frequently asked questions

1. My family & I would like to be in the photos with my pet - what should I wear?

• Try to wear relatively neutral colors, especially for your shirt, that will not clash with your pet.  And you do not want your pet to blend into you because you are both the same color!  I don't recommend wearing bright colors such as red, yellow, or pink (lighter versions of these colors are ok), and I also don't recommend wearing white or black shirts. 

2.  Do you take credit cards or debit?

• At this point in time I only take cash or cheque, with a preference for cheques. 

3.  Where are you located?

• I am often set up at different locations around Edmonton.  Please see HERE for my upcoming sessions. 

4.  My pet is not very obedient and I'm not sure we will be able to make him/her sit long enough for you to get a good photo - will this be a problem?

• Although it is much easier to work with a pet that is obedience trained (basic sit, lay down, and stay are really all that are needed), I have worked with many pets that aren't trained.  I work closely with you as you act as the handler so we can get the attention of your pet and keep him/her on the posing table.  If there are two of you (people) I will have one of you behind me to get the pets attention, and one of you handling the pet.

5.  I would like photos of my puppy - how young is too young to come to your studio?

• Due to the number of dogs that come through my studio and the type of facilities that I set up in, I will not photograph young animals that have not completed their shots (for puppies there are typically 3 sets of shots which are typically complete after about 4 months).  This is to protect the puppy from catching anything from other dogs. 

  6.  My pets don't get along at home, but I would like to have a photo of them all together - is this possible?

• You know your pets the best.  However, I would suggest that if your pets don't get along at home they will likely not get along in the studio.  After traveling in the vehicle to a strange place, being put in a strange room, and being forced to sit beside each other, I can't see them wanting to get along any better.  You are more likely to get photos that you like by photographing each pet separately.  If you want a photo of them together, you might end up with your pets on opposite ends of the photo, with a big empty space in the middle of them - not quite what you were looking for!  Plus, the pets will likely become stressed, being forced to sit close to another animal they don't really get along with, and you will not get a photo of them looking relaxed and comfortable.

  7.  I would like a photograph of my cat, but he/she doesn't like traveling in the vehicle - is there another option for getting photographs of my cat?

• At this point I do not offer candid sessions in the home.  If you are very interested in this option, please let me know as I am considering adding this option to my business in the future.

8.  I would like outdoor photographs of my dog - where is a good location?

• Any location with a wide variety of backdrops should work.  My preferences are the Legislature grounds or the Alberta Provincial Museum grounds.  Local parks such as Whitemud Creek work as well (no off leash areas or dog parks as they are too distracting).  Unless you have a very large backyard (e.g. acreage) with a variety of potential backdrops, I would not suggest using your backyard.

9.  What happened to that cute little dog logo?

• He's still around!  Look for my dog logo on my business cards, flyers, signage, t-shirts and hopefully soon, my vehicle!  (But in case you really, really miss him... here he is!).