I hear it WAY too often, that clients invested in a photoshoot with another photographer, who DOESN’T specialize in dog photography, and that it resulted in a bad experience, with subpar photographs.

There are oodles of photographers out there, and an endless list of industries photographers can specialize in, but unless you have experience in the dog training and behavioral world, photographing dogs well, can absolutely be a challenge! Every breed has different genetic traits and behaviors, and every experience throughout their training can alter the dog’s willingness and attitude toward working, and every age can change our expectations of what the dog has been exposed to, and how they will react to it. These are all things I calculate when working with dogs!

This gorgeous standard poodle, out of Piccolo's Poodles, named Jinn, was very reactive to sound and sights. We used these to our advantage, setting Jinn up for a photograph, making a weird noise or throwing the bag of treats, and most importantly, being ready for the shot! This kept the expectations of posing super short, with high rewards, and ample play time to snuffle around, or do the zoomies, in between the location we used to photograph in. We allowed Jinn the freedom to express his personality, and found creative ways to capture that!

This always leads to happy dogs, feeling fulfilled with the new enrichment, positive training games, and a new best friend that hides behind the camera! 😆 Take a peek at my favorite photographs from Jinn’s photoshoot in Grandville, Michigan, and scroll to the bottom to read the raving review that Jinn’s owner wrote!

“I absolutely adored my dog’s photo shoot with Jesse! She is a true master of her craft and the shoot exceeded my expectations!

I arrived at the shoot a basket of nerves after a previous shoot with a different photographer went very poorly due to the photographer not working with dogs. But all of that anxiety quickly vanished once I saw her begin working with us, I knew she was a true professional!

Jesse took so much time and care with us, and it was really nice how in tune with my dog she was. She was behind the camera guiding both myself and my dog while capturing the beautiful moments she set up. She truly knew how to achieve all of the poses she set up, and my dog absolutely adored her.

She treated us with so much respect and asked many times during the shoot if there were specific photos I was looking to achieve. She really made sure I was getting every photo I hoped to get.

I highly recommend Jesse for all of your dog and horse photography, I already cannot wait for future photoshoots!”

— Brenna