Farmily Portraits Begin with a Pixel Tasha Hall had

By Pam Bonsper

Have you ever tried to take a photo of your dog? If so, how many tries did it take to get more than just the back of their head, their tail, or just a fuzzy image of Fido as he jumps for that toy you’re holding above you? You may have decided . . . It’s ok, let’s just forget it!

Now, picture yourself taking a photo of your dog, your cat, and your kids all at once with all eyes forward. I know . . . Not even gonna try it!

I know this is going to be a stretch, but let’s say you have a small (or large) farm and you’d like a portrait of your human family, your dogs and cats, and your horses, cows, chickens, ducks, llamas, and turkeys—as well as the newly adopted pup?

Impossible, right? Well, not if the photographer is Tasha Hall of BC Farm & Family Photography with her photographic assistant, a darling little Aussie and Border Collie mix by the name of Pixel.

Tasha’s passion started back in the fall of 2014, she explains. “I wanted to create a Christmas card for my own family, but I wanted to include more of our furred and feathered family members, so I created our very first “Farmily” portrait. We pulled out the old couch and arranged just a few of our ducks and chickens around it, as well as our three dogs.”

The following year, Tasha decided to do it again, adding more of their animals, even their horses. A dream was born. Once she realized there was a demand for pet and farm photography, she dove in headfirst and never looked back.

“You always see family portraits on the walls of people’s homes, but for me, the family doesn’t stop with the people. What about all of our furred and feathered “Farmily” members? They are just as much a part of the family as any human component . . . so, I decided to change the way people look at family portraits! We include everybody from the largest horse to the smallest guinea pig, mouse, or snake.”

In November, 2019, Pixel came to help. Even her name reflects the intimate connection to photography and the artistic techniques Tasha utilizes in her Farmily portraits. Pixel travels across the country with Tasha as she’s photographing farms and pets along the way. Pixel, the energetic assistant she is (oh, those herding dogs just HAVE to work), helps round up sheep and goats, eventually finding the missing camera–shy ones. It’s hard physical work, and is dirty and muddy and messy and fun. Just what Pixel loves!

While Pixel is chasing the chickens and ducks, Tasha finds the perfect settings for each unique farm: expansive property backgrounds, beautiful green woods, old

furniture to perch on, a rustic pickup truck, or just a row of hay bales.

And when it’s time to pull out the camera? Tasha laughs, “Every session is an adventure! Trying to herd llamas without getting spat on, wrangling pigs and chickens. Once a cow got away and ran off into a field. Usually I come out dirty and laughing. Any day with animals is a great day!”

Tasha’s husband, Nathan, is her biggest supporter and is always there to help with the photo shoots.

When asked about her process of getting everybody in their place, spaced just right and usually all looking at the camera, Tasha explains, “The photos are done in layers. First we create a set and then we start bringing the animals out a few at a time, or even one at a time if needed. The goal is to spend enough

time with each animal so we can get it interacting with the camera. We want to get every animal looking its best, so the time is spent with each one to make sure it is comfortable and at ease. We don’t just line the animals up; we get to know their personalities. The photos of each animal or group of animals are taken, and then the final image is created with Photoshop.”

Needless to say, the demand for Tasha and Pixel’s delightful Farmily portraits is growing. “So far most of our farm families have been in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, but we also travelled to Tanzania in Africa and did one beautiful farm image there as well. The goal is to travel the world photographing farms as we go.” Her trip to Scotland last year had to be postponed, and Tasha says that she can’t wait to do a U.S. tour when she’s free to travel again.

When asked about her “All about Dogs” category, she says, “I love dog

portrait sessions! They are easier by far, although most of my farm family photos have at least two or three family dogs in them and sometimes as many as a dozen. I also do a lot of puppy-litter sessions and they can be pretty crazy! Who doesn’t love a whole pack of puppies climbing all over them, though! SO cute!”

My final question for Tasha: How do you reimburse Pixel? (Knowing dogs, I know some kind of a treat must be forthcoming.) She laughs and agrees. “Pixel is somewhere hidden in every Farmily photo I have created since we adopted her at the end of 2019. I call them her “Pixel Peeps”!

So when you look at these beautiful photos, look for Pixel . . . and don’t forget to check out Tasha’s website. You just may want to book Tasha for your Farmily portrait—or even your individual pup’s portrait. After all, it’s all about having fun . . . and it doesn’t have to include mud!

To book for Tasha and Pixel’s upcoming U.S. tour, contact Tasha (or Pixel) at www.bcfarmandfamilyphotography.com

These fabricated-steel dogs were originally created by artist Dale Rogers for a temporary large-scale art installation called “The Big Dog Show.” This newly installed one, shown here at the Peace of Mind Dog Rescue office in Pacific Grove, California is a bit smaller at 4’ high and was commissioned and donated by two very generous and dedicated volunteers.

When our school closed down because of COVID, I had to teach online. After spending the day in front of the computer, I needed cheering up. Drawing a huge dog on my driveway did it. I loved how people started walking past to see it. It had a wonderful effect on our neighborhood. When my daughter put it on the internet it went viral. I got so much feedback saying how happy it made people. You could say I learned “the power of the puppy.” Since our return to school last fall, I have been able to use it to inspire students.