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ANIMAL MAGNETISM
Pets inspire fine arts photographer
From the cave paintings at Lascaux to the Tomb of Tutankhamen to Warhol’s lithographs, the images of animals have been central to artistic expression — a fact that has not escaped the notice of Hamden photographer Joy Bush.
A professional documentary and fine arts photographer with decades of experience, Bush is also, like those cave artists in France, drawn to all that is beautiful, elusive, and magical in the images of animals, directing her insights to a relatively new enterprise she calls Pawtraits by Joy, Pet Portraits of Distinction.
With an eye toward creating a highly individualized work of art, Bush photographs each animal in classic black-and-white. Her style, which is inspired by Hollywood’s glamorous studio portraits of the 1930s and 1940s, relies heavily on dramatic lighting and dark backgrounds. As a result, each companion animal is brought into sharp focus — fur illuminated, expressions captured, personalities revealed. "I want each animal’s dignity to be reflected in the photo and, simultaneously, to draw the viewer in," says Bush. "My goal is to make a connection — to capture the qualities that make each animal special."
Bush, who often works with an assistant, conducts her private photo sessions at various locations, including pet boutiques throughout the Northeast, clients’ homes, and her Hamden studio. Costs begin at $500 and include the session, which can take up to an hour and a half, proof sheets, and two final photographs. Each photograph is approximately 8" x 10" and printed on the finest quality archival paper. Clients may order additional photographs.
For several decades, Bush served as the university photographer for Southern Connecticut State University. Her work has appeared in the Village Voice, The New York Times, Connecticut Review, and many other publications. She is represented in the permanent collections of the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, the Yale Medical Group Art Place in New Haven, CT and in many private collections. She also exhibits widely in solo and group shows throughout the Northeast.
For more information or to schedule a Pawtrait session, contact Joy Bush Photography at www.JoyBushPhotography.com.
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