Black and White Havanese Photography in Chicago: Celebrating a Joyful and Affectionate Breed

Photo of a black and white Havanese dog in a chicago portrait studio.

Spend a few minutes with a Havanese, and it’s easy to understand why so many families fall in love with them.

They’re cheerful.

Curious.

Affectionate.

And they have a remarkable ability to make everyone they meet feel like an old friend.

As a Chicago pet photographer, I’ve found that Havanese dogs bring an infectious sense of joy to every portrait session. Their expressive eyes, silky coats, and playful personalities make them wonderful subjects, but it’s their genuine love for people that truly makes them unforgettable.


A Companion Through and Through

The Havanese was bred to be a companion, and they excel at it.

They don’t simply live alongside their families.

They become part of every moment.

Whether they’re following you from room to room, curling up beside you after a long day, or greeting visitors with a happily wagging tail, Havanese dogs seem happiest when they’re close to the people they love.

That deep connection often shines through in their portraits.


What I’ve Learned Photographing Havanese

One thing I’ve noticed about Havanese dogs is how naturally expressive they are.

They constantly look toward their families.

They seem eager to understand what’s happening.

And when something catches their attention, their bright eyes and alert expression immediately tell the story.

Some arrive ready to explore every corner of the studio.

Others stay close for a few minutes before confidently showing their playful side.

Neither is better.

Those individual personalities are exactly what make every portrait meaningful.

Rather than asking every Havanese to pose the same way, I let their curiosity guide the session.

That’s when the most authentic moments happen.


The Beauty of a Black and White Coat

A black and white Havanese has a striking appearance that naturally draws your attention.

The contrast in their coat highlights every expression, from a playful head tilt to a thoughtful glance.

Against a simple background, those beautiful markings become timeless works of art.

But while their coat may catch your eye first, it’s their personality that stays with you.

That’s the story I want every portrait to tell.


Every Havanese Has Their Own Story

No two Havanese I’ve photographed have ever been exactly alike.

Some are little comedians.

Some quietly observe before joining the fun.

Some greet everyone they meet.

Others save their biggest smiles for the people they love most.

That’s why I never try to create identical portraits.

My goal is to capture the individual personality that makes your Havanese unlike any other.


Why Professional Portraits Matter

The years we share with our dogs pass far too quickly.

The playful puppy becomes a calm companion.

The silky coat changes.

The face slowly softens with age.

Professional portraits preserve this chapter before it becomes a cherished memory.

Years from now, your photographs won’t simply remind you of your Havanese’s beautiful markings.

They’ll remind you of the joyful little friend who made every day brighter.


A Portrait Experience Designed Around Your Dog

Every portrait session in my Chicago studio is built around patience, trust, and authentic moments.

There’s no rush.

No pressure to perform.

Instead, I allow each dog to settle in naturally, creating space for genuine expressions to unfold.

Whether your Havanese is playful, thoughtful, outgoing, or quietly affectionate, my goal is always the same:

To create artwork that celebrates exactly who they are.


Celebrate Your Havanese

Havanese dogs have a wonderful way of bringing happiness wherever they go.

Their cheerful spirit.

Their loving nature.

Their expressive eyes.

Those are the qualities families remember forever.

A professional portrait preserves those memories, creating artwork you’ll treasure long after the years have passed.


The Breed Portrait Series by Candice Cusic

Every breed has unique characteristics, but every dog has a personality all their own.

Explore more articles in my Breed Portrait Series, and visit my Pet Photography Portfolio to discover portraits of dogs, cats, and the remarkable moments that make every companion unforgettable.


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    Chicago Pet Photographer

    This is pretty exciting.

**Bored Panda just featured The See Hear Love Project.**

The See Hear Love Project is the world’s only documentary storytelling project told from the animal’s perspective. 

Through animal communication, shelter and rescue animals share their own stories, and we create fine-art portraits and documentary films to help them be seen, heard, and adopted.

