Frequently Asked Questions

Grey and white dog shakes off water in a stream in Pennsylvania.

Do you do family sessions?

Because our focus is exclusively on horses, dogs and their people, we do family sessions only when the family pets are fully integrated in the session.

Can we do an engagement photo shoot with our horse and/or dog?

Of course! What better way to celebrate? Incorporating your beloved pets adds a unique, personal touch to your images. We also do equine bridal sessions! They are typically done after the wedding so we don't have to worry so much if your horse pulls off a button or plays too hard with your veil.

My dog doesn't know sit, stay or any other commands. Is that a problem?

Not at all! We photograph dogs with no training (and selective hearing) all the time. We are not asking, or even wanting, your dog to be on perfect behavior. This is when we want their personality to shine through. If they're bouncy, sassy and goofy that is exactly what we want to capture. This is true of equine photo sessions as well.

My dog can't be off leash. Can I still do a session?

Yes! Absolutely! Believe it or not, 95% of the dogs that we photograph are on leash. Thanks to the meticulous hand-edits in Photoshop, leashes will be removed from most final images.

My dog is super reactive to other dogs/people/bicycles. How can we do a session?

We completely understand; the world can be a scary place. If your dog is nervous or reactive, we have a selection of out-of-the-way locations that receive very little dog or foot traffic. And we'll use a long lens allowing us to stand at quite a distance so your dog's 'comfort-bubble' will stay intact.

My horse/dog is a never-ending ball of energy! How do you manage high-energy pets?

My camera shutter speed goes all the way up to 1/8000 of a second–in other words, plenty fast enough to capture even the most active pet! In many cases I need one second to get the shot I have in mind. Additionally, our sessions never require your pet to stay in one place for minutes on end. We do something your dog finds fun (bouncing along side of you, chasing a ball etc.) and we get great photos, then we go do something else fun! One of the benefits of hiring a pet photographer is that we know how to work with "hyper" models and still deliver gorgeous images, jam-packed with personality.

What about harnesses or gentle leaders, can those be edited out?

Harnesses hide so much of the dog's chest that it's very challenging to accurately rebuild those pixels in post-production. Gentle leaders can leave unsightly shadows or pull on dog's skin, so those are also a challenge to digitally remove. If your dog normally wears one of these for walks, we recommend using it while walking to our location, but also bringing a flat collar to use for the actual shoot.

What if it's raining?

If rain is in the forecast we will definitely reschedule. Your session fee simply transfers over to our new session date–easy peasy!

Should I dress my dog up in cute outfits and bandanas?

We feel your dogs are beautiful just as they are. However, if you have a different vision for your images we would love to chat about it.

Can I be in the images, too?

Of course! We love documenting the wonderful connection between you and your horse and/or dog. If you're especially camera shy, we can still create some lovely, creative images that tell the story of your relationship while keeping most of you out of the frame. Please just trust us, and remember that you don't need to purchase or display any images that you don't adore.

What time will our photo session be?

The most magical light for photography happens during the "golden hour," which is why we schedule most sessions during the last two hours of daylight.

How long are your sessions?

They are typically 90 minutes. If you have a multitude of pets and/or people we'll talk about a longer session so we have ample time to include everyone.

How do you choose a location?

We have a large selection of favorite locations that have attractive features, are pet-friendly and generally very quiet. During our session-planning Zoom we'll discuss the look you're after, any special needs your dog might have (mobility challenges, anxiety, etc.) With all that in mind, we'll settle on the perfect spot for your custom session. Equine sessions are done at the boarding barn or your private farm if your horse is kept at home.

Who can come to the session?

In the interest of minimizing distractions, we do ask that only those who will be in the photos, and any helpers, come along.

Do you store my photos forever so I can purchase them at a later date?

After your Purchase Appointment you are always welcome to check back with us. However, we can't store your photos indefinitely and third party back up systems can fail. For these reasons we advise purchasing the images and products you want at your Ordering Appointment.