Pet Portraits

When someone finds out that I am a photographer, the first question they ask is, "What do you photograph?" And even though I feel like I should have some very intellectual response that makes it sound like I know what I am doing, I usually spit out, "People." and then follow up with a stumbling response of "Yah know, weddings, portraits, families, babies....people. Yeah..." Yes, I know I should probably work on my response so that I at least come off as professional and not some sketchy mumbler who has a thing for people, but! All in good time.

That being said, pets have never entered into my range of subjects. I'm sure if you are a regular blog follower you might remember my images of Ruby from a while back. That is the extent of me photographing pets. Well, that and then the times that I crawl around on the floor chasing my cat obsessively meowing and saying "kitty kitty kittaaaaaay!" Unfortunately nothing good ever comes of it.

So when my fellow local photogs proposed the idea of a mock-up pet portrait session I was like, "I'm in!" Several folks, including the wonderful pet photographer Kelly of Mountain Dog Photography, brought their four-legged friends in to model. And what fun we had! Many of us had never really attempted photographing pets in a studio setting, so it was great experience. Kelly gave us some good tips and helped with handling the models.

Mostly I got shots like this:

Action! Candid! And there is part of a person in it. Not really destined for fame and fortune with this though.

But after a few tips from Kelly I started getting images like this:

Tada!

Not the best thing ever and surely not up to Mountain Dog's standards, but a definite step in the right direction. In summation, I think I will stick to people. People and pets together, great!I love when people include animals into their family or portrait session :) Just pets though and I am liable to deteriorate into a bumbling crawling mess making kissy noises and tripping over myself.

I'll sign off with these next two images of Kelly and her beautiful shepherd Maple. So sweet! Enjoy the beautiful day everyone and have a great Easter weekend! xo Kaht