It’s WINTER! Ok, not technically yet, but with it getting dark at 4:30 in the afternoon and the frost I’m scraping off my windshield in the morning, I’m declaring winter officially here. And you know what’s great about this time of year? It’s perfect for a portrait session for your dog. No, I’m not crazy and I know what you’re thinking, “but it’s cold and dreary, I just want to stay inside with my cup of cocoa ( or glass of wine) and good book (or Netflix)”. But hear me out and let me give you a few awesome reasons to get layered up and out to create amazing winter pet portraits with your best pup!

Now, drumroll please, my top three amazing winter portrait options for your consideration.

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Beach Sessions: A Different Kind of Winter Magic

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Urban Winter Pet Portrait Sessions: For the Sophisticated City Pup

Even in winter we can find so much beauty in more urban locales. City parks, streets adorned with holiday lights, and iconic urban landmarks can provide a captivating backdrop for pet photography. Think the Boston Skyline, the Seaport and the cobbled streets of Back Bay to incorporate the vibrant energy of the city into your session.

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Snow Sessions: Frolicking in the Winter Wonderland

Imagine your pet surrounded by a pristine white landscape, with snow-covered trees and glistening fields as the backdrop. The serene beauty of the snow makes for magical portraits. Picture your dog with snowflakes gently resting on their nose or their paw prints leading through the snowy terrain. These one-of-a-kind images tell a story of winter wonder.

Snow sessions also brings out the playful puppy in almost every dog. Capturing their joy catching snowflakes and bounding through the white powder will create images that are priceless.

Since snow can be very elusive, I have a waiting list of clients who want snow sessions. Click here to be added to my list.

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The best part of winter sessions is that popular outdoor locations are much quieter and less crowded during the winter months. This means a more relaxed session, especially if you have a pup who needs a bit more space or less noise and activity to feel comfortable.

So, let’s embrace the season, bundle up and create some winter magic. Let’s capture the joy, playfulness, and coziness of winter, creating memories that will warm your heart for years to come.

Have questions, check out my FAQ page or contact me. And let’s plan a fun winter session for you and your pup.

While every season has its charm, New England in Fall is truly magical. As the leaves begin to turn and the crisp autumn air fills our lungs, there’s no better time to celebrate the extraordinary bond between you and your furry friends. The vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of the leaves mirror the warmth and love that exists between you and your beloved dog. We’ll capture your dog’s joy romping in the falling leaves and the two of you cuddling amidst the autumn beauty.

If these are the heartwarming memories you want to preserve, you’re in the right place. Our pets are our family and the source of endless joy in our lives. My fall pet photography sessions are designed to create stunning artwork that will adorn your home and celebrate the love you share with your dog.

Why You Should Book a Fall Pet Photography Session with Me 🍁

Unwavering Dedication

Just like the love you have for your dogs, my dedication to capturing their essence is unwavering. Your story is unique, and so is your relationship with your dog. I take the time to understand your bond and create a session that reflects your personalities, ensuring your images are not just photos but pieces of art that speak to your hearts.

Timeless Beauty

The fall season provides a backdrop of breathtaking beauty that perfectly complements your style and decor. With the vibrant foliage and soft, golden light, we’ll capture moments that stand the test of time, allowing you to relive them for years to come.

Simple Process

Your life is super busy and I understand that. I work to make the entire process simple and seamless, from booking to the session to delivery of your final artwork. You can expect an easy and enjoyable experience from start to finish.

Professional Artistry

With over 15 years working exclusively as a dog photographer, I not only capture beautiful images but also transform them into works of art. I believe your pet deserves a place of honor on your wall, just like any other cherished family member.

The Finest Products Available

I offer a wide variety of artwork and albums created by the finest, professional-only labs in the world. I will help you create the perfect display to showcase your pet’s beauty and the love you share in your home.

This fall, I invite you to invest in an extraordinary experience that celebrates your dogs and the life you’ve built together. It’s a chance to immortalize the companionship, loyalty, and love that fills your home. Limited spots are available, so don’t delay. Secure your session now and let’s capture the beauty of fall together.

