For those of us in pet-related businesses, we get to do what we love for a living, but it still needs to be a living. Even though we may be covered in pet hair most of the time, we're professionals. The Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex is home to over seven million people and by all standard measures, over 50% of the almost three million homes have at least one pet. It's estimated that the US pet industry reached ninety nine (99) billion dollars in 2020; thats a whole of money we're talking about!
Whether it's breeding, grooming, training, pooch couture, treats or Christmas and birthday presents, people are wild about their pets and the continually growing pet industry means there's room for your local pet-related business to not only survive, but to thrive. It also means that you need to stand out in a crowded marketplace, this is where Penny Whistle Photography can help you with commercial animal photography to support your business and help you build your brand.
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Dallas - Fort Worth Dog Breeders Benefit From Professional Photography
Quality, responsible dog breeders need to up their game to differentiate themselves from a sea of puppies and kittens flooding social media outlets these days. Yes, iPhones take pretty good pictures, but they can't hold a candle to professional photography and retouching. To quote a dog breeder I work with when I showed her the back of the camera during a recent session; "worth every penny".
You know what else professional photography does? It demonstrates that you take your business seriously. Even though your puppies may be raised in your loving home, it doesn't mean that it's not a business. Genetic testing, health checks and certifications, veterinarian visits, behavioral assessments, etc. etc. all add up. Adherence to protocols such as Puppy Culture, Avidog, Badass Breeder is very labor intensive. Breeding dogs responsibly is not for the faint of heart and is usually a labor of love, but it shouldn't put you in the poor house either.
Professional imagery of your breeding program and dogs, puppies, whelping and play areas not only represent your business in the best possible way, it also shows that you're serious about what you do. I work with a number of dog breeders in the Dallas - Fort Worth area and all have told me the same thing; they were able to command higher prices for their puppies when they started using professional photography on their websites and social media outlets.
Highlight The Quality of Your Breeding Pairs With Professional Portraits
Puppies are cute and maybe sometimes they "sell themselves" because who can resist those big eyes, tiny feet and milk breath? But today's savvy consumer has reams of information at their fingertips. They know that whenever possible, it's best to meet both the mother and the father of their new family member because so much of behavior is hereditary.
They want to know the health of the breeding pair, and temperament. Are their hips certified? Were they genetically tested to avoid passing on debilitating diseases such as epilepsy? Do they hold any titles for conformation or sport such as agility, scent work or obedience. If you're proud of your breeding stock, then show it! Show their conformation. Show their ribbons. They're the foundation of your breeding business, don't overlook the importance of having them represented with professional photography.
Differentiate Your Breeding Service With Local and Seasonal Content
We've all seen what "going viral" can do for a business, why not yours? Penny Whistle Photography can help your Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex pet-related business create unique, local and seasonal content to capture the eye and attention of potential clients.
Branding Images for North Texas Small Businesses
One of the first lessons I learned in my 30 year international sales career is the people buy from people, not companies. When you're a small business owner, you are also the company so professional images are twice as important. Many people prefer to work with small businesses because of personalized service, location and knowing that they're supporting a local business that is also likely supporting a family; I'm one of those people.
You need to put your face on your business and a professional photographer can help you to look your best and create appealing images that will differentiate you from a faceless corporation. Contextual imagery creates interest and helps people visualize themselves as your customer and what it would be like to work with you.
If you're a veterinarian, dog trainer or behaviorist, horse trainer, groomer, pet sitter, dog daycare or boarding owner, dog walker, pet massage therapist, pooper scooper, pet store owner, pet portrait artist (and I'm sure there are other fields that I'm missing), your business needs professional images. Because I'm also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, I am deeply involved in the pet business and have a keen understanding of how to best represent pet-related businesses.
Animal Photography Specific To Your Editorial Needs
The work that went into earning the title "Certified Professional Photographer" not only made me a better photographer, it also honed my skills to be able to walk into a location and determine the best angles and lighting to tell the story in support of the print. A personal passion is photojournalism and documentary photography, that work and practice also informs my editorial work and I'm proud to say that I've had a number of images selected in national juried competitions.
Editorial photography is story telling. Before I ever pick up a camera, I work with the client to create a shot list so that when we're on location, everyone has a clear agenda to follow, time is maximized and nothing gets missed. The images below were part of the American Quarter Horse Association's campaign to microchip horses. The images ran in the American Quarter Horse Journal as well as in a trifold brochure for veterinarians and other affiliated parties to distribute.
Commercial Product Photography for Dallas Area Pet-Related Businesses
Whether you're an Etsy shop owner selling hand-crafted goods, or a local retailer that would like to stand out from the crowd, your products will benefit from professional photography. Everyone shops online today, your product imagery is the first impression that you'll leave with a prospective consumer, it needs to be a good one.
You need not be located in north Texas, many clients have shipped product to me to be photographed and I simply return it when the work is complete. Penny Whistle Photography offers commercial product photography services, including full retouching, from white background to styled lay-flat, with or without canine, feline and equine models, we can do it all in our historical downtown Carrollton studio, or on location in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex.