Why Canine Body Language is Key to Your Dog’s Photo Session

You & Your Dog Deserve a Pet Photographer Who Speaks Their Language

She looked away, her brow furrowed as she looked for her mom, she pulled her ears back a bit, and then, with a big yawn, she “told” me everything I needed to know—without ever making a sound. We took a break - gave her a few moments to play or sniff or enjoy a treat and then when she was ready we asked for her attention again.

As a professional dog photographer in Atlanta, I see these moments in every session. I’ll never forget the client who told me that while she enjoyed her photo session with a family photographer - and got images she loved of the people - sadly, she didn’t love any of the photos that included her dog. She described images of her dog avoiding the camera, hunching over, looking away, showing the whites of her eyes. Her dog had been telling everyone that she needed a break, but the photographer just didn’t speak her language.

Dogs communicate through their bodies, often far more clearly than we do with words. Being able to read these subtle cues can make all the difference in capturing that perfect shot—or knowing when it’s time for a break.

Our dogs “talk” to us constantly through body language. Their subtle signals: look aways, yawns, lip licking, gentle ear movements, the position of their tail reveal how they’re feeling, and tuning into this “secret language” helps me create images that show your dog as you see them everyday - relaxed, happy, engaged, and showing their true personality. It’s about knowing when to pause, when to play, and when to capture that special, quiet moment that truly shows who your dog is.

Why Canine Body Language Matters for Your Pet’s Photo Session

Every dog has a unique personality, and they also share a universal language of gestures and cues. Being fluent in “dog” means more than taking great pictures—it means ensuring your dog feels comfortable and safe in front of the camera. This approach creates a positive experience and beautiful images that you’ll love.

When your dog feels relaxed and happy, their true personality shines through. Here’s a few of the canine signals I always watch for:

• Yawning: Not just a sign of tiredness—dogs yawn when they’re stressed or overwhelmed. A yawn lets me know to ease up, giving them a moment to adjust.

• Ears Back: Pinned-back ears can mean a dog feels nervous or uncertain. This cue tells me to pause and give them a little time to settle.

• Tail Position: A loose, wagging tail signals relaxation, but a high, stiff tail may indicate alertness, while a tucked tail shows fear.

• Lip Licking or Eye Contact Avoidance: Signs of unease, indicating it might be time to change location or give the dog a break.

As I’m looking through my viewfinder - these are things I am constantly looking for so I can make adjustments. We can take a break, you & your dog can take a little sniff walk, I can give more space, I can change a lens, you can offer a delicious treat.

The Difference Between a Great Pet Photo and a Memorable Experience

Understanding canine body language doesn’t just lead to better photos—it creates a better experience overall. A stressed or anxious dog is less likely to enjoy their time in front of the camera, and that tension will come through in the photos. A session with a photographer who understands your dog’s body language feels comfortable, natural, and fun. And that difference shows in the photos: rather than forced poses, you’ll see images of a relaxed, happy pup in their element.

This attention to your dog’s needs is particularly helpful for dogs who may be shy, anxious, reactive, or rescues who have had difficult past experiences. When I understand your dog’s body language, I can adjust my approach to ensure their comfort and trust throughout the session.

And for you, the pet parent? You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your photographer is paying close attention to your dog’s needs, not just getting the image, but also ensuring your pup is having a good time. After all, these sessions are about more than just pictures—they’re about capturing the bond you share with your dog, and that happens best when your dog is happy and relaxed.

Crafting a Dog-Friendly Photography Session

When we plan your session - you’ll hear me say, “We work at dog pace.” Here are a few ways I tailor each session to your dog’s individual needs, making sure they feel comfortable and safe:

• Letting Your Dog Lead: Every dog is different. Some dive into the action, while others prefer to explore and adjust. By letting your dog set the pace, we create a positive, enjoyable experience.

• Incorporating Their Favorite Things: Bringing along your dog’s favorite toy and super special occasion treats helps keep your dog engaged and willing to work with us.

• Embracing Patience: Great photos can’t be rushed. Some dogs need extra time to settle, and that’s perfectly okay. The best moments happen when we let your dog be themselves.

Trust Makes All the Difference

At the heart of every great pet photography session is trust. When I read and respond to your dog’s cues, I build trust between them, you, and me. This trust is the key to those magical moments—the ones where your dog is truly themselves, ears perked & tail wagging, showing the spirit that makes them unique.

As an Atlanta dog photographer, my goal is more than just taking pretty pictures. It’s about capturing your dog’s true personality and the connection you share. And that comes down to making sure they’re comfortable, happy, and, most importantly, feeling like themselves.

Ready to Capture Your Dog’s Personality?

If you’re looking for a dog photographer who understands the art of canine body language and the importance of your dog’s comfort, I’d love to chat! Let’s create lasting memories of your dog’s unique personality and capture those moments you’ll treasure forever—without stress.

From Cell Phone Photos to Fine Art: Memorializing Your Beloved Dog in a Custom Painting

When my husky, Sissy, passed away in 2013, I didn’t have a professional photo of her to hang on the wall. She passed 5 years before I started my business as a pet photographer, so I only had a few cell phone images and some group snapshots from our engagement session in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. While my other dogs have beautiful portraits displayed proudly throughout my home, Sissy, my sweet girl, wasn’t represented in the same way.

I know I’m not alone in this.

Maybe you, too, have lost a beloved dog before you had the chance to have professional photos. Maybe you only have cell phone images or a few blurry snapshots. Maybe it’s a beloved childhood dog and the only photos are printed 3x5’s tucked away in albums.

But what if I told you there’s a way to transform those cherished, if less than perfect, moments into an incredible finished piece of art that you can proudly display?

From Photo to Painted Memory

As I worked on Sissy’s portrait for my own home, I knew this could be a meaningful solution—not just for me, but for so many pet parents who didn’t have the chance to commission professional portraits of their pets before they passed.

With today’s digital tools, your cherished, everyday snapshots—whether they’re on your phone or Facebook or even prints slipped into old albums—and turn them into custom, hand-painted artwork. Together we’ll select the perfect background, design, and frame to create a portrait that reflects your pet’s personality and the love you shared.

Why Custom Painted Portraits?

• Treasure Your Pet’s Memory: You deserve more than an annual Facebook memory of the dog that shared so much of your life. A custom-painted portrait honors the legacy of your pet in a way that a digital memory simply cannot. A piece of art celebrates their place in your life.

• Hand-Painted Custom Artwork: Each portrait is digitally hand-painted, meaning every stroke reflects a personal touch, giving your pet the attention they deserve. This process also allows us to use multiple photos to create the perfect final image.

The Process

1. Share Your Photos: We’ll start with whatever images you have. From cell phone photos, to Facebook posts, to pictures of a picture - we can take what you have to create a final image.

2. Paint: We’ll plan your portrait and I’ll start the digital painting process. I’ll guide you through every step and you’ll approve the digital painting to ensure the portrait perfectly reflects your pet.

3. Final Touches & Framing: Once completed, your portrait will be finished with hand painted acrylic brush strokes to truly bring it to life as a paining, beautifully framed, and delivered ready to take its place in your home.

A Limited Opportunity to Honor Your Pet

For a limited time, I’m accepting commissions for these custom-painted portraits. This service is available for dogs, cats, horses, and can even include people. If you’ve been searching for a way to remember your pet and want something more personal than a photograph, this is the perfect opportunity.

Reach out here to learn more.

The Surprising Costs of Caring for Our Dogs: A Real-Life Story

Just a few days ago, I finally hit the "Buy Now" button on a new collar for Carolina. It felt like a long time coming! My other dog, Lira, has been rocking her Paco Collars V-Neck since 2021, and honestly, it still looks brand new—truly a quality investment. (Seriously, if you’re looking for the BEST in custom leather collars - go check them out.)

