THERE'S AN ART TO BEING A DOG

I’m based in Kogarah, NSW, which is 14km south of Sydney’s CBD. I service within 30km of Kogarah and if you are located further away and would like me to come to you, there is a travel fee of $1 per km in excess of 30km plus any relevant tolls. If you would prefer to not pay a travel fee, you can select one of the great locations in my area.

I also service the NSW Central Coast as we spend a lot of time up at Long Jetty where we have family and travel within a 30km radius of Long Jetty is included. There is a travel fee of $1 per km in excess of 30km. Central Coast sessions are available every month of the year so get in touch to find out if I have a time to suit. 

Dogs make up the majority of my pet photography sessions, but I love photographing all types of animals and birds, both domestic and in the wild.

Some basic obedience training in relation to sit, stand and stay commands definitely help the session go more smoothly, however if your dog is not the most obedient, don’t worry, we will still get some great photos... it might just take a little more time and patience. I’ll spend some time with your dog before I start shooting, to build rapport and get them used to my camera, and so I get some cuddles too! I have lots of tricks up my sleeve to get their undivided attention.

Your dog’s safety is my number one priority during the session. Don’t worry about having to keep your dog on lead... most of the time the lead can be removed in in the post-processing stage. I bring a lead on hand which is thinner than your average lead, and I’ll show you how to hold it so it can be photoshopped easily out of your final images.

I’m used to dealing with extremely shy and nervous dogs in the pound environment and this is where patience comes into play. We can discuss strategies in your planning session, when I’ll hopefully get to meet your dog for the first time, so I won’t be a stranger when it comes to the photo shoot. I always take my time with getting to know a dog before I even pick up my camera, so they get familiar with me and with my camera, the noises it makes, and the noises I make. For some dogs it can be a little daunting to have a big glass eye looking at you... so getting to sniff and sit with my camera for a little while always helps nervous dogs relax.

Yes I’d love for you to be in some of the photos. I love catching the bond between a dog and their human and I also think it is so important to have these photos to look back on when your dog has left our world. I would hate for any of my clients to regret being in a photo or two due to self-consciousness. I don't enjoy being in front of the camera myself, but I also know it’s so important to have visual memories of your life. I’m not a fan of posed family portraits and prefer to photograph the bond you share when you interact with each other so hopefully that will take away any fear of being photographed. If I am photographing you with your dog in a posed situation rather than candid, all you need to do is smile at me and I will take care of getting your dog’s attention for the photo.

Even if you really don't want to be in the photos, I always suggest you do get in a few... if you don't like them, they won't be seen anywhere else.  And then there's the chance you will actually really love them, and be thankful you left your shyness in the car and got some photos with your dog.

Most importantly, wear something you feel great in. Try to keep it simple and choose neutral tones and avoid patterns.

You know your dog better than anyone, and I want to make sure the photos reflect how you see and love your dog. Check to see if they need a wash or brush prior to the session, especially checking if they need a light trim around the eyes if they have longer fur as we want to make sure the windows to their souls are definitely highlighted to their photos.

Avoid feeding them just prior to the session as I want them to be responsive to my treats. I provide free-range chicken jerky that I prepare myself as I don’t like using manufactured products. If you would prefer, you can bring along your dog’s favourite treats if they are a fussy eater or have special dietary requirements.

To make sure they are engaged and calm for the shoot, please make sure you take them for a walk an hour or two prior to arriving at the location.

Bring your dog on a leash and wearing a nice collar or other accessories such as a bandana if that’s what your dog is into. Please avoid using a harness for the photo session, if possible. Remove any council tags for the duration of the session as they detract from the photos... we want all eyes on the beauty and uniqueness of your dog.

If they have any toys they love and you want them included in the photos, bring them along. Don’t forget to bring poo bags! I always have some on me in case you forget, but you will be the one cleaning up after your dog!

I mainly shoot in the late afternoons in the last two hours before sunset. This provides a much softer light and results in beautiful images with dreamy backgrounds. I can also shoot early morning, and I mean really early... it’s a magical time of day but it doesn’t last long before the sun becomes harsh. If for some reason, you can’t attend at either end of the day, we will look at good location options for the purpose.

I am an on-location photographer, and the location very much depends on you and your dog. We will workshop locations together in our planning session. I can either come to your home and local park or beach where your dog feels comfortable if they are a little on the nervous side, or you can choose from one of the locations I like to shoot at. I have a range of locations including urban parks, grasslands and wetlands, urban locations and beaches.

What may seem like an ordinary location to you, can be the most amazing location in the photos. That’s what hiring a professional photographer is all about... the creativity to see the possibilities.

If we aren’t blessed with good weather on the day of your photo session, I will call you to discuss rescheduling your session to another suitable day. The types of weather that would result in postponing the session would be rain, thunderstorms, high winds, and extreme heat. All these type of weather conditions are detrimental to both the safety and comfort of you and your dog, and the tolerance of my camera equipment! Besides all that, we want you and your dog to enjoy the experience and have a great time as well as awesome photos, so the weather plays a big part.

That depends on what you want as the outcome for having a photo session. Every session is custom designed to you and your dog, and I have a range of products to cover all tastes and budgets. If you make an enquiry I will send you my Information and Product Guide and we will discuss your options at your planning session. I’ll work closely with you before, during and after your session to find the perfect options for you and your budget.

I also offer Payright payment plans if desired.

If you are only after a few photos in digital format, it may be more suitable for you to book a session with a local studio pet photographer.