Your Pet Photography Business Let’s You Enjoy Pets And Share Memories

Start your pet photography business and share your love of animals and photography skills with others!  

When you start a photography business focusing on pets, you’ll be able to seize a variety of opportunities to capture “Fido”, “Whiskers”, and their friends in a funny loving and playful environment.  

Animals are so much fun to photograph since they bring a smile to our faces (just like children!)   For many of us our pets are part of the family and having a terrific professional photo is imporant!

Your pet photography business is one of those great mobile business ideas.   You can take photography skills on the road to your customer’s homes, the dog park, the mountains or the lake.   You’ll get a special outing and provide quality photos – remember the horses, rabbits, birds, frogs, reptiles, and other pets that are so popular today!  Maybe you’ll want to offer package deals to increase your sales.

To be most successful, you’ll want to capture and provide photos your customers cannot get themselves – bring your creativity and props to get the best possible photos.   And maybe consider family photos including all the pets in a relaxed, fun setting! 

Provide your customers with photos in the medium they wish – online, CD, online/hard scrapbook, or framed photos. Be sure to figure the cost of these items into your overall pricing.  

Niche Notes!!

Pets provide such terrific photography opportunities.  Think about these fun ideas:

1) Dogs only.

2) Cats only.

3) Make videos of the pets to share on blogs.  

4) Large Animals (e.g rodeos, stock shows. petting zoos, etc.) or Wildlife photos.

5) Birds.

6) Take and share pics/video of aquarium fish combined with your aquarium services.   

7) Fun Family Photos with their Pet(s).  

8) Pics of animals with children at the day care.  

9) Provide digital scrapbooks to your clients of their pets' photographs (they are just like the kids!)

10) Contribute your photography to your online artist gallery.

Pet Photography Business - What's It Take?

Aquarium Service

Video Blogger

Dog Walking Service

Scrapbooking Business

• Knowledge of cameras/equipment
• Skill in taking good quality photography of moving pets
• Technical skills to edit photos
  
• Communication skills with clients
• Creativity in assembling photographic services/items
• Time Management
• Organization Skills

Resources:   A quality camera and equipment that you know how to use easily and efficiently. Ability to provide photos and products quickly (we’re an “instant” society with regards to our photos due to digital cameras). A good system for organizing photos, media, and your equipment.  Photo editing software and the ability to use it efficiently. Any additional props or equipment required to take your photographs. 

Time Required:   5-20 hours/week; can work full-time 30-40+ hrs/week

Training:  Knowledge and skill to handle your camera effectively, efficiently, and with creativity. Consider classes at local recreation centers, community colleges, or photography stores to practice your skills. Inventory management/tracking skills, ability to sell products, time management skills, organization skills.    

Market:                Pet owners, Pet Businesses

Home Based:       Yes

Internet:              No

Location:              Local, Regional

Start-Up Costs:    $500 - $2,500

Minimizing Start-Up Costs:  When starting your pet photography business, use your current camera equipment.  Attend pet shows to get word-of-mouth referrals and talk to pet stores owners and/or volunteer for the humane society to find new clients.  Cover all of your upfront costs by getting down payments from your clients prior to your photo shoot.  As always, consider “freeware” inventory programs and calendar systems to keep you on track with your work load, appointments, and inventory.  

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