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Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Mar 30
- 2 min
Pet Friendly Businesses - Memphis Tennessee
This is the fanciest birthday cake my Ziggy dog has ever had !!!! Well he deserves it. As you can see .... he turned ELEVEN YEARS OLD... yes * 11 * ! He is my baby doodle dog and always will be. But I wanted to share some photos and give a shout out to Woof Gang Bakery in Cordova, TN. Our groomer has been at Woof Gang and Ziggy has been going to her most of his life! But Woof Gang is not just the spa. The owner makes the fabulous cakes! I have bought other cookies, cupc
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Mar 23
- 1 min
Copyright and Usage Rights
Its time to address... copyright and usage rights. I have some clients who prefer I not post their images on Facebook and Instagram. I respect and honor their wishes! But .... a big but !! I still own copyright and usage rights for every single photograph I create! It is on the metadata of my cameras, I watermark images or with ©Copyright symbol. Every single image I create, I maintain the copyright and/or usage rights of each photo. Unless you have purchased the un-water
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Mar 16
- 1 min
Eye Stains / Eye Boogers
Ok...lets get gross. The eye boogies and eye gunk. It CAN be a ton of photoshop involved in this. I never ever ever ever guarantee I can remove the eye boogies and gunk. Or stains for that matter. It is TONS of photoshop involved and I do charge extra for that and its still not guaranteed. The black dog above is a rescue. The big hunk of (FOR LACK OF BETTER WORDS) boogers.... are easy to remove.... it gets to smaller ones or where its wrapped all around the eyes... ughhhh
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Mar 10
- 2 min
Behind the scenes - not what you expect.
I mentioned to you all that I began photography over 15 years ago. Its more like 20 years ago. Well.... okay... a lifetime ago. Every session is a learning experience. It can be dog handling, photography, weather or people! I taught myself through trial and error! Everything I know with photography and with editing is self taught. There have been many errors made and many blunders. When I advanced to Off Camera Flash ... it was a total game changer for me. You can do thi
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Mar 9
- 1 min
YES I photoshop...sometimes a bunch
When I am shooting.... I want the dog or pet to look directly into my camera. Nothing irritates me more for the pet to not look at me. (THATS JUST ME). I never really know exactly what I have until I cull the photos down for editing. Then I see a photo and the "artist" in me sees something else. You don't plan this ... it just happens. The photo to the right is photoshopped of course. But see below for the unedited photo. Yep... its the same one. I had the look in her e
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Mar 2
- 1 min
Pet Parents/Dog Handler
How do you get the dog to pose like that??? I don't ... the pet parent or dog handler does! Seriously! Its up to me to get the attention of the dog. But the one holding the leash (pet parent or dog handler) is the one that ultimately says SIT. Then I make my noises or squeakers to get the dogs attention. They are not super models. They respond. They respond to whoever is holding the lead and they respond to me getting their attention. The photo below is in MY STUDIO GAR
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Feb 27
- 3 min
Things to NOT ask your Pet Photographer
Can I have all the digitals? Can you photograph my sisters wedding? Can you give me the raw images? These will be edited tomorrow? I want to edit the photos myself? My dog is beautiful can you photograph for exposure? Can you photograph our family reunion? Can I pay after the session? Will you hold this date for me? Can I enter this photo into a contest? Can I have a painter paint a portrait from your proof? Can I just print at Walmart? I work with rescue, will you photograph
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Feb 24
- 1 min
No magic included...
Oh goodness.... does this look familiar. Yes it does to every client I have photographed. Some clients believe when they come to me there is some kind of "dog whisperer" thing I do or some kind of magic. Nope... its not! Some clients believe when they come to me they hand over their pets to me. Nope... doesn't happen. There is no magic included in sessions. This is what EVERY session looks like through my lens. (( your laugh here )) Now, my clients in this photo had won
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Feb 21
- 2 min
Things to Ask Your Pet Photographer, #10
How do sessions go and timeframe of prints? Good question !!! 1. First decide you want a session. In studio or on location. 2 We work out a date (usually done through email or text) 3. I work off a retainer fee that is paid in full within 48 hours of picking the date. 4. Retainer fee is NON-refundable. (session cannot be cancelled however we can reschedule) 5. Your date is NOT confirmed until retainer fee and contract are returned to the studio. 6. I prepare a contra
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Feb 17
- 1 min
Things to Ask Your Pet Photographer, #9
Do you sell digitals????? This is a biggy!! Know this on the front end. Every one has a camera (on phones) or they have purchased a DSLR. You can take all the digital photos you want and good ones!!! All those digitals you share on Facebook & Instagram are great!! You do not need to hire pet photographer for digital images. But... digital images get lost on those phones over time, or you have so many you cant find the photo or your computer crashes and you lose it all !!!