Carolina extremely noise-sensitive, which is ironic because she’s also the loudest dog in our house! And one thing she really doesn’t like is the sound of her tag clanging against her food or water bowls. She squints up her little eyes and backs away from bowl and it absolutely crushes my heart. I tried using plastic and silicone bowls to keep things quiet, but — I much prefer the cleanliness of stainless steel bowls for their water.

Lira’s Paco V-Neck Collar

So, TLDR, I finally decided to get her a V-neck collar like Lira’s. This unique collar design has the tag fitted into the leather of the collar, so they won’t dangle or make noise when she eats or drinks. As I completed my purchase, I couldn’t help but notice... the price of that same collar had increased by 71% since I last bought one just 3 years ago!

It feels like everything is getting more expensive, especially when it comes to caring for our pets. As someone who runs two pet-focused businesses (The Ranch - Dog Boarding & Daycare and CM Bryson Photography), I know firsthand how costs for businesses have risen. But as a dog mom seeing that price hike got me curious, so I did some digging into the numbers.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the average annual cost of owning a dog or cat ranges from $700 to over $1,000.

Honestly? That feels like the minimum for most pet owners, not the maximum.

If you’re like me, you probably have lots of “extras” for your pets too—things like training classes, dog sports, photo sessions, and pet-friendly getaways. Plus, there’s specialized veterinary care: physical therapy, canine massage, laser therapy, and acupuncture. On top of that, many of us invest in crash-tested travel crates, high-quality treats (Lira gets special novel protein treats), multiple leashes, harnesses, and fancy collars (one of my favorite splurges). And let’s not forget the toys and beds... because our pets deserve the best, right?

The advancements in veterinary care in the last 10 years have been mind-blowing, too. From state-of-the-art technology to cutting-edge pharmaceuticals, there are so many new ways to care for our pets. We now have an entire team of experts—a primary care vet, a nutritionist, a cardiologist, and an internal medicine specialist, just to name a few. We’ve also worked with massage therapists, trainers, physical therapists, and laser therapists to keep our dogs in top shape.

According to an NPR article I read, prices for pet products and services have surged 25.8% in the last five years And veterinary services alone have risen even more, rising 38.6%

Do I regret any of the money we’ve spent? Absolutely not. Would I spend twice as much to get even one more year with my dogs? In a heartbeat.

What about you? Have you noticed the rise in pet care costs?

Are there any splurges you’re saving up for or one you recently indulged in?

I’d love to hear your stories!

How End-of-Life Pet Photography Can Bring Comfort & Healing

Last summer I spoke with Candace shortly after a devastating diagnosis for her dog Peanut. Lymphoma had returned after months of remission.

“The best dog of my life”

That’s how she described Peanut to me. Peanut & Candace had been together for 10 years and never spent more than 48 hours apart since she adopted him from the shelter. She didn’t know if she she could handle an end-of-life session; it felt too sad, too final. But after some thought, she realized she didn’t want to miss the chance to honor the love they shared while Peanut was still here.

We met on a late summer afternoon for Peanut’s memorial session.

You’d have never known Peanut was sick when you met him. Despite his swollen lymph nodes and side effects from the medications keeping him comfortable, Peanut was playful and outgoing. He spent much of our session trying to break into my camera bag to steal the coveted squeaky pink piggie.

The session was simple and quiet. We met in a beautiful quiet park with beautiful light. There were no grand poses — just real moments of connection. Peanut played and snuggled and ate his favorite treats. Candace spent the warm afternoon just focused on being with Peanut. It was a gentle reminder of a lifetime of love.

After Peanut passed, Candace told me how much those photos meant to her. She hadn’t expected the comfort they would bring, but now, she looks at them and smiles, grateful that she took the time to create something lasting. It wasn’t just a picture—it was a reminder that the bond they shared would never fade.

These photographs became a part of her healing process.

Albums give you something to hold onto—a beautiful reminder of the life they lived and the love they gave. They are so much more than just a book of photos; it’s a reminder of the joy, laughter, and countless moments of unconditional love. The images from a memorial session aren’t just for you now—they are a gift for future you to look back on for years to come. They can be a source of comfort, knowing you did everything you could to celebrate their life.

5 Things to Know Before Your Pugfest Portrait Session

Pugs of Pugfest Sessions are unique sessions designed to help raise money for pug rescue during the annual Bluegrass Pugfest in Louisville, KY.

Not only do you get gorgeous art worthy images of your pug, you also help make a difference for pugs in need!

In this post, I’m sharing 5 things you need to know before attending your Pugfest Portrait session.

1. Bring the Good Treats to Your Pug Portrait Session

We’re going to ask your dog for their attention in a new environment with a lot of distractions, so be prepared to pay & pay well in treats they really love. Some dogs are happy working for Cheerios, but most dogs need higher value treats at their pet portrait event session.

Some ideas for high value rewards include:

• Cheese

• Hot Dogs

• Liverwurst

• Chicken

• Leftover Steak

• A Super Special Toy

2. Be On Time to Your Pug Portrait Session

We’re almost always fully booked, which means your session will immediately follow the session before. Being 5 minutes early, can help us keep on track.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of this event, we aren’t able to see late arrivals.

You’ll notice in your preparation & reminder email sent 24 hours before your pet portrait event session I recommend planning to arrive 5-10 minutes early to give you a little time in case you need it finding our booth at Pugfest. I also include a map of where to find us in your preparation email.

If we’re ahead of schedule, we’ll even snag you & your pug early to save you the wait and let you get right back to the Pugfest fun!

3. Check in When You Arrive to the Booth

My assistant will take your name when you arrive and let you know when it’s your pug’s turn in the spotlight. Please be patient when waiting.

4. Let Me Know What Your Pug Needs

I’m a dog lover like you & I’d love to love your pug with pets and kisses and treats and squeak funny toys and make silly noises to get their attention, but some dogs hate that.

If your dog needs more space, doesn’t enjoy attention from new people, or just plain hates squeaky toys - let me know!

I work with several dogs at these events that I can only love quietly from afar, and that’s 100% OK!

The number one goal of your pug portrait session is to make this a great experience for you both.

5. Keep it Fun

You might be worried I won’t get any good images or that your pug is too hyper or unfocused or just not behaving as well at your portrait session as he might at home.

That’s normal.

This is exciting stuff for most dogs - new place, new people, new smells (or exciting place & fun people if they’ve been before) - and they’re going to be a little busy. If they are acting silly or just not as obedient as usual - just act like it’s the cutest thing ever and we’ll get better photos!

As long as you’re relaxed and having a good time, your dog will be better able to enjoy it too!

Haven’t booked your Pugfest Portrait yet?

Click here for all the details.

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Top 10 Photos of 2023

2023 was an interesting year for me. Between opening The Ranch for dog boarding & daycare and taking nearly 4 months off for a total hysterectomy, I didn't photograph as many clients this year as in years past.

But, 2 images from private clients made into the Top 10.

I also competed in Emerge which pushed me to create several of my favorite images of the year. 

So enough preamble, here, in no particular order are my top images from this year...

Glitter Girl - The Sparkliest Horse

My very first session of the year required a nearly 3 hour drive each way to photograph two horses, Glitter Girl & Kappy. GG & Kappy's mom had a brilliant idea to photograph them accented with glitter embracing Glitter Girl's name. 

We used cosmetic glitter and vaseline to carefully apply the glitter to the horse's coat and added a little extra in post processing to create some really stunning images. 

Callie - In the Golden Sun

Backlit photos are one of my favorite types of images to create. Something about dogs washed in golden sunshine feels magical to me. When I think about dogs in my mind's eye I always see them backlit by the sun's rays. 

In fact, this image of Callie is one of THREE of my top 10 photos of 2023 that feature backlighting! 

Callie came to me in March for her second photoshoot as we planned to create a full year's worth of season's in her album. We met at historic downtown Madison Georgia's cultural center which has some of the prettiest azalea blooms I've ever seen. This particular image was taken just at the end of our session and Callie was finally tired enough to sit. I love the look on her face and the soft round bokeh lights that remind me of fairy lights. 

