Tony Hertz, a photographer with a career spanning three decades who has captured images of queens, popes, and a president, shares his favorite phone picture of his dog Lolly, a chow-chow-cocker spaniel mix. The photo was taken during a sunset walk in Pismo Beach, California, as part of a series and book project centered on shadows. Hertz noticed in their shadows that Lolly was looking directly at him, and he composed the shot to show their profiles turned toward each other, with his brimmed hat adding a noir aesthetic. Lolly died in November from chronic kidney failure.
This article matters because it offers a personal, intimate glimpse into the life of a veteran photographer, contrasting his high-profile subjects with a deeply emotional, everyday moment. It highlights how even seasoned professionals find meaning in simple, personal projects, and it underscores the universal bond between humans and their pets. The story resonates beyond the art world, touching on themes of love, loss, and memory through the lens of photography.