rescue from a Nashville shelter, and Trixie came from Arkansas. Their owner is Anne Pinkerton of Easthampton, who volunteers for Dakin. According to Pinkerton, "Hank is a prince. Very photogenic. Trixie is much younger. She was suspicious, looking around like, ¿Am I going to get a shot?'"

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SARAH PRALL

Above, a black Lab/hound mix named Ginger. According to Rebecca Schwartz of Leverett, "She's incredibly sweet, really mellow, loves us and we love her, despite the fact that she steals all of our bread left within a 5-foot height!"

BELCHERTOWN - Photographer Sarah Prall has great confidence in the quality of her photographs. The challenge, during a benefit for a local animal shelter, was keeping her subjects in one place.

Prall, who moved to Belchertown in May, decided to give something to her new community by staging a benefit for Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society. Over four days in July, she photographed dogs brought to her studio for 20-minute photo sessions. In all, 21 pet owners selected an image in exchange for a $25 or in-kind donation to Dakin.

Prall, 39, said the hectic sessions were like "sitting in a love bath."

"It was the owners' love for their dogs, the love dogs express naturally and the love I have for what I do," said Prall. "It was amazing how many people wanted to find something where they could give back to the community." The event raised $850 for Dakin.

Prall laughed as she recalled the canine personalities on display. "There were little dogs with huge personalities and the giants that are creampuffs on the inside."

Some dogs, like Laci, a 4-pound, longhaired chihuahua, couldn't get enough of the limelight. "She just sat there and posed," said her owner, Diane Miller of Northampton. "She was hilarious."

Then there were Brittany spaniels Abbie and Winnie, who repeatedly fled the studio area, to the exasperation of owner Valerie Gouin of Belchertown. The mother-daughter pair instead scrambled onto a red antique settee at the far end of the room.

Finally, Prall had an idea: She moved the settee to the studio area and used it as the backdrop. Gouin selected a photo from a slide show. "It's a picture I could never get myself, and it was cash and food for Dakin. What could be better?"

Size also influenced Prall's work. Photographing smaller dogs meant capturing a twirl of hair or wayward whisker. For bigger dogs, like black lab-mix Ginger, she emphasized their clean, stately lines.

Ginger's owner, Rebecca Schwartz, of Leverett, who also had shelter rescue Eedee in tow, was impressed. "The pictures (of Ginger) totally captured her spirit. They were unbelievable."

"It was amazing to see the dogs just sitting there when they (actually) were totally misbehaving," she added with a laugh.

Ginger particularly tugged at Prall's heart, reminding her of an opportunity missed to capture a special image of Daisy, her partner Rocky Dobosz' Lab, when Daisy was alive.

Candy Lash, community and media relations director for Dakin, helped Prall fine-tune the idea for the benefit. Prall had adopted her beagle Cleo from Dakin. "We talked about the kind of donation, cash or in-kind," Lash said. "Many people went beyond what she asked. She was lovely, and it was such a nice thing for us."

Prall credits her passion for photography to her late father, Robert Prall. His influence as a single parent helped shape her love of communities and families.

Despite dealing with a few anxious or camera-shy canines, Prall said all the dogs shared one special trait. "Dogs can't fake a smile. They are who they are."

For the month of August, Prall said she will donate half the cost of a studio or on-location session to Dakin. To reach her, email sarahprall@cox.net or call (413) 835-1578