New Year, New Clients!
Mention this promotion when you book any package session and you'll receive 2 FREE 8x10-inch prints of your choice!
*Available to new clients only. Promotion ends 3/1/2012.
As far as the process of working together, I typically like to chat in person or on the phone before we have the shoot. Together, we'll decide on a location for the shoot as well as a time and date. I'll ask you about what you like most about your dog - anything he does that you just can't help but want captured, anything you don't want me to get - and I'll ask if there's anything he's drawn to for bribery so I can bring a special treat to get his attention!
Once we've chosen our location, time/date, and meet up, I usually spend about 15 minutes without my camera, letting the dog get comfortable with me in his space, and learning what he responds to from me. I'll pick up my camera, decide if I need any additional lighting, and start snapping away! The dogs run the show, so I take cues from them: they usually pay attention to me for about an hour (but shoots aren't limited in time - I'll stay until I've gotten the best shots I can get!). In that hour, I typically shoot about 300 photos, but be forewarned: not every shot I get is going to be a winner! Dogs move quickly so I shoot in bursts, so that if they blink or turn in the middle of the shot, I still get it.
I'll let you know when I'm happy with what I've got, and we'll call it a day. I usually start to process the files within 24 hours, carefully choosing the best photos and editing them in Photoshop. I'll convert the files as applicable for the package you choose - to be used on web or for print. I print the photos on a professional Epson printer myself, and I'll bring a couple of examples for you to see the difference a good print makes! (Trust me, you'll be amazed the quality difference between a Wal-Mart type print and what I can produce for you!)
All in all, it's a fun time for you, me, and your pets, and I can promise you some unforgettable photographs of your dog!
"Do you photograph more than one dog at once?"
-Yes! My basic packages include photography of up to three dogs and all family members at once. If you have more than three dogs, you can add them to the session at $25.00 each.
"Do you photograph cats or other family pets?"
-Unfortunately I am allergic to cats, so I don't typically offer cat photography. I will always accomodate your family's requests to my abilities, even if it means I have to pump myself full of benadryl! Lizards, birds, and fish are all a go.
"How much does it cost for you to photograph my dog?"
-My packages range from $250 to $500, but I will gladly work with you to create a custom package to meet your photographic needs! Email me for a PDF of my package details.
"Do you shoot film or digital?"
-I use a professional Canon DSLR (a 5D Mark II for those in-the-know!), along with Canon lenses and a Canon Speedlite. Everything is digital, and I process the files in Adobe Photoshop.
"What if my dog doesn't sit still or listen to me?"
-Not to worry! I will capture the true essence of your dog's personality, and I'll work my magic to help your dog pay attention to me when I need him to.
Dog photography, for me, is the best of both worlds; I get to meet and play with dogs every day and make a living creating art with them for their owners! I've never met a dog I don't adore and I often get told, "Oh! Fluffy never takes to people but she loves you! You've got something special about you..."
I think that "something special" is just an inherent understanding of how dogs work, and I consider that one of my creative assets.
I graduated from Portfolio Center's post-graduate program for Commercial Photography and knew before I even got my hands on the diploma that dog photography is what I'm meant to do! My sincere love for dogs of all breeds combined with my creative passion for photography birthed a career that I wouldn't dare trade for anything else.
Dog photography is a very particular niche... The dogs run the show, and I get the pleasure of documenting their antics! Whether your dog is lazy and cuddly or hyper and distracted, my goal is to capture your favorite companion in a way that will make you smile. You'll want to show everyone these photos - and show off your adorable, silly, and handsome dog!
So Fido, Fluffy, Spike, or Cupcake: tell your mom and dad to book an appointment! They will find something special in me, and remember you fondly forever in photographic artwork.
Jessica Luce is an active member of the Professional Photographers of America and regularly donates to rescue groups around the Atlanta area. She is also a freelance photographer for Pup Culture Magazine.