Spaced Out - Maple the Pharoah Hound for Emerge

Maple is one of my favorite dogs to photograph. In fact, Maple makes TWO appearances on thie year's Top 10 list. It doesn't hurt that her mom is a fantastic dog trainer and Maple's manners are top notch.

For this image, I was competing in the Emerge dog photography challenges on a challenge using negative space. I loved the way Maple both blended in and stood out in this image. The antique brick in downtown Rutledge, GA perfectly compliments the reddish orange of Maple's fur. Negative space always feel peaceful to me, so using a monochrome image felt like a great fit.

Unfortunately, I missed a bit of Maple's EAR duplicated in the image submitted from judging making this image fall just short of a winning finish in the competition. I corrected my editing error and this image still takes a spot in my personal Top 10 of 2023.

Photographing Black Dogs - Lizzie in the Forest

Photographing black dogs can offer challenges - capturing the dark rich fur while not loosing those gorgeous brown chocolate eyes in a black blob of pixels is one of the reason's clients reach out to a professional dog photographer. This image was taken at number 2 of Lizzie's 3 photo sessions. 

We met at Athens, Georgia's Rainbow Forest to capture some images for Emerge, but then I spotted these two trees just down the hill and knew I would love to have them frame Lizzie's beautiful face. Luckily, the sun had just sunk below the horizon giving us beautiful soft non directional light. 

Dog Hotel - Athens, GA Graduate Hotel

The only photo featuring one of my own dogs to make the 2023 Top 10 list! This was another photo for the Emerge dog photography challenges. This time our challenge was all about "Under Cover" - or being inside for the photos. I wanted to find somewhere cool with interesting furniture. The Graduate Hotel - a dog friendly hotel! - fit the bill perfectly! 

They were kind enough to let us crash the lobby, set up lights, and photograph a couple of dogs. I love Mikey's expression in this final photo and he's practicing his newest trick "head down" which is one of my favorites to photograph!

Betty the Therapy Horse at Oconee Therapeutic Riding

One of the highlights of my year was getting to meet & photograph the therapy horses at Oconee Therapeutic Riding. The work that these horses do alongside the incredible trainers for children and adults in the community is inspiring. While I loved photographing all the horses, I especially loved this image of Betty coming out of the darkness and into the light. 

Delilah - In the Wild Flowers

Even though I was just about 6 weeks post surgery, I still had a goal to finish my images for the Emerge dog photography challenges, so I planned a short session with my friend Michelle and her dog Delilah.

As we headed to our planned location I spotted one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Nestled at the bottom of the hill at Indian Creek Park (one of my favorite places to photograph dogs) in what I call the "meadow" was an explosion of wild flowers.

I have lived here for 10 years now and have never seen the wildflowers like this. Typically the field is regularly mowed and while beautiful with grass and trees and filtered sunlight, it had never been this fantasy land overrun with flowers. 

Once we hiked down, I realized why it hadn't been mowed - several weeks with LOTS of rain had left the entire meadow floor soft and muddy which kept the lawn mowing tractors off. We set Delilah up and I photographed this one image before hiking back up the hill absolutely exhausted, but so happy with this photo. 

I spent a lot of my recovery driving over to the park to walk among the flowers until they were finally cut. It still feels a little like a magic trip to Narnia. 

Golden Golden Retriever - Feather at the Farm

Here we are with another backlit image from 2023. This time it's Feather the gorgeous Golden Retreiver photographed for the Bokehlicious challenge in Emerge 2023. Bokehlicious was all about capturing those little round circles of light in the lens. My vision for this challenge needed a golden dog to play into the colors of golden sunset bokeh. 

Luckily my friend Marilyn has the MOST gorgeous young Golden Retriever named Feather AND she was willing for me to come kidnap Feather for the afternoon to photograph her at my sister in law's farm in Rutledge, GA. This image is everything I imagined in my mind and I love the way it turned out! 

Double Trouble - Double Pharoah Hounds for Emerge

For the Double Trouble challenge in Emerge I really wanted to find two dogs that looked as much alike as possible. It's harder to find a more beautifully matched pair of dogs that Maple & her daughter Party. 

I tasked their mom Hannah with practicing having the girls standing facing each other based on my very technical concept drawings (saracasm, lol). Be sure to click over the Facebook the see the before & after. 

This image not only made a Top 10 in the Emerge challenges it finished as the NUMBER ONE image for the Double Trouble challenge. 

Shake! Shake! Shake it off! - With Twyla the Chocolate Lab

For my final favorite image from 2023, I thought we could have a little fun! This isn't my usual image style, but I love about competing in the Unleashed Dog Photography challenges is adapting my style to fit the brief. I'm using all my favorite colors for dog photography - browns and greens - and mixing in some great expression with the one little tooth sticking out - and finishing it with a really dynamic SHAKE from Twyla! 

I have to know

Which one is your favorite?

Find me on Instagram and DM me which one you love most.

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Beyond Goodbye: Transforming End of Life Pet Photography into Memorial Wall Art

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the most challenging experiences we experience as pet parents. The bond we share with our dogs, cats, & horses transcend words; it's a connection built on love, trust, and countless shared moments. When our pets reach the end of their journey, it leaves a void that's impossible to fill.

As a pet photographer, clients often reach out to schedule end of life pet photography sessions.

And we create beautiful photos together.

While many of my clients have found that having the session itself is comforting and healing in their anticipatory grief, after the session they find that turning those cherished memories into a lasting tribute by creating memorial wall art of their beloved pet continues to be a balm for their hearts.

In this blog, we'll explore why having a professional end-of-life pet photography session and turning those moments into wall art is a profoundly meaningful choice.

Honoring a Lifelong Companion

Your dog isn't just a dog; they're a cherished member of your family. They've been with you through thick and thin, offering unwavering love and support. They've celebrated your successes and comforted you in times of sorrow. Honoring their memory is an essential part of celebrating the profound love you share. And that love doesn’t end when their life ends.

End-of-life pet photography allows you to pay tribute to your lifelong companion. It captures the essence of your pet—the sparkle in their eyes, the warmth of their presence, and the love that flowed between you. Transforming these moments into wall art ensures that their memory lives on in your heart and home.

While our smartphones are filled with snapshots of our pets—playful moments, cozy cuddles, silly selfies, mischievous antics, and probably 300 photos of them sleeping. But as time passes, these digital memories can fade away, buried beneath the influx of new photos or lost when we get a new phone. Maybe they only show up once a year as a bittersweet Facebook memory. Your lifelong companion deserves more than pixels on a screen.

Working with a professional photographer for end-of-life pet photography, on the other hand, can help you these memories by creating timeless art. We can capture the depth of your pet's personality, their unique quirks, and the special connection you share. These images, transformed into wall art, become a testament to the beautiful memories you share, ensuring they are never forgotten. As art on your walls you get to revisit the best memories daily.

A Personalized Tribute

Your home is more than just a living space; it's a reflection of your life and everyone you love most. Transforming your end-of-life pet photography into wall art is a personal tribute—a way to keep your pet's memory alive in a space that's uniquely yours. A way to honor what matters most to you.

Whether you choose a timeless canvas, a classic framed photo, or a modern metal gallery wall, each piece of art is a reflection of your style, your love for your pet, and the extraordinary bond you shared. It's a tribute that speaks volumes about the impact your pet had on your life.

Every pet has a story, and their presence in your life is a significant part of your own narrative.

A Way to Share Their Story

End-of-life pet photography is a form of storytelling. It goes beyond capturing an image; it encapsulates the journey—the adventures, the laughter, and the comfort you found in each other.

Imagine sitting with a friend and pointing to your pet’s portrait on your wall. "This is Max," you might say, "He was my faithful companion for twelve wonderful years. This photo is my favorite - can you see how his lip is caught on his teeth? That was one of my favorite things he did." Pet photography as wall art turns your home into a comfort of storytelling, a place where you can reminisce and share the tales of your pet's life.

