On a recent Friday, we teamed up with Mark Rogers of San Francisco for a tail-wagging day of photos, featuring both our current pet favorites and a sneak peek at what’s coming next. Mark is no stranger to our founder, Malia Lawrence—he previously photographed her late dog, Luke, in a luau-themed shoot that still makes us smile.
This time, the stars of the day were Malia’s own pups: Princess Leia, an 11-year-old Lhasa Apso with plenty of opinions, and Peabody, a 15-year-old Miniature Poodle with undeniable charm.
Princess Leia Steals the Spotlight
We kicked things off with our bow collars on Princess Leia. Sounds simple, right? Not exactly. Between Leia’s fabulous floppy ears blocking the collar and her refusal to look where anyone wanted, the first few shots were… spirited.
Then in came the secret weapon: Malia’s husband, Justin—Leia’s favorite human. The transformation was instant. Suddenly Leia was poised, focused, and ready for her close-up. Above, you’ll see Mark behind the camera while Justin sweetly talks Leia into looking his way so Mark could capture the perfect shot. Diva behavior? Absolutely.
Peabody’s Big Fashion Moment
Next up was Peabody, who made his grand debut in our upcoming dog aloha shirts. And honestly? He understood the assignment.
These adorable shirts will launch in two prints and three sizes in the coming months, and we’ve already placed our final bulk order. We can’t wait to share them with you.
What you don’t see in the photos is Mark working overtime as chief treat dispenser. Peabody is deaf, so voice
commands weren’t part of the plan—but the sight and smell of snacks kept him sitting like a seasoned professional.
The “Simple Shot” That Wasn’t So Simple
After the models earned a well-deserved break, Mark turned his attention to product-only shots. Watching him work was a reminder that there’s no such thing as a simple product photo.
There were lighting tweaks, collar adjustments, background changes, angle changes, and more tiny refinements than we could count. Every detail mattered, and Mark handled it all like the total pro he is.
Leia’s Final Scene
To close out the day, Princess Leia returned for one last setup: lounging on a dog-sized pool deck chair. At first, she was absolutely certain this tiny chair was beneath her. But after a few treats, kisses, and plenty of encouragement, she relaxed into the role of luxury resort icon.
We even attempted sunglasses—but Leia politely declined.
The final photos turned out beautifully, and we can’t wait to share them on the website in the coming weeks. Stay tuned… these pups were born for the spotlight.
Give Mark a follow on Instagram @sf_dogphotog