I’m incredibly grateful to the rescues who trusted us with their animals and their stories:

@onetailatatime
@sayvanimalorg 
@reddoorshelter 
@hinsdalehumanesociety 
@chicagolandpigrescue 

**Read the Bored Panda feature:**
https://www.boredpanda.com/see-hear-love-animal-project.../

**Watch The See Hear Love Project:**
https://youtube.com/shorts/18yGgXeEX-0?si=xp8lSbNR8OkKkSX8

https://www.boredpanda.com/see-hear-love-animal-project.../ See less
    The See Hear Love Project™ is the world’s only documentary project told from the animal’s perspective—combining animal communication, portrait photography and film to help animals be seen, heard and loved.
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George wandered into Owen’s backyard one winter.
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And stayed. ❤️
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During George’s animal communication session, I asked him about his life with Owen.
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Then George told me something wonderfully specific:
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“Cookies in bed make Owen happy.”
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Owen’s reaction says everything. 😂
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These are some of my favorite moments in animal communication. Sometimes what an animal shares is profound. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking.
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And sometimes a cat who wandered into your backyard knows exactly what makes you happy.
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
⠀
The See Hear Love Project™
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#SeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #CatCommunication #RescueCat #AnimalStories #PetStories #AnimalCommunicator #ChicagoPets
    The See Hear Love Project™ wouldn't exist without the incredible rescue organizations that trusted me with the stories of the animals in their care.

Thank you for believing in an idea that was a little different, for opening your doors, and for introducing me to some truly unforgettable animals.

I'm so excited to share the latest sizzle reel for The See Hear Love Project™.

Every featured animal received a documentary film, fine-art portraiture, and an animal communication session designed to help people connect with the individual behind the adoption profile.

My hope has always been simple: to tell stories that help more animals find forever homes.

Thank you to every rescue, foster, volunteer, adopter, and supporter who has been part of this journey. This is only the beginning.
    Avalanche wasn't interested in being the center of attention.
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He just wanted to be close.
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Please visit my page to see Avalanche's full story.
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"I don't want
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to be alone."
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— Avalanche
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
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#TheSeeHearLoveProject #SeenHeardLoved #RescueRabbit @reddoorshelter
    Dama arrived at the studio in a wheelchair.
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That was the first thing I noticed.
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It was also the least interesting thing about her.
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What I remember is her determination.
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Her curiosity.
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Her joy.
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Please visit my page to see Dama's full story.
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"Maybe I'm not a misfit.
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I just have more to love."
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— Dama
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
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#TheSeeHearLoveProject #SeenHeardLoved #RescueDog
    I created The See Hear Love Project to help animals like Blanca.
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Painfully shy. Dumped on a road before the rain came. Nervous around strangers. Ears down. Tail tucked.
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For those new to the project, these are not carefree, well-adjusted animals. Many have experienced neglect, abandonment, fear, or loss.
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Sometimes we only get one photograph when they truly relax.
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Thankfully, we only need one.
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Please visit my page to see Blanca's full story.
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Special thanks to @sayvanimalorg for bringing Blanca to The See Hear Love Project.
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"All I want
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is to feel loved and safe."
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— Blanca
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
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#TheSeeHearLoveProject #SeenHeardLoved #RescueDog
    One of the best things about photographing Ramona is watching everyone react to a pig in the building.

People stopped.

They smiled.

They took selfies.

One gentleman asked if I could wait so he could FaceTime his girlfriend because she loves pigs.

The hardest thing about photographing a pig is that pigs don't stop moving.

Ever.

This portrait worked because Ramona kept walking in circles, allowing us to see her body and face at the same time.

Not shown: Ramona chewed up the paper backdrop on set. Her pig squeal echoed through the studio—loud, proud, and impossible to ignore, just like Ramona herself.

"Thank you

for saving my life."

— Ramona

The See Hear Love Project combines professional photography and animal communication. Each portrait is paired with one of the most powerful messages the animal shared during their communication session.

Seen. Heard. Loved.

@chicagolandpigrescue

#TheSeeHearLoveProject #RescuePig #SeenHeardLoved
    Some dogs don’t just fit into a family — they become part of its heartbeat.
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Eddie was pure joy to photograph with his two favorite people. The connection between them was effortless, loving, and completely real.
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These are the moments worth remembering.

    Our location

    Located in downtown Chicago.

    1821 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60622

    By appointment only

    info@cusicphoto.com

     

    Available for travel internationally, for pets & family photography, and education for photographers. Send us a note for details or reach us by phone at 312-248-2939.

     

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