Studies have shown that having visual reminders of loved ones, including pets, can offer emotional support during times of grief. Each glance at the wall art can evoke warm memories, reminding you that the love you shared with your pet will always endure.

Celebrating Unconditional Love

Our pets, like us, are far from perfect, and that's part of what makes them so special. They may have quirks, habits, and endearing and frustrating imperfections. End-of-life pet photography captures these unique qualities and celebrates them.

The images reflect the authenticity of your pet—their playfulness, their loyalty, and their unwavering love.

It's a reminder that perfection is not the goal; it's the genuine connection and the unconditional love that matter most.

In the end, end-of-life pet photography as wall art is a powerful and meaningful way to pay tribute to your beloved companion. It honors their memory, preserves timeless moments, and provides comfort during times of grief. It's a personalized, storytelling piece of art that celebrates the imperfections and the unwavering love that defined your relationship. Transforming these images into wall art ensures that your pet's memory lives on in your heart and home, sharing the extraordinary bond.

Is it time to think about photographing your beloved companion?

This blog is a part of a blog circle with pet photographers from across the globe. We each explore the same topic - sharing what's possible with pet photography, celebrating successes, and shouldering losses together. 

This time our topic is Memorial in honor of National Pet Memorial Day September 10th.

Next click over to Las Vegas dog photographer, Nicole Hrustyk of Pawtraits by Nicole who shares unique pet memorial ideas to honor your dog's memory.

Be sure to keep clicking the link at the bottom to complete the circle until you wind up back here.

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Emerge Pet Photography Awards Part 2

Emerge Pet Photography Awards - Portfolio Review

I felt like I needed two posts to share about the Emerge Awards. While the individual pet photography challenges are judged individually the portfolios are then reviewed as a whole.

Each challenge is very different, and one of the biggest challenges I find is maintaining my own artistic style, even when photographing something very different.

I am really proud to have received a Highly Commended Portfolio award this round.

Here's what the judges had to say: "Courtney - your warm, rich style is evident across nearly all your challenge submissions. You've cleverly interpreted the brief and responded so willingly to feedback. That Bokelicious image is full of golden beauty the Shake image is a favourite too and Double Trouble - what we can say - you make it look easy (but we know it wasn't). Amazing work throughout Emerge!"

I love each of these images. And you know what I love the most? Most of the images were created with YOUR dogs.

Which one is your favorite?

The next round of challenges is called Empower and begins in early 2024.

The Emerge Dog Photography Awards Challenges by Unleashed Education presents an international group of professional pet photographers with 12 challenges - each with a different theme of image to create, enter, and compete. While the primary goal is competition with myself - pushing myself creatively and improving my craft of pet photography - we also competed with each other. Each challenge is judged by two of the world’s leading pet photographers with decades in business, a long list of awards from international photography competitions, and some big name commercial clients (let’s just say you’ve seen their work on numerous occasions).

In each challenge you can receive a Top 20 or a Top 10 placement - as well as feedback on your work and suggestions for improvement. In the end I finished with a “Highly Commended Portfolio” highlighting work of a professional standard for my final 12 submissions, 3 Top 10 images, and 5 Top 20 images as well as an Overall Winner in the Double Trouble Challenge.

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The Emerge Dog Photography Awards Part 1

The Awards Show

Last night we settled in to watch the Emerge Dog Photography Awards LIVE via Zoom. It was really fun to revisit each challenge, see the top images, and see the overall winner for each challenge announced.

Over the last 6 months I feel like I have really gotten to know some incredible pet photographers across the globe as we competed together. One of the things I love most about my fellow pet photographers is that even when we are competing, we are colleagues and friends first. It was great to cheer each other along and celebrate each other's successes in the challenges.

Seeing the work others submitted, I am absolutely blown away to have received the overall challenge win for Double Trouble.

Big thanks to Hannah, Maple, & Party for making this image happen.

This was my first photo session post surgery and I was nervous how my body would do and if my brain would work creatively after taking so much time off to heal, but I had made a commitment to complete the challenges within the time frame.

And while, I was SORE the day after and my image right out of camera was seriously TILTED as I struggled to hold the heavy camera & lens with weak core and arm muscles - I am so proud of how the image turned out. And I am thrilled with it's first place spot in the Emerge Dog Photography Awards for Double Trouble.

Here's what the judge's had to say: "A beautiful image with a clever design. The tonality and softness of the light and mist give it an ethereal quality."

Getting the Final Image

Here's a look at all the images of how my "concept drawing" moved from paper, to raw file, to the edit, and finally the finished image. 

I never claimed to be a sketch artist, but I was trying to convey to Hannah how I envisioned the Pharaoh hounds placed on the dock and where she would need to stand to hold their leashes.

Image directly out of camera - The RAW format often seems "flat" but so much detail is contained inside this file type. 

Image after post processing in lightroom - Lightroom is the darkroom of digital photography - bringing back the detail our eyes saw.

Image after photoshop- Photoshop was used to remove the leash, Hannah the handler, clean up the dock, and remove distractions. I also centered the post under the dock to highlight the symmetry of the image.

The next round of challenges is called Empower and begins in early 2024.

Does your dog have what it takes to be an Empower model?

The Emerge Dog Photography Awards Challenges by Unleashed Education presents an international group of professional pet photographers with 12 challenges - each with a different theme of image to create, enter, and compete. While the primary goal is competition with myself - pushing myself creatively and improving my craft of pet photography - we also competed with each other. Each challenge is judged by two of the world’s leading pet photographers with decades in business, a long list of awards from international photography competitions, and some big name commercial clients (let’s just say you’ve seen their work on numerous occasions).

In each challenge you can receive a Top 20 or a Top 10 placement - as well as feedback on your work and suggestions for improvement. In the end I finished with a “Highly Commended Portfolio” highlighting work of a professional standard for my final 12 submissions, 3 Top 10 images, and 5 Top 20 images as well as an Overall Winner in the Double Trouble Challenge.

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DIY-ing Your Dog’s Photos

“Oh, I can totally do it myself."

I know I’ve had that thought about DIY-ing my own dog's photos.

I mean, I’m a dog photographer for goodness sakes – surely if anyone can do it, it’s me.

… then I started thinking about how LONG it takes to wrangle my own dogs. Even with help like for these images shared here.

… And how FRUSTRATED I’d get when I have no one to help hold leashes. (Thank you Michelle)

… And how good my dogs are at IGNORING me despite all my best attempts because they’re all “whatever, mom” (Even when I bring the Chick-Fil-A nuggets)

Eventually, I realized that if I was going to try and DIY my own dog photos, it was going to take me 5 TIMES as long as if I hired someone else to do it

– AND I would still have all the culling, editing, choosing finishes, picking where to hang wall art, designing the wall art, and ordering the artwork. (Which is why none of these are printed yet)

– AND I wouldn’t get as many photos. (I got 10 total usable images from 2 hours of photos)

– AND I wouldn’t be in ANY photos with my dogs. (just an unflattering angle video of my rear end)

No, thanks.

I love my DIY snapshots.

And I love capturing quick fun images with the camera I have most often (my phone).

– In fact, I have an entire free class about taking better photos of your dog with your phone.

But when it’s time for art. When I want images that I am going to hang on my walls. Then it’s time to hire a pro.

Wondering if it’s time for you to do the same?

6 Signs It's Time to Update Your Professional Dog Portraits

1. Your family has changed. Have you added a new pet or human to the family?

2. Your dog is a puppy. They are only this little for a very little time. 

3. Your dog isn’t a puppy anymore. There are 4 key times in your dog's life to photograph them: When they first join your family. Their 1st birthday (or gotcha day). When they reach adulthood. And when they are a senior.

4. You find that you don’t have many (or ANY) photos of you TOGETHER. Even if you think - “I don’t want to be in the pictures” there will come a time when you will wish you had photos of the bond you share. 

5. You’ve moved into a new space and need to update the artwork on your walls.

6. You’ve never actually had professional pet photos taken. 

Is it time to update professional photos of your dog?

