Information you should know: 

Why do I need photographs of my animals? I have an iPhone that takes great pictures. 

Your iPhone may take great pictures, but did you know that photography is about light and not the camera you use. The camera is just the tool to get you to the finished product, like a carpenter and a hammer. 

What if I have mobility issues and I can't bend or sit?

Please let me know as soon as possible if you are unable to sit, kneel or bend. We could be doing a lot of different poses, I will work with you to accommodate any limitations.  

Preparing for your session

This is the time to have some fun, this is your family time, please leave cell phones, wallets, purses in the car locked and out of sight and let’s get connected!!!! 

For children

Bring snacks, drinks, extra clothing, favorite toy, hair ties, bug spray and a blanket.  For older kids and adults, just bring coffee or your favorite snack and smiles.

For pets

Please walk your pet before the session 15-20 ahead of time. They are way too excited with other people, other dogs, wild life(geese & rabbits), smells and they take at least that long to get used to the new environment.  Bring leash, treats, any ties or bows, water, favorite toys to incorporate in the portrait session.  We encourage you to come early to have your pet be familiar with environment. If you have to bring the harness please do so. 

Be patient

Be patient and they will come around.  Getting upset only makes things worse so take your time.  For pets that have an accident it's fine, clean it up and carry on.  They may not cooperate like humans, but be patient and keep trying in a gentle manner.

Location

This is determined during the consultation.  Telling your story with images brings more value and importance to you.                                                

Eat before the session  

Focusing on how hungry you are rather than paying attention to what the photographer is trying to get you or your pet to do can make everyone cranky and derail the session.  Have everyone fed and watered with a bathroom break before the session.  If you can't eat before, bring snacks and also check your teeth after eating.  Prepare the day before with your bag packed ready to go in case you are running late the day of your session.

Pet and children behavior 101

I have special ways to have pets and children look at the camera.  Keep thinking to yourself my pets and my children have personalities and I want them to shine during the session. The more behaved they are the less personality will show. Yelling at them just makes for a stressful session on everyone’s part. What is a word that makes your pet or child happy, laugh and or look at you?  Try it, there is one. Let me know and I will use those words.

You make the difference

A beautiful portrait does not just happen. There are many details that, if carefully planned for, will make a substantial difference in the quality of the art we create together. These fine points will help in designing ordinary portraits into something spectacular. 

Clothing VERY IMPORTANT

Solid-colored outfits are preferred, anything else will distract such as logos, stripes, patterns or printed outfits, these things may make you look bigger in the portraits. PLAIN colors are the very best way to keep the focus on your face.  Wear well-fitted, freshly-pressed clothing in good condition, regardless of body type. For outdoor summer sessions, clothing suggestions- browns, beiges, blacks, colors that create harmony. Indoor sessions will differ on what to wear. 

Footwear

Wear dress shoes with formal outfits and avoid flip-flops, crocs, and athletic shoes. Match your shoes and socks to your pants so they don’t stand out.  Have shoes cleaned and polished. 

Grooming

Hairstyles

Hair should be cut or trimmed a week or more in advance.  Don’t try a totally new hairstyle or color, as it takes time to get used to. 

Outdoor sessions

Use hairspray to keep hair from blowing. Use hairstyles that keep hair from falling into your face. 

Shaving

Gentlemen may need to shave just before the session as a “five o’clock shadow may appear that cannot be removed with retouching. 

Children’s/adults nails and hands

Check for chipped and non-matching fingernail/toenail polish and polish them if needed. 

Glasses

You can eliminate the reflections and the distorting refractions by removing the lenses or by borrowing a pair of no lenses frames similar to your own.  Do the same for photo-gray or non-glare lenses and transitions. The problems caused by eyeglass lenses are difficult to correct in post-production.

Emotional Symbols

You may want to have special jewelry worn by someone that meant a lot to you, a special watch worn by a grandfather, a necklace your daughter gave to you on your birthday, a wedding gift from a parent.  Allow yourself to wear these special items that have emotional meaning.  Please indicate to the photographer so we can include them in each image.

Makeup/Nails/Jewelry

Apply make-up normally, but lightly, paying special attention to your eyes. Mascara and eyebrow darkening may help.  Avoid brilliant or dark colors on the eyes, lips and cheeks and avoid lip liner. Foundation should cover your entire face and neck down. Keep jewelry simple and elegant.

 FAQ

I am not sure how the session is going to go, my dog is just a puppy. 

I have secret sauce methods to get your dog to cooperate and look at me even with a head tilt. I can guarantee you will have a laugh or two as well.  I stay away from saying the pets name, using squeakers and treats are the last resort. I try to keep the session as calm as possible to have your pet pose like they are on a runway.  At the end of the session most people will say, "This went better than I thought it would." It's going to be fun, crazy and busy, expect it and embrace it, they are an animal. 

What should I bring to the session?

The leash and harness to keep them safe from walking from the vehicle to my studio space and keeping them leashed until they have calmed down in my home studio which usually takes about 5-10 minutes. Leashes will go back on at last resort if we need them leashed during the session and they are retouched out in post production. 

Please bring your own treats in case of allergies. I don't want to feed your pet something they may get sick on. I do have dehydrated treats or canned foods to try and will bring those out if needed. Treats are brought out at last resort. Treats can cause more of distraction and take longer for the session. 

How do you get all of those cats to sit still in your portraits?

I work with one cat at a time, a tripod, an assistant, a lot of patience and the rest is post production. Besides wouldn't you want to hire the best for your pets and to create the best portraits to have in your heart and in your home. 

My cat or dog is just too busy and would not sit for a session! 

Well, all I say to that is try me!! I have worked with shy, busy, rescues, wild cats and frightened pets. We don't need a sitting session maybe its walking, running, and like I said earlier dogs can be kept on the leash at all times and that can be taken out. Cats can take up to 20 minutes to settle down before we can photograph them, but I have techniques that are effective.    

How long does the session take?

The session usually takes 1-2 hours depending on what we are doing, how many pets, how cooperative they are, how many people we are working with. Usually the session will not go longer than 2 hours 

What if my animal has an accident on your studio floor?

I have you covered, with paper towel, cleaning supplies.  I have an update studio with easy to clean flooring.  The studio is cleaned after a session and before a session. I wash all blankets and rugs after each use. I keep your pet as safe as possible. 

Do you offer all digitals or can I just get all of the digitals? 

I offer the digitals(printable for small printing) for those images you purchase in a I pay attention to details in the post-production work, making sure fur is removed off of clothing, there are catchlights in subjects eyes,  dust and dandruff is removed from dogs fur, eye tears and stains removed, cataracts are fixed in animals eyes,  transitions in glasses are removed, a composition is created if needed with a number of pets and people. Each portrait is meticulously taken care of and you are presented with something you can proudly display. 

Can you send me a gallery of images after the session?

Meeting in person or over Zoom is the fastest and most time efficient for everyone. 

What if you need to cancel or postpone the session

Your session time is set aside for you, should you need to cancel or postponed please allow as much time as possible. The retainer(session fee) is non-refundable but can be used to re-book another session. 

How long does it take until we view our portraits

It can take up to 1-1.5 weeks for me to go through the portraits and get them ready for viewing. We meet to select your favorite.