Healing Hearts with Hunter Grace: A Therapy Dog Session in Morehead City
Some dogs make your day.
Hunter Grace changes lives.
This joyful 4-year-old chocolate Lab is a certified Therapy Dog who works with children with autism at ENC ABA in Morehead City. Her session for Tails of the Crystal Coast wasn’t just about beautiful images—it was about celebrating her purpose, her personality, and her unshakable bond with her person, Tracy.
Starting Where She Shines: Outside ENC ABA
We began Hunter Grace’s portrait session at the place where her heart does the most good: outside the ENC ABA clinic. Wearing her red therapy vest, she stood proudly beneath the blue North Carolina sign, ready for whatever the day brought.
You could see how much she loves her job in every frame—ears perked, eyes glowing, tail in motion. It’s not just work for her—it’s joy, and it radiates.
From the Clinic to the City: A Waterfront Adventure
After our visit to the clinic, we took the session into downtown Morehead City. As a city girl, Hunter Grace fit right in—posing like a pro on stone steps, strolling confidently near reflective puddles, and soaking up the sunshine with a grin only Labs can pull off.
She’s the kind of dog who turns heads and melts hearts all at once.
Capturing the Silly Moments That Matter
One of my favorite images from the session wasn’t posed at all—it was Hunter Grace flopped onto her back, feet in the air, with Tracy laughing beside her in the grass.
That moment didn’t belong on the wall.
It belonged in a place even better: her custom-designed album.
Albums are where the silly, the sweet, and the real get remembered. Not every photo needs to be perfect—but they all deserve a home.
A Handcrafted Frame for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Bond
For the wall? Tracy chose a stunning handcrafted round wood frame featuring the two of them lying side-by-side in the grass, sunlight pouring through the trees behind them.
It’s the kind of portrait that makes you stop in your tracks.
A warm, earthy frame to match a bond that’s strong and gentle all at once.
Art like this doesn’t just decorate a room—it tells a story.
MY bad, for not grabbing a better picture of this gorgeous framed canvas. iPhone picture doesn’t do it justice.
Why This Session Meant So Much
Every session I photograph has a story.
But this one? It was about purpose. About joy. About honoring a dog who gives so much of herself to others.
Hunter Grace reminds me why printed artwork matters—because their stories deserve to be told in ways that last longer than likes or shares.
Ready to Celebrate Your Dog's Story?
Is your dog a therapy partner, a service dog, or just your favorite soul on four paws?
Let’s turn their love into something you can hold, display, and treasure.
📷 Book Your Session
📩 Have questions? Send me a message or stop by the studio in Newport, NC.
Because the way they look at you?
That deserves to be remembered forever.