Let's start planning your dog's photo session.

Photographing Perfect Dogs

Pet photography is for picture perfect moments - not perfect dogs.

I don’t know when we decided that our dogs had to be perfect before we were worthy of having photographs of them.

Perfectly trained with perfect off leash manners…

Perfectly groomed & bathed with not a fur out of place…

I mean, I love my dogs freshly bathed and being perfectly behaved (you know, when they’re sleeping)—don’t get me wrong …

… but sometimes, in fact, MOST times my dogs are not perfect dogs - they are dogs.

They’ve rolled in something particularly disgusting at their last potty break before bed (Lira), or insisting on looking exactly the wrong way (Carolina), or just completely ignored me calling his name for 10 minutes because he’s BUSY (Mikey).

AND THAT’S OKAY.

Your Signature Session is designed expecting that your dogs will be ACTUAL dogs—

I'm not photographing perfect dogs…

… or stuffed animals…

… or only champion obedience dogs…

… or even dogs off leash.

I photograph dogs - imperfect dogs, stinky dogs that spent the first 10 minutes of our session rolling in a dead animal, dogs that only work for bribes (the GOOD treats), silly dogs, wild dogs, happy dogs, anxious dogs, reactive dogs, show dogs, sports dogs, working dogs, your best friend dog, real perfectly LOVED dogs.

What does this mean for YOU?

You’re EXACTLY the type of person that I work with all the time and your dogs are exactly the types of dogs I want to work with.

Consider this your official free pass to enjoy your dogs exactly as they are, celebrate them exactly as they are, and STOP putting off scheduling your session.

Dog Photography at Atlanta’s Georgia Tech Campus

The campus at Georgia Tech right in the heart of Atlanta, GA was a gorgeous backdrop for Willie Wonka’s session with his mom earlier this summer. Willie’s mom was completing her Masters program and wanted to celebrate with a photo shoot on the campus where she had spent so much time.

Of course, a college campus is often busy with students and faculty moving around, so we planned our session for sunrise when we could have the place to ourselves. 

UGA might have "Uga", but Georgia Tech had Sideways

Sideways, The Dog

• A white terrier with black patches on her face

• She came to Tech in March 1945, when she was eight months old, from the home of Mrs. Schofield, a kindly boardinghouse owner on North Avenue. Mrs. Schofield took the dog in as a young puppy after she was severely injured from a fall from a car window at the Varsity.

• The dog was named Sideways because she had an on-the-bias walk as the result of an operation.

• She was a popular figure on the campus, attending classes, marching with the drill teams and often leading the football team onto the field.

Photographing with Georgia Tech’s Public Art Sculptures

The Atlanta campus of Georgia Tech is full of unique art sculptures and the moment I saw them, I knew there were several that would make epic backdrops for Willie Wonka. 

We started with the Big Red Tumpkin, a sculpture by Verina Baxter. The bold red lines against soft green grass set off Willie’s fluffy white fur. You can even spot the red Coca Cola logo on the building in the backdrop and you can’t get more Atlanta than a Coke. 

At nearly 40 feet tall, we also couldn’t miss the Koan sculpture by John Portman. I think these are some of my favorites of Willie - he looks like he should be on an album cover! The Koan sculpture also has some great views of the Atlanta skyline in the distance. 

Finding Natural Areas in Urban Atlanta

Even in urban sessions, I love finding natural areas. In my head, I always see dogs doing dog things - playing in the grass, climbing rocks, frolicking in the flowers - and I always try to include dogs in nature in every dog photo session I do. Willie’s session in Atlanta was no different. 

Willie hopped right up on this decorative boulder along the path and had a very “Lion King” moment being big & tall. Putting dogs up on something is a great trick to getting them to stay where you want them, but always be careful it’s not too high. This rock was perfect as Willie was comfortable jumping up and down on his own. 

After the rock, we headed to the famous Tech Square to get some iconic Georgia Tech images to wrap up our session. The flower beds in the square were blooming beautifully and with the path running between the beds we were able to put Willie right in the middle of what looks like a huge flower field instead of just a small bed of flowers. 

An Atlanta Dog Photography Location with Special Meaning

Willie’s session at the Georgia Tech Atlanta campus was so special to his alumna mom. The campus holds a lot of great memories for her and having these images of her & Willie is so special. Willie & mom moved to Indiana recently for her new job, and I know they will always have these photos to look back on commemorating their time in Atlanta. 

Do you & your dog have a special place you love?

Would you want to be photographed there?

This blog is a part of a blog circle with pet photographers from across the globe! This week we're talking about LOCATIONS!

Next up Fiona Lovett from Happy Tales Photography puts the Sit in Sitges this week, with Patsy, our dog about town!

Be sure to keep clicking the link at the bottom to complete the circle until you wind up back here!

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A Private Location for Dog Photography in Eatonton, GA

Wyatt is a dog for whom life can be scary. He’s tiny and cute and fluffy and really flipping adorable, and that means people cross his boundaries a lot. They want to touch and cuddle and smoosh his fluff. But that’s really scary to Wyatt and he wants to say no, and he can’t. So Wyatt’s mom is his voice and his advocate. Wyatt’s mom detailed in her questionnaire that Wyatt is nervous of strangers and he battles a lot of anxiety.

So, my number one goal for Wyatt’s session was to manage his environment to set him up for success. We needed a location without other dogs, without other people, and with minimal distractions so Wyatt could just be Wyatt without all the worries.

Which is why I suggested a private dog photography location in Eatonton, GA - also known as Heartwood Acres.

Heartwood Acres is a wedding venue when it’s not a private dog photography location, so for weekday locations we get to use an absolutely gorgeous location without any other pets or people. Renting a private location for dog photography is ideal for dogs that might be reactive or anxious - so let’s take a look at some of the photos spots around Heartwood Acres so you can see if it’s the right dog photography location for you & your dog.

A note from Wyatt's Mom:

Thank you for doing such a great job with Wyatt's photos and album. I am so thankful to have photos of Wyatt that capture his joy and that I'll be able to enjoy for years to come. Advocating for him has been hard for me to do/learn, and you certainly made it easy and comfortable. Thanks again for being a safe stranger for Wyatt.

Backlit Portraits at a Private Dog Photography Location

Most of the private dog photography locations I have available for photo sessions moonlight as wedding venues on the weekend — ok, ok… really they are wedding venues that moonlight as dog photography locations for me.

What you might not know about wedding venues is that many of them are designed around evening light for portraits. I just love this gorgeous evening light filtering through the trees onto Wyatt highlighting all that beautiful fur.

Heartwood Acres in Eatonton has a beautiful grassy lawn area with a split rail fencing that adds beautiful rustic charm to backlit portraits. The yard is large enough for a few action shots too. We were able to capture Wyatt in all his fur flying glory running happily though the field.

(And PS. Wyatt remained leashed throughout his entire session. Leashes were removed in Photoshop.)

Wyatt & Roses at Heartwood Acres in Eatonton, GA

I love finding florals to use as a background in most every session when I can find them.

After we spent some time getting Wyatt warmed up to me and the camera, we moved over to the roses growing alongside Heartwood Acres. Wyatt’s images near the knockout roses remind me of a painted portrait and I love how soft the light is at this part of our private location.

Using a Private Dog Photography Location Is A Great Option for Anxious or Reactive Dogs

Having Wyatt’s session at Heartwood Acres, a private dog photography location in Eatonton, GA, allowed us to really create an environment for Wyatt that let us set him up for success.

Wyatt’s mom had brought all his favorite treats and his support grandma to help too during his session as we worked to keep him enjoying his time with me. And I never touched Wyatt. I mostly ignored him - keeping myself neutral. A few times he approached me for a sniff and we just let him do his own thing, no pressure. And Wyatt had a great time! He’s happy and relaxed in his portraits. He ate tasty snacks and quickly learned the click of the shutter worked like clicker training and the treat was on the way.

Would a private location for your dog's photo session help us set them up for success?

