It’s one thing to find a photographer for yourself, but it’s a whole other ball game (pun intended) to find the right photographer for you and your pet. Is your pup super energetic? Maybe they get spooked easily. Check off this list of things to look for in a pet photographer, and you’ll find a pawesome pet photographer who will accommodate your pet’s unique qualities:
1. Do They Specialize in Pet Photography?
Technically, any photographer is capable of photographing your pet. Here’s what makes the biggest difference: whether they specialize in pet photography or not.
It’s like choosing between a plumber or general contractor to fix the broken pipes under your kitchen sink. Sure, most general contractors could probably fix the pipes. But wouldn’t you rather hire someone who is an expert at doing exactly that?
When someone chooses to specialize in a niche within their field, they’re clearly a skilled professional in that area. It demonstrates passion and success in a particular niche!
Pet photography honestly started as an accident. I was doing studio family photography, and then I got my dog Aries. I got a couple of photos with her and decided to promote it. I figured I would give it a try, and if I didn’t like it, I would stop promoting it. I fell in love with pet photography. It has its unique challenges, but I LOVE it.
2. Does the Photographer Love Pets?
Photographers who love pets will be more enthusiastic about your session. It would be strange for a photographer to offer pet photography if they didn’t like animals at all, but you may come across some photographers who offer pet photography and aren’t the biggest animal lovers.
Dogs can read body language, facial expressions, body movement, tone of voice, and a person’s “energy” to examine what someone is feeling at that moment.
Do you think your dog will feel comfortable hanging around a photographer who’d rather be shooting a wedding or headshot session? Of course not!
Your photos will turn out much better if you find a photographer who loves pets and wants to meet yours. Don’t ever feel bad when asking a potential pet photographer if they’re an animal person.
3. Do You Like Their Photography Style?
Every photographer has a unique style. Your pet may be able to sniff out whether a photographer likes them, but they won’t know if you appreciate the photographer’s style.
Here’s a great way to figure out whether you should hire a specific pet photographer:
Browse their website.
Look at their portfolio.
See if you can envision those types of photos hanging on your wall.
4. Does the Photographer Shoot On-Location or in the Studio?
The photographer’s preferred location for the shoot plays a massive factor in the outcome of your pet’s photos. There are only three locations for a photographer to take pictures of your pup:
In-home
Studio
Outdoor
While most pet photographers are considered on-location photographers, I choose to offer my pet photography services in your home and backyard. Why?
Pet photos taken in their home allow a pet’s personality to shine.
In my opinion, the negative with park photos is that the photo can look really busy with other things — not focusing on the dog and its family. The weather is another negative to deal with. You never know when it is going to rain. I used to do park sessions when I started, and I was constantly having to reschedule, which was really inconvenient for my clients.
Offering in-home pet photography sets me apart because everyone is more comfortable; we are able to capture moments that we wouldn’t be able to do in a park. It creates some beautiful images that are unique on the wall and very artistic.
5. What Type of Experience Do They Offer?
Not only does every photographer have a distinct style, but every photographer offers a unique experience. Most photographers typically describe the experience of photographing with them somewhere on their website.
You can only make a dog sit still for a short time, so I use a variety of toys and noise makers to catch your pets attention. Using these treats and toys are some of the best ways to add character to a photo!
You’ll get the best photos of your pup when they’re enjoying their time being photographed. Ready for a super fun in-home photography experience with your pet? Contact me for photos of your dog that you can’t help but frame fur-ever.