FAQ

What pet species do you photograph?
Primarily dogs and cats, as well as a very limited number of horse and cattle sessions, as that’s what dominates East Texas. However, if you love your pet guinea pig, goat, prized pig, or parrot as much as the humans in your life and want to capture them — just ask! My only request is that they don’t sting or bite and aren’t vicious breeds. While they may be gentle around your family, not all vicious breeds are gentle (even when trained) to complete strangers that they don’t feel comfortable around. Safety is the most important thing – I don’t want anyone to be injured during a session.

When are sessions held?
All sessions are held on weekends only (excluding major holidays that may happen to fall on weekends, i.e. Easter, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day). Depending on the time of year and weather conditions, session times are scheduled either in early morning or late afternoon so that pets are comfortable as well as providing for the best possible lighting.

Where are sessions held?
Sit.Stay.Snap. Pet Photography primarily serves the East Texas region as well as the DFW metroplex. Our ‘local service area’ includes Henderson, Smith, and Van Zandt Counties — sessions held in these three counties do not incur a travel fee. We’ll travel to any other East Texas county, the DFW metroplex … as well as Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado … just visit our Investment page for travel fees to your location!

Is there a minimum purchase/order requirement? What is the average amount invested in a session by clients? 
You can expect to spend at least $250 on finished products from your photo session. This is separate of the Creative Fee assessed.
Most clients spend an average of $500 – $1,000 on prints/collections. This is separate of the Creative Fee assessed.
Seasonal specials and all inclusive mini session collections do not require an additional purchase.

Why a pet session?
Why not? Many of us consider our pets a member of our families (sometimes more so than the human members!), yet we exclude them in family portraits. Then, when they pass on from illness or old age, we regret that we don’t have more pictures of them. Some of the most prized images I’ve taken since childhood are those of the furry members of my family. Several dogs have since passed on, but when I tell my children and grandchildren the stories about my childhood companions, I’ll have images to share of them as well.

My pet is untrained/hyperactive but I still want portraits of him/her. Which session type is best for him/her?
For untrained/hyperactive pets, I highly recommend the Adventure Session option — these sessions are interactive sessions — pets get to be themselves for the most part, with only a limited amount of ‘posed’/still images captured.

If your pet responds to commands and doesn’t mind sitting on furniture or wearing hats/ties/bows, the Quick Snap session is a great alternative since its focused on fine art portraiture images rather than interactive images.

Can we dress my pet in outfits for the session?
I know everyone thinks pets look adorable wearing the cute outfits that are available for purchase everywhere, but I can promise you two things if you dress your pet up for their portrait session:
(1) Your pet doesn’t think that they look adorable at all; in fact, they’re much less cooperative for posed portraits when dressed than when au natural – I want to document your pet as they are in daily life, not a *fake* version of themselves.
Sure we can put a hat/bows/bowtie on them and them still cooperate — or for those with little/no fur to keep them warm on a cold winter day, a sweater — but in general, I highly recommend the au natural look!
(2) Almost every client to date buys the images of their pet au natural vs the ones where they put clothing/sweaters on them.

How do I book a session?
To book a session, send us an email (details on the contact page). While there’s several questions on the contact form, please make sure to let us know three things:
(1) which session type do you prefer (quick snap or adventure)
(2) pet info (dog/cat/horse/cattle/etc, name, age, temperment around strangers)
(3) what month/year you prefer (and, in the comments section, a second choice month/year in the event the month preferred is already booked).

We’ll send you a reply with details on paying the non-refundable retainer fee and a session contract that must be signed — both of these must be completed within four days due to limited session availability!

Once we receive confirmation of payment and the signed contract, an email with session date options and other important details will be sent out to you.

An email will be sent out three days prior to the session to remind you of your session date/time & location, of any documents that aren’t completed/returned, and other specifics regarding your session.

Can I buy individual digital files?
Individual digital files are not available for purchase a la carte at this time. Three collection options are available for purchase, two of which include all of the images from your session and a personal printing release that includes print lab recommendations.

Do I own the copyright to the images if I buy the digital files?
In a nutshell, no. The copyright remains with the creator of the image as per US Copyright & Trademark Law. All digital options come with a limited print release — you can print as many copies as you want, but you do not own the copyright to the image, cannot enter the image into photographic/pet competitions, and cannot use the images for commercial usage. I do offer a commercial usage license at an additional cost.

Do you provide treats to ‘bribe’ my pet for posing purposes?
Since each pet has a diet that may vary from other pet clients (as well as my own pets), it is best that you bring a few treats for your pet(s). Like with humans, pets have allergies or restrictive diets, and you know what your pet will respond to best.