The Artwork Question That Nobody Think About Until It's Too Late

Think your dog needs perfect obedience for great photos? Learn why personality matters more and how professional dog photography sessions really work.

For the second challenge as part of the Embark Photography challenge, I needed to produce an image from a very low vantage point and ideally have a very narrow focal plane visible in the image. Photography is often done at eye level, but an easy way to really be impactful with pet photography is to get down to their level or even lower to showcase the whole animal against the backdrop. Once again this was more difficult (and slightly painful) than I orginally thought it would be. Now, I'm no stranger to laying down on the ground in some weird fashion in order to get down during photo sessions, but I, admittedly, have never really paid attention to the how the focal plane can play into the rest of the image other than the dog itself... so it was definitely an educational challenge. Concept 1 & Photo Session 1 - I met a set of new clients and their pup Louie at World's End in Hingham for a wonderful, early morning session. It was a stunning morning, filled with such beautiful light and just an amazing setting to capture a session in. Starting out we had to cross a bridge to get onto the trails and I decided to have Louie pose against the rail and take some images that incorporated some leading lines... completely forgetting (it was early and I hadn't had enough coffee) about the Get Down challenge, but the resulting images were cute and low. I wrestled with using the image a little bit, but ultimately decided that it wasn't low enough and the focal plane wasn't as evident as I wanted it to be. There were a couple of other images from that same session, one in the grass and one in the water that I thought might work as well, but decided against them for different technical reasons. Concept 2 & Photo Session 2 - I met with a friend and his 2 white GSDs at Callahan State Park for a second run at this challenge. I had scouted the location before and found a few pathways and a small bridge that could work for the challenge. The sun was still a bit too high, as photographing in direct sunlight is difficult enough... photographing a WHITE dog in direct sunlight is not adviseable. We waited a short bit till the sun was filtered a bit through the clouds and positioned Maverick on the bridge. After a few shots Maverick decided that he wanted to play in the muddy stream underneath the bridge and then became a white and black dog lol! We tried some running images through the pathways, but the lighting was making it difficult and the dogs were clearly getting tired of having to go along with what we wanted them to do... they just wanted to explore and play, so we let them. I did edit up and thought about using an image of Maverick on the bridge, but I felt that his position (lower than me because the bridge dipped) and that there was some moderate side light on his face that I didn't want to enter that image. Concept 3 & Photo Session 3 - The day before the challenge image was due my wife and I took Crash down to a nearby set of fields that have a stone pebble parking lot. We did a mix of posed shots and action shots at a nice focal length 185mm+ and a nice, low aperture of 2.8 to really dial in that nice focal plane. After spending about a half an hour shooting I ended up selecting the very first image of the day for entry. I really grappled with submitting the posed shot or the action shot (which will be in my FB comments), but decided because the focal plan in the action shot as well as the kicked up stones looked a bit blurry to me, that I would go with the posed image. Plus, I really love the lighting of the posed shot as there is a nice top and backlight that seperates Crash from the background. Being a dark dog he tends to blend in with dark backgrounds, but the backlight helps him pop. Editing: There wasn't a lot to do here, but I did get rid of stray fur and doggy slobber. I brightened Crash's eyes ever so slightly and removed a few bugs from the background. The focal plane on the ground was left alone, as I thought it looked great the way it was. Image review: Charlotte and Craig agreed that the image met the brief and showed that it was shot from a really low angle. There was some slight conversation about Crash and whether he has a 2nd back leg, which he does, but the legs are lined up so well that they kind of blended together. The critique on the image was that the background greens seemed a bit too saturated and cool in tempature and Crash's tongue was a bit too long in the image. (He does have an abnormally long tongue!). The image was shortlisted and made it into the top 22, but was eliminated just prior to making it into the top 20 for this challenge. I've gone ahead and made the recommended changes in the edit, which you can see in the Facebook post comments ( www.facebook.com/lilmonsterphotography ) Onto the next challenge... Composition 101!

