Is there a market for pet photography?

[Beal9]

Let me start by saying, I am currently an amateur photographer. I would like to eventually get to the point where I could start my own side business surrounding photography. I'm not quite sure I'm ready for weddings and the like, but I absolutely love photographing animals. That being said... is there much of a market for pet photography? Is anyone on here doing just that? Do you have a studio you use? Or do you rely on strictly outdoor shots? Any advice you can share to help get the word out about your services?

Thanks in advance!

[buddy4344]

I have no idea how well it does, however a local photo studio in my area advertises pet shooting as their business.

[troutfisher]

Pal of mine makes reasonable cash doing it

[Beal9]

troutfisher,

Any idea on what your friends' "setup" is like or how he/ she got started?

[eeeksNYC]

I'd say yes, as all of the local PetSmarts and or smaller local Pet supply chains invariably have some ad for pet portraits up somewhere in the store. One of the PetSmarts had a photographer with his own porta-studio (trailer) in the parking lot for this past Christmas season.

[Montdj]

Start going to dog shows. There is alot of money to be made in dog photograghy if done right. There is also a lot to learn with differant breads and all. Go to the shows and you can learn alot.

[Amorous]

Another place to advertise is at local vet clinics.

[Haru]

Talk to a reputable breeder and have them carry your card. I know a few people (all of them very lonely... go figure) who love to have pictures of their pets taken.

[Beal9]

Awesome thank you all!!

[twiggles]

know a few people (all of them very lonely... go figure) who love to have pictures of their pets taken.

LOL

[whitewolfphoto]

Start going to dog shows. There is alot of money to be made in dog photograghy if done right. There is also a lot to learn with differant breads and all. Go to the shows and you can learn alot.
Be careful of this advise. Some of us are pro dog show photographers and make our living at this and there are rules. You need to read the show's premium list and see what is allowed.

[Beal9]

Be careful of this advise. Some of us are pro dog show photographers and make our living at this and there are rules. You need to read the show's premium list and see what is allowed.


Good to know thank you! I'm assuming I can find this premium list/ rules on the information about the show/ show coordinator? Definitetely don't want to step on any toes.

Is the dog show route still as valid if I want to focus more on personal dog/ pet pics/ portraits?

[S.Horton]

Yes.

Advertise in the vet clinics.

I met someone who does that -- He's doing do quite well.

[Beal9]

Great thank you again everyone! One last question/ request... does anyone on here have a gallery of some of their pet/ dog show photography or of a friends? Just to get a sense of what kinds of shots you see in the market. Thanks again!

[Alleh]

Hah funny my grandpa was asking me why I don't do pet photography. I had to explain that I don't do that kind of stuff.

[Gentleman Villain]

There's gotta be a market for pet photography...people are so nuts about their pets it shouldn't be a problem to sell the idea....good luck with it :)

I have a personal rule:
Never photograph anything that bites

Many years ago...I was assisting at a studio that bid a job for Siegfried and Roy's magic show on the Las Vegas strip. When I heard there were gonna be tigers at the photo shoot I was like "oh hell no...there is no way I'm doing that...you can fire me but I'm not doing that." Anne Leibovitz ended up getting the shoot so I didn't have to work on it... But years later a tiger almost killed Roy....which just reinforced my rule...never photograph anything that bites

[PhotosGuy]

Never photograph anything that bites :D Way back when Mercury used the cougar, "Chauncy", BTW, he was gumming my arm between shoots when I scratched his back. The trainer said that meant that he liked me. Or maybe it was that he liked my taste?

[TheHoff]

Studio...
http://flickr.com/photos/alexfirmani/2307402827/in/set-72157603805340264/
http://flickr.com/photos/alexfirmani/2313273257/in/set-72157603805340264/

In the park...
http://i42.tinypic.com/fdt1kw.jpg

:D Way back when Mercury used the cougar, "Chauncy", BTW, he was gumming my arm between shoots when I scratched his back. The trainer said that meant that he liked me. Or maybe it was that he liked my taste?

That is called 'tenderizing the meat'.

[Karl Johnston]

This is kinda like asking if there's a market for monopoly on the moon...who knows, try it out.

Is there a market ? Sure is

Where is it? God knows

Is it near me? Maybe

Is it near Kajuah? A little one, yes

Is it a good one? For me? for you? Define good...

[PeaceFire]

I think there can be. It depends on where you live. Upper East Side New York? Yup! Small Town, Mississippi? You'll probably be looked at like a crazy person when you try to photograph someone's farm dog and charge for it.

I work for an animal center. It's a great in! I did portraits for two co-workers who showed it to some other co-workers who approached me and asked if I'd set up some sort of "Employee Pet Photography Day" where employees can bring their pets throughout the day to get their portraits done. GREAT MONEY in that!

