DENVER COLORADO PET PHOTOGRAPHER
I am happy to talk with you in detail about all the possible options until you feel confident in what you’re are purchasing. After all, this is an investment in a lifelong memory… I understand it’s important to make the right choices.
Please check out my portfolio: https://bigsunphotography.com/pets-livestock/
SPEAK TO YOUR PET PHOTOGRAPHER
Step one is simple enough. Pick up the phone and give me a call. We will talk about the type of photos you’re interested in receiving (there several options to consider in both style and final print products). Once we have talked out the basics it’s time to book a date. I generally try and book late afternoon as it provides the best quality light for your pet’s portrait (note: it’s not required and with some styles of photos it is much less relevant). Once we have agreed on a date and time you’ll just fill out the client form and make your deposit payment.
See? That was not so hard.
SELECT A LOCATION
Selecting a location for your pet’s portraits is no different than how we might proceed with a portrait for yourself. The surroundings should speak to who your pet is and their personality should be well represented. If your dog is an outdoorsy type who loves hiking and running through the grass, then maybe we should choose a location where we can capture these activities. Maybe your cat is a quiet thinker who enjoys spending her days in the sunlit living room window. Well, then that is likely how you will want to capture her in your portraits. Any location can work from mountain tops to farms to Denver’s urban streets. As long as we give thought to the setting it’s going to look good.
THE PHOTO SHOOT
Prior to the shoot I’ll send you a list of recommended steps that will make your pet’s photography shoot go more smoothly.
What is your job during the session? Well, the best photos come from common natural interaction with your buddy. Forcing your pet into “human posing” just doesn’t work, so I will often be asking you to just have fun and play while I follow the action. In the case of a more mellow animal your job may simply be to sit quietly with them and bond as you would on any given day.
SELECT YOUR PHOTOS
Once the shoot is over I will be putting 15 years of digital post production skills toward making your images look their very best. Once completed, I will upload the photos to a private gallery online where you can choose images for print. I offer a wide variety of print options at competitive prices. Your purchase will be professionally packaged and shipped directly to your door.
Do I get to choose the images you process? Selecting the best images for prints is more involved than simply selecting the “look” you like best. A quality professional print must consider lighting, sharpness at 100% print resolution (which you simply cannot see online), cropping options, color issues and much more. In short, you’re hiring me for my expertise and experience in both photography and post production and so it is best that I make the decisions which photos to process. NOTE: I will upload the “take outs” to a separate folder which you can review. If a particular image strikes you as one you must have, you can always request additional images be re-touched/processed for a small fee.
SHOW OFF YOUR AMAZING PRINTS
1-2 weeks after our pet photography photo shoot, your finished pet photography products will be arriving at your door step. I’ll follow up a few days later to make sure you’re happy with your prints and to give you a chance for commentary on the experience.
You are always welcome to place additional orders at any point in the future. I am looking forward to working with you and your loving pet!
Have more questions? Check out the F.A.Q.
Where are the photo shoot held?
We will have a pow-wow to discuss the best location for your particular pet’s needs.
- Dogs: Local parks, roomy back yards, hiking trails…. In other words, we have a wide variety of options. It really depends on the type of image you want and the personality (and training) of your dog.
- Cats: Often best photographed on their own “turf”. Cats tend not to travel well and are not pleased with new locations. A scared or agitated cat is very difficult to shoot so we want to keep them where they are happiest.
- Horses: at your farm or on the trail. Horses (trained) are generally pretty amiable to most locations.
- Reptiles, Amphibians and Birds: more often than not this will be an “in your home” shoot; however, sometimes it is best to bring a pet to my home studio. An example of this might be if you want true close-up macro shots of small creatures. In cases like that I will get the best results using my studio lighting equipment on a photography table.
Can you photograph at my location?
I am located on Golden, Colorado. I am willing to travel just about as far as anyone wishes for a photo shoot; however, my package pricing includes only 1 hr of travel time. Additional travel will be charged a fee (see pricing page).
Do you photograph pets other than dogs?
I have had many clients with feathers, gills, scales and webbed feet. People love their pets no matter the creature. Once you’ve bonded with an animal a pet portrait is just as meaningful to the snake owner as the dog owner.
What about poor weather?
We want your photos to look their best; however, what we consider “bad weather” can often make for really nice photos. Cloudy days produce better light than sunny days, snow is a delight to shoot dogs in. It’s really going to depend on the type of photo shoot we are doing. However, rain will always be a deal breaker (not generally an issue in Colorado).
Can you photograph owners with their pets?
You sure can. In fact it’s always a great image to have some loving photos of you and your pet together. After all your all family right?