For 2025, I have chosen to push my creative boundaries by participating in a six-month photography challenge called Embark, hosted by Unleashed Education. This intriguing challenge consists of 12 distinct photography tasks spread over six months, each requiring a dedicated and intentional approach. The essence of this challenge is to submit an image for each pet photography task every two weeks. These submissions are then evaluated and critiqued by two internationally acclaimed, award-winning pet photographers. With around 100 photographers from across the globe participating under the same guidelines, the competition is both thrilling and intense. After each submission deadline, the judges release a video review and select the top 20 images, which are further narrowed down to a top 10. Here's a detailed account of my experience with the first challenge: The initial challenge was to creatively use either a single or multiple bold colors in the background of an animal photograph, ensuring the colors are harmonious and complementary. As I have come to realize, these challenges present more complexity than they initially appear to have. This realization led me to develop four different concepts and conduct three separate photo sessions before arriving at an image I felt confident enough to submit. Concept 1 , which ultimately did not result in a photo session, involved using my studio to pose my dog, Crash, against a black background. The plan was to employ a fog machine and lighting gels to alter the fog's color to complement Crash's fur, which is a blend of black, tan, and orange. However, due to budget constraints, this idea was not pursued further. Concept 2 & Photo Session 1: We ventured into the backyard, where we set up a 6-foot folding table on the ground with me positioned underneath to shoot directly upwards. My wife coaxed Crash onto the table with treats, capitalizing on his strong food motivation, and I captured his attention downward toward the camera for a unique perspective. The blue sky served as a natural backdrop, and we were fortunate to include a wispy cloud in the frame. Additionally, a bit of a tree top was captured to provide perspective. Despite these elements and a t-shirt that was very wet from Crash drool, I decided against using this image as it did not sufficiently highlight the orange and tan hues of Crash's fur. However, the image is now my desktop because I find it very cute! Concept 3 & Photo Session 2: I reached out to my niece who has an adorable Aussie named Ruckus, who was more than willing to assist with the challenge. We tried to use a big blue wall at one of the litle league fields here in town, but unfortunately the field was completely overrun by exuberant kids enjoying an evening game, so we changed plans and headed downtown to see if we could find anything that would work. We ended up in a nice part of downtown that had some red brick buildings and colorful artwork. Ruckus posed for a few shots, but the coloring didn't appear bold enough to me and the images, while beautiful, weren't what I wanted to use for the challenge. Concept 4 & Photo Session 3: I took to online searches for bold colors around town and did manage to find some really nice areas of blue that could work and one that looked amazing, but we'd need a bit of luck for it to be doable! With only 2 days left in the challenge we headed to the nearby playground with only a glimpse of hope that no kids would be there. As luck would have it and probably because it was a bit cold, overcast and dinner time, there weren't any kids on the playground. We rushed on and within a matter of a minute or so we snapped the image that would eventually be my entry into the Colouriffic challenge! Editing: Once I uploaded the images onto the computer I knew EXACTLY which one I wanted. I beautiful puppy pose view image with a slight head tilt and inquisitive eyes, but there was one problem... Ruckus' left paw wasn't showing, as it was tucked under his busy fur. A little cloning and angling later and we had a new left paw. I boosted the colors a little and added a little light to Ruckus' eyes and I was done. Critique: So the critique videos are posted on Wednesday evenings at 8PM local time and I had been anxiously awaiting the review! I had already seen all of the other entries and was convinced that there was no way my image was as good as many of them... there were so many beautiful images!! I watched the entire critique like I was watching a sporting event and rooting for everyone to do well. When it came time for my review I was told that I needed to be careful with my eye touch ups and that I had left a little bit of doggy drool on the bottom of Ruckus' jaw, otehrwise they loved the image and thought the complimentary bule to Ruckus' orange was nicely done. A big sigh of relief!! My image was shortlisted, which meant it was in consideration for Top 20 and top 10. Once all of the images were reviewed the judges narowed down from 27 images to the top 20, which Ruckus was included in. Ultimately my image didn't make the top 10, but I was still very delighted to have placed in the top 20 from the 80 images that were submitted. Next up: Get Down, so stayed tuned! Make sure you check out all of the potential images on my Facebook page!