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The memories we capture will keep you warm all winter.

Imagine the scene – it’s a beautiful cool morning, with blue skies and white puffy clouds. A field of summer wildflowers and a stunning husky. All the elements for the perfect summer portrait session. But first Zoey decided we all needed a good laugh and went into huntress mode and hopped and pounced (unsuccessfully) on unseen critters all over the field. She was so happy! I absolutely 💖 huskies, they have such a wicked sense of humor. Thankfully, once Zoey had cleared the area of any menacing chipmunks she was ready to rock her portrait session!

Zoey’s Mom knew that now is the ideal moment to capture beautiful summer portraits of your best pup! The crazy rain has stopped (for the moment) and left us with absolutely lush green everywhere. Add in blooming wildflowers (the black eyed susans are stunning right now) and we have a fantastic backdrop for creating stunning images. Imagine seeing a image like this of your dog on your wall every day. How could that not bring a smile to your face 😊

Summer portraits are all about these fun, outdoor adventures. Your pup can run freely, splash around in ponds and streams, and be their true, happy self. All safely on a long leash, if the law and your dog’s personality require . And with my Photoshop magic no one will ever know they weren’t running wild and free. These photos will be like little memory capsules of all the fun times you’ve shared under the sun.

But remember, summer’s a short and sweet season. Those wildflowers🌻 won’t bloom forever, and the golden hour light is here only for a while. So, let’s not wait! Drop me a message, and together, we’ll plan a photo session that your dog will love and that will give you priceless artwork to treasure. Your pet’s summer adventure awaits! 🌞🐾

Have questions? Check out my FAQ page

Want to know more about my sessions? Grab my Session Guide.

Are you a pet parent with a reactive dog? Or one who’s very shy or anxious? Would you love to have beautiful artwork of your beloved pet in your home but are worried about how your dog would behave during a portrait session? Whether the photographer could even work with your dog? Or even worse, would judge you for your dog’s behavior?

Today, I want to share with you why choosing a pet photographer who understands reactive, shy or anxious dogs can make a world of difference in creating a stress-free and truly remarkable experience. I’m a pet photographer and positive dog trainer. I have decades of personal experience living with and training reactive, shy and anxious dogs. I understand the challenges you face because I’ve lived them. Let me share with you why choosing a photographer who has a lot of experience working with scared and reactive dogs is the best decision for capturing unforgettable moments with your best friend.

This was my super sound-sensitive, reactive girl, Ziva. She taught me so much and made me not only a better dog trainer, but a better pet photographer. She was flight risk, so our sessions were always ON LEASH and in quiet locations.

So what do you and your dog need in a pet photographer?

1. Empathy and Understanding for your Reactive Dog’s Needs

Reactive dogs require extra patience, care, and sensitivity. Working with a pet photographer who owns and works with reactive dogs ensures they empathize with your situation. I understand the unique challenges and can create a safe, stress-free environment for your furry friend to relax and be themselves. This leads to authentic and remarkable images that truly reflect your pet’s personality.

2. Specialized Techniques to Keep Everyone Safe and Happy

Photographing reactive, shy or anxious dogs requires a specialized approach. My experience with positive reinforcement techniques, redirection strategies and body language cues will keep your dog calm and comfortable during the session. This expertise guarantees stunning photos even with super “challenging” dogs.

3. Safe and Controlled Environment that Protects your Reactive Dog

When you choose a pet photographer who understands reactive dogs, you’re selecting someone who prioritizes the safety and well-being of your pet above all else. I will take the necessary precautions to create a controlled environment, minimizing triggers and potential stressors. Your pet’s safety and comfort is paramount. I’ll design your session with your dog’s safety and comfort in mind – from selecting a suitable, quiet location, letting your dog set the pace and allowing your dog to be securely leashed for their entire session (with leashes magically edited out for your final artwork).

