How does this whole thing work?
It is my goal to make your entire experience with me seamless right from initial inquiry to the delivery of your gallery! To help give you the best possible experience I've laid out 3 simple steps that go over our time together and what you can expect out of your photoshoot.
Step 1 - Inquiry & Planning
Right from your initial inquiry, you will be offered a Questionnaire which goes over details such as your visions for the shoot, your dogs needs as well as other important questions. You will also be sent an in-depth location guide to help you better visualize what type of setting you're dreaming about. Within 24-48 hours of completing your Questionnaire, we will discuss your responses as well as go over the location options to best suit your vision. If you have concerns regarding your pup and their behavior, it is at this time we will address those worries and come up with a perfect plan to capture your pup as comfortably as possible. This is where we organize your perfect shoot and I will be there every step of the way leading up to shoot day.
Step 2 - Day Of The Shoot
I'll reach out to you at least 7 days before your shoot to finalize all of the details. On the day of the session, we'll explore our chosen location upon arrival, allowing your dog time to sniff around and get comfortable in the new environment. Our time together is designed to be relaxed and enjoyable for your pup—I will never ask them to do anything they find uncomfortable. With my guidance, you'll engage with your dog by playing, tossing toys or sticks, or calling them over, while I capture these natural moments. Don’t worry, I’ll provide direction throughout the session to ensure we create beautiful, candid shots.
Step 3 - Selection Process & Delivery
About one week after your session, you'll receive a proofing gallery of lightly edited images, along with a few fully edited photos from your shoot to give you a preview of the final results. This gallery features a carefully curated selection of images that I believe have the best potential to meet my high standards for quality and editing. From this gallery, you'll choose your 10 favorite images, which will then be placed in the editing queue. You also have the option to purchase additional photos during this selection process. Final, fully edited images are typically delivered within 4-6 weeks from the time I receive your selections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog need to be well behaved?
Typically the more well behaved your dog is, the smoother and more seamless your shoot will go! I have photographed many dogs with different limits and abilities and always end up with wonderful photos in the end. That being said, it's always great to work on the basics of sit and stay before a photoshoot and to be aware of your dogs limits. If your dog is struggling with certain behaviors, I always do my best to choose the right location to fit your dogs needs (such as low distraction areas, away from other people, etc). And of course we will always discuss this in-depth prior to your shoot!
What type of payment options do you accept?
I accept Paypal, Credit Card and E-Transfer (canadian clients only).
Do you offer payment plans?
While I don't offer payment plans for the cost of a session, I do provide the option of monthly installments for clients who purchase a large number of photos or decide to buy the entire gallery. Feel free to reach out if you have further questions about this!
Do you require a retainer?
I do require a 50% non-refundable retainer to hold your selected date. Once we've confirmed a shoot date, you will receive a booking link and it is at that time you can pay the 50% retainer.
When will we receive our photos?
You will receive a proofing gallery within 1 week after your session. This is where you pick and choose the images you would like to be fully edited in my style. Once I receive your favorites selection, the turnaround time for your final gallery is around 4-6 weeks. The reason for this time-frame is due to the time and love I put into each and every gallery.
What gear do you shoot with?
I shoot with a Nikon z7ii as well as a variety of lenses including the 20mm f/1.8, 35mm f/1.8 and the 85mm f/1.8.
What if my dog can't be off leash?
Believe it or not, the majority of my sessions take place with the dog on leash! With the power of editing software, it is very simple to remove leashes in my images. You truly won't even be able to tell that there was ever a lead in the photo! I work around your dogs boundaries and limitations so being on leash is absolutely no problem at all.
Do you photograph fearful or reactive dogs?
Absolutely! I actually have a reactive dog myself so I definitely understand some of the stress that can come with that. We will always go over your dogs needs in-depth prior to your shoot in order to choose the best setting for them. I also won't typically engage with client dogs when I meet them as to keep the stress and excitability down.
Do you photograph other animals, like cats?
YES! Cats have become increasingly common subjects for me and I have loved every moment of it. Please keep in mind that your cat must have outdoor experience (or at least be comfortable in the outdoors), in order to have a stress-free and successful session. Have a different type of animal? Feel free to reach out and we can discuss further!
How far out do you book and do you have a cancellation list?
On average I book around 8 weeks out. This varies greatly depending on the season, personal projects, workload and more. I always keep my booking timelines current and up to date at the bottom of my contact page. While I do have a cancellation list, it is exceptionally rare for a client to cancel or reschedule their session. It's best to plan ahead to secure a session date!