Every now and then, something happens that makes you stop and think…

I can’t believe this is real.

A few weeks ago, I received an email asking if I would photograph the cover of this year’s Cary Magazine Pet Issue.

Needless to say, my answer came pretty quickly.

Absolutely!!!! (and then I called my parents to celebrate)

Holding the finished magazine in my hands now feels surreal. Not just because it’s a cover, but because it represents a journey that’s been years in the making.

Sometimes Dreams Take the Scenic Route

A few years ago, I reached out to Cary Magazine with an idea for a pet feature.

Nothing came of it at the time, which is completely normal in publishing, but the dream quietly stayed tucked away in the back of my mind.

Then, out of the blue, I received an email from the publisher asking if I’d be interested in photographing this year’s Pet Issue cover.

Funny how life works sometimes.

The opportunities we hope for don’t always arrive when we expect them to, but sometimes they arrive at exactly the right time.

Meet Rocket

Once everything was scheduled, we needed the perfect canine model.

I shared a few of my clients’ dogs and reached out to several local rescue organizations for recommendations. That’s how Rocket became our cover star.

Rocket is an adorable tricolored pup adopted from Saving Grace Animal Adoption. I photographed him and his brother last summer when his dad popped the question to mom Kat at Dix Park. 

The magazine wanted a clean studio portrait on a white background so they could customize the design later, which was a little different from my usual colorful outdoor sessions. Rocket made the job easy.

With plenty of treats and a few squeaky noises behind the camera, we captured the image that would become this year’s cover.

Looking Back

As I was writing this post, Facebook reminded me of something I hadn’t thought about in a while.

Fourteen years ago, it resurfaced a story I wrote for Triangle Dog Magazine about water safety for dogs. Of course, Baxter was my model, proudly wearing his little life jacket at Lake Johnson.

Seeing that memory made me smile because it reminded me how long dogs have been woven into both my career and my life.

Long before Tara Lynn & Co., I was a television reporter. I loved telling stories, and somewhere along the way those stories started including four-legged family members.

One of my longtime goals when I moved to Raleigh, was to photograph the cover of Triangle Dog Magazine. That dream became reality after I donated a pet portrait session to support the SPCA of Wake County’s Fur Ball fundraiser. The winning family received a portrait session that would appear on the magazine’s cover.

That one fundraiser opened a door I never expected.

Over the years, I had the opportunity to photograph several covers for the magazine, write articles, and most importantly build a wonderful friendship with Chuck and Angie, the magazine’s owners.

Years later, after they had moved away and sold the magazine, our paths crossed again when I was covering the Westminster Dog Show in New York City for WRAL. They met me at the show, and we spent time catching up like old friends.

Looking back now, those relationships mean far more to me than any magazine cover ever could.

Chuck and Angie, if you happen to read this, thank you for believing in me all those years ago. You played a much bigger role in my journey than you probably realize.

Looking back now, those relationships mean far more to me than any magazine cover ever could.

Chuck and Angie, if you happen to read this, thank you for believing in me all those years ago. You played a much bigger role in my journey than you probably realize.

Why I Love Photographing Dogs

People sometimes ask if photographing dogs is difficult. Honestly, I think dogs are some of the very best subjects.

They don’t care about perfect poses. They don’t worry about whether they’re photogenic. They’re simply themselves.

Every wag, tilted head, goofy grin, zoomie, and quiet cuddle tells part of their story. That’s what I love capturing.

Whether I’m photographing a family welcoming a new puppy, celebrating a senior dog, creating artwork for someone’s home, or photographing a magazine cover, my goal is always the same – to preserve the relationship between people and the dogs they love.

Feeling Grateful

When I started taking photos years ago, I never imagined photography would introduce me to so many incredible people.

Clients who have become friends. Rescue organizations doing amazing work (even throwing me a baby shower for my first daughter).

Magazine editors and publishers. Fellow photographers. Dogs with unforgettable personalities.

This business has been built one relationship at a time, and I’m incredibly grateful for every single one.

Thank you to the Cary Magazine team for trusting me with this year’s Pet Issue cover.

Thank you to Rocket for absolutely stealing the show. And thank you to every family who’s invited me into your lives over the years to photograph the love you share with your dogs.

I truly don’t take that privilege for granted.

Celebrate With Us (and Enter to Win!)

To celebrate the release of Cary Magazine’s annual Pet Issue, we’re giving away a complimentary pet photography session plus a print credit!

If you’ve been thinking about creating beautiful artwork featuring your dog or updating your family photos with your four-legged best friend, the Strike a Paws photo giveaway is the perfect opportunity.

The giveaway is open through July 31, and you can enter through Cary Magazine’s website.

I can’t wait to meet one lucky winner!

Author’s Note:  Tara Lynn is a Raleigh and Cary pet photographer who has spent more than 15 years telling stories through journalism and photography. Her work has appeared on multiple regional magazine covers, and she specializes in creating joyful portraits that celebrate the bond between dogs and the people who love them.