What to Expect
Planning Your Session
Every photography session begins with a personalized planning process. Before your session, we'll discuss your goals, review my package options, and go over anything unique about your pets so I can recommend the best experience for you.
Most sessions take place throughout the greater Sacramento area, primarily at beautiful, dog-friendly locations. Each location is carefully selected based on your dog's coat color, personality, size, mobility level, and the season. Sacramento's landscapes change dramatically throughout the year, and choosing the right location helps ensure your portraits have the best scenery, colors, and atmosphere while providing a calm, low-stress environment for your pet.
If your dog is anxious, reactive, or simply has their own unique personality, that's completely okay. With nearly 15 years of experience working with dogs of all breeds, ages, and temperaments, I'm comfortable adapting every session to the individual dog rather than expecting every dog to fit a certain mold.
Home sessions are generally not recommended, as the locations featured throughout my portfolio provide the beautiful natural light, depth, and scenery that define my style. The exception is for cats and pets who are unable to travel due to illness or mobility limitations. Please reach out to discuss home sessions!
Sessions are available throughout the greater Sacramento area, and I'm happy to travel to surrounding communities for an additional travel fee. Travel sessions, including the Bay Area, are often limited.
During Your Session
Nearly all sessions are scheduled about one hour before sunset, when the light is soft, warm, and most flattering. During Sacramento's hottest months, sunrise sessions are also available to keep everyone comfortable.
Your dog does not need to be off leash for their session. In fact, about 90% of the dogs I photograph remain safely on leash, with leashes removed during the editing process.
Throughout your session, I'll guide your pet through a variety of poses while creating a mix of portraits that showcase their personality. I love incorporating natural elements like logs, rocks, trails, and other scenery to create images with depth and character while using different angles of light and compositions throughout the session.
Although my sessions are centered around your pet, I also love including the people who love them. Together, we'll create portraits that celebrate your pet's spirit and the bond you share.
For pets with mobility limitations, special needs, or those nearing the end of life, everything happens at their pace. We take things slowly, they never have to walk farther than they're comfortable with, and they're welcome to lie down for the entire session if that's what they need.
After Your Session
After your session, I carefully curate your gallery by selecting the strongest images based on expression, composition, lighting, focus, and overall quality. Each selected image is individually and professionally edited before being delivered through your private online gallery.
Unlike many photographers who charge separately for digital images, every session includes professionally edited digital files.
Your online gallery also provides access to professionally crafted print products, including wall art, framed prints, canvases, and albums. While digital images are included with every session, professionally printed artwork is the best way to preserve your photographs and enjoy them for years to come. I'm always happy to help you select pieces that fit your home and create lasting keepsakes.