What can I expect?
Before our session, I have you fill out a questionnaire and we talk so that I can find out about your pet and their personality and also get an idea of what types of image you like and what you plan to do with those images.
I like sessions to be laid back and fun for your pet. I spend the first 20 minutes or so just getting to know them. I bring plenty of treats and some squeaky toys to get their attention. I tailor the session to the personality of that pet. Some cats, for example, are shy and require a very calm session with lots of quiet time on the ground. A peppy Jack Russell Terrier, on the other hand, will need time to bounce and run.
I let the personality of the animal dictate the flow of the session. I may start off with some quiet photos and then get them active, or vice versa. I like to incorporate different locations into each session, which may include inside the house and in the yard, different rooms within the house, or a favorite park.
I do not pose animals in front of a backdrop or preset props. I may coax them into a position or use a toy or treats to get them to look at me, but I try to keep this to a minimum. I like to capture pets being themselves, doing whatever it is that they like to do best.