pet photography FAQs - ruthless photos

Frequently Asked Questions

WILL MY DOG BE SUITABLE FOR A PHOTO SESSION?

If your dog is excitable, reactive, nervous, camera-shy, or all that and more, they are still suitable. My years volunteering for rescue groups means I have worked with every obedience level and character trait known to canine-kind! I have never met a dog I couldn’t photograph. If you have a specific concern, we can address it – just drop me a line and tell me about it!

MY DOG DOESN’T EVEN KNOW SIT, CAN YOU STILL PHOTOGRAPH HIM/HER?

I can (see answer above). However, if your dog knows some basic commands – sit, stay, drop – it will be very beneficial. Several of the dogs you see in the gallery didn’t know any of those things though, so don’t let it be a deterrent.

MY DOG CAN’T BE OFF-LEAD, WILL THAT BE AN ISSUE?

Not an issue at all. 90% of the rescues I work with can’t be off-lead either, it doesn’t prevent me from taking great photos. Leashes can be removed in post production.

My puppy isn't fully vaccinated, should I wait?

Please nooooooo! Tiny baby puppies can be photographed at home or in my sterile, disease-free, studio. Don’t wait, the difference between 8wks and 12wks is huge, especially in anything bigger than a toy breed.

WHAT AGE SHOULD MY DOG BE?

They should be today’s age! I photograph dogs young and old, please don’t let their age be a deciding factor. One piece of advice I do have is don’t put it off. Many of my clients tell me that their last dog died unexpectedly and they regret not getting photos done.

DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH OTHER PETS?

I do indeed but I’m best known in canine circles so the majority of my bookings do tend to be for dog sessions.

can I make changes to my base package?

No. All clients are required to choose one of the four base packages and there are no substitutions available. You can however upgrade to a bigger base package if you decide you want more images when you see your photos at your purchasing appointment.

My cat won't be happy in the studio can you bring the studio to me?

I can’t bring the full scale version of my studio but I can bring a small mobile studio setup to you. Happy cat, happy photographer!

CAN HUMAN FAMILY BE IN THE PHOTOS?

In sessions that have been purchased (as opposed to won) human family can absolutely jump in one or two photos but please keep in mind that I am a pet photographer so our session’s main focus will be on your furry family member.
Sessions that are won (as opposed to purchased) are for pets only.
Children need to be old enough to sit up on their own and there’ll need to be another adult who can take them away from the studio once they’ve been photographed, so as not to distract the pet during the rest of the shoot. I don’t have a separate waiting area.

CAN WE DO THE SHOOT AT HOME?

If your home has nice light and a beautiful garden with space to run then I’m definitely open to that idea!

WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?

On-location Sessions: Light plays a huge part in the photos I take. If there is rain or a lot of cloud cover forecast we’ll need to reschedule. I also don’t shoot in high temperatures or strong winds as, in my experience, your dog won’t be comfortable and that will be reflected in the photos from the shoot. My number one goal is to get the best possible images for you so sessions may need to be rescheduled more than once.

Studio Sessions: These are only rescheduled due to weather if there’s a storm so loud that it will pose a distraction for your pet.

MY DOG IS SICK, CAN YOU FIT IN A LAST MINUTE BOOKING?

Where possible my schedule can be adjusted to accommodate urgent sessions for pets that are terminally ill.

DO YOU EVER COME TO ANY OTHER CITIES?

With two high maintenance dogs of my own I very rarely travel anywhere else (for work or pleasure!) but I do typically offer Autumn sessions in Canberra. Please get in touch if you’d like to express interest in a session there (or somewhere else outside of metro Sydney).

DO YOU SELL GIFT VOUCHERS?

Yes, I do! They can be purchased from my online store here.