Describe your business to our readers
I’m a Pet Photographer in Kent and Medway who specialises in delivering bespoke pet portraits and wall art to clients.
Do you have your own dog(s)?
Yes, I have my rescue dog, Marley. He is a 3 year old Collie x Spaniel who came to me a year and a half ago after needing a new home due to unmanageable behavioural issues. Despite this, Marley proved to be a brilliant dog who simply needed sufficient exercise and mental stimulation to help him calm down. We’ve worked hard together and learnt a lot from each other. I can confidently say that if he had never come into my life I would not be a pet photographer today, as it was wanting to take the very best photo of him that led me to develop my skills and find my passion for this genre of photography.
How do you start your day?
My day generally starts with checking my schedule, as I have to ensure that every single work task is automatically added to my calendar otherwise I’d forget it. Usually, this means checking for upcoming sessions, if any of my equipment needs to be charged or packed, if I have a set of emails to review that are due to be sent out or if I have to prep a set of photos to upload to an online gallery or Instagram.
How does a typical business day look for you?
No two days are ever the same. Some days I’m out doing portrait sessions, either on location or in clients' homes, where I get to spend a couple of hours with my client and their dogs taking fabulous photos. Other days are event days, where I go to local dog shows to capture hundreds of images throughout the day. A lot of days are dedicated to editing, where I get to throw some music on in the background and sink hours into turning every single image into stunning artwork that clients will be pleased with. Then there are the days when I have to focus on personal development. This often involves scouting new locations or trying new lighting setups and allows me to work with Marley to hone my skills further.
How do you finish your day?
Far too often my day finishes when I get told that it has gone midnight and I’ve said I was doing “just one more thing” for the last four hours. I get lost in my work really easily and everything else fades away.
What do you most love about running your own business?
I appreciate having the ability to work on my own schedule and to take days off when it would be beneficial for me. It also means that I can work during the afternoon and evenings when I’m more functional rather than having to get up first thing in the morning. Unless I’m going to capture a dog in the morning golden hour, but then it’s totally worthwhile.
And your least favourite thing?
Having to be kind to myself. I always feel like there’s more I could or should be doing and I have a tendency to beat myself up for not constantly working. Having the ability to create my own schedule can leave me thinking that every free second should be dedicated to my business.
What would you like to say to dog owners reading this?
Remember that just because dogs can’t use words doesn’t mean they don’t communicate with you. During a portrait session, I consider the dog to be my boss. They tell me when they’re happy to continue, when they’re uncomfortable in a situation and when they’re done for the day. I have to pay close attention to what they’re telling me and unfortunately, these signs are sometimes missed by their owners. If you can learn what your dogs’ body language means you can gain a deeper understanding of them, build trust and develop a closer relationship.
If you liked reading this then click here to read some more Days in the Life of our Doggy Directory Businesses >>