How to Succeed with a Pet Photography Business

Starting Out and Earning Money with Pet Portraits and Photographs

Sep 21, 2009 Fleur Hupston

Despite the fact that most people have a digital camera and can edit photos themselves, there is still a big market for professionally taken pet photos.

There is, of course, a big difference between pet snapshots and pet portraiture. The best dog and cat photographers have learned their craft from experience, lots of practice and have probably taken digital photography classes.

Learn Digital Photography

A digital photography class that specializes in pet photography will typically cover modules such as:

How to interact with animals during a photo session in order to get the best shots
Equipment- lens choice, backgrounds, lighting, props
Taking pet photos in a studio and on location
Using aperture and shutter speed creatively
Lighting- natural, diffused, strobes
Lighting and mood
Posing, perspectives and photo session tips and techniques
Developing an individual style
Marketing
Starting a pet photography business
Compiling a portfolio

If a pet photographer is serious about a venture of this nature, a course will probably be an excellent investment. Many photography schools offer a one or two day workshop which can also be helpful when starting out.

Tips on Starting a Pet Photography Business

According to professional pet photographer Martyn Chillmaid, "Photography is the art of solving problems, then clicking the shutter- this is just the culmination of a process that includes research, organization, obtaining props and models- making sure that the final result does the job."

If a potential pet photographer is just starting out, he or she should buy the best equipment that can be afforded at the time. Once the business takes off, photographic equipment can be upgraded.

Understand that pets, like small children, can be difficult to photograph. It takes patience to succeed. They are often unpredictable and can be unsettled or difficult to manage if they are brought to a studio out of their home environment. They can't always control bowel movements, so be prepared to clean up now and again.

Research what competition there is and adjust accordingly. Dog and cat photographs do not have to be taken in a studio, consider going to people's homes to take portraits on location. If there are a lot of pet photographers in a specific area offering the same genre, try something different like pet pop art photos.

One of the best ways of advertising is to compile a portfolio of pet photographs that have already been taken. This will showcase the pet photographer's work and also help the client decide on what style of photography he or she wants. Misunderstandings can be avoided in this way.

Consider joining a professional photography organization or look for relevant forums to get up to date information and trends on the pet photography business.

Source:

unleashed.2009.wordpress.com, Article "Fine Art Pet Photography Workshops" by Teresa Berg, information retrieved on 21 September, 2009