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Feb 15
- 1 min
You have the best job ~ Memphis Pet Photographer
Yes ... I do ! Is it hard times .... YES it is ! Pet Photography is a challenge at times! I love the challenge! Has there ever been a "pet" I didn't get a photo of ... no. But it was a challenge! (& honestly it may have been only one!) HOOOOMAN photographers have an advantage. Their clients speak hoooooman! This photographer has to speak "dog" or "cat" or "horse" .... many different animals! I have extreme "patience" when it comes to animals. I am watching them and wat
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Feb 14
- 1 min
Things to Ask Your Pet Photographer, #8
Do you photograph at DOG PARKS ???? Portrait Sessions - NO Dogs active - playing and running in water - YES For portrait sessions I use strobe lights even on location! I cannot have expensive photography equipment out in an off leash area. Dogs run loose, run up to you, run to me, pet parents run after their dogs .... and its way too much liability. Its an accident waiting to happen for those lights to get knocked over. There are many locations to have portraits taken outd
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Feb 13
- 2 min
Editing
Oh goodness yall... (yes, I said yall - I am born and bred, Tennessee and I am as southern as you get!) If you ever have a session with me or I ever take rescue photos with you... ask me... just ASK ME!!! I HATE EDITING. With a royal passion I hate editing! But the more you learn the more you do. ((sigh)) Okay this photo is rescue... but this applies to pet parents also!!! If the flash starts going off or if I start making noises or if I say... step away... it is because.
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Feb 12
- 1 min
Things to Ask Your Pet Photographer, #7
Do you have props, ties or clothes? Yes ... Ask this question ! You may see dogs in collars or dresses - those may be provided by a Pet Parent. For my sessions, I have several "repeat" (lifetime) clients! They have invested in wardrobes for their pets. But, I have invested quite a bit over time.... I have many ties, bandana's, hats, jewelry, dresses, coats, sweaters, flower crowns. The only problem is I have sooooo much... It can be overwhelming what to pick from. Even re
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Feb 11
- 1 min
Pets & The Humans
Pet Parents ... yes.... You can jump in some photos !!! Seriously .... if you want a family portrait... TELL ME. I focus on and think of... the animal in front of me. I watch your pet and I am thinking of ways to bring out their personality!!! But I never think HOOOOOMANS ! Just tell you me want in some photos and we can do this! But please know... even with you in the photo... I am looking at your pet!!! I want the eyes.... the eyes are the window to the soul. Take a l
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Feb 10
- 2 min
Things to Ask Your Pet Photographer, #6
Do you have a Dog Friendly Studio? My studio has slowly evolved over the years. I use to go to client homes and set up/take down. It is much better in my studio garage ! I have many props, furniture, backdrops and photography equipment. (Plus.... I am just getting to old to lug all that around!) I have 4 dogs. I would NEVER ask you to have your dogs photo taken anywhere I would not take my own dogs. My dogs LOVE going to studio... they know... "momma gonna take our pict
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Feb 9
- 2 min
Photography Tips
“You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.” ― Ansel Adams And a ton of stuff !!! It takes stuff for photography. This photo is going to Paws & Claws Quarantine Center. Within that Jeep.... there are dog ties, bandanas, treats, toys, tripods, backdrop and holder, reflector, cameras, strobes, yoga mat or blanket and any props
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Feb 8
- 1 min
Things to Ask Your Pet Photographer, #5
What is your style of photography? Okay this is simple... you can look at Websites, Instagram & Facebook and see a persons style. I spent YEARS trying to get good clear crisp photos of animals. There are many natural light photographers who do the faded blurry dreamy photos. They are beautiful! But its not my style. Yes I do in studio shots and on location shots. But I shoot with strobes and I want everything.... especially the pet to be sharp and clear. Faded blurry dr
Sandra Ferguson Photography
- Feb 6
- 1 min
Things to Ask Your Pet Photographer, #4
Do you actively volunteer and give back to Animal Rescue? This is tremendously important for any Pet Photographer. Why??? Because EVERY animal deserves a loving and forever home. Pet Photographers are critical for bringing out animals personality in photographs. Rescues and Shelters sometimes ( and sometimes not) can get photos on cell phones. But a specialized professional Pet Photographer ... can do so much more to help! I have never understood how a person can be a p
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