BLOG - Ina J Photography - Canberra Pet Photographer

Can Reactive and Anxious Dogs Be Professionally Photographed? Yes, Here's How

June 30, 2026

When Ruben's owner contacted me, she was upfront about his history. He'd bitten people before. He was old, he was unwell, and she wanted photos of him before it was too late. But she wasn't sure if it was even possible, given what he was like with strangers.It was an end of life session, so we did it in his home. That was the right call for a few reasons. He was elderly and didn't need the stress of a new location, and his own space gave him the security to manage my presence on his terms.When ...

Happy couple posing with their Beagle during an outdoor pet photography session in a sunlit park.

Photography Mindset: How Your Thoughts Shape Your Pet Photography Business More Than You Think

June 26, 2026

When photographers talk about growing a business, the conversation usually focuses on strategy. Things like marketing, pricing, social media, and SEO tend to get most of the attention. And while all of those things matter, there's another piece that's often overlooked.Your photography mindset.Because the way you think about your business influences far more than most people realise. It affects the prices you set, the opportunities you pursue, the way you communicate with clients, and the ...

Two dogs sitting on a leaf-covered autumn path with orange foliage behind them at Yarralumla English Garden Canberra

Canberra Pet Photography Session: What to Expect at Your Dog's Photo Session

June 14, 2026

The most common message I get before a session is some version of “I’m not sure my dog will behave.”Sometimes it’s a reactive dog. Sometimes it’s a puppy with zero attention span.Sometimes it’s a 10-year-old who can’t walk far and has never really liked strangers.In over 1,000 sessions across Canberra, I have not met a dog I couldn’t photograph.This is what a session actually looks like, from start to finish. What Happens on the Day of a Dog ...

How to Simplify Your Business as a Pet Photographer (And Focus on What Actually Matters)

June 5, 2026

If you've been trying to simplify your business but somehow it feels like things are getting more complicated instead, you're not alone. I see this happen all the time with photographers. You start with a simple goal. Book more clients. Grow your business. Create work you love.Then somewhere along the way, things get messy. You're trying multiple marketing strategies. Signing up for new software. Following advice from different coaches. Testing new ideas every other week. Before long, ...

Pet photographer sitting indoors with three small dogs during a branding session focused on how to increase your sales.

How to Increase Your Sales in Your Pet Photography Business (Without Lowering Your Prices)

May 25, 2026

If you’ve been trying to increase your sales in your pet photography business, it’s easy to assume the problem is your pricing. Your sessions might feel too expensive. Enquiries might go quiet after you send pricing. Or clients book, but only choose the smallest option available.I hear this from photographers all the time. But most of the time, pricing isn’t actually the real issue. What’s usually missing is guidance.Hi, I’m Ina, I’m ...

Pet photographer sitting on a bench with three small dogs, reflecting the joy and purpose behind turning a hobby into a business

Turning a Hobby Into a Business: The Shift Most Pet Photographers Struggle to Make

May 8, 2026

If you’re in that in between stage of turning a hobby into a business, you’ll probably recognise this feeling.You love what you do. You care about your work. You’re putting time into it.But something still feels a bit inconsistent.Bookings come in here and there. You’re trying different things. Some work, some don’t. And it’s hard to tell what’s actually moving things forward. I remember being in that stage myself.Hi, I’m ...

Pet photographer standing in her studio with dog portraits, representing a professional photography workflow behind the scenes

Photography Workflow: What Happens Before the Session (And Why It Makes Such a Difference)

April 27, 2026

If your sessions sometimes feel a bit unpredictable or your clients arrive unsure of what to expect, it might not be the session itself. It’s usually what happens before it. When I first started, I didn’t think too much about my photography workflow before the session. I was focused on getting the photos and making sure everything looked good on the day.At the same time, I was building my photography business while working full time in the Australian public service as a ...

Shih Tzu sitting on a dirt path beside purple wildflowers.

5 Mistakes People Make When Preparing for Photos With Their Dog (And What to Do Instead)

April 21, 2026

If you’ve been thinking about booking a session with your dog, you’ve probably also caught yourself overthinking a few things.Most of the time, it’s not big issues, it’s small decisions that feel unclear, so you either delay it or try to control everything upfront.So here are the most common mistakes I see, and what actually helps instead. 1. Doing a big walk right before the session to “tire them out”This is probably the most common one.People think ...

Couple kneeling with their dog during an outdoor portrait session, capturing a relaxed and connected client experience

How to Grow a Photography Business That Actually Fits Your Life

April 12, 2026

If you’ve been trying to figure out how to grow a photography business and it still feels harder than it should, you’re not alone. I remember being in that exact place.There was a time where I was building my photography business while working full time in the Australian public service as a CPA and business analyst. I was photographing sessions on weekends, editing at night, answering emails in between everything else. At one point, I even photographed 140 sessions in a ...

Pet photographer walking with a client and golden retriever during an outdoor session, showing behind the scenes of photography business coaching

Photography Business Coaching for Pet Photographers Ready to Grow

March 26, 2026

If you’re a pet photographer and your business feels stuck in that frustrating cycle of busy, quiet, busy again, you’re not alone.I remember what that felt like so clearly. There was a time when I was building my photography business while working full time in the Australian public service as a CPA and business analyst. At one point, I photographed 140 sessions in a year while still employed full time.From the outside, it probably looked like things were working. But behind the ...