by Did you know that 85% of dog owners and 76% of cat owners consider their pets as family? It’s clear that we value and appreciate the companionship that our furry friends offer us!
Just as we get portraits of our families done, many pet owners opt to get professional pictures taken of their pets too. This allows us to preserve our memories of Fido and have something to display proudly.
Are you interested in having pet photography done? Then choosing a pet photographer can be tough, as you’ll want to get the right person for the job.
Here are 6 factors to consider to get the best pet photography experience possible!
- Specialization in Pet Photography
Taking photos of different subjects requires different skill sets. For example, scenic photography is different than human portraits; just because a photographer is good at one doesn’t necessarily mean they’re good at the other.
So when you’re looking for pet photographers, don’t just pick someone who claims to be a jack of all trades. Instead, you’ll want to pick someone who specializes in pet photography so you know they’ll deliver quality results! Not only will they know how to set up pictures just right, but they’ll also know how to deal with difficult pets that just don’t want to sit still for photographs.
- Years of Experience
When hiring a professional to do anything, you want them to have years of experience under their belt. This ensures that they’ve not only honed their skills, but have also perfected their business operations so they’re as smooth as possible. This will make your experience more pleasant.
Years of experience also prove that the photographer has provided excellent services consistently. After all, if they didn’t produce quality images, then they’d quickly be out of business!
Also, it’s vital that the pet photographer you choose has worked with pets for years. Some animals can be unpredictable or difficult to calm down, so you want a photographer who knows exactly what to do if your furry friend is being a pain.
- Animal Lover
It’s crucial that you choose a pet photographer who’s an animal lover. There are plenty of talented people out there who can take decent pet photos, but if they’re not passionate, it’ll show in the images.
You can check out the photographer’s website to get a feel for things. But we also suggest speaking to them on the phone or even meeting up for an initial consultation. If you meet in person, you should bring your pet along to see if they’re comfortable with that photographer.
Whichever way you choose to contact the pet photographer, always go with your gut instinct. If it seems like they don’t have a spark in their eye for photographing pets, it might be best to try someone else.
You want to choose someone with who you and your pet feel comfortable. Otherwise, the photos won’t be great and your four-legged friend will get stressed out.
- Portrait Styles
You want to choose a pet photographer whose style matches yours. After all, these photos will go up on your walls and picture frames, so you want ones that you’ll love.
Check out their portfolio to see what their previous work is like. Some things to keep in mind include:
- Studio vs on location
- Casual vs posed
- Lighting and filters
These factors are especially important if you want to take these images and create other pieces of art with them. For example, you can contact some companies and they create custom illustrations based on photos of pets. So the portrait styles for the photos will play a big role in how your art turns out.
- Reviews
A photographer might seem fantastic on paper, and why wouldn’t they? They’ll only put their best qualities on their website to attract clients.
Put the photographer’s name (or studio name) into Google to find out what past clients have to say. You can’t please everyone, so it’s normal to have a few bad reviews.
But take some time to read what other clients have to say about the pet photographer. Reading online reviews can give you a feel for how they operate and if they’re right for you.
If a photographer doesn’t have any reviews available, then that can be a red flag. Either they’re very new or have done so badly, they’ve started over with a new business name.
- Prices
Lastly, don’t forget about comparing photography costs. The first quote you get might seem great for your budget, but make sure you look around before committing. You might realize that what seemed like an excellent deal doesn’t actually really include much, especially when compared to other photographers’ packages.
You never know what other professionals might include, and at what price point. For example, a photographer might throw in extra images for a package, which can be more cost-effective than another photographer’s package that seems cheaper at first glance. So it’ll be worth taking some extra time to compare your options for photographers.
Good Luck Choosing a Pet Photographer
Choosing a pet photographer might seem like a real headache, especially if you’ve got lots of local talent to choose from. But if you keep the above factors in mind while browsing, you’ll be able to make the process easier. And you’ll also end up with someone who will take outstanding photos!
So good luck and we hope you pick a pet photographer who’s a treat to work with. As a result, you’ll have images to treasure for years to come!
Do you want to read more about pets and animals? Then browse our blog page now.
