I met Lynda when she was helping as a volunteer in the kitchen at the Canine Partners' cream tea on Sunday. She was also serving tea and cakes to tables.
She was a tiny bit hesitant when I asked her for a portrait for my strangers' project. But she did agree, nevertheless, and we decided that a quiet part of the lovely garden would be a good background for the shot.
We found two wooden garden seats at right angles to each other so were both able to sit down. I took a few shots and there were two which I really liked but one of them included part of a head of a guest which I didn't realize that I'd captured. It's OK by me to have people in the background of an informal portrait but not a portion of bodyless head so this photo was my choice of the two.
Lynda told me that she had retired from her main voluntary work with Canine Partners at the end of August this year and although this event was a very happy sociable occasion, I could see that for her it was also tinged with sadness.
Back in the late 1990s, Lynda was a puppy parent to Eliot, a golden retriever who went on to become a partnership dog. She was also involved in the after-care of the dogs, visiting the partnerships and keeping in regular contact.
Later Lynda was a puppy parent to Hector, a flat coated retriever, who, unfortunately, was one of the very few dogs who do not go on to be assistance dogs because he used to become too stressed. Although disappointing, this could be seen as the good fortune of Lynda and her family as they got to keep Hector who spent the rest of his life with them.
Lynda has worked in fund-raising for the organization.
Currently her family has two retrievers of their own. She and her husband have 4 children, 3 grandchildren, 2 horses and 5 chickens.
Lynda helps her husband with the admin for his business and is a keen gardener so will be busy in her retirement from Canine Partners.
A small and belated September update for 2024, where I am still, after many years' membership, on 365 Project, also now posting elsewhere but wanting...
Lovely light, colour and clarity lucky the two chairs were available to relax Lynda and produce a great portrait, I'm sure she loved the image Hazel, and what a interesting story:)
Lovely portrait Lynda has a lovely smile and a rewarding life looking after the dogs and helping with the fundraising she must be a very special person. p.s. (Could you clone the head out )
it is a lovely shot of lynda haze, as a little tip (that I have learnt from camera club) is be careful with portraits in direct sunlight as the shadows can be harsh and distracting . Not always easy in a stranger project , but ~I always try for a bit of shade on a sunny day :)
September 16th, 2016
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Thanks for suggestion, Wendy, yes I did have a try but rather difficult.
Yes, certain backgrounds lend themselves quite well to cloning but others, and especially if the area if quite large leave, as you say, just a mess.
Aha, she spells her name differently though, William!!!