my approach
Although I mostly focus on dogs, I love all animals and am captivated by their individual personalities.
My main approach when photographing pets is one of patience and taking the session at a pace that's suitable for them. And I always include a bit of padding to accommodate little breaks if needed.
Is your pet fearful, shy, or not great around other humans or animals?
Do they need a bit more time to feel comfortable in new situations, with new people, at new places?
Are they older, slower, palliative and maybe need a calm, quiet atmosphere?
Maybe they're littles who need naps, like little Ollie pictured above.
With over 10 years of photographing dogs who are either in, or have been in the care of a rescue or shelter, I tend to gravitate to those who need a bit more time to feel comfortable in front of the camera. By providing an opportunity for dogs who are often on the periphery, I take a measured approach to help keep their stress and anxiety in check and if I'm lucky, build a bit of trust and make a new friend along the way.
The result? A story that captures and embraces your dog's expressions, emotions and personality.
My main approach when photographing pets is one of patience and taking the session at a pace that's suitable for them. And I always include a bit of padding to accommodate little breaks if needed.
Is your pet fearful, shy, or not great around other humans or animals?
Do they need a bit more time to feel comfortable in new situations, with new people, at new places?
Are they older, slower, palliative and maybe need a calm, quiet atmosphere?
Maybe they're littles who need naps, like little Ollie pictured above.
With over 10 years of photographing dogs who are either in, or have been in the care of a rescue or shelter, I tend to gravitate to those who need a bit more time to feel comfortable in front of the camera. By providing an opportunity for dogs who are often on the periphery, I take a measured approach to help keep their stress and anxiety in check and if I'm lucky, build a bit of trust and make a new friend along the way.
The result? A story that captures and embraces your dog's expressions, emotions and personality.
PET SESSION FAQs
HOW DO YOUR SESSIONS WORK?
Depending on the type of session you're interested in, they all start with you getting in touch with me, then we have a phone consultation. Once booked, I send out email or text reminders prior to your session, then it's session day! Afterwards, you'll have a private, on-line preview gallery where you'll be able to choose the images you love. Most sessions include a select number of finished images delivered as digital downloads. Prints and printed products as well as additional digital files are all sold separately; because pricing can fluctuate, a price list will be available once your session has been booked.
HOW MANY PETS CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE?
It really depends on your pets, their size and how used they are to being close to each other. It also depends on if you want to be In Studio or On Location outside. Additional escorts will be required for more than one dog in studio, and for more than 2 dogs outside.
CAN I JOIN IN ON MY PET'S SESSION?
Sure, but my focus is on your dog so please don't be offended if I try to offer you a treat or make an odd noise to get you to look at my camera!
MY DOG DOESN'T/CAN'T SIT/LAY DOWN/POSE
That's totally ok!!! Sometimes those things aren't always comfortable for all dogs, so whether your dog has some fancy tricks or is a bit more free spirited, whether they prefer to chill out, curl up in your lap, play with a stuffy, or nap... that's cool. My sessions aren't meant to stress them out in any way - think of it more as a hang out or play time, just super casual and force free while I do my work around them. I do ask all dogs to 'look cute'... but all dogs nail this 100% of the time!
DOES MY DOG NEED TO BE GROOMED BEFORE?
If you have a dog with hair that gets regular haircuts, I recommend that happening about 2 weeks prior to your session. I love me a scrufferson, so if you have a terrier or let the coat grow, a tidy to ensure their eyes are free from long hair is a good idea. A brushing on long and short coats is usually enough... besides, I don't want to be blamed for the dreaded bath!
A nail trim can be a good idea, if possible.
For palliative and aged seniors who can't tolerate grooming and tidying, we can work around the above.
I HAVE A SENIOR PET, HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A BEFORE I GO SESSION VS ONE OF YOUR OTHER SESSIONS?
before I go pet sessions are designed for pets diagnosed with a terminal illness or an aged senior. I will do all I can to accommodate these sessions and they come with a bit more 'hand holding'. That being said, I'm also comfortable with a short chat and then do what I do.
MY DOG IS PALLIATIVE, CAN YOU COME TO US?
Absolutely. Please contact me as early as possible after your pet's diagnosis so we can discuss timing and plan the session details. More information on Before I Go sessions here.
DO YOU HAVE SALES OR OFFER MINI SESSIONS?
I sometimes offer boutique, mini sessions in which I partner with local rescues as fundraisers. Info is always shared to socials if/when they come up.
WHAT IF I HAVE TO CANCEL LAST MINUTE?
There is a deposit at booking which holds your session date and time. Should you need to postpone, that deposit moves to your new session. Sessions cancelled outright without 48 hours notice forfeit their deposit.
DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH OTHER PETS, NOT JUST DOGS?
I sure do! Feel free to substitute cat, bunny, cow, horse, hamster, rat, etc, in place of dog. I'm an equal opportunity animal enthusiast and will photograph any pet that can fit in my studio! And if they don't fit, I can come to them.
DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH JUST PEOPLE?
