Having trouble capturing those special moments of your furry friends? If so, you might be interested in hiring a Colorado dog photographer. Finding and hiring a photographer that you trust to capture those precious moments with your fur babies, however, is no easy task.
Before working with a photographer, it’s essential that you have a consultation first. During the consultation, you’ll learn more about the photographer’s skills and background. Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions. Here are 5 questions you should ask before hiring a Colorado dog photographer.
1. What Should I Bring to the Photo Session?
Capturing pictures of your dog looking directly at the camera can be difficult. Experienced dog photographers have tricks to help them take photos of pets. Many of those tricks involve an item brought from home and assistance from the pet owner. Therefore, it's important to ask the photographer what items you should bring to your session to help make the process go as smoothly as possible.
For example, some dog photographers may request that you bring treats with you. Dog treats provide the perfect distraction. They give your dog an incentive to behave and look to you for the next command in hopes of receiving a tasty snack. The photographer may even have you stand behind them so they can capture photos of your dog looking directly at the camera.
In addition to dog treats, other Colorado dog photographers may request that you bring dog toys, a water bowl, or even a lint roller with you to your session. If you aren't sure what you should bring, it's best to have this conversation with the photographer.

2. How Can I Prepare My Dog for the SEssion?
You might be wondering if there's anything you can do to help prepare your dog for the photo session. Oftentimes, dogs show up to photography sessions full of energy. As a result, it can be challenging to calm them down during the first few minutes of the session.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help prepare your dog for the session. Some photographers recommend running your dog for about 20 minutes or so before the session. This helps wear them down so they are calm and relaxed as soon as the session starts. Other photographers recommend arriving a few minutes early to get your dog acquainted with the photography location. Make sure to ask the dog photographer for recommendations on what you can do.

3. Where Do You Recommend Taking Dog POrtraits?
Picking out a photography location is often the hardest part of scheduling your session. Therefore, you should ask your Colorado dog photographer for assistance. Depending on your style and the photographer you select, your dog's portrait session can take place at a variety of locations.
For instance, if the photographer has their own studio, they may recommend that you bring your dog there for the session. Other photographers may request the session to take place at your home because it's where your dog is most comfortable. If you're interested in having photos taken in an outdoor setting, the session may even take place at a local park.

4. How Much Experience Do You Have Working With Dogs?
One of the most important questions you should ask during the consultation is how much experience the photographer has working with dogs. Many photographers, especially those who are just starting out, list multiple specialties in an effort to attract more clients. Even though they listed pet portraits as one of their specialties they may not actually have any experience working directly with dogs.
If you're someone looking to hire a photographer who has direct experience working with dogs, then you'll want to find this out during the consultation. Make sure to ask how many years of experience they have working with dogs. Depending on the size of your dog, you may even want to ask if they've worked with larger dogs. Take this time to get a gauge for the photographer and determine if they're a right fit for you.

5. What Products and Services Do You Offer?
Finally, before hiring a dog photographer, it's essential that you ask what products and services they offer. Most photographers on the market operate as digital file photographers. This means they provide their services for an hourly fee and give clients a link to the high-resolution digital images from their session. They spend less time with clients and typically don't offer products.
On the other hand, other photographers operate as boutique photographers. Unlike digital file photographers, they spend more time with their clients and offer a wide variety of products and services. They offer additional services beyond the photography session and editing, including assistance with ordering products and hanging artwork on the wall of a client's home. Common products offered by boutique photographers include large canvases, metal artwork, and photo albums. If you're not sure what products and services you'd be interested in, it's best to discuss this with the photographer.

Speak With a Colorado Dog Photographer
In conclusion, finding and hiring the right Colorado dog photographer can be tough. Therefore, it's imperative that you have a consultation before working with a photographer. This gives you the opportunity to get to know one another and ask questions. You can also iron out the details of your session on the phone call, like where the session should take place and what products and services you're interested in.
Hopefully, after reading through this article, you feel more prepared to speak with a photographer. If so, I'm a local boutique photographer specializing in Colorado dog photography. I would love the opportunity to speak with you. If you have a question or you'd like to learn more about my services, click the button below to discuss your options during a complimentary photography consultation.