17 Years as a Pet Photographer: From Coffee Filter Diffusers to Capturing Unbreakable Bonds

It’s wild to look back and realize I’ve been a pet photographer for 17 years. So much has changed—not just in my skills and equipment, but in how I see and preserve the moments that matter most.

When I first started, my “professional” camera was a 2.6-megapixel Fuji—which, if we’re being honest, has less capability than my phone today. My lighting setup? A pop-up flash with a coffee filter folded over it as a makeshift diffuser. Fast forward to now, and I shoot with a 50-megapixel Nikon D850, a Lumecube mini light panel, and a trio of Godox speedlights with softboxes and stands.

But even with all the technological upgrades, one thing has never changed—my passion for capturing the deep, unbreakable bond between people and their pets.

The Experience That Started It All

People often ask, "Why did you become a pet photographer?" And the truth is—because I had a horrible experience myself.

One Christmas, I wanted professional photos of our little fur family to send out with holiday cards. The only studio in town that allowed dogs was a mall studio, and I figured, “How bad could it be?”

The answer? Very bad.

The photographer had zero experience with dogs and was visibly nervous. My two pups weren’t even that big—about 45 pounds each, and one was still a puppy—but you would have thought I brought in a pair of dire wolves. He refused to get close, stood in the doorway, and resorted to banging on the wall to get their attention.

Now, if you’ve ever met a Husky, you know they’re mischievous little masterminds. My two immediately realized they had the upper hand and proceeded to look anywhere except the camera.

By the end of our rushed 20-minute session, I flipped through the photos and picked the one I hated the least. Stiff poses, awkward smiles, dogs kinda looking in the right direction—it was a mess.

But we had already paid for the package, so that’s what went out on our Christmas cards that year.

Turning Frustration Into a Calling

At the time, I worked in the veterinary field, surrounded by pet lovers. When I shared my story, I realized so many others had similar experiences—photoshoots that felt stiff, stressful, or just didn’t capture the spirit of their pets.

Then my mom sent me an article about a woman who built a photography business with nothing more than a point-and-shoot camera.

Something clicked.

Within a few months, I picked up a camera and started offering sessions to my colleagues. One of my very first shoots was with a big, lovable Newfoundland named Chinook and his humans. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, but we went to the park, played, rolled in the grass, climbed trees, and captured the moments that truly mattered.

When I saw the photos, I knew exactly what I wanted to do—document the raw, unscripted love between pets and their people.

From the archive: one of my first sessions.

Here's this precious moment from the dawn of my career. It's a little pixelated, slightly crooked and the color-toning is off. But the moment, the love, the connection are all there.

17 Years, 5 States, and Thousands of Dogs Later

Since then, life has taken me on an incredible journey. I’ve moved cross-country multiple times, shot professionally in five states, and photographed thousands of dogs.

Through all of that, my approach has remained the same. While I now have a professional lighting setup, I still shoot a lot in natural light because, let’s be real—dogs are always on the move. Sure, I take some traditional portraits, but the magic happens in the in-between moments:

The joyful wiggle before a belly rub
That deep gaze where you swear your dog is reading your soul
The uncontrollable zoomies that end in a happy flop at your feet

These are the moments that make life with a dog so unforgettable. And these are the moments I want to wrap in a bow for people to cherish forever.

Lost Photos & The Power of Printing

Over the years, I’ve lost most of my earliest work to time. Spoiler alert: electronic storage devices fail.

CDs, DVDs, USB drives, external hard drives—they all have a shelf life and eventually stop working. It’s heartbreaking to think of all the memories that disappeared simply because they were stored on technology that didn’t last.

This is why I’m so passionate about printing your most precious memories. Digital files are convenient, but a printed image? That’s forever. A framed portrait on your wall, an album you can flip through on the couch—those won’t get lost in a failed hard drive or an outdated file format.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

When I think about where I started and where I am now, it’s humbling. From a coffee filter diffuser to a fully equipped professional setup, I’ve come a long way. But at the heart of it all, my mission remains the same:

📸 To capture the love, laughter, and lifelong bond between pets and their humans.

If you’ve ever had a frustrating pet photography experience—or you just want images that truly reflect the love you share with your pet—I’d love to help.

Let’s create something beautiful together.

Book Your Session Now

17 Years As A Pet Photographer

17 Years as a Pet Photographer: From Coffee Filter Diffusers to Capturing Unbreakable Bonds

The Experience That Started It All

Turning Frustration Into a Calling

From the archive: one of my first sessions.

17 Years, 5 States, and Thousands of Dogs Later

Lost Photos & The Power of Printing

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Leave a comment:

Leave a comment

Related Posts

Is your dog too crazy for photos?

Big Moves Ahead

Capturing the Beauty of Black Dogs

Horse Blessings

Archive

Tags