The short answer is YES! The longer answer is that only if they want to be in front of the camera... like are stoked to collaborate and have fun with a session.
I LIKE YOUR STYLE AND WANT TO COLLABORATE - DO YOU OFFER CUSTOM SESSIONS?
Yes I do! Please let me know what you're thinking by filling out and submitting through my contact page .
I'M FOSTERING A PET FOR A RESCUE/HAVE A PET IN THE CARE OF MY RESCUE WHO NEED A NEW PHOTO FOR THE BIO, CAN YOU HELP?
Yes, I love to collaborate with rescues whose mission is in alignment with mine. Please visit my Home Away From Home Advocacy page to see if you think we'd be a good fit, and if so, drop me a note with your request info including: rescue name, number of animals, time frame and name, age, breed of animals in need of new photos.
Depending on the type of session you're interested in, they all start with you getting in touch with me, then we have a phone consultation. Once booked, I send out email or text reminders prior to your session, then it's session day! Afterwards, you'll have a private, on-line preview gallery where you'll be able to choose the images you love. Most sessions include a select number of finished images delivered as digital downloads. Prints and printed products as well as additional digital files are all sold separately; because pricing can fluctuate, a price list will be available once your session has been booked.
HOW MANY PETS CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE?
It really depends on your pets, their size and how used they are to being close to each other. It also depends on if you want to be In Studio or On Location outside. Additional escorts will be required for more than one dog in studio, and for more than 2 dogs outside.
CAN I JOIN IN ON MY PET'S SESSION?
Sure, but my focus is on your dog so please don't be offended if I try to offer you a treat or make an odd noise to get you to look at my camera!
MY DOG DOESN'T/CAN'T SIT/LAY DOWN/POSE
That's totally ok!!! Sometimes those things aren't always comfortable for all dogs, so whether your dog has some fancy tricks or is a bit more free spirited, whether they prefer to chill out, curl up in your lap, play with a stuffy, or nap... that's cool. My sessions aren't meant to stress them out in any way - think of it more as a hang out or play time, just super casual and force free while I do my work around them. I do ask all dogs to 'look cute'... but all dogs nail this 100% of the time!
DOES MY DOG NEED TO BE GROOMED BEFORE?
If you have a dog with hair that gets regular haircuts, I recommend that happening about 2 weeks prior to your session. I love me a scrufferson, so if you have a terrier or let the coat grow, a tidy to ensure their eyes are free from long hair is a good idea. A brushing on long and short coats is usually enough... besides, I don't want to be blamed for the dreaded bath!
A nail trim can be a good idea, if possible.
For palliative and aged seniors who can't tolerate grooming and tidying, we can work around the above.
I HAVE A SENIOR PET, HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A BEFORE I GO SESSION VS ONE OF YOUR OTHER SESSIONS?
before I go pet sessions are designed for pets diagnosed with a terminal illness or an aged senior. I will do all I can to accommodate these sessions and they come with a bit more 'hand holding'. That being said, I'm also comfortable with a short chat and then do what I do.
MY DOG IS PALLIATIVE, CAN YOU COME TO US?
Absolutely. Please contact me as early as possible after your pet's diagnosis so we can discuss timing and plan the session details. More information on Before I Go sessions here.
DO YOU HAVE SALES OR OFFER MINI SESSIONS?
I sometimes offer boutique, mini sessions in which I partner with local rescues as fundraisers. Info is always shared to socials if/when they come up.
WHAT IF I HAVE TO CANCEL LAST MINUTE?
There is a deposit at booking which holds your session date and time. Should you need to postpone, that deposit moves to your new session. Sessions cancelled outright without 48 hours notice forfeit their deposit.
DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH OTHER PETS, NOT JUST DOGS?
I sure do! Feel free to substitute cat, bunny, cow, horse, hamster, rat, etc, in place of dog. I'm an equal opportunity animal enthusiast and will photograph any pet that can fit in my studio! And if they don't fit, I can come to them.
DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH JUST PEOPLE?
The short answer is YES! The longer answer is that only if they want to be in front of the camera... like are stoked to collaborate and have fun with a session.
I LIKE YOUR STYLE AND WANT TO COLLABORATE - DO YOU OFFER CUSTOM SESSIONS?
Yes I do! Please let me know what you're thinking by filling out and submitting through my contact page .
I'M FOSTERING A PET FOR A RESCUE/HAVE A PET IN THE CARE OF MY RESCUE WHO NEED A NEW PHOTO FOR THE BIO, CAN YOU HELP?
Yes, I love to collaborate with rescues whose mission is in alignment with mine. Please visit my Home Away From Home Advocacy page to see if you think we'd be a good fit, and if so, drop me a note with your request info including: rescue name, number of animals, time frame and name, age, breed of animals in need of new photos.
Images and content on this website and corresponding social media can not be used without prior written consent from the artist.
Website and social media content is copyright protected. © Wendy Nesbitt // All rights reserved.
Website and social media content is copyright protected. © Wendy Nesbitt // All rights reserved.