Photographing Doodles in Atlanta Piedmont Park

When Amy and I planned her session she mentioned wanting a park-like setting for her two miniature bernedoodles and let me know that as a traveling nurse currently stationed in Atlanta, she wasn’t exactly sure where to go.

Immediately my brain went to Atlanta’s iconic Piedmont Park. I love Piedmont Park for dog photography. I even had my own engagement photos done in the park with our herd of dogs way back in 2010. And since then, I’ve photographed quite a few of Atlanta’s most loved dogs and their parents in and around the park.

One of my favorite things about Piedmont Park is there is a ton of variety! Let’s take a look at Benson & Lily’s session: Photographing Doodles in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park.

Doodles on Rocks at Piedmont Park

There are two reasons I loved photographing Benson & Lily, the bernedoodles, against the stone at Piedmont Park. One, I love the way curly doodle hair contrasts with hard stone. And two, Lily’s merle coat was perfect with the grays and browns of the stone. I was super excited to get to use this area of the park because it was a cloudy morning, most sessions at Piedmont Park have very harsh light along this stone wall and little patio.

I started with group photos, after years of photographing multiple dogs during sessions I’ve learned to start with the group photo while all my noises are still fresh. We usually try a few group photos through-out the session, and you’ll see another photo of both doodles together if you keep scrolling, but I like to mark that most requested photo completed early on so everything else is just icing on the cake.

Once we completed our group photos of both doodles on the stone wall, we also did a few individual photos, and photos together with mom. From there we just stepped onto the little stone patio space that is partially enclosed by the low stone wall. I really love the way the leading lines of the wall add to the composition of these images. Plus, with similar tones images from both the wall and the patio flow together beautifully in the album we designed after the session.

Doodles on The Lawn at Piedmont Park

Now it was time to play and get dirty, so we headed down to the lawn. The day before our session had been super rainy - in fact we worried the weather might cause a reschedule - so the grass was still damp. Damp grass and wrestling doodles in the back meant wet curly doodle fur!

One of things Amy mentioned she really loved about Lily were her baby curls since she is only 6 months old and hadn’t gotten her first big girl haircut yet. I made sure to capture a few super close up images that highlighted all those curls.

We finished up with some “puppy dog eyes” photos which are always on my list of must have photos. There is just something about those big brown puppy eyes looking right up at you that makes everything seem better.

I save these photos for the end because standing above the dogs while holding something to my face can be a little too much at first for some dogs. By the end we’ve usually had time to get to know each other a little and both Benson & Lily were happy to earn a few treats for looking right into the camera.

We even managed a group photo with both doodles looking straight into the camera which is going to be perfect over the mantel!

From the Park to the Walls

When we leave the session all I have is a bunch of data on an SD card (with a backup copy on a dual slot CF card). Lots of pixels that live in a digital world. And no one is framing an SD card and sticking it on their wall. You can’t arrange those strings of 0’s & 1’s into a photo album you can put in your lap either.

So while we all want digital files to put on Instagram and Facebook and the lock screens of our phones, our images also deserve to live in the real world.

This is one of my favorite parts of a session (other than petting all the dogs). Once we all go home, I go through all the images and find the best of the best. Leashes are removed in post processing, color corrections are made, and I clean up any eye boogers that don’t belong in a final portrait. And then, we make art.

For Benson & Lily, it’s this gorgeous midnight leather album with a metal cameo cut out cover. The pages are gilded in black and we have their names debossed on the back inside cover. Amy even added extra customization by having her favorite poem “Here in this house” printed on the first page. She said she reads this poem to Benson & Lily every night at bedtime and it’s her promise to them.

We couldn’t stop with just the album though, remember we have that perfect image for over the mantel, and those group photos of Benson, Lily, & Amy together. We created a beautiful 3 piece gallery over the bed and a perfect framed image over the mantel.

Amy is leaving her post in Atlanta for her next traveling nursing gig and these images of her precious bernedoodles in Piedmont Park will be such a great memory to have of her time in the city.

Is Piedmont Park your favorite Atlanta park for your dog’s photo session?

Or maybe you know of a hidden photographic gem?

This blog is a part of a blog circle with pet photographers from across the globe!

Next up Suffolk based pet photographer shares her passion for photographing gundogs in East Anglia.

Be sure to keep clicking the link at the bottom to complete the circle until you wind up back here!

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What You Should Know Before You Schedule A Memorial Photography Session for Your Dog

Thinking about what our lives will look like when it’s missing a very important furry heartbeat at our side feels like looking into an abyss, just impossible to fathom. Anticipatory grief, navigating difficult veterinary diagnoses, juggling specialist appointments for your pet, dealing with lost mobility, preparing for after the loss - the list of challenges can be daunting as you face the end of life for your dog. Memorial pet photography can help you process your feelings, celebrate the life of your pet, and create artwork you’ll treasure in the years to come.

All your emotions are ok to feel 

Memorial dog photography sessions have a lot of different emotions. There is joy at spending time with your pet. There is laughter as you share the adventures you've shared. There is sadness knowing things will be changing. There can be anger because it’s unfair. All of those emotions are ok and it’s ok to feel all of them, some of them, none of them, or more than one emotion at the same time.

Our goal for an end of life pet photography session isn’t to make your memorial session an only sad occasion. Yes, there may be some sad moments and acknowledgement of the loss you’re preparing for, but your memorial pet session is also a celebration of the life your pet has lived, the journey you have been on together, and the relationship you have shared.

As we plan for your session I’ll ask you about your favorite memories, the things your pet most loves, and their most unique physical traits. I’ll use these to design a custom session that will help create a new favorite memory for you with your dog and let you hold on to those memories with an album of your most loved images.

The end of life pet photography sessions that mean the most are filled with time to snuggle close, favorite treats & toys, and most importantly - time you’ve set aside to reflect on the relationship you share.

How do you know it’s time to schedule an end of life session for your dog?

No one has ever told me that they regretted having photos taken, but I have had so many express regret for waiting until it was too late. I encourage you to have photos done now. Whether you have just gotten a difficult diagnosis or just realize that the time we have is never enough - if you’ve thought about memorial pet photography, it’s time to reach out to a photographer.

End of life sessions always have priority booking. When inquiring, please let me know this is a memorial session so that we can work together to schedule your session as soon as possible.

The images become more important with time

I had an end of life session for my horse a few months before she passed, but the image box of portraits I had ordered didn’t arrive until a week after her death. I picked up my portraits and put them on a shelf in my office. I couldn’t even open the box until weeks later. I needed some space between the loss and the memories represented by the photos. And it’s ok.

Now that box and those images mean the world to me. I am so glad I have them, but for several months after her passing I couldn’t even acknowledge them - the hole in my heart just felt too big. I now find myself smiling when I see them displayed on the bookcase and can let myself remember all the hours we spent together.

I have found the first thing I do when facing grief is look for photos. Whether it’s a person, or a dog, or a horse that I have lost - I want to find the photos.

90% of Pet Parents Choose An Album from their Dog Photo Session

Yep, 90% - I did the math. But, why do so many pet parents choose an album from their dog’s photo session to display their images?

In this post, I’m sharing 3 reasons the album is the number choice for pet parents!

“I love the album - it's such a beautiful keepsake of my boys that I proudly show to anyone who walks through our front door.”

― Nicole & Seth

Pet Parents to Barkington & Neville

Narrowing Down Your Favorite Images is Hard -

Choosing an Album Let’s You Display More of Your Dog’s Photos

The most exciting part of working together is getting to see your images for the first time, but it’s also the hardest part as you make decisions about how you want to enjoy your favorites.

After all, art is meant to be lived with!

Most of my clients find a few stand out portraits they immediately know are perfect for creating a gallery wall or a statement piece of wall art.

But, there are so many other great images that you love too. Choosing a photo album from your dog’s session lets you display your favorite 20, 40, or more images.

And the photo album means enjoying all the details, bloopers, and story telling images in addition to the portraits!

