2 Days and 12 Dogs at the Delamar Hotel In West Hartford

Earlier this summer I had the opportunity to collaborate with the Delamar Hotel in West Hartford and Dog Star Rescue on a unique portrait project. We hosted a contest to select twelve Dog Star alumni, then paired each dog with one of the Delamar’s most beautiful and dog-friendly spaces. Over two days, we created a series of portraits that celebrate rescue stories while highlighting the elegance of this luxury hotel.

The Delamar West Hartford is known for its style and dog-friendly atmosphere, which made it the perfect backdrop for this project. Together with the hotel team, we chose twelve iconic locations - from the café to the boardroom - and I selected the best Dog Star alum to bring each space to life.

I had a vision for each pairing. A little black dog was perfect for the café scene. The boardroom called for a confident Rottweiler. Every dog rose to the occasion, striking poses that fit seamlessly into their surroundings.

Dog Star Rescue will be creating calendars featuring these portraits, which will be available later this year through both Dog Star and the Delamar Hotel. It’s a project that not only highlights the beauty of the Delamar, but also shines a light on the incredible dogs who have found their forever homes.

I’m so grateful for this opportunity - below are the 12 portraits that will be featured in the Dog Star 2026 Calendar. Which is your favorite?