4. Collaboration and Customization to Design your Perfect Session

Working with a photographer who understands reactive dogs means collaborating with someone who values your input. I listen to your concerns, preferences, and goals, and tailor the experience to your dog’s needs. Your dog always comes first during our session. This ensures that the photos reflect your dog’s individuality and personality. We capture the dog you know they are inside, not the sometimes stressed, reactive dog that the world sometimes sees.

Remember, capturing these precious moments with your dog is not just about the final images but the joy and memories that come with them. So, don’t hesitate to seek out a pet photographer who not only has the technical skills but also firsthand experience with reactive dogs. They will go above and beyond to ensure your pet feels comfortable, loved and is beautifully captured in each and every photograph. And you will have beautiful artwork from your day that will bring you joy every time you look at it.

Would you like more information about designing the perfect session for your dog? You can check out my Session Guide for more information or Contact Me for more information.

All photographers are pretty much the same, right? Not really. Let me explain.

There are two main types of photographers working today. There are those who provide you with just digital files after your session and those, like me, that want you to have something more. I’m a “Full-Service Photographer” because I don’t want the images we create of your amazingly adorable dog to just sit on your computer or phone unseen and unloved.

I want you to have beautiful pieces of artwork for your walls and gorgeous albums to flip through. Not that I don’t sell regular prints and digital files as well, but I want you to have real artwork you see every day in your home. Artwork that reminds you of the love that your pet brings to your life (even if on that day they’ve peed on the floor and nibbled on your favorite shoes…). So in addition to photographing your dog, I help you create the perfect artwork for your home.

The Best of Both Worlds – Convenience and Unparalleled Quality

Now maybe you’re thinking – but I can get my digital files printed myself. Sure, you could. But with our busy lives how many of us ever get around to it. And what exactly do you want to order? What size will look best in your home? Where can you get the best quality? Pieces that won’t fade or warp over the next year or two.

Do you want your images as metal prints, acrylic blocks, canvas wraps, or even a custom-made album with thick pages and a beautiful cover? It’s hard to choose, isn’t it? You probably aren’t even sure what all those options are. But I have a selection of the best products on the market. And samples of each so you can see and touch them before you decide.

When you hire a full-service photographer, everything is taken care of. From planning your perfect session to the gorgeous artwork delivered right to your home. After your session, I help you choose your favorite images and decide how you want to display them. And then everything from designing your beautiful custom album to choosing the best professional labs for your prints and wall art is off your shoulders.

This level of convenience allows you to simply sit back and relax while your memories are being transformed into something truly gorgeous that you’re going to LOVE. And since I use only the highest quality, professional labs you can be sure that your artwork is completely archival and will look as great years from now as it does today. In fact, I guarantee it. If your artwork isn’t perfect when I receive it from the lab, it’s reprinted. And if your prints were to ever fade, I’ll replace them free of charge

See What I Can Create for You!

Can you imagine the feeling of walking into your home everyday and seeing your family displayed in images like these?

Or paging through an album like this featuring dozens of your favorite images?

Just like our dogs, it’s truly priceless.

Would you like to know more?

Contact me below if you have any questions?

You can check out my Session Guide below which has all the information about my sessions and the artwork I offer.

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Did you enjoy this post? I’ve teamed up with some amazing photographers around the country in a blog circle to bring you lots of great photography ideas. This week Gretchen with Gretchen Decker Photography shares how using project management skills as a professional photographer helps to make your wedding day less stressful. https://www.gretchendeckerphotography.c om/…/Leave-it-to-me

• The number ONE concern dog owners have when thinking of a portrait session is: My dog can’t be off-leash. That’s honestly not a problem at all. 99.9% of the dogs I photograph are ON LEASH the entire session. And then through the magic of Photoshop I remove the leash (and sometimes the entire owner) from the final image. Check out the image below to see my magic in action!

• The on-leash concern is followed closely by the “My dog is very distractible and would never sit still for a session!”. Good news, I don’t expect them to. It’s perfectly normal for your dog to be distracted in a new location. With all the great smells and things to investigate, I expect it. It’s NOT a problem. I have an infinite supply of patience and it only takes a fraction of a second for me to capture THE SHOT. Since your dog is on leash and we have super yummy treats, we just bring them back and try again. And your dog’s session isn’t all sitting still, looking serious. I love to capture candid moments and action shots. Even the MOST distractible dog can have their moment in the spotlight!

