You have questions? I have the answers. Check out the most common concerns my clients have when thinking about booking a session. And then let’s get your pup on the schedule!
My dog can’t be off leash. Can I still do a session?
Absolutely! 99.9% of the dogs I photograph are on leash for their ENTIRE session. Both for safety and it just makes the session go more smoothly when we can keep the dog in the general area where we’re photographing them. And then through the magic of Photoshop I remove the leashes (and sometimes entire people) from the final images.
My dog doesn’t know sit or stay. Is that a problem?
Not at all! Some of my favorite portraits are of dogs standing up. And “staying” is not necessary at all. I have repertoire of silly sounds and tasty treats to grab their attention, even if it’s just for that split second while I capture each image.
My dog isn’t friendly with other dogs, is reactive, is very shy and fearful. How can we do a session?
That’s okay! I’ve owned dogs with all of those personalities myself and I totally understand their needs. My first rule about all sessions is that the dog has to HAPPY. So we’re going to make them feel comfortable and safe before we ever start our session. Since I design every session for the particular dog we’re photographing, we will choose quiet, less busy locations that will better suit your dog. We’ll stay away from places that off-leash dogs frequent and pick a quiet time at whatever location we choose to keep the distractions to a minimum.
My dog is a never-ending ball of energy! How do you manage high-energy dogs?
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! 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, jam-packed with personality.
Can I be in the images, too?
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. Please just trust me, and remember that you don’t need to purchase or display any images that you don’t adore.
What time will our photo session be?
The most magical light for photography happens during the “golden hour,” which is why I schedule most sessions either early morning or during the last two hours of daylight.
How do I choose a location?
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). With all that in mind, we’ll settle on the perfect location for your custom session.
What if it’s raining?
If the weather is less than ideal, we can definitely reschedule. Your reservation retainer simply transfers over to our new session date–easy peasy!
Do you photograph pets other than dogs?
Fur, feathers, scales and tails – I photograph them all! While the majority of my clients are of the canine variety, I’ve photographed everything from parrots and rats, to horses and cats. I love them all!
Do you have other questions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, I’m always happy to chat and answer ALL your questions.
You can also find ALL about my sessions by grabbing my Session Guide below.