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As a dog photographer, you can expect me to tell you that you should have professional photos of your dog but I am not just coming to you as a business owner. I am telling you that as a fellow dog owner / lover / parent.
Think about it — why do you hire someone to take your engagement photos, wedding photos, birth photos, newborn photos, or family photos? Because you want to commemorate an event in your life or celebrate the people in your life, right?
Pet photography is no different. Even if you have a gazillion photos of your dog on your phone, I’m going to tell you that you need professional photos as well and here are 3 reasons why.
Pro Photos Reason #1 | Part of the Family
If you are reading this, then you are just like me and you treat your dog like he/she is your child (#mykidshavepaws). They have a special place in your heart and you would do anything for them.
If that is the case, why not include them in a family session or give them their own? They are part of the family, aren’t they?
Pro Photos Reason #2 | Remembrance
I deeply understand and appreciate the human-animal bond and its power to comfort, heal, bring joy, and so many other things.
It is because of this bond with our pets that I believe we should include them in our written family story. Having photographs of our loved ones (including our pets) is important to remind ourselves of our history and to pass that down to the next generation.
Pass on the memory so that our kids and our kid’s kids can look through the albums and say “oh look, great granny had a dog that looks like ours.”
None of us live forever and our dogs’ lives are even shorter. Honor their existence by including them in family heirloom photographs.
Pro Photos Reason #3 | Bonding Experience
A photography session in itself is an experience. At least, that is what I strive to offer my clients. You should be having fun, celebrating life and spending some quality time with your pup while I happen to be documenting it.
Whether you choose to be in the photos or not, your focus is on your dog and how much you love them.
Make a point not to stress during the session. It can become frustrating if your dog is not doing what you want him/her to do. In fact, when you book a session with me, I prepare you for this exactly—what to expect and how you should prepare your dog as well.
The main thing to remember is to have fun and strengthen that bond.
Bonus Reason #4 | Personal Artwork
If the first 3 didn’t convince you, maybe this one will…
Professional photographs should become pieces of artwork for your home. There are so many options to display your photographs.
Having some personal artwork in your house is not only a delight to look at but has some deeper psychological benefits as well, according to Mark Wheeler, an Art Psychotherapist who’s postgraduate dissertation was on phototherapy [source].
Bottom line is — if you hire a professional photographer to take some high quality photographs of you and your dog, go a step further and hang them on the wall or showcase them in a coffee table book for all to see.
It’ll do your emotional and mental state some good!
