I work with a number of dog (and cat) breeders in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, photographing their breeding adult dogs as well as their puppy litters, creating unique content for their marketing, websites and social media channels.
Today's consumer is an educated one and they can spot generic, stock photography a mile away. If you're doing research on dog breeders near you, you want to learn as much about them, and their breeding program, as you can.
Professional portraits of the dogs in the program, as well as the puppy litters, demonstrates that the breeder invests in their business. Professional dog breeding is a labor of love (and expense). I've written on this extensively in another post. Numerous health certifications for breeding adults along with their upkeep, care and feeding as well as those of the puppies is a signifiant expense. It's my experience that great breeders do it because they love it, not because they're getting rich from it.
These puppies were bred by ABCs Puppyzs. I've been working with them for over five years and I think I've photographed every litter they've whelped. It's been a mutually beneficial relationship, I get to photograph tons of adorable puppies, practice my newborn puppy swaddling and ABCs Puppyzs receives a library of unique, professional images to represent their business.
It's been gray and dreary in Dallas this week so I set up this bright pink background in my Carrollton studio for this litter, it, along with them, definitely brightened my mood!
(click on any image to view full screen)
Breeder Puppy Portraits Always Make Me Think Of First Grade School Pictures
Don't they look like little first graders? So little and sweet with messy hair (and maybe an eye, or nose booger or two?). I love their innocence and despite largely being the same color with no distinguishing markings, every little face is different making it easy to tell them apart. This litter was split evenly with three boys and three girls. I know their new puppy parents will cherish these images as the first of their new family member.
Group Picture Time
Group puppy pictures are always good for a laugh. Trying to get 6, or 7, or 8 puppies all looking in the same direction, at the same time, is only for the patient. A LOT of images end up on the cutting room floor, but when the stars align with Jupiter and you manage it, it's magic!
I would be remiss if I did not say that you cannot get images like this alone. I work with some of the best puppy wranglers in the biz and have Debbie and Melinda to thank for the success of this portrait! Puppy safety is always paramount, so I have lots of pictures of arms and hands as they gently cajole every puppy into position for the perfect image!
