Frequently Asked Questions - Dog Edition
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
about photoshoots with your dog!
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My passion for dogs and dog training began when I was in elementary school. Since then, I have been involved with training dogs for the disabled through the NEADS Program in Massachusetts, scent work, SARS, protection dogs for the State Police, assisted in teaching advanced obedience and agility classes to the public, and have advanced my own dog through the AKC trick titles and rally courses.
Because of this, I can read dog body language better than I can communicate with people! 😆 Pair this with my self taught photography skills, and drive for adventures in nature, results in impressive images of your beloved dog, both through portraiture and action photography. -
I pride myself in offering a photography experience that is transparent and uplifting from the beginning! Clients have been pleased with an easy booking process, an in-depth prep guide, quick communication and flexibility for any client concerns, session customization, or weather interferences.
The session itself is very laid back. I like to direct clients as needed for poses, but look for and encourage the authentic moments between the clients and their dogs. Everyone’s relationship is unique, and I want to harbor and highlight those emotions through the photographs captured.
Online galleries with retouched images are delivered within 2-3 weeks via email, where the clients have access to instant downloads, and effortless ordering and customization of fine art for their homes.
I value every supporter of my business, whether they are just a fan or a recurring client. My business is 100% built on client happiness, and the continual growth is a direct result from client referrals! -
“Photographs are a ticket back in time to a memory otherwise lost.” -Unknown
We often times are only reminded of how fragile life is, when we lose someone we love. Our lives could change dramatically tomorrow, and the opportunity to remember what once was, is gone forever.
I encourage everyone to book a professional photography session with their dogs regularly. From puppyhood, training milestones, family additions, their senior years, etc. If you’re anything like me, you’ll forever want to remember and celebrate each chapter of your furbaby’s life.
Plus, it’s a grand excuse to spend time with your best friend, because nobody looked back on their lives and regretted spending too much time with their beloved dog. ♥️
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If it’s not raining or gale force winds, I’ll still shoot!
I choose the spots to photograph your dog, based on the lighting available that day, at that location. Some locations are best with backlit sun, while others are only useable when it’s overcast. And show stopping reflection shots are only available after a heavy rain, before the ground soaks up the puddles of water.
If you have concerns about your dog’s coat in certain weather - i.e. a samoyed in mud, please be in touch! We may need to adjust the location, or keep the dog on leash (removed in editing), to retain a fluffy white coat, but we will most likely still photograph for your scheduled date and time.
If we do have incoming weather, I will wait to see what the hourly forecast reports, and if needed, a rain date will be provided to photograph within 7-10 days following the original date scheduled. -
I would schedule a photoshoot during the season your dog is most comfortable in!
If your dog has a thicker coat (i.e. husky, newfies, keeshond, bernese mountain dogs, etc.) and/or thrives in the snow, let’s schedule a winter session.
If your dog has a thiner coat (i.e. frenchie, weimaraner, whippet, boxer, great dane, etc.) and does better in the warmer temperatures, let’s schedule a spring or summer session.
* During peak summer heat, I do prefer to schedule dog sessions early in the mornings when the temperature is at it’s coolest. This allows us to capture action shots without the concern of long tongues or heat exhaustion.
Do know that I book 3-4 months in advance. So don’t hesitate to reserve your date early! -
Over the 20+ years of photographing (and training!) dogs, I have compiled a list of tips and tricks that will ensure we capture the photographs you dream of! This prep guide is provided to all clients upon booking, available and is available at any time for the clients to review prior to the session.
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I, personally, have a dog that is nervous around other dogs. This benefits YOU, because I now know a vast number of the quiet locations in the greater Muskegon and Grand Rapids area, that are dog friendly, but have low foot traffic with people and other dogs.
Whether you want to photograph at the beach, in the woods, in open fields, among gardens, or in an urban setting, I have a location that will work!
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That is okay! I can travel to your property or a nearby location where your dog feels most comfortable. I have visited many home properties before, making use of landscaping and texture found throughout the property, to create a unique and sentimental collection of images where your dog is happiest!
CLICK HERE to see a photoshoot of two pups that I photographed in the comfort of their own yard. -
That is perfectly okay! We can easily get a variety of photos from a dog who knows basic skills such as sit, down, a 3 second wait/stay, and how to walk on a leash.
