Breaking into pets photography

[alexdesign]

Hi all,

I am new here and have some questions regarding Pets photography. I love dogs and crazy about almost every breed. I myself own two (toy category) dogs and have taken about thousands of pictures of them. I am also new to photography and haven't had any professional training. I am a graphic designer by trade and when I started shooting my dogs, people were saying "Oh I see you've taken your dog for professional photo shoot" and I was like : "no, I took those". I think my photos of my two dogs are good (will post them later in forum for critque).

My question is : I would like to do some photography on side, how do I approach dog owners? I take my 2 dogs to my local vet (private practice) but in his reception area he's got HUGE portraits of dogs and cats by local photographer who advertises his info right there on the wall. So that is already taken. I don't have sources to place ads in local magazines/newspapers.

Are there any other ways to promote local pets photography?
Also where do you get props for pets? Like costumes/pet toys etc. I don't have a formal studio or anything. Do photographers who shoot pets go to owner's house? If so, how do you protect yourself from crazy dog or cat?

[BaliHai]

Try voluteering to photograph the adoptable pets at your local shelter you will learn alot including patience and you will be helping the animals find a home. I do the majority of my pets in the studio where they are on my territory, I don't fuss or pet them before the shoot, I don't want them to think I'm their new best friend and come to me when I'm photographing. Owners help wrangle the pet while I direct that way we keep them involved and less stress on the pet. Don't use much in the way of props.

[alexdesign]

Thanks for the advice. After looking at photographer's photos I think I am very far from becoming a "photographer". Great picture btw.

[suecassidy]

Go to your local groomer and see if you can work something out. The pets are freshly groomed, maybe you could set up a small backdrop and shoot them, offering prints at whatever price. I could see this working, especially around holiday time when people love to see their pets with holiday props.

[alexdesign]

Thanks Sue. That's another great idea.

[karobinson]

Ask around also at the local borders. You should be able to search your area and see who does provide pet photography then visit the ones who don't and offer them the opportunity. My vet takes a photo of my dog everytime I go in and they send me a nice 5x7....I am sure I pay for it in her fees but it sure does make me smile when I get them. They keep a copy in the dog's file so everyone who sees it knows my dog...nice personal touch!

[alexdesign]

yeah Karobinson, my vet takes picture of my dog too. Only they have digital filing system and the picture of my dog is kept in their system. I don't know why they do that but my vet also has a pretty good photographer who does pets portraits. My vet's office is covered with pets portraits and photographer's phone number on the wall too. I am sure he's got someone working with him and probably is getting a cut from referring clients to that photographer.

[sharis17duchon]

Originally Posted by BaliHai

Try voluteering to photograph the adoptable pets at your local shelter you will learn alot including patience and you will be helping the animals find a home. I do the majority of my pets in the studio where they are on my territory, I don't fuss or pet them before the shoot, I don't want them to think I'm their new best friend and come to me when I'm photographing. Owners help wrangle the pet while I direct that way we keep them involved and less stress on the pet. Don't use much in the way of props.

That is an awesome photography and the cat is so sweet! Can you post some of her pics?

[BaliHai]

The kitten was one of nine brought to the studio that morning by the Humane Society we were shooting a catalog cover and the Humane Society's Christmas card. For some unknown reason that kitten took a liking to Gyro the dog, he was later adopted with his sister. It was quite a fun time with 9 kittens racing around the studio.