A CEO and His Dachshund

Photo by Alan Berner

Photographers at The Seattle Times routinely offer a glimpse into what inspires their best visual reporting.  Here's what photographer Alan Berner had to say:
 
Things immediately look up when the CEO of a successful, local company meets you for a portrait session instead of the company's public-relations spokesperson.
David Roberts of PopCap, an online game developer and publisher, met me in the lobby and gave a quick tour of the floor. Roberts started the tour with his office, where his Dachshund, Noni, provided the next greeting. Noni's high-pitched barking-at-the-heel calls brought out Roberts alpha-dog status to quiet her.
As a lifelong dog owner, I knew she was just saying, "Here I am! Look at me, way down here! Don't ignore me! I have a bed in his (our) office. I have a door to this office."
Roberts was going to leave her there, but I thought Noni would add surprise and personality to the photograph. With patience and a little time, this photograph trumped the "at-the-desk" portrait. The lighthearted setting reflects the company's products and, more importantly, the photo exemplifies the personalities of the subjects.