HELP ME HELP YOU
MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you only photograph dogs?
While in the past I have worked with other pets such as cats and horses, these days I specialize 100% in our beloved canine companions.
Do you schedule any sessions on weekends?
Sure! But since weekends are important family time for me, there might be an additional cost depending on the location.
If you are able to take the day off or even just an afternoon off on a weekday, that would be the best option. It gives us a greater variety of locations to choose from, as some locations are super busy on weekends. Having a quiet location with fewer distractions can help the session go more smoothly, as your dog will be more cooperative and less distracted.
How far do you travel and is there an extra charge?
My packages include travel to locations in the specified mile radius.
If you are located outside the max 60-mile radius, please get in touch to discuss options and pricing.
Does your package only include one dog?
All packages include two dogs. Extra dogs can be added, up to a total of four, by adding $100 per extra dog to the package fee. This allows for the extra time I spend shooting and editing, plus the use of an assistant if additional help is required to handle multiple dogs during the session.
You’ll view approximately 3 extra images per extra dog (single or group shots).
How do I pay for my package?
A 20% deposit is required with the remainder due within 48 hrs before the session.
Credit card payments are currently unavailable (working on it). For now, I am taking Venmo, Paypal, and cash payments.
What locations do the photo sessions take place in?
I do both indoor and outdoor sessions. I have designed the packages to accommodate the most common client needs. Even though the majority of the sessions in the packages are outdoors as that's where the dogs are in their best element (plus nothing beats the natural light), I do include indoor sessions for clients dealing with senior dogs, bad health, or temperament.
Beautiful locations enhance the look of your images, so I always love to shoot at picturesque parks, beaches, forests, or maybe even a trendy urban area. Lot of these decisions I storyboard out based on the dog parent interview and the star's personality.
Do you work with an untrained or misbehaving dog?
It’s definitely a little easier working with a well-trained, well-behaved dog! But in the end, they are animals with quirks, and often many factors contribute to their behavior and level of training.
Please be rest assured, I’ve worked with all kinds of dogs at all levels of obedience. The number one thing we can do to make things easier for ourselves is to choose a location with as few distractions as possible (that's why I choose locations after speaking to dog parents).
While on the session, I use tons of tricks and techniques (and S*#@load of patience) to overcome any training issues your dog might have so we can still get a range of awesome shots. Please don’t let your dog’s behavior hold you back from booking a session. Relax, you’re in my capable and super-experienced hands!
Do my dogs have to be on a leash when being photographed?
Let's face it unless the dog has received a high degree of training such as a law enforcement canine officer, chances are the dog is on a leash. If the dog parent is able to manage the dog without a leash and have them pose and perform specific tasks, then we can go off-leash. There is an exception, the chest harness is a big NO for photography sessions.
Thanks to the magic of digital post-production, I do my best to remove leashes from images (this is why chest harnesses are a big NO as they are hard to remove digitally and mostly ruin the picture), leaving you with a gorgeous shot. No one will know :-)
Can I or my kids be in the photos?
It's a fair question, especially since my site onlyhas dog pictures (no humans are to be seen). Let me settle this now, Yes, I do capture the special bond between dogs and their people. However, I do not do family portrait sessions. Any picture that I do take of dogs and people will have a creative approach to it, and those are usually candid, natural moments. No fake studio shots and posed shots for holiday cards. You can use the pictures I take or holiday prints as they will be different and far better.
Adding people will not increase the number of pictures included in the packages.
For such requests, I recommend a custom package. Please speak to me for more details including pricing.
What happens if the weather doesn't cooperate?
The quality and style of my images rely greatly on natural sunlight. If the weather isn’t playing nice (not enough sunlight due to rain, heavy cloud, the threat of storms, or generally unstable weather) we’ll probably reschedule for another, more suitable day.
We also might need to reschedule if it is very windy or excessively hot, to preserve the comfort of both us and our four-legged friends!
Mostly I choose the morning and evening golden hour time (usually it is a 2-hour window after and before sunset). I have done mid-day sessions too. This is where location selection plays a role.
What if I need to cancel my session?
If you need to cancel your session for any reason whatsoever (even just a change of mind), you will receive a full refund minus a $50 administration fee and any bank fees, just as long as you let me know 48 hours before your session. Cancellations within 48 hours are subject to a 50% payment return.
Once the session has taken place, unfortunately, no refunds are available.
What if I don't like the photos?
I’ll preface this first by saying, in all the years of me providing professional dog photography to my valued clients, I’ve never once had a client who did not absolutely love the images from their session!
To avoid such situations, I recommend clients especially if you are coming to me for the first time to become familiar with my style of photography. It is an important first step, so I’d recommend viewing my portfolio before booking to make sure my style fits in with your vision.
Of course, working with animals usually presents some challenges, so it also helps to have realistic expectations of the sorts of situations and locations your dog is able to handle happily. Communication is the key, and I welcome honest and open discussions during the planning process.
Even after all that if you are in any way unhappy with the images, I will do my best to work with you to rectify any issues. However! let's stay positive here, shall we?
Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes! Gift certificates are something new for me. You can purchase a gift certificate for the two all-inclusive pre-paid packages I offer - the Introductory & Celebratory packages.
Do you share all the pictures taken during the session?
No, you will only receive a specific number of pictures to select from. The total number of pictures you can select depends on the package you purchased. However, you can add any additional pictures for an extra cost of $55/per picture.
Since the camera I use shoots takes a large number of shots each time I press the shutter, many o the pictures end up being repeated. It is my job to select the best one for post-production. By the time you get to see it, I have done the selection and editing.
The packages do not include these unedited pictures.
Who owns the copyright?
That's simple. I do! You will be presented with a contract when a package is purchased which highlights ownership, copyright, and model release information along with other important points. Please make sure you have read the contract and feel free to ask any questions that may arise.