Dog Portrait Photography Johannesburg
Dog portrait photography? Is that a 'thing'? Do people actually spend money on pictures of their dogs?
Questions I am often asked by non doggy people when I tell them what I spend the majority of my time doing. These are the same people that guffaw at the mention of doggy day care, apparently that's more shocking that professional photos of your dog. In my next life, I'd like to work at a doggy day care ;)
With over 9.1 million dogs living in South Africa, (the ninth highest dog populated country in the world) it's not really surprising that professional dog photography has found a place in the consumer market. More and more people are opting to delay or opt out of having children, there are 'empty nesters' with precious dogs for company and an increasing number of single professionals choosing companionship of the four legged variety.
Us doggy folk treat our canine companions more and more like children, so it's par for the course that this would include professional photoshoots. I frequently produce large format framed prints of dogs for the walls of my clients' homes so they can enjoy looking at their favourite beings in larger than life formats. Dog portraits are a great conversation starter at parties.
There is a slightly more serious side to the business of photographing dogs; to preserve their memory when the time comes for them to go. The bane of most dog parents' existence is that we only get a decade or so (if we're lucky) with our furry friends. After they're gone, the only thing left are memories and photographs. I regularly photograph my dogs and now that a couple of them are in their senior phases, I'm so glad I captured them in their prime. Beautiful doggy portraits are a gift I love to be able to give my clients.
I'm often commissioned to photograph elderly dogs and dogs that have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, as their lives come to an end, owners realise that they need something to remember them by. My advice is if you've been thinking about getting some portraits of your best doggy friend done, get on and do it.
If there's a favourite place you and your dog like to go, have your shoot done there. I work in client's homes, on location and in studio depending on the individual shoot requirements and how well the dogs I'm photographing travel and respond to new environments. Some dogs are happy wherever you take them, some get very nervous outside their home space which is not conducive to a fun shoot.
I love talking about dogs. Please give me a call if you'd like to find out more about commissioning a shoot of or with your beloved pooch on 076 564 4365. You can also use the contact form to send me your details - click here.
