Dog Community

Getting Back into Pet Photography

Posted : 7/10/2006 1:27:00 PM

Well, I FINALLY was able to get a really good digital camera, which will make taking pictures a lot easier. I've spent a couple years out of the realm of photography due to family problems, money problems, and inspiration problems. But now I think it's time to get my butt back into gear and start up my pet/animal photography thing again. I made money on it in high school, and I need something on the side right now to help me financially and inspirationally.

Problem is, I don't know where to start anymore. Back then, I sold my photos to people in my neighborhood, people at school, and on ebay. I put up some cheesy flyers which didn't really work lmfao... But back then I also had access to the high school darkroom, and was able to develop, print, and mat my photography myself, which saved me money. I no longer have access to anything like that. I don't even have a good printer at home, so that's out. I'm afraid I'm going to have to print my stuff out at walmart or something....

Well, anyway, I was wondering if there are any people here who might do photography on a regular basis, and who could give me some pointers about getting back into this, as far as making prints, matting/framing, and getting my name out there goes. I'm so rusty! >@_@<

keedokes

Posted : 7/10/2006 1:41:00 PM

If you want to do your own printing/darkroom work, you should check out classifieds and see if anyone near you is getting rid of a complete darkroom. It happens. Try craigslist.com and click on your city. There's one by me right now, but I'm in WI so that doesn't help you much. Usually you just have to keep your eye out and your ears open.

jensw

Posted : 7/10/2006 3:29:32 PM

Hi! I started a pet photography side business, and I get my photos printed at a local pro shop. The quality is awesome, and the prices are very reasonable. (39 cents for a 4x6, $3 for a 5x7, $6 for an 8x10 etc)

I have a website, business cards, and mini-info sheets. I have the local humane society put my card & info sheets in their "new pet owner" packets (they do this for all local businesses. You just have to supply the flyers.). I also have a sample of my work at a local pet boutique with my web address under the photo. They put up the photo because it is nice, free decoration & in exchange I get advertising. I'm going to do the same at a training club. I also have business cards that I am about to distribute to vet's offices & grooming shops.

cyclefiend2000

Posted : 7/10/2006 3:39:19 PM

jensw: do you have a digital camera or a regular slr?

astaracheetah: what kind of camera did you get?

i have a pretty old minolta (had it since '91), and it has started taking fuzzy pics. not sure if it is the lens or the camera. i have been trying to talk my wife into letting me get a digital slr, but 1. they are expensive and 2. i am not sure what to get. we have a snapshot style digital and it is fine, but i would like to get a really nice camera.

astaracheetah

Posted : 7/10/2006 4:14:16 PM

Jensw, good ideas... I might try some of them. >O.O<

I got a Pentax *istDL - 6 megapixels, big lens, manual/auto focus, etc. It is pretty nice although not the Canon Digital Rebel XT I had originally wanted (couldn't afford it).

jensw

Posted : 7/10/2006 4:42:20 PM

jensw: do you have a digital camera or a regular slr?

I have a Rebel digital, which I'd like to upgrade but is perfectly fine for how I use it. [

] I keep meaning to save my photography money to go into photography supplies, but then the dogs always need a vet appointment or a stay at a boarding kennel, etc.

ewin0210

Posted : 7/11/2006 7:28:14 AM

I just bought a nikon D70 digital SLR camera. I honestly think getting the latest model is not necessarily the best deal. Mine is 6megapixels and I really wouldn't need more than that to take portraits. Even if I blow them up to 8x10 or even the next size up I wouldn't lose any quality.
As far as printing goes I usually go to ritz camera. They do a great job. But I do know of someone who send their stuff out to california. He swears by them and thier results in getting the perfect color output. I've been meaning to find out what the place is. If I do find out I'll let you know!
I don't do pet photography, but I do use my camera to capture dogs to paint from. Jen has some good advice though. I might borrow that idea of insetting a business card with a portrait. I wonder if fixing a business card holder to the frame might be a good idea. That way people can take one with them. Hmmmm....

probe1957

Posted : 7/11/2006 8:39:29 AM

As others have suggested, there are better options for printing available to you than going to Walmart. I use Mpix.com. It is not economically prudent for you to print your own pictures.

