This article is from 5th issue of OTS E-Magazine Pages  90 - 93

Pets and Young Children

by Ray Keeling of Keeling Photography

I always loved photographing wildlife but it didn't help with the bills. Then I discovered that photographing pets, especially dogs, was kind of like photographing wildlife except you didn't have to stock them down but most importantly, I found their owners had money and not only did they have money but they were willing to pay for images of their pets that they couldn't take themselves.

            As a pet photographer and workshop photographer of many photo shoot events, I surprisingly learned that photographing pets was not very different than photographing very young children.

1.  You never know how they will initially react to you as a stranger.

2.  They both can be temperamental.

3.  Both have to have their parents/owners near-by during the photo session.

4.  You have to do silly things and/or make noises to get their attention at times.

5.  They both can have wetting accidents during the shoot.

6.  Both end up doing what they want to do so in the end so you just have fun with.

7.  Many times you have to follow them around to get that shot, but...

8.  Most importantly, you must have patience with them and you'll eventually get some amazing images.

Ray Keeling  OTS # 10660

www.KeelingPhotography.com