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I like taking photos of my pets; you like taking photos of your pets; all of us like taking photos of our pets, right?  Sure they don’t always come out clear, in good light, or recognizable, but we know that blurred, furry blob is Inky the cat–and that’s what matters.

Then again, it would be type of good to have a few really good pictures.

Pet photography (in one form or another) has been around a long time.  More recently, however, it’s become big business.  As consumer-based photography has moved even more and even more out of the studio (sorry Olan Mills), it has produced new opportunities.  Whereas your wedding event utilized to be one of the only events for which you’d pay a professional to run around catching memories, now there are family shoots in parks, birth shoots in hospitals, and interaction shoots in downtown areas.  We want to remember special times in our lives–even if “special” just implies that time the youngsters were dressed up in matching sweatshirts and not attempting to murder each other.  And to a few of us–a lot of us–special includes (and in some cases centers on) our pets.

But there’s always a catch and, as you may have already guessed, it’s the price.  Most of the (decent) pet professional photographers I’ve come across start portrait sessions at around $250–not exactly chump change.  I mean, you may like Mr. Bunnykins, but exactly how much cuter can a professional make him?

Plus, you probably have a pal with a good camera; why not enlist him or her to find take some good snapshots of your fuzzball? Heck, your pal would probably do it for FREE.  Those professional photographers man, what shysters.

And a few of them are “shysters” . . . or at least they’re not really that good.  Some people do just pick up a video camera and declare themselves photographers.  They proclaim their natural talent and don’t pay attention to silly things like learning how to utilize the handbook functions on their cameras (or what crazy things like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO even are).  They don’t concern as well much about the quality of the original photos because, “everything can be fixed in Photoshop.”  Basically, they are your pal with a good camera, except they’ll charge you at least $250 smackers.  It’s just simpler to do everything yourself (for free) and not have to risk any monetary investment.  Sure, you could get terrific pictures that you’d want to keep forever, but you could also end up with something you wouldn’t even want to post on Facebook.  And that’s okay.  Pet photography (like many photography) isn’t for everyone.

But some people are amazing and create portraits of your furry liked ones you really will want to keep forever.  Heck, they can even border on art!  So, if you believe you really would like some awesome, professional portraits of your finest bud (and you’re prepared to shell out the money), then you ought to keep a few things in mind.

Look at lots and lots of portfolios: Don’t just hit up two sites and choose the one you like best.  Look at as numerous pet photographer sites as you can find.  You may believe that you really like one person’s style, but then you find another one that you LOVE. You may believe one person has talent, but then you find several other sites that blow that a person out of the water.  The much more research, the better the odds that you will absolutely adore your photos.

Keep your pet in mind the entire time: comfortable and pleased animals produce the very best photographs, bar none, so the photography configuration matters. Some professional photographers are still strictly studio photographers, so if you like adorable backgrounds and have a pet that prefers to pose, then opt for it.  Other professional photographers encourage you to take your pet to a park so he or she can catch spot in the act of chasing after a tennis ball. There are even some who will come do a shoot in your home (excellent for the much more anxious bit sweethearts in our lives).  Maybe your pet is a rescue canine who has never been that fond of men–stick to female professional photographers only.  Maybe your old timer is at his finest in the late morning and prefers to snooze in the afternoon–sounds like you need someone who can make morning appointments.  Through all of this, your pet ought to be your priority.

Don’t Settle: If you find a photographer who you believe is “okay” but who’s providing a fantastic price, resist the desire to give in; count on me, I’ve been there.  It’s better to wait and to save to get exactly what you want than to, essentially, squander money on “good enough.”  Also, don’t get discouraged if the person you want has to schedule pretty far in advance; again, the best person is worth waiting for. and if you really are prepared to settle, then you don’t need to have professional portraits done–get thee to your pal with a good camera!

In case you’re wondering, no, I’ve never had pet portraits done.  But I’m also a hobbyist photographer, and no one’s going to be shooting my bit black, white, and brindle muse but me.  (That’s right, I’M the pal with the good camera.)  I do, however, fork over hard-earned money each year to get remarkable family pictures done–usually in a beautiful outside setting–so I know what the “choosing the best photographer” process is like.

Are pet portraits for everyone? No; they’re just not that essential to every single person.  And again, there’s nothing wrong with that.  But if you’re a photohound like me, Google pet photography in your area and start researching now! (And don’t forget to pick up a few grooming fundamentals too; if you’re paying good money for pet photos, you’ll want your pet to look his or her best!)