Anne Yarbrough Photography Returns to Put the Boo! in Costume Dog Parade Pet Photo Booth (in a Good Way)

When the Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard 2016 committee was making plans for the very first Athens Halloween costume dog parade and post-parade event nearly two years ago, a committee member, Marilyn Estes, made one immediate request: an Anne Yarbrough Pet Photo Booth. Yarbrough - a favorite photographer in town not just for her skill, but also her bubbly smiling personality (that's her in the Santa hat in the above photos) and generosity - had made quite an impression during a Christmas pet photo booth fundraiser a few years earlier for Athens Canine Rescue.

"It's a rare opportunity to have professional photographs of your pet, and even rarer to have someone else capturing great moments of you with your dog," explained Estes, the Boo-le-Bark committee member. "I still treasure those great photos from the Christmas photo booth, and jumped at the chance for a Halloween edition. I knew plenty of people would love that chance, too."

Yarbrough happily accepted the Boo-le-Bark offer, and just as happily declined accepting payment - instead taking donations, which she then turned over to the parade's beneficiary, Athenspets. The line of giddy attendees with their costumed dogs reached around the building, and Yarbrough worked nonstop for nearly 2 hours. The gorgeous and fun photos immediately popped up all over social media, with raves from very satisfied customers.

So the Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard 2017 committee - and returning attendees - were thrilled when Yarbrough graciously agreed to return for this year's post-parade Canine Carnival as well (this time charging a $5 donation to Athenspets - and figuring out a way to speed up the process and line wait, the only complaint people had), especially since the popular photographer is also a new mother with more responsibilities and less time. But she loves it all.

"I love meeting all kinds of people and learning about different things through shooting all kinds of subjects," says Yarbrough. "With pet photography, I also love how tickled people get when you're focused on capturing their pets."

A graduate of UGA's Fine Arts Department, Yarbrough's been a professional photographer for over 10 years. She now owns Anne Yarbrough Photography, and specializes in photos of pets and their people, professional head shots, weddings, fine art, and "a little bit of everything."

But one of her favorite specialties is the pets.

"I love doing pet photography because when people are with their pets, they laugh a lot and let loose," says Yarbrough. "Usually this makes for great, more natural photos. I love just entering a session and 'going with it' and letting things flow. I guess I love the unpredictability and the way people melt into sweetness with their dogs. I love anything that makes people laugh, because it's so healthy."

Anne Yarbrough Photography's Haunted Pet Photo Booth was held at the Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard 2017's Canine Carnival at Jittery Joe's Roaster and Tasting Room (425 Barber St, Athens, GA 30601) on Sunday, October 15, after the costume dog parade. Cost was a $5 donation to Athenspets, which got the recipient a sitting and one free download (a $10 event price value) of their choice (from the comfort of their home computer), plus the option to buy other photos.

The Canine Carnival also offered music by Athens favorite Conner Tribble with accompanying music by DJ David Osborne, vendors and a Kiddie Corner of activities by allegro: lively music for children, plus refreshing drinks by Jittery Joe's and Piedmont Provisions, frozen treats by Lil' Ice Cream Dude (including doggie frozen treats) and King of Pops, Holy Crepe and Mac the Cheese food trucks, and more. Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard Halloween costume dog parade began at 3 PM, and walked from Boulevard at Wynburn to Seminole, over to Nantahala and into the back gate of Jittery Joe's Roaster. Only registered dogs may walk in the parade (this isn't the Wild Rumpus), and registration was filled to capacity - but costumed and non-costumed spectator dogs that are well-behaved were welcome - and there were many.

Read more about the parade - It Takes a Town to Build This Sunday's Boo-le-Bark Dog Parade and Carnival

For more info, www.barkonboulevard.com