5 questions to ask when choosing a pet photographer

So you’ve been thinking about hiring a professional pet photographer to photograph your family, including the furry ones, but you’re not sure how to choose the right person for you. Here’s 5 tips on you should look for when choosing a photographer.

1. Does the photographer have a background working with animals? There’s no denying that just about everyone loves cute, adorable baby animals. But cuddling pets is different than putting a camera in their face and photographing them. Often, photography sessions can be stressful for the dogs. A well trained pet photographer will know how to read the signs and work with them to keep them calm, safe and happy.

2. Does the photographer understand animal behavior? Not only can photography sessions be stressful for dogs, but also for their owners. And it will show in the dog’s expression. A photographer who understands the signs of stress or fear in dogs will know when to take a break, how to calm the dog down, or simply end the session.

3. Does the photographer have any “tricks” he or she uses to get the dog’s attention during the photo session? Pet photographers understand dogs don’t naturally look at the camera and “smile”. Sounds, treats, and motion are some tricks used by photographers to get that perfect head tilt or expression that you can’t help but swoon over.

4. Does the photographer ask questions about your dog’s background, behavior and likes/dislikes? Photographing dogs is much more involved than just picking a park, showing up at the appointed hour and capturing photos. Is your dog well suited for a photo session in a public park that other dogs frequent? Does your dog have any food aversions/allergies? Is your dog motivated by praise, food or something else? Your photographer should be asking questions to help determine the best location, day and time for your photo session.

5. Does the photographer genuinely like working with pets? This may seem like an obvious question, but not all photographers are meant to work with animals. It’s a lot of work to guide pets through a photo session and unlike their human parents, you can’t tell them what you want to them to do, or how to pose. A photographer who stresses during a pet photo session will only pass that anxiety on to the dogs.

I hope you find these tips helpful. If you’d like to inquire about a pet photography session and find out if I’m the right photographer for your family, let’s chat!