Have you ever wondered what dogs do all day, or if they're able to express feelings? The rich black-and-white photos collected in My Life As a Dog in Vermont detail the daily interests and activities of Lucy, a very busy and photogenic beagle. With the photos and Lucy's narrative, the reader is invited to enter a dog's world, as seen from her point of view. In My Life As a Dog in Vermont, author and photographer Geoff Hansen shares 45 photos of family dog Lucy that capture her many moods and activities. Hansen began snapping photos of Lucy when she was a puppy and soon noticed that she seemed to like having her picture taken. Lucy spars, plays, mopes, begs, sleeps, explores, and even flirts with a Japanese tourist. From inquisitive to bored, proud to embarrassed, the range of emotions dogs are capable of expressing are captured in these photographs. Hansen started sending photos of Lucy as postcards to friends and family. The response was so enthusiastic that he decided to turn the pictures into a book. Whether romping with her little brother, Chester, or pouting about being dressed in a humiliating sweater, Lucy will make you smile in this charming keepsake that reaffirms why the dog is man's best friend.
Geoff Hansen's approach to his work is marked by respect for the subject, gentle humor and letting events play out naturally in time. He doesn't stage or pose pictures but uses a photojournalist's techniques and instincts to capture the joy, drama and unpredictability of life. "It's a combination of emotion and light, and trying to tell a story in a single moment," Geoff says.
Geoff's photography has appeared in a dozen books, including "The Joy of Keeping Chickens" and "Living with Pigs." He has been photo editor and page designer at the Valley News in Lebanon, N.H., since 1998. Geoff has also been published in Newsweek, the New York Times and USA Today. Additionally, he has had the privilege to photograph weddings since 1994.
More information about Geoff's work can be found at www.geoffhansen.com