Choosing An Album Tells the Whole Story:

Portraits, Candid Images, Details, & Bloopers From Your Dog’s Session Can Be All Be Included Inside Your Album

Your album is a personal story book all about your dog. As you turn the thick silk pages you’ll see gorgeous portraits of your dog of course, but with an album you can also include silly faces you love, the close up details of those perfect fuzzy toes, the candid moments from the session, and even a blooper or two!

While that photo of your dog clutching her favorite (disgusting) slobber dripping tennis ball clamped delicately in her jaws might not be the right choice for over the mantle, it’s exactly right for the pages of her album devoted to her love of fetch.

And that ridiculous face he makes after chomping his favorite treat? You know the one where he’s got a big goofy grin, his tongue lolling to one side, and maybe a little head tilt as he begs for another one. That face that is so him belongs in an album that you can revisit now, tomorrow, and in 15 years.

Your Dog’s Album Can Be Personalized to Your Story

Every Album is Custom Designed For You

This isn’t your grandmama’s photo album! (And I say that lovingly because I cherish my grandmama’s photo albums full of lovingly glued in prints).

Once you’ve decided on an album from your dog’s photo session, we’ll start customizing! I’ll design an album layout highlighting your favorite images and telling the story of our session.

And then we’ll go over covers. From cameo covers that showcase a favorite image like a frame to subtly beautiful blind debossing on the cover with your dog’s name we can make your album cover a perfect fit for your home.

As an extra special detail we can foil stamp a special message on the inside back cover. It’s a the perfect place for the year of the session, your dog’s “official” name, or a favorite nickname!

Last year 90% of dog parents chose an album of their dog’s images from our session making the album the clear favorite.

It’s easy to see why it’s the front runner when you can include ALL your favorite images - even the details, candids, & bloopers - in a completely custom way.

Ready to create your dog’s album?

End of Life Pet Photography

End of Life Pet Photography can be a hard topic.

The list of challenges can be daunting as you face the end of life for your beloved dog, cat, or horse

Anticipatory grief

• People dismissing your loss as “just a dog”

• Navigating difficult veterinary diagnoses

• Juggling specialist appointments for your pet

• Dealing with lost mobility

• Preparing for life after the loss

For so many of us, our pets are who we spend the most time with, who we come home to every day, and our source of truly unconditional love.

End of life pet photography can help you celebrate the life of your pet and create artwork you’ll treasure in the years to come.

End of Life Pet Photography Sessions Aren’t Sad

An end of life pet photography session doesn’t have to be a sad occasion. Yes, there may be some sad moments and acknowledgement of the loss you’re preparing for, but this session is a celebration of the life your pet has lived, the adventures you have been on together, and the relationship you have shared.

As we plan for your session I’ll ask you about your favorite memories, the things your pet most loves, and most unique physical traits. Using these to design a custom session will help create a new favorite memory for you with your dog, cat, or horse and let you hold on to those memories with an album of your most loved images.

The end of life pet photography sessions that mean the most are filled with time to snuggle close, favorite treats & toys, and most importantly - time you’ve set aside to reflect on the relationship you share.

Where Should You Have An End of Life Pet Photography Session?

Where to have your end of life pet photography session will depend on what you envision for the final artwork as well as the needs of your pet.

An Outdoor Location:

Many of my clients celebrating the life of their dog choose to have their session at an outdoor location. Local parks offer beautiful natural settings and many can be accessible even for dogs with limited mobility. I compiled a few of my favorite places for dog photography in a comprehensive Location Guide. Click here to download the guide.

Your Home:

Your home can also make a great location. My clients with cats often choose to have their end of life session in their home as cats traditionally don’t enjoy traveling. Dogs with more advanced conditions or more severely limited mobility may also be best suited for an at home end of life pet photography session.

The Barn:

And lastly, horses are photographed at their home - the barn. For horses, we most often capture black background portraits at the barn aisle and if your horse is feeling up to it - we’ll also use the pasture areas for outdoor portraits.

When is the right time to do an End of Life Pet Photography Session?

No one has ever told me that they regretted having photos taken, but I have had so many express regret for waiting until it was too late.

I encourage you to have photos done now.

Whether you have just gotten a difficult diagnosis or just realize that the time we have is never enough - if you’ve thought about end of life pet photography, it’s time to reach out to a pet photographer.

End of life sessions always have priority booking. When inquiring, please let me know this is an end of life session so that we can work together to schedule your session as soon as possible.

5 Things to Know Before Your Pet Portrait Event Session

Pet Portrait Event sessions are short themed sessions I host to help you have fun updated photos of your dog in a low stress environment while also helping raise funds for animal rescue groups.

Not only do you get great images for Instagram, you also have a positive experience with your dog and teach them that getting their picture made is awesome!

In this post, I’m sharing 5 things you need to know before attending your pet portrait event session.

1. Bring the Good Treats to Your Pet Portrait Event Session

We’re going to ask your dog for their attention in a new environment, so be prepared to pay & pay well in treats they really love. Some dogs are happy working for Cheerios, but most dogs need higher value treats at their pet portrait event session.

Some ideas for high value rewards include:

• Cheese

• Hot Dogs

• Liverwurst

• Chicken

• Leftover Steak

• A Super Special Toy

2. Be On Time to Your Pet Portrait Event Session

Nearly every pet portrait event day is fully booked, which means your session will immediately follow the session before. Being 5 minutes early, can help us keep on track.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of this event, we aren’t able to see late arrivals.

You’ll notice in your preparation & reminder email sent 24 hours before your pet portrait event session I recommend planning to arrive 15 minutes early to give you a little time for unexpected delays. If we’re ahead of schedule, we’ll even snag you & your dog early to save you the wait!

3. Wait in Your Car

We’re super lucky to have a private space at Canine Country Academy so I can open this event even to dogs that may be fearful or reactive to new people and/or dogs.

Feel free to take your dog to potty when you arrive early, but to make sure that it’s a positive experience for everyone, we DO NOT allow dogs to see or greet each other in the parking area.

Either myself or one of the Canine Country team will wave you in when we’re ready for you to come in for your session.

We want the trip to & from the car to be a positive experience too!

4. Let Me Know What Your Dog Needs

I’m a dog lover like you & I’d love to love your dog with pets and kisses and treats and squeak funny toys and make silly noises to get their attention, but some dogs hate that.

If your dog needs more space, doesn’t enjoy attention from new people, or just plain hates squeaky toys - let me know!

I work with several dogs at these events that I can only love quietly from afar, and that’s 100% OK!

The number one goal of your pet portrait event session is to make this a great experience for your dog.

5. Keep it Fun

You might be worried I won’t get any good images or that your dog is too hyper or unfocused or just not behaving as well at your pet portrait event session as he might at home.

That’s normal.

This is exciting stuff for most dogs - new place, new people, new smells (or exciting place & fun people if they’ve been before) - and they’re going to be a little busy. If they are acting silly or just not as obedient as usual - just act like it’s the cutest thing ever and we’ll get better photos!

As long as you’re relaxed and having a good time, your dog will be better able to enjoy it too!

Want to make sure you don't miss the next Pet Portrait Event?

Join the Dog Ear Newsletter!

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How to Hang Wall Art - Portraits, Photographs, & Paintings - Like a Pro

Imagine this - We’ve finished your dog’s photo session & you’ve decided on your favorite images.

You know you want to see that favorite furry face on your wall everyday, but…

• How high up the wall do you put it?

• What size will fit over the couch?

• And, how high do you hang it?

At the end of this post you’ll know how to hang wall art like a pro.

First, the only RULE to follow when hanging wall art of your dog is that it makes you happy. I’m going to share some pro guidelines in this post - but please, consider them a suggestion & feel free to disregard if something else makes you happy. This isn’t brain surgery. The entire reason you’re hanging wall art of your dog is because it makes you smile.

60% - Wall Art Guideline #1

So many people worry about ordering an image too large, but I’ve only ever had regrets from people who ordered too small.

