DURING: what to expect

THE PROCESS

After we meet, the first thing I’ll do is shoot a reference picture using a card with your pug’s name + # on it. This will give me a definitive record of who’s who, if (when) my memory fails. Once that’s out of the way, there really isn’t much of a process. How we spend our 15 minutes together depends on your pug, the light, our location and what’s happening around us.
 

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME

Dogs are spontaneous by nature and my shooting style is just as fluid, so it’s hard to say what exactly I’ll do. When I’m not hiding behind a Nikon, I’m quite reserved. But when it comes to getting “the” shot, I’ll pretty much do whatever it takes.

I DO:

- work very closely with a dog
- wait for things to happen naturally
- spend most of my time on the ground

 

I DON’T:

- ask a dog to do anything that will make him/her squirm
- pay much attention to humans when I’m working with a dog
- need help unless I specifically ask for it

 

WHAT I EXPECT FROM YOUR PUG

I expect your pug to be a pug. That’s all. Your pug’s energy, obedience level and temperament will determine what we do – I’m just there to encourage and capture moments. If your pug isn’t happy in a sit/stay, we won’t waste time with sit/stay. Photographs don’t lie and neither of us wants to see pictures of an unhappy pug.

 

WHAT I EXPECT FROM YOU

I work very closely with dogs to create a feeling of connection in my images. Most of my energy and attention will be focused on your pug, so please don’t take it personally if I’m not very chatty during our shoot. You will thank me for this later.

It might not be easy to become the center of your pug’s universe in 15 minutes, but it is possible. You can help by letting me be the source of all awesomeness. That means all food, love, attention, conversation and eye contact should come from me unless I ask for your help.
 

HOW YOU CAN HELP ME:

- surrender all food/toys at the beginning of our session

- don’t try to help by getting your pug’s attention (this is not helpful)

- don’t call or talk to your pug unless asked

- do be ready to make funny noises, juggle a leash or hold something I don’t have hands for

- REMEMBER: if your pug is looking at YOU he/she isn’t looking at ME. Or Nikon. And this is bad.