A Harlequin, Great Dane running towards the camera with golden Sun on the trees behind in Cedar Point, NC at Boathouse Creek Walking Trails
Gray and white Afghan hound with front paw perched on a log. Beach behind dog
Black and tan Australian Shepherd, running through water towards camera
Small, tanned dog on Emerald Isle Beach during sunset looking at camera

Welcome to the Crystal Coast Dog Photography Experience, where your beloved dog takes center stage.

In every session, we strive to turn ordinary moments into extraordinary memories, creating timeless portraits and classic products. We source only the finest materials, including internationally handcrafted artisan touches and archival quality to ensure longevity and beauty. Each piece is designed to showcase your dog’s unique personality with meticulous attention to detail and superior craftsmanship.

We stand by our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee on every carefully curated product. Your dog deserves nothing but the best, and we are here to make that happen.

EXPERIENCE

the

  1. CONSULTATION

Schedule your free phone consult. While it’s not required, I highly encourage it. This is our chance to connect and discuss all the exciting details: from potential locations and your vision for the shoot, to how you’d love to display your dog’s portraits. Whether you’re dreaming of a stunning wall display that captures attention or a luxuriously crafted album that showcases your dog’s unique personality, we’ll cover it all. This conversation ensures that every aspect of the session is tailored to create the perfect memories of your furry friend.

HOW IT WORKS

2. session day

It's your pup's big day! We’ll meet at our predetermined location where your dog will have a fantastic time playing, posing, and enjoying plenty of treats. I never rush sessions. Whether your dog is exceptionally well-behaved or has a mind of their own, it’s all perfectly OK. My goal is to capture your dog's unique personality through these images, ensuring a fun and memorable experience for both of you.

3.the reveal

We'll meet again for your in-person or Zoom ordering appointment, where you'll get to view your images for the first time. This is a special moment as you choose your favorites. I'll guide you through the various options to help you decide how best to enjoy your images, whether it be through stunning artwork, beautifully crafted albums, or digital files. During this appointment, you'll also place your order, ensuring that your cherished memories are preserved exactly as you envisioned.

4.Delivery day

The moment you've been waiting for has arrived! Your products are ready, and you can't stop smiling as you enjoy your gorgeous new artwork. I will contact you to arrange pick-up, ensuring that you receive your beautiful memories promptly and conveniently.

A one eyed tan French bulldog with front paws perched on a tree stump in a field of red poppy flowers
A border collie with his paws and head resting on a log surrounded by deep green grasses

What is a reservation retainer?

Simple! It is reserved time on my calendar for our shoot, but it magically transforms into a product credit at our viewing and ordering appointment, allowing you to spend it on anything you chose!

Investment

$195 reservation retainer

INCLUDING

  • Your choice of either a studio (in Bogue, NC) or on-location dog photography session in Carteret County.

  • Session can include all humans and animals in the same household.

  • Plan for at least 60-90 minutes of shooting time. All dogs are different and some need more breaks than others. I never rush them.

  • View and choose from the images at your personal viewing and ordering appointment.

make it yours

While the reservation fee can be used toward the purchase of digital files, they are purchased separately and not included with your retainer. There is no minimum order, but most clients invest at least $1500 in their pet photography experience.

Large framed Portrait of two Cane Corso's on the beach with purple and blue clouds. The camera is really close and they have their head tilted. Emerald Isle, North Carolina the point.

Wall art is the finishing touch in any home. Why settle for yawn-worthy prints from the home-dec store, when you could adorn your walls with your favorite four-legged family member?!

Choose from a variety of contemporary, rustic or traditional wall art options. Whether you decide on one single, breathtaking piece or a multi-image wall gallery, it's sure to make a joyful statement.

Limited wall space? You can also select from an assortment of archival coffee-table albums or image boxes that will showcase your beloved images for decades to come. Digital files are also an option, of course, but I recommend them as a complement to tangible artwork you can enjoy every day, no scrolling required.

ARTWORK

A girl on the beach with her back to the camera and her dog in her lap looking at the camera on Emerald Isle, NC
Dog photographer album with black poodle at sunset on a dock
A photo on a box of a man and his dog looking at each other on Emerald Isle NC
A living room with a leather chair and three large canvas portraits above of a black lab playing on Emerald Isle, NC beach

Is this right for me?

A successful portrait session is an investment of both time and money, so it's important to make the right choice for yourself.

For Crystal Coast Dog clients, pets are cherished family members. They're loved to the moon and back and receive only the highest standard of care. They even, somehow, get away with stealing two-thirds of the bed! Crystal Coast Dog clients are also discriminating, appreciating quality not only in the images we create, but also in the stunning heirloom artwork that results.

make it yours

Two Boston terriers with their front paws perched on a stump in a field of orange poppy flowers near Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Not at all! Some of my favorite portraits are of dogs standing up. And rest assured, I have a DEEP well of unique sounds and tasty treats to grab their attention–even if it's just for that split second while I capture each image.

  • Yes! Absolutely! Believe it or not, 95% of the dogs that I photograph are on leash. Leashes not only keep your best pal safe, but they're also important for following local laws when photographing in urban environments. Thanks to the wizardry of Photoshop, leashes will be removed from most final images.

  • Well, Photoshop does have its limitations. Super-bulky harnesses hide so much of the dog's chest that it's very challenging to accurately rebuild those pixels in post-production. Gentle leaders can leave unsightly shadows or pull on dog's skin, so those are also a challenge to digitally remove. If your dog normally wears one of these for walks, I recommend using it while walking to our location, but also bringing a flat collar to use for the actual shoot. If you need to stick with the harness or gentle leader but would like it edited from final images, there is an additional retouching fee. However, digital removals for leashes, regular flat collars and martingale collars are always included.

  • I completely understand; the world can be a scary place for all of us sometimes. If your dog is nervous or reactive, we can choose a location that suits his temperament. I have a few out-of-the-way locations that receive very little dog or foot traffic, or we can rent a private location for a small fee, ensuring that we see won't see a soul.

  • My camera shutter speed goes all the way up to 1/32000 of a second–in other words, plenty fast enough to capture even the most active dog! Our sessions never require your dog to sit, stay and behave for hours (or even minutes) on end. One of the benefits of hiring a pet-specific photographer is that we know how to work with "hyper" models and still deliver gorgeous images, jam-packed with personality.

  • Of course! I love documenting the wonderful connection between you and your dog. While we can certainly capture a traditional portrait of you both smiling at the camera, my clients especially love the candid images of the moments you share. If you're especially camera shy, I can still create some lovely, creative images that tell the story of your relationship. Please just trust me, and remember that you don't need to purchase or display any images that you don't adore.

  • It's a big decision, but I'm here to help with plenty of recommendations. During our session-planning call we'll discuss the look you're after, any special needs your dog might have (mobility challenges, anxiety, etc.) and scheduling constraints on your part (e.g. mornings only). With all that in mind, we'll settle on the perfect location for your custom session.

  • If the weather is less than ideal, we can definitely reschedule.

    Your reservation retainer simply transfers over to our new session date–easy peasy!

  • Item descriptionEveryone who lives in your household (furry or not) is welcome to participate in our session. In the interest of minimizing distractions, however, I do ask that only those who will be in the photos come along. If you're interested in holding a session with your dog's best bud of your extended family, I'd be happy to put together a custom quote.

make it yours

HAVE A QUESTION?