Dulcy Dog Photography

04/07/2025

My second South Carolina dog session was a warm and humid trip to the low country where we had to avoid the local gator in the property pond, but I love the palmettos, spanish moss, and warm sunsets. Mia, the older of the two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, has lung cancer, and will go in for surgery soon. Luckily, her mom is a small animal vet, so she's in good hands for this journey, and I'm so glad and lucky I got to meet her.

03/21/2025

First South Carolina dog session. The canal walk along the river in downtown Columbia is so lovely, and this little one is so loved by his family

02/26/2025

I'm enjoying looking back on summer sessions when it's grey and damp out. Tenney Park is so lovely

02/26/2025

02/06/2025

We love a dog family, don't we?

01/02/2025

More of Mr. Gus, because I can't help it.

12/25/2024

Dipper the Christmas elf hopes that you’re having a great holiday season, and that he and I can’t wait to see you and your pups next year. ❤️

Also, no, the hat isn’t photoshopped, he’s really wearing it.

12/24/2024

I love when I get to work with families every year

12/17/2024

I don't really know what to say about what happened yesterday. I was in the studio, having my last session at the 2160 Atwood location, and at 11, emergency vehicle after emergency vehicle came screaming down the road. We counted at least 15. They were heading to the school, which was 2 miles away. It was haunting once I knew what it was.

So here's a puppy, Gus. He's a 10 week old Cardigan Corgi, and he made my very hard day yesterday bearable. So now I want to share him with you. I hope it helps.

12/15/2024

If you've followed me for any length of time, you will know about my affection for Liam, a dog and human reactive bulldog whom I first met in 2021, when he wouldn't let me get closer than 10 feet to him. When I first met him, his mom, Jen, who was friends with several other photographers in the area, had never had photos done of her whole family, Liam included, because people were afraid of him. I was able to work with him and have then done so every year since. Over the years, he got softer, and allowed me to get closer and closer, eventually walking up to me and allowing some petting this past summer.

He is the reason why one of the focuses of this business is working with reactive dogs, and providing a safe and nonjudgemental experience for owners. Having a reactive dog can be lonely, and hard, and Jen experienced all of that, while working hard to get him to a place where he wasn't scary, and I got to see the goofball bully I knew was in there.

About a month ago, Liam crossed the rainbow bridge. He got sick and his mom, who fought so hard for him, had to make the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye.

This business is dedicated to Dulcy, an old border collie/chow mix who was trained to be barrier reactive, and was NOT an easy dog to have, but it is also dedicated to Liam, who also taught me so much. Thanks, bud. I'm glad you were able to find your peace.

12/12/2024

These super chilly days make me so grateful for clients who trust me and show up, even when it's super cold, and make this whole business possible.

12/11/2024

Christmas Spirit

12/11/2024

😑 + 💅 = ☠️

Sorry babes, that's what you get when you're a poodle with a groomer for a mom.

12/10/2024

Now’s as good a time as any for a quick introduction.

Hello

My name is Melanie and I own and operate Dulcy Dog Photography. I am also the sole photographer, but that might be changing soon.

In 2025 I will be splitting my time between Madison WI and Columbia SC. Im excited about expanding Dulcy Dog into the south, and to meet a whole new batch of pups and their people.

I love many breeds, but I really love keeshonds, and have a soft spot for corgis, so when someone told me that this little monster, who is half and half, needed a new home, I was so excited. He hasn’t been easy, he wasn’t trained or vetted in his former home, but he’s smart, sweet, and a sassy pain in the butt. I love him beyond measure. So when a friend offered to bring her camera and meet me at Token Creek Dog Park, I said yes, even though my hair was a mess and I generally hate being in front of the camera. This is your sign to get photos with your dogs, and loved ones. I love these photos, even though I look far from perfect in them. You don’t even have to go through me, although I love it when people do. Just get photos done.

I lost two dogs this year, and that coupled with some other personal stuff has made 2024 very difficult, but the joy that Dipper has brought in has made the hard times seem worth it.

This is getting a little rambling. I get a little introspective during this time of year. Maybe it’s the darkness, or the holidays, or just the upcoming new year causing me to pause and take stock. I am grateful beyond words to those of you who have trusted me to photograph you and your pups, I don’t take it for granted and I know that I wouldn’t be a full time photographer without my amazing clients.

Anyway, I know that 2025 will bring challenges, and scary times with political changes and personal changes coming, but I have faith we will get through as a community, and I will get through because of mine.

❤️❤️❤️

📷: AJ Photo Company LLC

12/01/2024

November kicked my butt, and I'm playing serious catch up, but I wanted to sneak into Small Business Saturday and share this out, for next year. I will be sharing my time between Madison and South Carolina, so I am limiting the amount of these that I sell. Act fast if you want to take advantage ;-)

Sign up form: https://forms.gle/tX5MDkyCjoUt8mRc9

11/18/2024

11/13/2024

It's been a rough few weeks. I said goodbye to my Willow pup last Monday, and then, well, Tuesday and Wednesday happened. I'm crawling back out of my hole, and appreciate everyone's patience as I do so.

It's made me appreciate the people in my life, and my clients. These two hired me two years ago for a fall session, then had me be their wedding photographer this past summer. We met again a few weeks ago, when the fall colors were at their peak, for a session with their pups again. With one of them starting to feel the effects of age, it felt right to celebrate this little family in Mt Horeb one more time.