Being part of a dog-loving family, I understand the challenges of finding services for your furry family members that offer the highest quality and trustworthy care. That's why I've conducted thorough research on your behalf and personally met with and spoken to the owners of each of these businesses and services.

The Timeless Value of High-Quality Prints

In short, EVERYTHING!! As a pet photographer I have an opportunity to participate in some really great events to not only promote my own artwork, but to help with some absolutely amazing causes that benefit animals in need around our area and beyond. This blog will talk about some of my experiences with these events (great, good and not so good), the benefits of visiting vendors at these events and will end with a list of the events I will be attending this year. First, let’s just get this out of the way, but by far the absolute best thing about participating in these events is all the awesome interactions that I get to have with everyone else’s dog(s). If you’ve been by my tent at any event, you are likely to see me squatting or sitting down on the ground snuggling someone’s pup and it’s just the best!! These events are full of pawsitive interactions and great conversations about the animals that sometimes I don’t even get around to pitching my services… I just talk about the furry family member(s). Another thing that is so great about these events is the conversations I get to have with pet parents and talking about whether they have thought about hiring a photographer for the pup. An increasing number of pet parents that I speak with have hired a photographer, which is so great to hear!! It’s so worth it to memorialize the different stages in a dog’s life, as they grow up so fast. At an event today I saw a previous client who had hired me last fall to do a photo session with her adult Beauceron and her 10-week-old Beauceron… the puppy had outgrown the adult already!! I was blown away and actually called them by the wrong names because there was no way that in just a matter of months that the puppy could be so big, but boy was I wrong. We all had a good laugh about it and I got to snuggle both pups. During these pet parent conversations, it’s also great to discuss some frequently asked questions and concerns, such as pricing, dog behavior, anxiety and the inability to be off leash… all topics of recent blog posts of mine. In short, I love to provide as much information to clients in these brief conversations and then let them decide in their own time if scheduling a pet photography session is the right thing for them. At craft fairs/vendor events I usually bring a wide assortment of pictures, prints and product with me so that pet parents can see all the options that they could have their images printed on. It’s one thing to see the different products in a catalog, but it’s so much better to see the artwork in person. Clients get to see how the colors pop off the metal prints, how classic the barnwood frames look and how the acrylic glass prints and blocks give a 3-dimensional feel to the images. What’s funny is that during some of the events that aren’t dog centric I can always tell who the dog owners are by the smiles I see as they approach my booth. Instantly they are putting their dogs in the images, in the frames, on the metals in their heads and it’s simply great! Now, not all the events have been sunflowers and candy canes… occasionally events do come up and there’s a poor showing, but my experience with those is that is normally due to weather. Early spring events can be tough because of the rain… and artwork doesn’t really love humid weather. Also, summer events can sometimes be a bit sparse because of the heat. However, there’s always people that come out and there’s always a dog to snuggle, which makes it all worthwhile. Another great benefit to coming out to the craft fairs and vendor events is to support the local charity hosting the event. I’ve done a bunch of charity sponsored events and the response has been phenomenal! Whether it’s Save a Dog, Buddydog, Project Samana or any one of the other charities I have had the privilege of working with these events are top notch and serve such a greater good that I’m happy to participate. Lastly, these events are always filled with super awesome vendors from all walks of life. There are normally food vendors, music, games, raffles and prizes to be won. All around these events offer something for everyone! So, if you’re looking for some high quality dog portraits that will make your friends jealous and would like to check out some of my artwork on display here is a list of the events that I will be at this year (2023). I hope to see you and your pup(s) there and don’t be surprised if I want to snuggle them. J June 10th - Hudsonfest, Hudson, MA - 9AM - 3:30PM June 25th - Unique Souls Canine Training Event, Rehoboth, MA - 5PM - 8PM July 9th - Wrentham Artisan Market, Wrentham, MA - 10AM - 2PM August - "TBD" September 10th - Pet Rock Festival, Shrewsbury, MA September 23rd - MW Humane Society, Framingham, MA - 10AM - 4PM October "date TBD" - Maynardfest, Maynard, MA - 9AM - 3:30PM

