When Best Friends Become Family: Echo & Faith at Kopachuk State Park
We are fortunate to have so many amazing clients and to photograph their amazing pets! This session was memorable because of the love of two friends and their amazing dogs. In September, I had the privilege of photographing two dogs who are more than companions to their humans; they’re best friends to each other. Echo, a 60-pound husky mix, and Faith, a 5-pound Pomeranian service dog, are an unlikely pairing at first glance. But the moment you see them together, their bond feels undeniable.
Echo carries herself with calm confidence and impeccable training. Faith, is equally composed—young, alert, and completely tuned in to her pet parent, Morgan. Faith began her service dog training when she was only a few months old, and it shows in every step she takes. Watching the two of them interact is like watching siblings who grew up side by side; they play, they check in on each other, and they move through the world as if they share the same heartbeat.
Their humans, Morgan and Krystalynn, met through dog training and rescue work, and their gentle connection was just as memorable as the dogs’. There’s a quiet respect and affection in the way they interact—soft words, shared understanding, and an ease that comes only with true friendship. Even though they chose not to be in the photos, their presence beautifully shaped the session.
The session came together unexpectedly quickly—Morgan was visiting and had limited time before returning home to Sedona. We planned the session at Kopachuck State Park in Gig Harbor, surrounded by evergreens, shifting light, and a beach with the wide-open view toward Deadman’s Island. They asked to have the island included in some of the images, and as Echo and Faith explored the shoreline and forest paths, we captured it all: the contrast of their sizes, their synchronized movements, the way their eyes followed each other.
When it came time for the reveal, Krystalynn and her husband Rand visited the studio in person, while Morgan joined from afar—live through Zoom from her home in Sedona. Even across the miles, the emotion was just as strong. Morgan’s reactions came through the speaker like she was right there with us. It was a great way to celebrate Faith and her big buddy, Echo.
This session wasn’t just about beautiful photographs. It was a reminder of how friendships—both human and canine—can form in unexpected ways and leave a lasting impression. Watching the four of them together, even in different combinations, felt like witnessing a small family built on trust, compassion, and shared love for their dogs.