I got absolutely everything I need for matting for about $400. It won't take you long to make that work if your option now is paying a professional. In short order, you will find yourself doing just as good a work as the pro matters do but for a fraction of the cost. If you need some sources, let me know.

One thing I definitely think you should look into is photo manipulation software. Not the crap that came with your digital camera (probably not anyway), but a real program. Photoshop is the standard by which all others are judged, but it is expensive. Probably too expensive if photo manipulation is all you intend to use it for. I would be looking more along the lines of Photoshop Elements or Paintshop Pro.

astaracheetah

Posted : 7/11/2006 9:27:05 AM

I have Photoshop CS (not 2 but eh). I didn't even install my camera's software... it's just a waste of space.

I would LOVE sources for matting supplies. >O.O<

Oh, and BTW, the walmart thing was a joke lmfao... I hate walmart.

Hmmm there is a Ritz Camera, but I think it's a pretty long drive (I don't know if there are any left in Denver, there used to be one but I think it closed and got replaced with a shoe store). There is Wolf Camera, Mike's Camera, Englewood Photography... I don't know everyone I can trust online... When I lived in the Springs I went to a place called Accent Photo but that's 60 miles away... I miss them...

probe1957

Posted : 7/11/2006 10:29:05 AM

There are many sources for framing and matting, some right there in Denver. I know you have a Hobby Lobby. You might be surprised at what they carry. They are also quite helpful in assisting you with something if you get in a bind. I buy my glass, cut to size, from them. They also carry frame kits. Another nice thing about HL is you can buy 1 piece of matboard. Online, you usually have to buy a minimum of 10.

I think you should check ebay for your mat cutter. Figure out what you need first. I wish mine had a guide for cutting down matboard, so you might want to look for that feature. Your mat cutter will probably be your most expensive purchase.

I bought a book from amazon.com that was very helpful. I forget the name. Search for "picture matting" there.

Online sources:

[linkhttp://www.framing4yourself.com/index.htm]http://www.framing4yourself.com/index.htm[/link]
[link>http://www.americanframe.com/]http://www.americanframe.com/
>http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/servlet/OnlineShopping[/link]

Let me know if I can be of help. I assure you, you can frame and mat pictures yourself and you can do it so it looks absolutely professional.

cyclefiend2000

Posted : 7/11/2006 10:45:39 AM

not sure if this matters, but i think ritz and wolf are now owned by the same company.

Prince_Pride

Posted : 7/11/2006 12:29:43 PM

I use webshots for all my digital pics. They will host them and once they are on their site you can order prints from them as well. The quality is awesome, shipping is cheap and they arrive in 2 days.

[linkhttp://webshots.com]http://webshots.com[/link]

astaracheetah

Posted : 7/11/2006 5:35:07 PM

I just notice the Ritz/Wolf thing.. I tried to find one near me and they're all Wolf Camera up here.

I'll have to hunt down a good used mat cutter like the one I used in school. I would rather do it myself. It's cheaper in the long run, and I like having control of the way it's done (I'm picky lmao). I'll check out those places when I get off work. >^_^<

Lauri S.

Posted : 7/13/2006 8:01:00 PM

My husband has the Cannon 20D. We get all our pictures printed at the local Woodmans store - cheap and very good quality.

We have business cards and brochures. We have booths at the local dog club events, local city events, charities, etc. We've got a website where we outline our services, have samples of our work and offer items through Cafe Press (online store).

My goal was to get our name out there more this year but that got sidelined by my health

While we do on-site photography we also have a home studio - completel with lights, a backdrop and everything. And we have digital background we can crop in instead of purchasing alot of material backgrounds.

If there's anything else I can answer let me know.

astaracheetah

Posted : 7/14/2006 12:13:28 AM

Digital background? I don't have experience with that. What do you mean? Is it like a green screen? lol