As a dog photography business owner, I often hear from owners that they can't seem to get good action shots of their furry friends. But, once they see the images we create together, they are stunned. Capturing the energy and spirit of a dog in motion is one of the most rewarding and exciting aspects of dog photography. In this blog post, we'll discuss how we create beautiful action shots and how they can benefit your furry family member. At  Lil Monster Photography  I believe that capturing a dog's true spirit means capturing them in action. It's not just about getting a posed photo, but about capturing their unique personalities and quirks. Action photography gives dogs the chance to loosen up and have fun during a session, which can lead to easier posed images as well. And let's be honest, some of the faces with the fur and folds flying around are often hilarious! So, what makes for a great action shot? Typically, dogs that are great off leash and have a strong recall are best for action photography. This allows them to run, jump, and play without being restrained. However, even if your furry family member is not great off leash, we can usually get some nice action shots in the right location and possibly on a long leash. We work closely with owners to find the best location and approach to make their session as comfortable and stress-free as possible. During the consultation we can discuss the best locations for action photography, as some places are better than others. Whether it’s better lighting, more openness for the dog to run, great obstacles for the dog to leap over and get caught mid-flight, it’s always best to plan this out beforehand rather than wing it the day of. One of the benefits of action photography is that it can capture a dog's unique energy and personality. It can show how they interact with the world around them, whether it's chasing a ball, running through fields, or just being goofy. These photos can be a wonderful reminder of the joy that dogs bring into our lives. A factor to think about when planning for a session involving action photography is to have another set of hands to help with recalling and wrangling the dog. I have found that single person sessions can be a bit tricky, as recalling the dog to me (away from the owner) can sometimes not be very effective. Unless your dog has a great sit/down stay that allows you to walk away from him/her back to my location then having a second person to recall to is always the best option for safety and results. Another benefit of action photography is that it can help to create a relaxed atmosphere during the photo shoot. Dogs are often more comfortable when they're able to move around and have fun, which can lead to better posed photos, as sometimes the dogs just need to get the sillies out… I mean, who doesn’t love a good zoomie? And of course, the action shots themselves can be a great addition to a collection of posed images and even better when incorporated in a gallery! At  Lil Monster Photography  , I specialize in capturing the unique spirit of your furry family member. I understand how to work with dogs of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments to create beautiful, high-quality artwork that you'll cherish for years to come. As a dog owner for the last 30+ years I know how much your dog means to you, and take great pride in my ability to capture their energy and personality in every shot. In conclusion, capturing a dog's spirit and personality is often best achieved through action photography. Whether your furry family member is a natural-born athlete or just enjoys a good romp in the park, I can work with them and you to create beautiful, high-quality action shots that will capture their unique spirit. So, why wait? Schedule a session with  Lil Monster Photography  today and let me help you capture the joy that your pup brings to your life!

From rambunctious puppies to calm senior dogs, I've captured images of them all. But there's something truly special about capturing a puppy's portrait. Puppyhood is such a fleeting time in a dog's life, and it's something that passes by much faster than we ever expect. This is why I believe that puppy portrait sessions are so important. Not only do they allow us to capture the cuteness and innocence of our puppies, but they also give us images that we'll fondly look back on for years to come. One of the reasons why puppy portrait sessions can be challenging is because puppies are full of energy and can be difficult to control. However, this is also what makes them so special. The excitement and joy that puppies bring to our lives is something that can't be replicated. When you capture a puppy's portrait, you're capturing their zest for life, their innocence, and their curious nature. These images can truly melt your heart and remind you of the joy that your puppy brings to your life. But it's not just about capturing a moment in time. Puppy portrait sessions can also be the beginning of a beautiful journey of capturing your dog's life stages. As your puppy grows into an adult dog and then into a senior, you can document their journey with age progression photo shoots. Starting with the puppy years, you can create a series of images that capture your dog's life in stages. This is a great way to commemorate the different milestones in your dog's life, from learning to sit to becoming a loyal companion. Many breeds of dogs experience all sorts of funny growth patterns, such as German Shepherd’s “I’m all ears” phase or Great Dane’s “my legs are too long for my body” time period or the Shar Pei’s “I haven’t grown into my wrinkles yet” stage. Puppy portrait sessions can be done in a variety of settings, but I find that studios are often the best place for them. Studios provide a safe and controlled environment, which is important when working with a lively puppy. Plus, the simple backdrops and props in a studio setting allow the focus to remain on the puppy's cuteness. Additionally, a sleeping puppy on a mirrored surface can create a beautiful, unique image that makes for a great piece of wall art. Of course, puppy portrait sessions can also be done out in nature. Parks, beaches, and gardens provide a beautiful backdrop for your puppy's portrait. The natural lighting and surroundings can create a stunning image that truly captures your puppy's spirit. However, it's important to keep in mind that nature can be unpredictable, and your puppy may become distracted or scared by their surroundings. This is why it's important to work with a photographer who is experienced with working with puppies and can keep them safe during the session. In conclusion, puppy portrait sessions are an important way to capture the fleeting time of puppyhood and create memories that will last a lifetime. By capturing your puppy's innocence, energy, and curiosity, you'll have images that you'll cherish for years to come. Plus, by continuing to document your dog's life stages, you'll have a beautiful journey of images that capture your dog's growth and companionship. So, if you have a puppy in your life, I highly recommend booking a puppy portrait session and starting your journey of capturing your dog's life.

As an animal lover and dog owner myself, I understand the pain of losing a pet all too well. On August 13th, 2021 I lost a piece of my soul, my once in a lifetime heart dog, Akudra, very suddenly and without warning. I was broken, shattered and for a while inconsolable, but I forced myself to never shy away from the myriad of images I have of her. To this day Akudra’s images are still hanging in my home, in my office, on my desktop and on my phone. Akudra (Lil Monster) is also the namesake of my business, is on the logo, my business cards and her paw print is literally tattooed right next to my heart. I see her every day and often sit in quiet remembrance of the amazing bond we shared, the laughs, the amazing adventures, the lessons we both learned and the extraordinary companionship that she unconditionally gave to me. I am so grateful for the time I had with my Akudra even if it still hurts sometimes to think about. In the wake of losing Akudra I was reminded of a quote that a friend once shared with me: "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - Dr. Suess  Thinking about how crazy the world is and how one simple decision can lead you down a completely different path, it's so easy to think that had we made one different decision before getting this animal then they may never have been put in our path... but that didn't happen and we all have been blessed with so many amazing, loving animals. As such we need to cherish each moment with them and try and preserve their memory so that we can look back and smile fondly when we think of them even if that smile is sometimes accompanied by tears. For this reason end of life sessions for dogs can be difficult to think about, but they can also be a beautiful and heartfelt way to memorialize your furry friend. As the owner of Lil Monster Photography, I understand the sadness and anticipation that comes with the loss of a pet, and I approach these sessions with the utmost respect and care. When scheduling end of life sessions, I try to be as flexible as possible for clients, as sometimes these sessions can't wait for weeks to be scheduled. I also prioritize the safety and comfort of the dog, ensuring that the session is tailored to their needs and limitations. It's important to me to have these sessions in a place that holds significance for the owner and their dog. This can be anywhere from the client's home to a favorite walking location or dog park. I also encourage owners to bring sentimental objects like toys, blankets, and beds, and to include important people in the session. I take the time to listen to clients' stories about their relationship with their dog, from the moment they picked them up to the silly antics and mischief over the years. Understanding the special bond between a dog and their owner helps me to create images that capture the essence of their relationship. End of life sessions can be somber, but they can also provide an opportunity for owners to look back on their time with their furry friend and smile. While it may be difficult to look at images of a recently passed dog, over time, these images can remind owners of the happy memories they shared with their pet. Elderly and sick dogs may require extra care and caution during sessions, which is why I suggest locations that are easy to access and don't require much hiking. I take a patient and cautious approach to these sessions to ensure that the dog's true personality shines through, even if they tire easily. In conclusion, end of life portrait sessions for dogs can be a beautiful way to remember the special bond between a dog and their owner. As a photographer, I take pride in memorializing dogs in a positive, heartfelt way, and I am honored to be a part of capturing these memories for my clients. Now pardon me as I go hug my dog Crash and take him for a walk. I encourage you to do the same with your furry family!