Renowned photographers Alison and Geoff Conklin, who reside in Emmaus, would have been in full spring-wedding swing right about now, but like the rest of us, plans came to a screeching halt because of the virus. Once they checked some household chores off of their to-do list, they wanted to do something to stay busy and creative. Of course, they knew it had to be photography related, and they've since struck creative gold with their dog Ringo.
Rather than their typical gamut of glistening brides and grooms, their 150-pound Great Dane Ringo would be playing dress up for the camera. “We have two Danes, Ringo and Clementine,” Alison says. “Ringo is a ham and always wants to be by our side. Clem is also a snuggle bug, but having her stay in one spot for more than 10 seconds is not as easy as Ringo.”
Both dogs already wear Phillies shirts to IronPigs games and Penn State shirts to tailgate at State College. “It was initially just going to be a few weeks of them wearing different sports jerseys and hats that Geoff has,” says Alison, citing her husband's love for all Philadelphia sports. “When we realized Ringo would wear sunglasses and props, it opened up our options.”
The options have proven to be truly endless, and are brightening up social media feeds everywhere. When it comes to naming favorites, Alison says it changes daily. “I think mine are the grocery store photo, the bookworm and the Lady and the Tramp photo,” she says. “And Geoff's are the sports ones, Moira Rose from the show Schitt's Creek and the Jason Mraz tribute.”
One of her favorite parts? Laughing together throughout the whole process. “From the list we keep in our notes on our phones, to talking about it and curating props and clothes, to shooting and editing the photos, it's just such a great distraction,” she says. “I mean, this is why they say art is so important, right?”
Just knowing that they have something fun to do each day, even just for a few minutes, makes all the difference, she shares. “Having something to think about, plan out, talk about and curate is hugely therapeutic and a great distraction.”
They're constantly talking about ideas and working on ways to implement them on a budget of zero dollars. Fortunately, Alison's tub of art supplies and paint skills have come in handy. “It is all, honestly, working with what you have. Nothing fancy, nothing purchased, it's making what is around work,” she says. They have some creative friends who have pitched in, too, offering props through porch drop-offs. “My friend Shelbi Stoneback made the tub out of foam core for Ringo and it was perfection!”
That bathtub was used in a photo to promote Ringo's new partnership with The Gail Hoover Foundation to support additional K-9 Officers for the Allentown Police Department. Currently, the City of Allentown has two K-9 Officers and they should have five. Locals can help raise the funds needed for three more police dogs by purchasing some Ringo-approved pet shampoo, with all proceeds going directly to the Allentown Police.
As for Ringo, Alison says he is a special dog: “He knows how our routine works now. We get up and slide our little love seat away from the only blank wall we have in our house. His tail immediately starts wagging and he goes to his spot and waits to get dressed,” she says. “Once dressed, he looks at Geoff, usually yawns and then, after a little bit, walks away.” By that point, she usually has her shot, but if not, they just call him back over. And Clementine is always right there, enjoying the whole thing as a spectator—though they've gotten her into one photo so far.
Friends and followers on Instagram have fallen in love with Ringo, and they look forward to seeing what Alison and Geoff come up with every day. Alison is an official x-Photographer with FujiFilm, and Ringo has even caught their attention, making an appearance on their Instagram and bringing smiles to even more people's faces. For your own daily dose of Ringo, follow along on Geoff's dog-walking Instagram, @walkymcwalkerson.
