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Simple Props. The Right Prop to Use with the Right Dog.
Simple props. One of my philosophies as a pet photographer who has photographed more than 1000 dogs is to use the right prop for the breed, color and size of the dog. Here in this portrait of Koda, a very cute Bichon/Shih-Tzu mix I used a dark, single color chair to high-light the white fur and of course the very cute nature that little Koda possesses. One thing I did not do during this portrait session is to use my antique, off white chair with Koda because instead of standing out on that particular chair she would have tended to blend in and the portrait would not have been very effective.
I have never been one to have a real busy setting for my pet portraits as I feel that it takes away from the subject, the dog or dogs and makes the portrait more about the props. In this portrait, it is all about showcasing the cute, sweet nature of Koda.
Curiosity and the Persian Cats
Curious Cats. How to work with and photograph multiple cats is always a challenge. Depending on the personality and breed of the cats it can be quite an adventure, too. These three handsome cats are Silver Shady Persian cats and as you can see from the portrait they are a really stunning breed. Certainly, it is critical for the portraits to happen is to have a handler of the cats, in this case a very attentive and knowledgeable owner to help with the control and posing of the cats.
An appropriate prop, in this case a small, wooden children’s bench works well as it add interest to the portrait and helps contain the cats.
When photographing multiple cats the sounds, movements and cat toys that attract the attention of one cat may not work or even scare one or more of the other cats in the portrait. The only thing that works is to keep going, using all the attention getting tricks I know while the handler continues between poses, to adjust and reset the cats.
Patience is critical and timing is everything but when it all comes together as in this portrait it always worth it.
Seniors And Their Pets– A Really Meaningful Portrait
Seniors and pets. A portrait that I believe is so important and that I have indeed seen for myself, is a portrait of a senior citizen with their beloved pet. As we all know, the attachment people have for their pets is often is one of the strongest relationships they may have. Depending on the senior citizen, they may be a widow or widower or indeed have suffered other losses. Their relationship with their pet may be incredibly important to them.
As a pet and pet/people portrait photographer it is my job to honor that relationship with portraits that they will love and want to share with others.
The poses I choose to photograph the senior citizen with their pet often depends on their physical capabilities and levels of health. It is always helpful that the senior bring along a helper, what I call a ‘wrangler’ to assist during the portrait session. The Yorkie in this portrait was quite active and often distracted during the session. This fun portrait was created with the help of a ‘wrangler’ hiding behind the chair the senior is sitting on and holding on to little Bella. Portraits like this one are taken in a sequence, what I mean by that is I give continued encouragement and directions to my subject ‘Grandma’ while I am taking (what in this case were) action portraits. The portrait session ends on a winning note and a fun portrait like this one.
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