Anyone with a digital camera and a cute dog knows the joys of pet photography. Elevating it to a fine art, however, takes training, talent, and a tremendous amount of experience.
The top-dog photographers featured here have paid their dues and built awesome portfolios. We invite you to ogle their art and read their stories, beginning below with Jesse Freidin, voted Best Pet Photographer in our 2010 Beast of the Bay Awards. Welcome to some of the finest fine art dog photography anywhere.
Jesse Freidin
I fell in love with photography the first time I picked up a Polaroid camera – there was something so magical about articulating a beautiful feeling through a tiny lens. That drive to capture emotion has never left me; it fuels my photography every day. I still love instant film, but now rely on medium format black-and-white film and my trusty Hasselblad to create fine art dog portraiture. I’m old school and proud.
Combining my passion for photography and dogs just came naturally. After years of experience as a professional dog handler, I decided to bring the two worlds together. Watching my clients tear up with joy as they sit in my studio perusing images from their dogs’ photo sessions, observing a devoted canine companion gaze up at his devoted human, laughing all the way through a shoot, juggling cameras and film and dog slobber – all these things make my job a real dream come true.
People always ask how I create such unique images. First, I take great pride in being one of the last surviving traditional film photographers in the Bay Area. I work hard to give my clients a very special collaborative experience from start to finish. I never let a photograph leave my studio until it is perfect and constantly push myself to be more creative. Most importantly, I am constantly inspired by the love dogs and other animals bring to our lives.
Learn more about Freidin and his work at www.jessefreidin.com.
Kendra Luck
After working as a photojournalist for more than twelve years, I wanted to do something more joyful. I’d always loved the dogs in my life. Black-and-white photography was my roots and Gladys (my dog from 1993-2008) was my muse. My life as the Dogumentarian™ was born in 2002. Now my love and passion is found in this work, largely made up of doing private commissions for people who consider their dogs family members and want a piece of fine art photography to cherish for a lifetime.
Working as the Dogumentarian™ and running Sit Stay Sleep Home Away from Home Dog Boarding, I spend considerable time thinking about dogs and watching dogs. I find watching dogs hypnotic, akin to watching children play, waves breaking at the beach, or a bonfire blaze.
My background of documentary photography made watching a key to my style. I let things happen naturally. My work is about the personality of the dog, not a particular pose, though I am keenly aware of the composition as a whole. In 2009 my dog photography was featured in Dog Lover’s Daily Companion: 365 Days of Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Living a Rich Life with Your Dog. I am now working on another book project while continuing to do pet photography sessions for individual clients.
Learn more about Kendra and her work at www.dogumentarian.com.
Mark Rogers
I got started in pet photography pretty early. My grandfather gave me his old Yashika SLR along with a few lenses when I was 11 or 12 and the very first picture I remember taking (on Kodachrome) was of our black cat sitting in a cluster of red azaleas. I remember my mom asking me why I got down on the ground to take the shot and me saying that I thought it looked better being at the cat’s level.
Getting down to pet level is an approach I still bring into my photography today with pets of all sorts. This accomplishes a few things: 1) keeps shots from being boring; 2) breaks the ice and relaxes the pet since I’m getting into his world rather than looming over it; and 3) really puts my blue-jean budget through the roof since I wear through so much knee fabric each year.
For me, dogs are the ultimate subjects because of their magical combination of high energy, lack of ego, unbridled joy, and inherent goofiness. I always have a good time photographing them and, even though I know it’s there, I’m continually surprised by the depth of emotion I can catch. It never gets old: reviewing images after a shoot and gaping at a shot that crystallizes a particular dog’s essence. I feel so lucky to have been there for that, and it never fails to take my breath away.
The thing that makes it all worthwhile for me is a customer looking at my photos of his or her pets and saying, “You really captured who they are!”
Learn more about Mark and his work at www.markrogersphotography.com.
Lori A. Cheung
After years of frantically managing projects as an environmental consultant in a skyscraper in San Francisco, I one day heard Oprah Winfrey ask her audience, “What is your passion?” I suddenly remembered my childhood passion for photographing dogs and proclaimed to my sister, “I want to be a pet photographer.” She believed in my dream and said, “Do it!”
Photography is part of my family legacy. I began helping my dad, now a retired pro photographer, at the age of 10 and loved developing film in a darkroom — magical. I also used my photography skills as a consultant. Now I’m living my creative passion skyscraper-free.
Dogs inspire me to photograph their unconditional love, joy, and freedom of expression. They are fun and authentic, and they unleash their love freely. They teach us profound lessons about living a rich, vibrant life in the present moment. Dogs connect us to our spirits and what is truly important in life.
I’m currently creating Pets for World Peace, a collaboration with non-profit groups and for-profit companies to support animal welfare, rescue, and therapy. Animals give us inner peace, and I envision that peace radiating throughout our world.
Recently, I provided photography services for animal therapy non-profits that train dogs and horses to support kids and adults with autism, cancer, depression, paralysis, and more. I also recently photographed a homeless military veteran, Lewis, and his dog, Buster on the streets of San Francisco. The love, loyalty, and hope evident in their relationship are beyond words.
My muse is my dog Flash, a chiweenie (chihuahua-dachshund). He weighs only 6 pounds and is smaller than a cat, but believes he is a Great Dane.
Learn more at www.thepetphotograher.com
Pat Boyd
Dog photography started for me about eight years ago, with a simple Olympus point-and-shoot camera and Crissy Field. My great experiences there sowed the seeds, but I didn’t make that move until a final inspirational push from my dog, Maddie. When she came into my life, I upgraded my camera equipment so I could capture the best possible images of her. That led to more trips to Crissy Field and other dog hot spots. Craigslist pals, close friends, and family enjoyed those images and helped me see they might have wider appeal.
In the studio or at a client’s home, I try to make the shoot an interesting experience for the dog. I make sure there is plenty of time for her to explore the studio or check out the equipment I have brought, and we take many breaks throughout the shoot. Special treats and interesting noises from new toys help bring out the excited expressions we all love. Outdoors, I don’t need to make it interesting for the dog; I just follow along and capture what comes naturally.
Every shoot is different, but the key to capturing great images is always patience. You never know when a dog will show you that special expression or something you never expected. One of the reasons I love photographing dogs is that they are so expressive and immediate with their feelings. I take as much time as the dog allows so I can grab a wide range of expressions.
Learn more at www.patboydphotography.com
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