For these dogs with a limited education - or for young puppies - I focus on capturing moments as they happen naturally.
Your dog will first be excited and energetic when arriving at a new location or welcoming me onto it’s home property. We’ll capture his/her energy and these action shots first! More than likely, the dog will then settle, standing still, sitting, or laying down by itself, allowing me to capture those portraits. At that time, your dog will than understand that being photographed is just a relaxing hang out session, and will than open up to being loved on for candid moments photographed between you and your dog.
CLICK HERE to see a photoshoot with a 9 week old puppy in a woodland location! BTS video as well! -
95% of the dogs I photograph remain on leash during their photoshoots! The leash is than photoshopped out during post production. This ensures safety and consistent communication with the dog, when we are in new or exciting environments.
I have a thin slip lead and a long catch chord we can use during the session, but I recommend the owners also bring a 6’ lead to comfortably walk the dog to and from the location of the shoot. -
It is awfully weird to have a stranger lie on the ground, hide behind a clicking object, while making weird noises and waving their feet around! I too would be a bit concerned. LOL!
Ensuring the dog is comfortable and confident in front of the camera is one of my first priorities when meeting new dogs. I let them greet me, smell my camera gear, and will let them hear my shutter while either offering them a treat, or talking to their owner.
I like to begin with a longer lens, giving the dog more space to warm up to being photographed. As they learn the game of posing for rewards, I than shorten my camera length to capture close up detail shots. This keeps the dog comfortable, confident, and happy throughout the entire session!
You’ll be shocked when your “camera shy” dog opens up and offers continual opportunities for photos, even after we are done photographing!! -
While my sessions are structured around amount of time photographing, some dogs need a bit more time to comfortably come out of their shell and reveal their uniquely perfect personality. And that is okay. I always block off additional time in my schedule, should the dogs need it, to ensure that the photography experience is positive and enriching for the individual dogs. If the dogs feel at ease, and are encouraged to be themselves, we will inevitably capture their personality.
The greatest compliment a dog photographer can receive, is the trust and love of a shy dog. I have yet to photograph a shy pup that isn’t my best friend by the end of the session. ♥️
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Absolutely! During your session we’ll photograph both your dog by itself AND your relationship with your dog, either through action or portrait photography. If you prefer candid moments, or would like to capture you and your dog training together, please let me know so we can focus our attention there!
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I 100% understand your concerns, as majority of my personal dogs have had all black, or mostly black coats.
With over a decade of photography experience, I can guarantee your black dog will appear in your photos! I know all the tricks while photographing and in post production editing to bring out the beloved details of your darker dog!
CLICK HERE to see an example of a black dog, photographed on a cloudy day. -
The dog behavioralist in me always giggles as this concern, simply because (like children), there is always one that is cooperative and another that is the instigator!
If your dogs can pose together for photos, that’s wonderful! But if not, do not worry about it. I can easily photograph the dogs individually in the same location, and than create a composition of them behaving politely next to each other in post production. This is how the black background photographs of horses and dogs are created, ensuring safety and happiness for all those involved.
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Nearly all of my dog clients will invest in a fine art album. This is the best way to safe keep and share all of your memories in one location.
All you have to do is choose the images from your online gallery to be included in your album, I will design the album pages, you approve for printing, and then it’s delivered to your home! Easy-Peasy!
For clients who fall in love with a handful of images, and want to display them proudly in their homes for every day enjoyment, I would suggest looking at the most popular Acrylic Prints and/or Decorative Frames. (CLICK HERE for all fine art product pricing and details.)
I offer digital mock ups of your favorite products displayed on your walls, to assist you in choosing the perfect sizes and styles of fine art for your home. -
Absolutely! I offer fine art prints and printed products of all sizes and styles, available for purchase at any time. If your gallery has expired, please email me (jessekleinphotos@gmail.com) to have your gallery reloaded, so you can simply place an order through the online gallery’s shopping cart.
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Absolutely! I do ask in the signed contract that you retain the originality of the photograph (no added filters or creative editing, and no submissions to online contests), and provide credit to “J.KLEIN PHOTOS” or “WWW.JKLEINPHOTOS.COM” when sharing your images on social media.
This allows your family and friends, who have fallen in love with your photographs, to know who to hire for their own photoshoot!