Try going to a local adoption center and give gift certificates they can hand out to adopters. Also, if there are any harder to adopt animals there (perhaps a dog who's been there for more than 6 months) offer a free shoot with their adoption (this is a great incentive to get them to work with you). They may say no, they may say yes. If they say yes then you'll probably get a handful of clients from that.

[Beal9]

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated!

[DanteCaspian]

There is always a market for pet photography, in some form or another.

People love to love their pets.
Pet toys, gizmos, pharmasuticals, hospitals, hotels, spas, luxury items, foods, treats, etc, etc, etc., pets are a massive money making industry based on peoples attachment and emotions. Tapping into it is so easy I found.

[Ray Marrero]

yes.

[Beal9]

There is always a market for pet photography, in some form or another.

People love to love their pets.
Pet toys, gizmos, pharmasuticals, hospitals, hotels, spas, luxury items, foods, treats, etc, etc, etc., pets are a massive money making industry based on peoples attachment and emotions. Tapping into it is so easy I found.

I agree! I know a ton of people who their pets are their lives... Do you have any photogalleries of pet photography you've done?

[razyl]

The AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photographers) won photographer of the year 2008 for pet portraits. They're not to my liking, but check out the shots: http://www.aipp.com.au/aipphome.php?ID=316

[Beal9]

The AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photographers) won photographer of the year 2008 for pet portraits. They're not to my liking, but check out the shots: http://www.aipp.com.au/aipphome.php?ID=316

Those are some unique portraits though!! Thanks!

[tonybear007]

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Tel.: 518/392-5500
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Fax: 518/392-5550

Company wants photos of disasters, environmental, landscapes/scenic, wildlife, pets, travel, agriculture.

Interested in submitting a portfolio? Please review our Submission Guidelines (http://animalsanimals.com/index2.asp?tag=guidelines.asp).

[Aaagogo]

in those chic big towns where there are tons of yoga, organic vegetarian restaurants, animal restaurants and animal resorts.

give the fact that I know of a 2 dogs that have steak twice a week, I'm sure that there's a market for it.

[FOTOGIRL73]

:D Way back when Mercury used the cougar, "Chauncy", BTW, he was gumming my arm between shoots when I scratched his back. The trainer said that meant that he liked me. Or maybe it was that he liked my taste?


Crunch Crunch, yummy yummy! :D:D He was either hungry, or likes the salt on your skin. My lil tiger kitty likes to lick my legs when I get out of the shower, or when I sweat in the summer, he goes nuts. I think the cougar was hungry...... lol.

[amfoto1]

Pet photography is one thing... Taking photos for breeders is another. That's a "dog eat dog" world!

I scouted out cat shows at a national/international level, out of curiousity. Wow! Professional cat breeders can be downright catty themselves! It's way competitive! Plus I'm allergic to cats (mildly... I have one, or maybe I should say she has me... It's different, though, when you are in a large arena with a couple thousand).

Check out www.chanan.com to see the work of one of the top domestic feline fotographers in the US and the world. He's got a really solid business model and people are lined up and waiting five deep for a session with him at major shows (while competing photogs have several people out trying to gather any business they can find).

I'm mostly working with 1200-1500 lb. "pets"... Horse shows at a more local level, but am amping it up to more regional/state when and where I can, and am expanding into more location shoots ("barn calls").

I'll work with other types of animals, too, as opportunities arise. I would absolutely jump at any chance to work with tigers, cougars or practically any critter, big or small. Would want to work closely with their trainer/handler in certain cases, though!

I don't have a studio. Strictly location work. I have a mobile lighting rig, if needed. In fact, one of the most fun events we've handled several years running (cancelled this year due to the economy, dammit) is a miniature donkey show. They're really a blast to work with. So are their "owners". We even have a "portrait" setup at the show, with backdrop and such. It's really a great time!

OP, you are welcome to check out my Printroom sales galleries below. Mostly various types of horse shows, but a few other things mixed in. Keep in mind that this is just one aspect of it, prints sales to event participants. Private gigs might have a password gallery or not get posted online at all. I'm developing some other angles to be offered through a separate website.

[kalahmarie]

I used to compete in Dog Agility, and there are usually vendors at the shows. I remember dog photography vendors that would be at some. I would get together some great prints and a good portfolio, and check out having a booth at some local dog shows. I don't know from experience, but it might be good and help get your name out there.

[RDKirk]

There are pet owners who will pay as much and more for high-end pet wall portraits as they would for high-end wall portraits of their children. But they do have to be high-end portrait work using traditional methods--setting, posing, lighting, et cetera--not just enlarged candids.

Putting display sample wall portraits in the better vets can bring in traffic.