Being deep into the dog days of summer, the hottest and most sultry days, we should celebrate. What better way to celebrate than to honor their namesake, man’s best friend?
One of the Islands greatest homage to dogs is Lisa Vanderhoop’s Vineyard Seadogs calendar. The fifth edition is out this week sporting the most wondrous cover, a dreadlocked Italian Sheepdog named Enzo. I was lucky enough to be able to catch up with Lisa to get a little more information about her incredible homage to dogs.
Katryn: What is the most unique thing people say about the calendar?
Lisa: Well, I am not sure this is so unique, but they often say, “How did you get that shot?” Of course that varies but I usually reply that I have good camera equipment. I usually go into a shoot with a plan, and after being in the moment with the dog or dogs, usually that plan gets thrown out the window. The dogs actually often tell me what they want to do. I think I listen to their cues. I don’t force them to do things. I don’t pose them (except perhaps the Squid Row shot where multiple dogs are on the Menemsha Texaco bench) but even then they still do what they want to do. I get major, major help from the owners. Just one more thing: Probably the weirdest question I do get from time to time is people ask me if all of the dogs in the calendar are mine. I just find that kind of funny. Of course not!
K: Why did you start the calendar?
L: My husband — Buddy Vanderhoop — had gotten us a Weimaraner pup and we would take Amos out on our fishing boat. It’s then that I started noticing all of these other dogs on boats, in the water, in kayaks, even boogie-boarding. They were everywhere. It’s then that I knew this Island really had gone to the dogs. I thought it would be kind of fun to start photographing some of the sea dogs and the project kind of took off from there.
K: What is your favorite month in this year’s calendar?
L: I am not sure I really have a favorite really. I know this sounds kind of corny but I really have a lot of affection for all of the dogs I photograph. I can be in sort of a bad mood or tired going into a photo shoot and invariably I always come out smiling after being with the dogs. They are just such funny, entertaining, messy, joyous furry balls of unconditional love. I have to say the 2011 cover dog, Enzo, an Italian Sheepdog, is one of the most unique dogs I have ever seen. This breed is literally covered with Bob Marley dreadlocks.
You can get your 2011 Seadogs calendar all over the Island: In Vineyard Haven at Bunch of Grapes, Cronig’s, SBS, Rainy Day, Rosecuts, or Tisbury Farm Market. In Edgartown stop by Edgartown Books and in Oak Bluffs at Good Dog Goods, or Craftworks. Up-Island, get your copy at Alley’s, Aquinnah Shop, Menemsha Market, or Menemsha Inn. They will also be available at the Vineyard Artisans Labor Day and Thanksgiving shows at the Ag Hall. If you can’t make it out to shop, they are available on Lisa’s website vineyardseadogs.com.
