Parts of this post are part of an encore from almost three years ago, but the real issue is that I just don’t get it. I completely understand everyone having their favorite things to photograph and their specialty, but in the hierarchy of why people hire a professional photographer the ranking is brides, babies and pets.  Pets is part of the winning trifecta and in this economy diversity is giving many photographers the edge in maintaining their business.

I’ve heard it a thousand times – “I don’t want to photograph pets!”    Well, if you’re one of those people who’s had that attitude it’s time to think again.   You don’t have to make yourself a full time pet photographer, just practice enough to get your skill set at a level where you can create outstanding images of that one special member of the family!

“Three-quarters of dog owners consider their dog like a child or family member and more than half of cat owners say the same…Americans own approximately 73 million dogs, 90 million cats, 139 million freshwater fish, 9 million saltwater fish, 16 million birds, 18 million small animals and 11 million reptiles.”*

The market potential is huge.

“…gift giving to pets continues to rise with eight out of 10 dog owners buying dog gifts and 63 percent of cat owners purchasing gifts for the family feline.”*

Still think it doesn’t make sense?  Check out Ann Hamilton’s work and her workshops on pet photography.  Then, if you’re still not convinced read Kay Eskridge’s Guest Post from a little while back about her Paws for a Cause program.  If I still haven’t successfully got you fired up to photograph pets now and then, visit Vicki Taufer’s site.  Vicki set the original standard with her annual pet event utilizing it both as a cause she wanted to support and a way to bring more people into her studio.

Since Vicki’s first pet promotion four summers ago, she’s become one of the best known pet photographers in her area and the business continues to grow.  It all started with a promotion tying together an animal shelter, a couple of local pet products sponsors and Vicki’s studio. (Note: Vicki and Jed Taufer will be joining us at Summer School in August as part of a panel discussion on couples in photography.)

Pets create an exciting opportunity for you to diversify your business, but still stay within your comfort zone as a professional photographer.  (Plus, the topic this morning gave me a chance to show off my favorite portrait of Molly the Wonder Dog again! LOL) And these days it’s not about survival of the fittest, it’s about survival of the most creative!

*PetPlace.com; courtesy of American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

Photograph by Bambi Cantrell

Very few people, who any of us know, are as involved in photography or as passionate about the craft as Helen.  So, it should come as no surprise, given the opportunity to spend a day with her last week, I jumped at the chance. Helen, along with husband, Foster and their 85 pounds of energy Golden Doodle, Charlie, live just outside Detroit. I was speaking at a SmugMug MeetUp that night, so it made sense to get up there early enough to spend some time with them and bring Molly the Wonder Dog along for the ride.

For years Helen and I have been talking about our two “adopted” kids, Charlie and Molly. We decided it was time to do a classic portrait of the two Doodles together. The pictures pretty much speak for themselves. Molly is all girl and Charlie is definitely a boy, even down to the way he sits!

Here’s something to think about in terms of your own marketing. The hierarchy of why people hire a professional photographer in the portrait/social specialties are brides, babies and pets, in that order.  If you’re a professional photographer, especially in the wedding sector, then, if you did a great job on the wedding and your client loved your work, then why wouldn’t you want to be there when the first baby is born?

Taking it a step further, add in pets and family portraiture. If you’re a pet owner you understand and if you’re not, then trust me, dogs and cats are all part of the family profile.  They’re important members of every household and often carry the same weight of importance as the rest of the people in the house!

Three summers ago Vicki Taufer launched a charity pet portrait dayfor the Peoria Animal Shelter with a secondary goal, to introduce people to their studio. She knew there was a high correlation between pets and families with kids. She and her crew did 140 portrait sessions with 50+ on the waiting list! Today, three years later, she’s become one of the leading pet photographers in her area. When you check out her site, click on “Pets”!

Pets aren’t a huge part of Helen’s business, but it doesn’t matter. I love this portrait she did of Molly. But here’s the real point to this morning’s post. The economy is tough and you have to take advantage of every opportunity that comes through your door. Helen got some terrific images because she knows what she’s doing. She understands the components to create a great portrait, whether it’s kids, adults, a family or pets.

We’re all part of an industry where education never stops!  The more depth you have in your skill set, the better the chances our for you to demonstrate your diversity and create more opportunities for additional sales, but you won’t get there if you’re a one trick pony!  It’s important to be the very best you can be in every aspect of photography, taking them one step at a time and expanding your expertise to meet as many of your customer requests as p0ssible.

It’s the best way to make yourself habit-forming to your clients!

Images copyright Helen Yancy. All rights reserved.

