Let’s start off this Grand Opening with a Q&A with me! I had some colleagues and friends ask me some questions over the last couple of months. Some of the questions were so good you will see them pop up again with our expert interviews later in the day!
What inspired you to launch Doxzen Pet Photos?
I love animals and I know there are other people out there that feel the same way and want to be able to capture them in photos so they can remember them forever.
Why specialize in outdoor photos vs. studio shots?
I specialize in the natural environment for a couple of reasons. One, outdoors or in their own home is what they are used to. I want them to feel at ease, it’s bad enough having a big lens pointing at them. Second, studios can be intimidating for the animal and also for me! Flashes, bright lights, and the owners are more nervous too – they never know what kind of mischief their pet is going to get into at an unfamiliar place. Don’t get me wrong though – there is a gorgeous style to studio shots and if your pet is comfortable with it go for it!
What is your perfect day?
It would be a day at the Oregon coast with all my dogs and friends. I think Jesse can give you a good mental picture… Yes, Jesse has his own beach chair thanks to my friend Lynda, compete with towel for shade. He also likes someone to dust out the sand before he jumps in – no one likes sand in their ’swim trunks’!
What is it about dogs you love?
99% of the time they are just good to the core. You are never going to find a human relationship that emulates that of your dog relationship. One of my favorite quotes: “My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.”
What is it about cats you love?
First, their independence – for the most part they can really take care of themselves. Second, gracefulness – I have never seen a clumsy cat!
You mentioned capturing life’s moments since pet’s lives are way too short – why should readers get photos of their pet’s taken?
How many photos do you have of yourself with a childhood pet? I consider myself lucky, I have a handful from three years old on up. I want to give people more than just a handful of pictures of their cherished pets. I want to give them fond memories in the form of art – every time you walk by the canvas or framed photo it brings on a smile. We need more of that in our lives, right?
What was that one WOW moment when you realized that you were doing something good?
Early on I was taking photos of my sisters black labs, Baron and Ebony. Both these labs have been in my sisters’ life longer than her first child! Not long after the photo shoot, about two weeks, Ebony passed away from bone cancer. Those were the last photos taken of Ebony and they will last a lifetime for my sister and brother in law and also as a remembrance for my niece. That’s good.
Who would you consider a mentor? Which photographers do you admire and wish to emulate?
My first mentor would be my husband Kirk. He is a business genius and always keeps a good temperature on things. Photographers I admire are – hands down, Allison Tyler-Jones, for people (my dogs LOVE her though, especially Jesse) and Ann Hamilton for pets. She does weddings too but I am partial to her pet portraits.
What makes you different from other pet photographers?
Time isn’t of the essence when it comes to my photo shoots. I know light is important, weather, etc. but I need to make sure that the pet is comfortable with me. I take the time to get to know the pet, converse with owner – hearing stories about the pet is the biggest insight into their personalities. Then when it comes time to get the camera out I am looking for just the right look – the look where the owner says in the review “you totally captured his/her personality in this photo!”
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KIRK (just like captain Kirk)
Because I was just staring out I had no idea about the complication of post production workflow. But as I was working through Kevin Kubota’s process it became very clear how it could be a total mess. Thank you Allison for this tip – valuable and probably saved me years of anguish!
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