If you would've told me when I was a kid that I would be a pet photographer, I wouldn't have believed you. Even now, when people ask what I do and I answer I am a pet photographer, they always ask, "So you just photograph pets??. You do family portraits and weddings too right??" and my response is, I only photograph pets, mainly dogs but I do also photograph pets and their people.
Photography started as a hobby for me when I fell in love with it back in high school. Back then it was film photography and you have to process your photos in the dark room. I loved the moment where you just watch the image slowly appear on the paper as you develop the photo. These days of course, you just click and you'll see it right away.
Because my parents wanted the best for me, and as typical parents are, they said I should pursue a career in something that'll get me a good job and so I did accounting. After university though, when I started earning money I bought my first Digital SLR and started going to photography meet ups to learn and improve my photography. Eventually I started second shooting for weddings (alongside my day job in the Government, as most Canberrans they tend to work in the public service). And then I started photographing events and families on my own. All of these were just a side hustle though.
That's the story of how I got into photography, now come the story about dogs and pets. I managed to convince my dad to get me a dog when I was in high school. Since then, I've always had a dog. My first dog Jaffa, I love him a lot, he lived a long life and lived to 17 years. When he was 10 I got a second dog, Mac. Mac is my heart dog, my soul dog. Even though Jaffa was my first dog and he fills up a big space in my heart, Mac was special. I got him on impulse as a friend at work said her mum breeds dogs and had puppies. All the puppies were taken already except for one, no one seemed to want him. So I said I'll have him. He was 16 weeks when he arrived at my home after being driven here for 2.5 hours, he was a mess as he had thrown up all over himself.
Mac only lived till 9 years old. He was diagnosed with heart failure when he was 7 and the vet said that he'll only live 6 months, maybe 1 year. However, he was a fighter and thankfully he fought on for just over 2 years. I made sure that last 2 years with him I gave him more love, more attention and went on as many adventures as I can with him.
Mac is the reason why I started doing pet photography. I couldn't find an specialised outdoor pet photography back then when Mac was sick. I was however able to take some beautiful pictures of him but my pet photography skills back then isn't as great as it is now.
I wanted others to be able to have beautiful memories and keepsake to remember their dogs by - to put it up on their homes so you smile and remember all the good times with them. Although it's hard losing him, every time I see this photo of Mac which is up on my wall, it reminds me of his quirky personality and character.
Back then when I had Mac, my pet photography skills wasn't as great as it is now. I didn't know that pet photography was a thing back then.
For the past 2 plus years I've been improving my pet photography skills, I've learn to pay attention to the details, improved my post-processing techniques in Photoshop, learnt studio lighting and always strive to keep getting better. Thankfully I've got 3 beautiful dogs that are willing to be my practice model. James, Pippa and Rosie now loves helping me model in my home studio.
So there it is. This is why I became a pet photographer. Yes, back when I was a kid, my dream wasn't to be a pet photographer but for the last few years now this was, is my dream, my passion. I am so grateful that I get to pursue a career that I'm passionate in. I get to play with lots of dogs, some cats and bunnies and other pets. And I love seeing my client's face when they see their pet's photos up on their wall.
I'll make sure at your sessions I capture your pet's personality, the bond between you and your pet and present you with a beautiful artwork to take home and treasure your pet by. If you want to create beautiful memories of your pet you can schedule a complimentary consultation call with me by clicking the button below.
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Follow the circle
Check out my fellow pet photographer's blog circle. Next in the circle is Endless Mountains PA Pet Photographer, Elaine Tweedy, who is going to tell you why pets take up a lot of her time.
Make sure to follow along and click the link at the end of each post in the blog circle until you eventually find your way back here.
4 Comments
Mar 21, 2022, 7:43:31 AM
Tracy Allard - Aw, Mac looks so sweet and those crown pictures are laugh out loud adorable - but I think the double head tilt (said with the same wonder as the viral "double rainbow" guy video) is my fave - so pretty and it took me a minute to realize that those were hot air balloons, what a special day that must have been!
Mar 21, 2022, 6:34:24 AM
Carol - I took one "analog" photography class in college and I loved that time spent in the darkroom. The smell of the chemicals too (not sure what that says about me, but there it is!)! Nice to hear about your road to pet photography.
Mar 18, 2022, 6:25:59 PM
Elaine - Ina, it's nice to get to know your background (or should I say "bark-ground") story. I think we are all alike in many ways.
Mar 18, 2022, 12:53:25 PM
Angela Schneider - I have fond memories of hours spent in the darkroom waiting for that image to appear on the paper.