With the ongoing covid-19 crisis, I wanted to share with everyone the steps I am taking to provide my clients with beautiful dog photography while making sure that everyone involved stays safe!

My studio is not very large. I do not feel that it would be safe to photograph people in my studio as it would be a challenge to maintain an appropriate distance at all times. So for clients who wish to be in the portraits with their animals, I am offering services outdoors.

Behind my home I have set up a beautiful outdoor studio.  There are big rocks and tree stumps on which people or dogs can sit as well as a big field for action shots.  Tall grasses and lovely trees provide a scenic backdrop for dog photography with people. A long lens allows me to photograph from a safe distance.

For those clients who are keen on my indoor work, I am still offering studio dog photography. For studio work, I am providing drop off service for animals. I must admit that I got the idea for drop off visits when I took my dog to Pender Vet.  So far it has been working splendidly!  All of the studio dog photography you see on this page was created during drop off visits with me working alone in the studio.

My clients arrive at their designated time and call or text when they have parked. I come outside to get the animals and take them into the studio.  My clients are free to wait in their car, go for a walk, run errands or whatever they wish.  A typical session for one dog takes from an hour to an hour and a half.  With cats or multiple animals, a session can last one and a half to two hours. I will text my client with updates on how their pets are doing and how much longer it is likely to take.

How do I photograph dogs by myself with no help? Well, I have a lot of experience photographing animals using a remote trigger release.  I plan the shot, set the lighting and the focus, then, I work to get the animal where I need them. Because I do not have to look through the camera, I am able to maintain a visual connection with the animal.  If the animal does not have a good “stay”, I can work with them on a leash, using toys or food to keep their attention. I know where I need to stand to be out of the frame and I can take the leash out of the final portrait in the post-production retouching.

When I have finished with the session, I call or text my client and they can return to pick up their pet.  While the CDC reports that the risk of covid-19 transmission through household pets is low, I still thoroughly sanitize all surfaces in the studio between every session. Of course I also make sure to keep plenty of hand sanitizer on hand and I wear a mask whenever I am handing a dog off to their owner.  Sadly, I do miss the best part of my job… doggy kisses.  No kisses from the pups right now.

My pets have been my saviors during this crisis.  They give me unconditional love, company and a reason to get out of the house and exercise!  I think this is true for many of my clients as well.  I am so happy that I have been able to find a way to continue doing studio dog photography as well as outdoor family portraits with animals.  I think now, more than ever, it is important to cherish the things around us that give us joy. I love providing my clients with memories that they will treasure forever!

If you would like more information on dog photography or any other kind of animal or family portraits, please contact me.