10 Questions to Ask Your Professional Dog Photographer
So, you want to work with a professional dog photographer to capture portraits of your beloved dogs. How do you ensure you choose the right one for you? Before you hire a photographer, here are ten questions you can ask to feel comfortable and confident before booking your session.
What to Ask Your Professional Dog Photographer Before Booking a Session?
1. What drew you to photographing dogs?
Hopefully, it’s because they love dogs! Asking this question lets you hear exactly why the photographer pursued dog photography. I started my business because I love photographing my own dogs. It had reached a point where I had spent a lot of time and money on courses, field learning, and equipment. I felt the pull to start using my knowledge and passion to create images of other people’s dogs, and I’m so happy that I did!
2. What is your experience?
Photography, especially professional dog photography, is tricky because it’s an unregulated industry. Technically, anyone can call themselves a photographer and start charging for photography. Asking about your professional dog photographer’s experience and education is helpful so you can know if they take their career seriously. I personally love investing in myself by taking photography courses and working with mentors to improve my craft.
3. How much time do I need to spend on this?
My LA area clients are busy people. You may have even put off a professional dog photoshoot because you’re worried you won’t have the time for one. A professional photoshoot is so much more than just showing up and taking a few pictures. Important behind-the-scenes planning goes into every session, such as choosing the location, planning the session, taking the photos, editing, and printing the artwork. I know how busy you are, which is why I’m a full-service dog photographer who will take care of all the planning and printing for you!
4. Do you work with shy, high-energy, or reactive dogs?
ALL dog parents deserve professional images to treasure for a lifetime. Are you worried if your dog is right for a photoshoot? You’re not alone! A trained, professional dog photographer should be able to work with any type of dog. My reactive dog inspired me to learn all I can about how we communicate with dogs. I have the training and resources to photograph your pup, no matter what concerns you may have. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to reach out.
5. Where should we have the session?
The LA area has many options for an outdoor dog photoshoot, but which one is right for you? Sometimes, clients have an idea of where they want their session, and sometimes, they need guidance. As an experienced outdoor pet photographer, I know all the best locations for a pet photoshoot. During our initial chat, I’ll ask questions to learn more about you and your dogs and determine which locations might work best for your session.
6. What can we expect during the session?
You might not know what to expect if you’ve never experienced what a professional dog photography session is like. So, asking your photographer to walk you through a typical session day could be very helpful. I never want my clients to wonder what to expect or how things will work, so I’m happy to communicate with them every step of the process!
7. How do you keep my dog(s) safe during the session?
Your dog’s safety should always be the priority during any photography session. For example, I always photograph dogs with leashes to keep them safe and then use Photoshop to remove them later. I also keep your dogs safe by choosing the best location for them and timing the session as best as possible to avoid crowds of people. Throughout the session day, I’m constantly in tune with your dog, checking in to ensure they’re relaxed and comfortable.
8. Can I see examples of your work?
Every photographer has a unique style, so always review a photographer’s recent work to ensure you like the style reflected in it. View the photographer's website’s portfolio and check out their Instagram for any recent work. I also highly recommend looking at their Google reviews to hear from their past clients.
9. How long does it take to get the photos back?
The big question is how long until I see my photos. After the session, I must “cull” or go through every image to remove any test shots or duds. I typically take around a thousand photos each session! After culling, I’m left with 40 or so images to edit and prepare for our image reveal. It takes 1-2 weeks to schedule our image reveal after the day of your photo session. After your image reveal, I finalize your chosen photos by editing any people out of the background, removing any leashes, making final light and color adjustments, and so much more. You’ll then receive your final, perfectly polished images within a month after your image reveal.
10. Do you help with printing the images?
The best part of the process is creating artwork with your images! This can feel like a daunting task because now, you need to choose your favorites, decide how you want to print them, find a high-quality, professional printer, design, order, and install. This can take hours of your time.
I’m happy to take this project off your plate by handling all of this for you. After the session, we will schedule your virtual image reveal. Clients love this because it allows them to hit the pause button and just enjoy their beautiful images. During your image reveal, we’ll look through your images together while you choose your very favorites. After selecting your favorites, we mockup your album and wall art to create treasured keepsakes of your best friend. I handle all final designs and ordering through my carefully selected professional printer.
LA Area Professional Dog Photographer
As a dog mom, these are the questions I would ask a potential professional dog photographer.
If you’re considering booking a dog photography session, scheduling a call with me is the first step.
I’ll answer all of your questions, and I can share more about my signature pet portrait process with you.
