REALISTIC Concerns for Building a Portfolio?

[ChristopherCoy]

(If this needs to be moved to a more appropriate section, please advise.)

I've decided that I really want to pursue 'pet photography' as I love animals just as much as I do photography, and I want to seriously start working on a portfolio, even if its in the most simplistic form. I am most comfortable with, and feel like I can produce my best photos in outdoor and natural light. One of the suggestions that I received was to visit a few of the local dog parks for a variety of subjects.

So my question is, what are the realistic things that I should be concerned with at this point?

I've read the 'Photographers Bill of Rights' published by Bert Krages II, which states that "The general rule is that anyone may take photographs of whatever they want when they are in a public place." I would assume that dog parks owned by municipalities such as "Fort Woof" (established and maintained by Fort Worths Parks & Rec dept), are considered 'public places.'

However, according to the BOR's, 'pets' are not distinctly listed as permissible subjects, however children are. My assumption would be that if children are listed, then pets more than likely are acceptable as well. Should I be worried about taking some sort of 'model release' with me just in case I am approached?

And lastly, since this is just a venture to build a personal portfolio, should I truly be worried about any of this to begin with? Or am I over analyzing?

I still have that bit of 'beginners hesitation' when it comes to photographing things in the public, for fear that I be confronted, so I just want to make sure that I am playing by the rules, and have my ducks in a row if and when it ever happens.

[CaptainTom]

Like with people photography there are two distinct venues for pet photos.
Classic posed in home or studio shots. Takes immense patience and a terrific rapport with animals.
The environmental portrait. This is what DAD takes with his new 5DmkII at home.

If you want to do it professionally (see the other thousand threads) you need to distinguish your self by either your rapport with the animals or your distinct style of shooting them.

Oh! sorry, you didn't sign up for the lecture, just the lab ?

I'd go to the parks and talk to the owners about their pets. Explain your project and if they say OK, I'd get their info (to keep on file, and to send them a picture). If you by chance were to sell a picture of their pet, even after you got permission to take it, they could cause you trouble. You'd need to have a 'property release' to keep strictly on the up and up.
For your port I'd settle for info and an understanding ahead of time.

Why couldn't you be interested in something easier ? Like shooting nudes on a beach, or strippers or something !!!

edit: get to be a whiz with off camera flash. this technique is something that Uncle Bob will never try.

[ronocnikral]

if you are going to go around taking pictures of people's pets, use the property release as tom suggests. and offer them an 8x10. even better would be to get the pets name and get some business cards printed up with the pets photo and name and put your logo and phone number on the bottom. that way they are making referrals for you. and business cards are CHEAP!

of course, if you read the PPA mag, you would know all this by now. You would have even read the article about the lady in san fran whose pet photography took off. i would suggest what she does, just get a swaky store front in the rich part of town where people have the money to blow on their pets. of course this would require you to quit your joe job and take risks...

edit: and while you are spreading your business, build your portfolio. then drop the $300-400 for a beautiful sample album.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Like with people photography there are two distinct venues for pet photos. Classic posed in home or studio shots. Takes immense patience and a terrific rapport with animals.
The environmental portrait.

Well this project is my way of gaining experience with pets other than my own. I think I have a very good knowledge of dogs, and I've worked with rescues before so I believe a lot of the interaction will come naturally for me. I just want to get out there and gain some experience. And I want to do the natural setting kinda stuff more than the classically posed stuff.

ChristopherCoy added 0 Minutes and 47 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

edit: get to be a whiz with off camera flash. this technique is something that Uncle Bob will never try.

... gotta make the money before I can buy the equipment....

ChristopherCoy added 1 Minutes and 33 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

of course, if you read the PPA mag, you would know all this by now.

I dont have the $300 it costs to join PPA right now, however I do very much intend on joining in the future.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

I dont have the $300 it costs to join PPA right now, however I do very much intend on joining in the future.

Just $20. I would suggest spending the $20 if you are serious about doing this for money.

And OCF stuff, bare basics, stand, flash, adapter and pc cord will run about $120. If you already have the flash, you can get everything else for about $60. Or just get a reflector. I know these aren't pets, but all these photos were taken with either natural light and a reflector or bouncing the flash off of the reflector. We would rather bounce the natural light than use OCF. But, that's just us.