There are an estimated 163 million households in the United States with a dog or cat.  In the hierarchy of why people hire a professional photographer the ranking is brides, babies and pets.  Pets is number three and represents a serious segment of the market you should be targeting if you’re a portrait photographer.

This isn’t new information.  I’ve written about it before, but as we go into the holiday season, keep pets in the back of your mind.  Vicki Taufer launched a pet promotion three summers ago that expanded her reputation and made her one of today’s best known pet photographers in Illinois.  Kay Eskridge followed suit a year or so later and did a successful pet promotion in the Phoenix area. Jules Bianchi in LA did a whole book project tying in her dog into events around Hollywood and has a gallery on her website called, “Mutt Mugshots”.  Ann Hamilton has a whole section on her website putting weddings and dogs as her two primary specialties – plus, you’ll find her teaching workshops on pet photography at various conventions around the US.

If you’re a dog or cat lover I don’t need to say anymore, but if you don’t have a pet at home, then just trust me, this is an important market segment for you to focus on (pun intended).  As a portrait photographer it’s a segment you can’t afford to ignore and holiday time is the perfect excuse to make sure you include pets in this season’s sittings!

George Eliot wrote: Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.  

Thoreau wrote: It often happens that a man is more humanely related to a cat or dog than to any human being.

and Benjamin Hoff wrote in The Tao of Pooh: Lots of people talk to animals…. Not very many listen, though…. That’s the problem. 

There’s always a bottom line in every blog and here it is…work on having a few pet shots in your portfolio and in your galleries.  Just about every family, couple, person with a dog or cat considers their pet a member of the family.  Pets are an important part of our lives and you need to include them in your business model.

The only challenge with pets…they do grow up! Fortunately we don’t have to!

“Me and Molly” by Cantrell Portrait Design

First, check out a new program from Nik, The Nik Summit.  Put together by my good buddy Tony Corbell and the team at Nik Software, here’s an opportunity for some great programming and an excuse to spend some time in San Diego – as if anybody needed an excuse for that one!  It’s an all-star cast leading off with Joe McNally and Robert Beck.  Great programming, hands-on shooting and the opportunity to help build your portfolio and your network!

Then comes Skip’s Summer School - Okay, so it’s shameless self-promotion, but what a great program!  Check out Skip’s Summer School, especially with the early bird special of just $199 and 15 different speakers, but it’s not just about the quality of the programs and the diversity of the topics – it’s about the learning potential.

Scott Bourne talked about it yesterday in his blog - how great is it to not have to worry about getting seat?  We’ve locked in the entire third floor of MGM’s Conference Center and we will NOT over sell this program.   That means, no long lines every time a speaker starts a program.  And the programs are set up, one right after another – no decisions to make in terms of the balancing act between topic.

It means classroom seating, so that everybody not only has a seat, but a “desk” to work at.  And virtually unheard of at any program today, the room will be set up for WiFi – I know you need to get away from the office, but how many times have you wanted to do a quick check on email just to stay in touch?   Into Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon and headed home by mid-day Wednesday.  Short, high-impact and very sweet!

It’s a program jam packed with information from some of the finest instructors in photography today and we’re covering weddings, children’s portraiture, social media, high school seniors, creativity, lighting, photojournalism, business, marketing and even boudoir.   And the sponsor list is amazing with all of the following companies planning on being there, not just to pitch you on their products, but to meet and get to know you and your business.  It’s an all star lineup with:

Albums Inc www.albumsinc.com Asukabook www.asukabook.com Azura Albums www.azuraalbums.com B&H Photo Video www.bhphotovideo.com Big Folio www.bigfolio.com DWF http://www.digitalweddingforum.com
Fujifilm www.fujifilmusa.com GhostRighters www.GhostRighters.com GoingPro www.GoingPro2010.com GraphiStudio http://www.graphistudio.com/usa/index.html H&H Color Lab www.hhcolorlab.com Jill-e Designs www.Jill-E.com Kubota Image Tools www.kubotaimagetolls.com Marathon Press www.marathonpress.com Marketing Essentials International www.mei500.com The MAC Group www.macgroupus.com Midwest Photo Exchange www.mpex.com Nik Software www.niksoftware.com OnOne Software www.OnOneSoftware.com Photodex www.photodex.com PhotoOne Software www.photoonesoftware.com PhotoFocus www.photofocus.com Pictage www.pictage.com PWDlabs www.pwdlabs.com Simply Canvas www.simplycanvas.com SmugMug www.smugmug.com Tamron www.tamron.com TripleScoop www.triplescoopmusic.com WHCC www.whcc.com

Still undecided?  Check it out this week at www.mei500.com and we hope to see you in Las Vegas!