Today's guest post comes from Holly Hospel, Pet Photographer. Check out Holly's AMAZING work at Lupine Lens.
Many people don't realize until it is too late that they don't have a quality picture of their beloved companion. Pictures serve as a way to celebrate our furry family members, but also can be a real life saver if a pet goes missing. It is much easier to ask people if they have seen Fluffy, if they have a picture that accompanies that request. Shelters and other rescue organizations also appreciate a photo as way to identify a lost animal and facilitate a happy reunion.
One such photo helped an owner claim their pet in the face of someone else who said the pet was theirs! The person who had the photo could prove prior ownership and the other person was forced to return the pet. While this is an unusual circumstance, it does highlight how a good photo of your furry family member can help reunite the two of you.
Of course, the best part of having your pet photographed is the joy of celebrating your pet. They are precious in all phases of their life. From puppy to adult to dignified elder, photos preserve the moment and the memories. Our pet pass on far too quickly. Capturing your pet in photos in all stages of their lives is one way to make their memories last forever.
A few tips for finding a good pet photographer:
1) Some animals are afraid of strangers and a big black eye (the camera) staring at them. Does the photographer have experience setting the dog at ease? It is one thing to like dogs and cats, it is another thing entirely to work with them and make them comfortable. Think of your own photo experiences. Don't you generally like the images of yourself where you look relaxed, natural and at ease, rather than a forced pose?
2) Outdoor photo shoots are often where the animal is going to be happiest and therefore lend themselves to the best animal photography. Studios can feel foreign and scary to a dog; like the Vet's office. Does the photographer have experience taking outdoor fast action shoots?
3) Know what you want; Action shots? Tight in portraits? Family shots? and communicate what you like. Better yet, bring examples.
4) My clients sometimes are very worried about how "untrained" their dog is and therefore are afraid of how their dog will "behave" during the photo shoot. The dog will pick up on this tension in the owner, so one of the best things to do, is to relax yourself. Have Fun! A good pet photographer will welcome your enthusiasm and the pet's. They will direct it, like a film director and you will get great shots!
Holly is an Indianapolis based photographer that specializes in candid, outdoor, action photography of your four-legged family members. In addition to being good with a lens, she has a natural affinity for animals and understands how to put them at ease in front of a camera.
Contact her at 317 823 7051 or email her at Holly (at) LupineLens.com
