REALISTIC Concerns for Building a Portfolio?

[debbry531]

I read an expose on some photographer who volunteered at the local SPCA... they would go in and take photos of the animals for the website. Cause better photos, resulted in more people coming in to adopt.

I'm volunteering for that reason. I know when I was looking for another dog, I spent hours surfing petfinder.com - hoping one of them would jump out me. It's easy to see how a good photo can... Below is an example - the image on the left is the original website image. It at least shows what a sweet boy he is, but it is unlikely to grab anyone's attention. The one on the right is one I shot on Saturday at the adoption event. Hopefully it will snag someone's eye (he's such a lovebug -- really, really sweet).

[toverman]

My last two dogs have been rescues. They have been the sweetest, most loyal pets I've ever had. It's the only way we welcome new pups into our household now.

If any pro/aspiring pro pet photog needs an assistant sometime, I'd love to help out. Not my aspiration to focus on pets, but love hanging out with 'em anyway.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by debbry531

I'm volunteering for that reason. I know when I was looking for another dog, I spent hours surfing petfinder.com - hoping one of them would jump out me. It's easy to see how a good photo can... Below is an example - the image on the left is the original website image. It at least shows what a sweet boy he is, but it is unlikely to grab anyone's attention. The one on the right is one I shot on Saturday at the adoption event. Hopefully it will snag someone's eye (he's such a lovebug -- really, really sweet).

That is awesome!

[Jaycee]

Jill Flynn is a superb pet photographer and she still volunteers at the shelters. That's how she started out. She is now teaching an online course that gets very good reviews. I'm not sure I'm allowed to do links here but just google her and you can find her easily. I've been thinking about pet photography myself and if I go that route the first thing I'll do is take her course.