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!
Be sure to keep clicking the link at the bottom to complete the circle until you wind up back here!
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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%.
How to Choose the Best Pet Photographer in Atlanta for You & Your Pets
When it comes to photographing your dog - you know you want to find an expert.
Choosing the right pet photographer for you can seem like an impossible task. After all you want someone that loves slobbery kisses and doesn't mind a little fur, and someone that will deliver beautiful images while keeping you & your dog comfortable throughout the session. You’ll want to take some time to get to know the artist behind the Google listing.
5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Pet Photographer
1. A Pet Photographer's Experience
For me, experience is the first priority. Pet photography is a specialty genre for a reason.
Of course you’d hire a wedding photographer to photograph your wedding. You’d search for someone who had photographed a lot of wedding before - someone who isn’t surprised about anything that might happen. It’s a once in a lifetime event and you want it to be perfect.
Choosing your dog photographer is very similar.
A pet photographer is working with animals - and not just any animal - this is the furry love of your life we're talking about, and having someone that understands working with animals, posing animals, & posing you with your dog is very important.
Here are some questions you might ask potential photographers:
How long as the pet photographer been working with dogs, cats, horses, etc?
Do they do any continuing education in dog or equine photography?
What about animal training or behavior classes as ongoing education?
Do they enter their work in peer reviewed competition?
Do they belong to any professional organizations?
I’m incredibly proud to talk about my 10+ years working with animals, and my life-long love of horses & dogs. Ongoing education in building my craft is incredibly important and I set aside a budget each year for classes and workshops to improve my camera skills. My dogs and I routinely take classes together at Canine Country Academy in a variety of dog sports and I attend lectures on animal behavior and training. Each year I commit to submitting my work to peer reviewed image competitions to push my creatively and test my skills. And I’ve been a member of the Professional Photographers of America (the USA’s premiere organization for professional photography of all genres), Hair of the Dog, & Unleashed (two pet specific professional organizations).
While experience isn’t everything when choose the right pet photographer for you, I think it should be among your top considerations.
2. Pet Photography Style
The dog photographer’s style will have a big impact on your final images.
Do you like studio images or on location or maybe lifestyle documentary images taken in your home or a combination of them all?
Does the pet photographer you’re considering showcase that style?
If you like studio style images, do you like classic portraits or bright colorful backgrounds? Lots of props? No props?
Do you prefer urban locations or park like settings for on location images?
Or is what you’re looking for really a session in your home capturing the ones you love in the place you love them most?
And once you’ve thought about all that, don’t forget things like editing styles. Some pet photographers photograph dark & moody, or light & airy, or true color.
Be sure to check out their portfolio, blog, and social media for examples of recent pet photography work.
My own work leans to outdoor on location images with a mix of portraits and candid images in a classic true to to color style. I describe my work as dogs on their best days featuring warm, rich colors in natural environments. While I do offer both urban and more natural park like settings, I only offer studio work when I am doing my Pet Portrait Events.
3. The Process of a Pet Photography Session
Your pet photographer should explain the process of working with them.
Some will send you questionnaires or have a consultation before the session to talk about what you want while other pet photographers will just meet you at the time & location selected and start taking photos.
Some pet photographer’s will design a reveal for you to show you your images and help you select the images and artwork for your finished artwork while others will load your images onto an online gallery for you to download.
Neither is right or wrong, but you should consider which will fit your needs best. If you love DIY and printing your own photos, someone offer an all inclusive “shoot & share” model might be a great fit. If you prefer a more custom done for your service, a full service photographer will be a better fit.
4. The Final Product
While we’re talking about process, the finished product is important criteria to consider. This is a completely personal choice.
For me, I love offering a complete done for you custom service where we talk about your dog before the session, create a plan to capture the images that are most important to you, and then I help you choose how to take those digital pixels to real artwork to hold in your hands and display on your walls in addition to digital files.
Presenting my clients with a tangible beautiful art piece is a big part of WHY I’m a pet photographer.
But, maybe you want your images delivered on a disc or gallery online without any physical art, and there are pet photographers that offer that too.
5. Your Pet Photography Budget
As long as the pet photographer is running a legal business and properly insured, there is a pet photographer for most every budget.
Don’t take risks with someone operating under the table without liability insurance or a legal business entity… your pet’s safety is too important.
Pricing for pet photography will vary based on many factors - experience, processes, final artwork, vendors, location, and more all play a part.
Just remember, the price a pet photographer charges usually lines up with the value & experience they deliver.