• Choose a photographer who specializes in pet photography. Just as I wouldn’t photograph a wedding (heaven forbid), there is a very special skill set involved in being a pet photographer. We are animal lovers first and always have your pet’s well-being in mind. We know how to read canine body language and know how to best communicate with them. For me, in addition to exclusively photographing pets, I have 20+ years as a positive dog trainer. I will always put your pet’s needs first.

• My dog isn’t friendly with other dogs, is reactive, is very shy and fearful. That’s okay! I’ve owned dogs with all of those personalities myself and I totally understand their needs. My first rule for all sessions is that the dog is 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 quieter, less busy locations. 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.

• I usually recommend that clients go to the session location a bit before your session time and just walk around a bit. This gives your dog a chance to check out the location. To see what’s going on, to have a bit of sniff and pee on some stuff. All this can help them settle in and be more comfortable when the session begins.

• Bring some small, yummy treats with you. Something they don’t get all the time can really keep their interest – cheese, deli meat, liver, chicken, you name it. I will have a selection of very special treats from Polkadog and The Natural Dog with me, but if your dog has favorites or a sensitive tummy make sure to bring their special treats along.

• A simple, buckle collar (preferably without a LOT of dangly tags) photographs best. If you need a special collar or harness to walk your dog to the session, no worries, just bring a regular flat collar for the session. That and a plain 6 ft leash and you’re all set.

• Lastly, the MOST important thing you can do to prepare for your dog’s portrait session is to RELAX and enjoy the experience! This is going to be fun (trust me, I photograph a lot of dogs and they’re always FUN!). Dogs sense our stress and that doesn’t make for a great experience for either of you. As long as your dog is relaxed and having fun, we’ll get great images. So relax and enjoy the experience.

Have more questions? Interested in a session for your dog? Check out my Session Guide for all the information on my sessions. Or my FAQ page for answers to more commonly asked questions.

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Did you enjoy this post? I’ve teamed up with some amazing photographers around the country in a blog circle to bring you lots of great photography ideas. Any Pittsburgh friends here? Jessica Wasik with Bark & Gold Photography shares 5 tips to ensure a seamless pet photography session with your puppy. https://barkandgoldphotography.com/?p=14736

There is nothing to test a pet photographer’s patience like trying to photograph their own dogs. I probably shouldn’t admit this as a dog trainer and pet photographer, but my dogs are terrible models. They’re certain that as soon as I lift my camera to my eye, it must be time to get up and come visit me. I swear they do have a “stay”…. most of the time.

But what is a pet photographer to do on a lovely spring day during a pandemic when there are no client sessions on the schedule. Take their own dogs out for a session amongst the blooming forsythia, of course. Armed with string cheese, my camera and dogs we headed out for some “fun”. I quickly remembered my dog’s modeling challenges. And found myself getting frustrated.

Clients are forever telling me how patient I am. Especially if their dogs are being a bit, shall we say, exuberant during their session. They frequently feel embarrassed with with their dog’s antics and can get frustrated trying to just get them to hold still for a nanosecond. This session reminded me how that feels. Let’s face it though, it’s not natural for dogs to sit still in exciting new environments while some stranger points a big camera at them. Especially when there are lots of great sights to see and smells to check out (and maybe pee on). Some dogs are just a bit nervous in new situations and need more time to warm up to this whole idea. Others are SO HAPPY to be in this fun new place that they can’t possibly sit still. I’ve shared my life with both types of dogs, so I always respect where they’re coming from. I believe making my subjects feel safe and the session fun for THEM is my duty during every session. So, I constantly remind my clients to relax and have fun with the whole experience, naughtiness included. We’ve got plenty of time (my sessions don’t have a time limit and we can always re-schedule if a dog is too stressed by the situation).

So, it was time to practice what I preach :-). Patience, remembering to take a deep breath and keep it fun! I’m very happy with the end results.

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