Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to our most frequently asked questions by dog owners prior to booking their session:

• My dog doesn't know sit or stay. Is that a problem?

  Not at all! Some of my favourite portraits are of dogs standing up, and rest assured, I have a DEEP well of unique sounds and tasty treats to grab their attention - even if it’s just for that split second while I capture each image.

• My dog can't be off leash. Can I still do a session?

  Yes, absolutely! Believe it or not, 95% of the dogs that I photograph are on leash. Leashes not only keep your best pal safe, but they are also important for following local laws when photographing in urban environments. Thanks to the wizardry of Photoshop, leashes will be removed from most of the final images.

• What if my dog is super reactive to other dogs/people/bicycles?

  I completely understand; the world can be a scary place for all of us sometimes. If your dog is nervous or reactive, we can choose a location that suits his temperament. I have a few out-of-the-way locations that receive very little dog or foot traffic, or my home studio will allow your dog the necessary quiet area they need to help with their reactiveness.

• My dog is a never ending ball of energy! How do you manage high-energy dogs?

  My camera shutter speed goes all the way up to 1/8000th of a second - in other words, plenty fast enough to capture event the most active dog. Our sessions never require your dog to sit, stay and behave for hours (or even minutes) on end. One of the benefits of hiring a pet-specific photographer is that we know how to work with ‘hyper’ models and still deliver gorgeous images, jam-packed with personality.

• Can I be in the images too?

  Of course! I love documenting the wonderful connection between you and your dog. While we can certainly capture a traditional portrait of you both smiling at the camera, my clients especially love the candid images of the moments they share. If you are especially camera shy, I can still create some lovely, creative images, that tell the story of your relationship. Please trust me, and remember that you don’t need to purchase or display any images that you don’t adore.

• What time will our photo session be?

  The most magical light for photography happens during the ‘golden hour’, which is why I schedule most sessions during the last two hours of daylight. However, certain locations - such as urban areas that bustle with activity during the evening - are better suited for morning sessions, when we can still take advantage of the lovely low-angle light. The nice thing about a home studio you can take beautiful portraits at any time of the day.

• How do we choose a location?

  It’s a big decision, but I’m here to help with plenty of recommendations. During our session planning consultation we will discuss the look you’re after, any special needs your dog might have (mobility challenges, anxiety, etc) and scheduling constraints on your part (ie mornings only). With all that in mind, we will settle on the perfect location for your custom session.

• What if it's raining?

  If the weather is less than ideal, we can definitely reschedule. Your reservation retainer simply transfers over to our new session date - easy peasy!

• Who can come to the session?

  Everyone who lives in your household (furry or not) is welcome to participate in your session. In the interest of minimizing distractions however, I do ask that only those who will be in the photos come along. If you’re interested in holding a session with your dog’s best bud, or your extended family, I’d be happy to put together a custom quote.

• Do you photograph pets other than dogs?

  Fur, feathers, scales and tails - I photograph them all! While the majority of my clients are of the canine variety, I do photograph the equine and feline variety from time to time. You can check out my horse photography portfolio here.