Still, just go comb parks with RICH people, get them to sign the property release and model release for themselves, write down their names and send them 50 business cards. Build both the portfolio and the business.

[CaptainTom]

OCF isn't limited to studio type flashes, etc.

All you need are two of the Nikon camera flashes that act as slave/master, or one flash and an eBay trigger.
Getting your light source away from the camera will do wonders. With animals, they are moving quickly and require the flash/camera angle to be constantly on the move. The reflector works great as long as there's light.

reminds me of the two Aggies who built an airplane to fly to the sun.
I told them that it was a bad idea because when they got close to the sun they'd burn up.

The said they'd thought about that and decided to just go at night.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

Just $20. I would suggest spending the $20 if you are serious about doing this for money.

I thought you had to be a member of PPA to get that.... good to know!

I like the business card idea to build business too! Thats a great idea! Right now I'm more concerned with gaining shooting experience though. I want to make sure I can produce nice images consistently before I venture out into charging for them.

[HotHolly]

PPA allows you to pay monthly. Its $13/month for an Aspiring Member. You can swing that. And it'll give you access to resources that will help you. I think you get the mag too, but double check that.

Building portfolio doesnt have to cost you - unless you still arent sure what you are doing. If you are learning how your camera works, then this does not apply. To me portfolio are images you want to acquire to sell your skills. In that case, you already have the skills to sell - you are just lacking subjects.

I would strategically choose subjects. It should be a dog you want in your port and a client that values your service. Tell them that their dog is beautiful and that you were really wanting a dog like theirs in your port. You are offering a free session if they schedule it within the next 2 weeks. The session is worth $200 (or whatever). Tell them they can buy prints at 1/2 price, get a free album with a wall art purchase, yadda yadda, since their dog was a model. Then tell them not to tell anyone. Its not something that you can offer to everyone and you are looking for specifics breeds right now.

I did that for boudoir & babies and never shot a free session. Those sessions typically gross $500-$700 in post-session sales. Not bad for a free shoot. Its all in how you frame it. Why shoot for free if you dont have to?

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

OCF isn't limited to studio type flashes, etc.
All you need are two of the Nikon camera flashes that act as slave/master, or one flash and an eBay trigger.

I've actually started reading/researching 'strobist' information and what it consists of, albeit very briefly. I actually have access to two SB-800's which if I am not mistaken can be triggered using the on camera flash of the D90. There is so much to learn that I'm trying to do it in steps. Natural/outdoor light first, and once I can get consistently good images then moving into off camera flashes.

[debbry531]

Pets are considered property legally so the people-related release requirements don't apply (assuming you don't also have people in your shots). My understanding (though I could be wrong) is that you technically don't need a release unless the pet is recognizable (i.e., Lassie). Better to be safe than sorry though - I carry some releases in my bag and have built one into my contract.

I used to frequently take my camera with me to the park when I went with my dogs just to practice. I got some of my favorites of my own dogs (so that's easy when it comes to releases), but I also definitely learned a lot and worked on developing my own style by taking shots that never saw the light of day of other people's dogs.

Regarding off-camera flash -- I very rarely use it. I guess it depends on what type of images you're trying to capture and whether or not you have an assistant. I'm usually laying on the ground, camera in one hand, treat, ball or squeaker in the other, with the dog running all around. I can't imagine trying to also handle an off-camera flash in that situation (but that may just be my inadequacies!). It does mean that I have to be extra diligent to find places with good light though.

[Cajungaltx]

$13/month... aspiring photographer member of PPA... and it is WORTH it.. heck, just for the magazine alone.

[toverman]

You might also consider working with local animal shelters or rescue groups, which will have a variety of breeds and could use great images of the animals to advertise them. You wouldn't get paid in that case, but would get lots of practice.

[debbry531]

I'll second Todd's idea. I just started doing it -- and the exposure is actually way better than the dog park way. But the dog park can't be beat to practice action shots.

[ChristopherCoy]

I have contacted a few of my favorite breed rescues, but the shelters are a great idea as well. I be that large ASPCA shelter in Dallas would provide a wealth of subjects! Good idea!!!

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by toverman

You might also consider working with local animal shelters or rescue groups, which will have a variety of breeds and could use great images of the animals to advertise them. You wouldn't get paid in that case, but would get lots of practice.

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.