Guest Post: Becoming A Pet Photographer

  Posted on January 19, 2012  by Joy of Living  No comments

I admire Jennifer Hague’s work at Fix Your Images and asked her to write a guest post about her journey to becoming a pet photographer.  Following are her thoughts, along with a few of her favorite photographs she’s taken.  Enjoy!

I studied Journalism and graduated from the University of Central Missouri in 2003. I always assumed I would be a reporter or a writer…. that’s all I had ever known. Little did I realize, my photography career would begin when I discovered a love for photo restoration in 2005.

In 2009, I began offering photography services, quickly learning pet photography was my ultimate passion. This was of course after my husband and I brought a miniature schnauzer puppy, Remington, into our lives.  He promptly became my more-than-willing model who would do just about anything I asked of him during a photo shoot.

My heart is always especially happy when I am around animals, especially dogs. I have been an animal lover my entire life, growing up with Lhasa Apsos throughout my childhood. I always knew I wanted to be involved in saving homeless animals– but I was never clear on how I would be involved. My path was shown to me when I began photographing dogs. I received such wonderful feedback when I began taking photographs at local shelters and rescues – the dogs true souls and smiles were shining in the photos and as a result, they were getting recognized and adopted quickly.

I support many local animal rescue organizations, participate in adoption events and offer my photography services complimentary to local rescues and shelters who need assistance photographing their animals up for adoption. My work has been published in various magazines including: Dog Fancy, Fido Friendly, Bella DOG and on the covers of Happy Tails books.

During my journey as a pet photographer, my life has been enriched in more ways than I could have ever imagined.  And I have truly seen it all – varying small and large breeds, from the ultra shy to the exceedingly hyper – but there has never been a photo session where I have been frustrated. I never feel like I am working when I am photographing dogs – which is the beauty of following my passion and my dream. Every photo shoot is memorable and every dog I meet stamps a forever paw print on my heart. I believe everything in life happens for a specific reason.  I am so blessed that I was led to be where I am today and I look forward to what the future brings.

If you’d like to contact Jennifer, her Email is [email protected] or visit the Fix Your Images website: www.fixyourimages.com