Pet Portraits

If you are anything like me, your four-legged, furry beasts are just as much your children as the two-legged type. And if you are even more like me – don’t, won’t, can’t, haven’t gotten around to having human children, or for whatever the reason you only have fur-babies – they are your LIFE. Our animals bring us joy on a daily basis that is never ending and love that is never wavering. Dogs, cats, creatures small or large, hold a place in our hearts that lasts a lifetime. Having professional images created of them is not only fun but makes for great conversation pieces to adorn your desks, wallets, and walls.

Pet sessions can be done on location or in the studio, depending on the size of your pet. Both on-location and in-studio sessions can be done anywhere, in all seasons. We will discuss the personality of your pet and what will be most comfortable for them. We can do a more stylized shoot if you choose the studio, including furniture and select background sets. Feel free to include yourself in the session. On-location sessions can allow your pet to be happy in nature or just on the couch. Letting them just be themselves will produce a wonderful image set of real life.

My favorite part of having a pet is the baby stage. Just like human babies, they grow so fast. They change every day. Their snouts grow longer and their fur changes color. I made sure to photograph all three of my girls as soon as they came home. I made sure to capture the innocent big eyes at 7 weeks, the goofy antics at 4 months, and the youthful beauty at a year. I typically shoot the first sessions in the studio to create a calm, specific location to try and get them to sit still. As with all types of babies, there is only so much that we can expect from them and we need to remember to not get discouraged if things take longer than you’d expect. After they are old enough to go in public, we can do sessions anywhere you’d like.

The unfortunate and inevitable part of having a pet is that their last days come far too soon. I had this experience a few years ago. My dog, Bear, was 16 years old and I knew it was time to let him go. He had been with me through my whole adult life; through marriage, divorce, new homes, and all the highs and lows along the way. I have many photographs of him, but nothing that really spoke to the GIANT, ROYAL, NAUGHTY, dog that he was. I have the images in my head, of feathers sticking out of his mouth as I walked in on him eating my new down comforter (a really expensive thing when I made $6 an hour at 20 years old), of the paper and tape stuck to his foot when he ate the sparkly smiley face wrapping paper and the gift inside, of the grin on his face when I found all 90 pounds of him standing ON the kitchen counter eating my Christmas spread. I say this laughing because all of that poor behavior created the patient person I am today.

While I couldn’t go back and photograph him as a puppy, I could take photos of our last time together and document his happy moments when he was so old. I felt that a photographic session of his last day, just he and I eating cheeseburgers and ice cream, taking naps, and going for a car ride to say goodbye to Grandma, was wonderfully therapeutic. Yes, if you choose to allow me into your family’s grief for just that last day, I will cry with you; and I will follow you and your pet, document the day, and give you the same lasting wonderful memories to hold on to.

Standard Sitting Fee

$450

Location of choice within 60 miles of Traverse City or in the studio
Direct digital file download
Use of all props
10 5×7 (or equivalent) prints
Online proofing available for three months

Last Day Memories

$100

Location of choice within 60 miles of Traverse City or in the studio
10 5×7 (or equivalent) prints
Direct digital file download
Online proofing available for three months

Standard packages include about an hour at your environmental location of choice or in the studio. Your family, small or large, can order their own prints or book through the online proofing system. Creative treatments, black and white, or selective color options are available for all images.

Basic editing for color, contrast, and overall content, is done for all images in your proof set. Extensive editing for hair or head swaps are available at an additionally quoted cost.

All sittings will require a signed contract and non-refundable $100 retainer fee to secure the requested date and time. This fee will be subtracted from your total at the time of final payment. Sitting dates and fee may be transferred for inclement weather. No-shows will forfeit retainer fee. Parties later than 15 minutes to the set sitting time will forfeit retainer fee and may be forced to reschedule.