Before you start, be sure to visit the main website for more complete information about pet and equine portrait sessions.
Where are you located?
I’m located in northeastern Massachusetts. Although I mainly cover eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, I’m willing to travel anywhere in New England. I only charge a small travel fee for areas outside of 60 mile radius around Chelmsford, MA.
When are you available?
I’m available on both weekdays and weekends. My weekends tend to book up faster, so definitely contact me to schedule in advance. I prefer to shoot either early in the morning or in the evening because I find that’s the nicest natural light. I do have the ability to work in just about any lighting condition, so let me know what works for you.
Do you have a studio?
I currently do not have my own studio. I really prefer to shoot on location especially when I’m working with pets. Most animals are much more relaxed in a familiar environment and it really shows in the photos. We don’t have to do the photos in your home (although many people choose to). Do you have a favorite park? A place where you usually walk or play with your pet? If you need help coming up with ideas for a location, contact me and we can brainstorm together.
What can I expect during the photo session?
My style of photography would best be described as “documentary” or “photojournalistic.” I want to capture your pet’s personality! At the beginning of each session, I always take some time getting to know your pet. After that, I will do a variety of posed shots and candid shots. If you’d like, I can even take some photos of you with your companion. For horses, I try to do a variety of portrait, under saddle, and at leisure photos. A typical sessions lasts about 1.5 hrs but can go a little longer. I don’t stop until I’m certain I have photos that you will love!
What happens if the weather is raining/snowing/lightning/hailing?
Living in New England, I’ve learned to accept the weather for whatever it happens to be! If you’re looking forward to outdoor photos and the weather isn’t going to cooperate, we’ll work together to reschedule your session for a better day.
I don’t think my pet will sit still long enough to have his photo taken!
That’s ok! I want to capture your pet just being himself, and if that means he’s going to be goofy and playful, that’s perfect! If your pet has lots of extra energy, you might want to take him for a short walk before the session. You don’t want to make him completely exhausted – just enough exercise to take the edge off!
It looks like all of the pets are off-leash in your photos. What if my pet can’t be off leash?
Safety is my number one priority. I will never ask you to do something with your pet that you’re not comfortable with. Many of the dogs you see in my galleries have leashes on, but you don’t see the leash because I remove it during editing. For dogs, I recommend using a thin, simple leash so it will be easier to remove during editing. Almost all of my cat sessions take place indoors for safety reasons. You won’t have to worry about putting a leash on your cat!
What about horses? What do you recommend for a bridal/halter?
For horses, I recommend using a show halter or bridal for portraits because I don’t remove halters/bridals during editing. You’ll want to be sure that your halter/bridal are clean so that your horse will look his best. For a lead rope, I recommend a leather or solid color lead that’s in good condition. If you want any photos of your horse under saddle, be sure that all of your tack is cleaned up before the session.
What if my pet or horse gets nervous around strangers or is afraid of cameras?
Don’t worry. I have a few very long lenses, so I don’t actually need to get close to your pet if she’s not comfortable. I find that with a long lens and a lot of patience, I can get beautiful photos of even the most camera shy animal. Please let me know that you have a shy pet when you book your session.
I have a pet who was just diagnosed with a terminal illness. How soon can I schedule a session?
Please contact me and let me know your situation. I know how important it is to capture those special memories and I will do absolutely everything I can to schedule your session as soon as possible.
How soon after my session will I be able to see the photos?
I go through and individually retouch all of the best photos from every session. Because of that, it normally takes about 1-2 weeks for me to get your photos looking perfect. Once the photos are ready, we’ll schedule your in-home ordering session.
I heard you mention “in-home ordering sessions.” What does that mean?
This is my favorite way for you to order prints and products. Usually about 2 weeks after your photo session, we’ll pick a time to get together. I’ll bring a selection of prints and products so you can actually see the quality of my prints, canvases, and albums. That way, you’ll be able to make a much more informed decision about what you’re really interested in. Then we can go through the photos from your session and discuss what prints and products are best for you. It’s also a great way to talk about storyboards or album layouts. If for some reason, we’re unable to do an in-home ordering session, I’m also happy to work with you over the phone or by email.
Do you only photograph animals?
Right now my main focus is on pet and equine photography. Why specialize? I feel that focusing on just one area of photography allows me to concentrate on capturing that one subject really well. I want to provide the best possible photographs of your companion – photos that capture that playfulness, beauty, and personality that makes your pet unique.
I heard that you also do painting. Can I see your paintings?
If you’d like to see some of my wildlife paintings and drawing, please visit my fine art website, Blue Amrich Fine Art. I have a number of prints and originals for sale, and I’m also available for commissions on a limited basis.
