The Experience

Yes. Some of my favorite portraits are of dogs standing

up, playing, swimming, or running. I have a lot of unique sounds

and tasty treats to grab their attention–even if it's just for that

split second while I capture each image.

Yes! Absolutely! Most of the dogs that I photograph are on leash. Leashes not only keep your dog safe, but they're also important for following local laws when

photographing in towns and many beaches and parks. Thanks to the wizardry of

Photoshop, leashes will be removed from most final images.

Well, Photoshop does have its limitations. Super-bulky harnesses hide so much of the dog's chest that it's very challenging to accurately rebuild those pixels in post-production. Gentle

leaders can leave unsightly shadows or pull on dog's skin, so those are also a challenge to digitally remove. If your dog normally wears one of these for walks, I recommend using it while walking to our location, but also bringing a flat collar to use for the actual shoot. If you need to stick with the

harness or gentle leader, and it’s just part of who they are, that is fine. You might love having them in the photos. We can also consider an exclusive location, where you could both fully relax.

I completely understand; the world can be a scary place for all of us sometimes. If your dog is nervous or reactive, we can choose a location that suits his or her temperament. I have a few out-of-the-way locations that receive very little dog or foot traffic - especially if you can break away during the week, or we can rent a private location for a small fee, ensuring that we see won't see a soul. As long as your dog won’t be aggressive with me, and you can keep them on leash, it should work fine.

My camera shutter speed goes all the way up to 1/8000 of a second–in other words, plenty fast enough to capture even the most active dog or puppy! Our sessions never require your dog to sit, stay and behave for hours (or even minutes) on end. One of the benefits of hiring a pet-specific photographer is that we know how to work with "hyper" models and still deliver gorgeous images, full of personality.

Of course! I love documenting the wonderful connection between you and your dog. While we can certainly capture a traditional portrait of you both smiling at the camera, my clients

especially love the candid images of the moments you share. If you're especially camera shy, I can still create some lovely, creative images that tell the story of your relationship. I hope you will feel comfortable, and remember that you don't need to purchase or display any images that you don't adore.

The most magical light for photography happens during the "golden hour," which is why I schedule most sessions during the last two hours of daylight. However, certain locations–such as

urban areas or deep forests–are better suited for morning sessions, when we can still take

advantage of the lovely low-angle light.

It's a big decision, but I'm here to help with plenty of recommendations. During our session-planning call we'll discuss the look you're after, any special needs your dog might have (mobility challenges, anxiety, etc.) and scheduling constraints on your part (e.g. mornings only). We want to consider the places that you and your dog are happiest, and where your most important memories are made. With all that in mind, we'll settle on the perfect location for your custom session. I do specialize in dog photography on the beach, so you will want to take advantage of that if it works for you. It's rare, because it's one of the trickiest types of photography.

If the weather is less than ideal, we can definitely reschedule. Partly cloudy works well, so it’s often a game-time decision. Your session fee simply transfers over to our new session date!

Anyone who lives in your household is welcome

to participate in our session. In the interest of minimizing dis-

tractions, however, I do ask that only those who will be in the

photos come along. If you're interested in holding a

session with your dog's best bud of your extended family, I'd be

happy to put together a custom quote.

While the majority of my clients are of the canine variety, I do photograph the feline set from time to time. I’m also open to photographing rabbits, horses, or farm animals.

Your session fee includes:

• Session Planning Meeting

• Preparation Guide (what to wear, what to bring, etc.)

• Session

• Ordering Appointment that includes:

  • Seeing a variety of product samples

  • Viewing your images in room mockups

  • Photographer's design recommendations for your style