Sure, an 8 x 10 sounds kind of big and a 16 x 20 must be HUGE, especially if everything you have is a 4 x 6 or a 5 x 7 around the house - but, let’s try it.

Tape a piece of paper to your wall and then stand back to look at it.

Go ahead, I’ll wait…

An 8x10 looks awfully little on a big wall all by itself.

Impact for Over Most Couches

Generally your wall art should be about 60% of the size of the piece of furniture it hangs over - or about 60% of the wall space if there isn’t furniture. If your couch is about 70 inches in length which means your art should be at least 40 inches wide - which is why a Impact size wall art (about 30 x 44 inches) is my most recommended size to hang over a couch.

Planning for a Gallery Wall

If you love the look of a gallery wall (a collection of wall art hanging together) the 60% rule still applies, but you’ll want to measure the outside dimensions of the full gallery.

Here with this long sectional 4 Grand (20 x 40) size pieces look at home and the height of the vertical artwork balances the high ceilings.

Grand Fits Above the Mantel

Most mantels are between 55 - 75 inches in width which means your art should be at least 36 inches wide - which is why a Grand size wall art (about 36 x 24 inches) seems well suited for most mantels.

60 Inches - Wall Art Guideline #2

Most recommendations say to place the center of the artwork, or the focal point, 60 inches above the floor.

If you consider the average height of people, it makes sense for the focal point to be at eye level. Many people (myself included as I look at the dog photos on the wall in my living room where I am currently sitting and writing this) tend to hang their artwork too high.

So while I add moving my wall art down to my never ending to-do list, let’s move on to guideline number 3.

6 Inches - Wall Art Guideline #3

If we go back to talking about hanging wall art over your couch - you’ll want to hang your art about 6 inches above the back of the couch. You can go as high as 10 inches, but 6 is the minimum (and fits with my rule of 6’s to make it easy to remember).

Now you’re hanging wall art like a pro and ready to fill your walls with the adorable faces you love most.

Yes, Even Your Dog Can Have Professional Pet Photos

How do you know if your dog can have professional pet photos?

Maybe you worry that your dog is too:

• Hyperactive

• Reactive

• Untrained

• Blind or deaf

• Timid, Afraid, or Nervous

In this blog, I’m going to share some tips & tricks I’ve learned as a professional pet photographer to help EVERY dog succeed during our dog photo session!

My Dog is Hyperactive

Do most of your dog photos look like a blur?

Having a dog that seems to be always bouncing off the walls can be tough. You’ve probably found that the best photos you’ve managed with your phone are sleeping pictures because everything else you try results in a blur across the screen.

Here’s where working with a professional pet photographer with professional level gear will really make a difference in photographing your dog.

Super fast shutter speeds are capable of almost literally freezing time - we’re talking freezing the flutter of a hummingbird wing fast. There’s a reason camera bodies & lenses matter - and a super fast shutter speed for your hyperactive dog is one of them!

My Dog is Dog or People Reactive

Having a reactive dogs is probably in the top 3 reasons people wait on hiring a professional pet photographer, so you’re not alone.

When your dog struggles with seeing other dogs out on a walk or is unsure about meeting new people; it’s scary to think about having him photographed where other dogs might walk by or he might react to the photographer holding a giant eyeball (camera lens) right in his face.

If your dog is people or dog reactive - or just easily overstimulated - you should definitely hire a professional DOG photographer.

As someone who has worked with reactive dogs (both as a photographer & foster mom) I have taken professional dog training classes to help me set these dogs up for success.

By using a longer focal length I can be 20 or more feet away from your dog throughout the session keeping the pressure low. I understand dog body language and can read what your dog is saying.

A professional pet photographer is also an expert at removing leads - so your dog remains completely safe just a few feet from you at all times and you still receive gorgeous images where you never know there was once a leash.

And lastly, I can help you find a location that’s suitable for whatever your dog needs. We can rent a private venue ensuring we’re the only people and dogs on the property or we can use a studio where we can be safely inside throughout the session.

Wyatt is a dog for whom life can be scary. He’s tiny and cute and fluffy and really flipping adorable, and that means people cross his boundaries a lot. They want to touch and cuddle and smoosh his fluff. But that’s really scary to Wyatt, and he wants to say no, and he can’t. So Wyatt’s mom is his voice and his advocate.

Wyatt’s mom detailed during our planning that Wyatt is nervous of strangers and he battles a lot of anxiety and reactivity. And then before she got Wyatt out of the car she spoke to me again so I would be prepared for Wyatt’s needs. She brought all his favorite treats and his emotional support grandma to help too.

We rented Heartwood Acres, a beautiful private wedding venue in Eatonton, Georgia for his session so we didn’t have to worry about strangers or other dogs during his photo session. I never touched Wyatt during our time together. In fact, I mostly ignored him. A few times he approached me for a sniff and we just let him do his own thing, no pressure. And Wyatt had a great time!

He’s happy and relaxed in his portraits. He ate tasty snacks and quickly learned the click of the shutter worked like clicker training and the treat was on the way right from mom who was just feet away on the other the end of the leash.

Working with a professional dog photographer means working with someone who has the skills and understanding to let your dog be themselves.

My Dog Has No Training or Manners

“But my dog doesn’t even know how to sit!”

I hear this all the time - and guess what? Your dog doesn’t have to know any commands to have a successful professional pet photography session.

Sure, having some basics can help move the session along, but there are beautiful images to be had of your dog just doing their dog thing. Dogs standing, walking, running, climbing, and exploring all make for beautiful natural poses - with NO training required.

I’ve spent years working with shelter & rescue dogs photographing them for their adoption pictures - like Dunkin pictured here. Many of these dogs not only have no training, they are dealing with a new place, new situation, and new people. My experience getting photos of these

My Dog is Blind or Deaf

Whether your dog was born with a disability or has lost his vision or hearing due to advanced age - you can still have beautiful professional pet photos.

As humans, we process the world through our eyes (that’s probably why you're drawn to professional pet photography - you like the way it looks.)

Our dogs however, process the world through their NOSE.

When working with any dog, but especially those that are missing another sensory input, knowing that dogs see the world with their incredible sniffer, is an invaluable tool I’ve learned as a professional pet photographer. On more than one occasion I have arrived home smelling like I use tuna fish scented lotion and liverwurst eau du parfum.

We can direct your dog’s “gaze” by drawing their nose.

Here adorable Philomena and her brother Vito pose on the bridge at Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. Vito has been blind since he was young due to a genetic condition, but his nose is still top notch.

My Dog is Timid, Nervous, or Afraid

I’m an introvert and my wife says she spent the first 6 months of our courtship just trying to get me to talk to her.

Meeting new people in new situations can be hard for us as people - even when it’s something we want to do and when we understand that it’s just butterflies in our stomach and the new thing is actually going to eat us.

Dogs don’t experience that the same way. Shy dogs can’t reason that if they just get brave and say hi they might be rewarded with a new friend (or some tasty morsel).

And your dog probably isn’t thinking about the beautiful pictures you’re going to have together.

So here’s what I do as a professional dog photographer: I focus first on making this a fun & positive experience for your dog.

Maybe that means I spend the first 10 minutes of our session just letting him sniff everything in my camera bag and maybe the next 5 minutes is about clicking the shutter and handing out treats before I ever bring the camera to my eye. Like we did with Bonnie the sheltie pictured above.

Or maybe that means we choose a location we know will be quiet and where you can take a couple practice walks to get used to the area in the weeks leading up to our session.

Or maybe it just means your dog needs more space during the session and I’ll use my long lens and calm inside voice so he’s comfortable.

Or maybe you both attend a few Pet Portrait Events first to warm up to me and the “game” of having their photo made.

We will work together to make your dog successful!

After more than 10 years working with dogs, I can confidently say I can photograph even your dog. Not only do I know that even your dog can have professional pet photos - I guarantee all my work. If I can’ deliver images you absolutely love - I’ll refund 100%.