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Blog from Sandra Ferguson Photography

I am certainly not a writer. If you have met me in person, you know I am as southern as you can get. My pronunciation and grammar may not be correct. But, I am passionate about two things. Photography and Animals. I have specialized in Pet Photography now for about 20 years. I am a professional photographer in Memphis, TN. I am a Dog Photographer, Cat Photographer, Horse Photographer, Bird Photographer. If it is an animal, I will photograph it! So from time to time, I thought I would share some of my tips on pet photography. I hope some of my blog post will catch your attention and maybe help with some pet photography of your own. Enjoy!!

Behind the scenes of a session

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Mar 9, 2022
2 min

Behind the scenes of a session

I am asked so many times, "how do you get the dogs to look at you" or "how do you get the dogs to pose"? The only magic formula is "patience". I have an abundance of patience working with animals. I love seeing them transform in front of my lens. I love seeing pets respond to me and look straight into my camera lens. Did you know, you can act a fool around a dog? They do not care. If you act goofy, make noises, dance around, toss some treats and tell them GOOD DOG. It's

Unique Personality

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Aug 13, 2021
3 min

Unique Personality

Every animal that I photograph is unique. In each photo I love to capture the pets personality. Sometimes the photos are serious, goofy or perfect. My goldendoodle Ziggy is a very laid back & goofy boy. I usually like his mouth open in photos. Otherwise he looks serious or unhappy. Today I was asked if I could create a photo with a pup to look like Elvis. This is Elvis week in Memphis. Well, we can try! The dog Elvis on the pink backdrop - there were 2 people assisting wi

If walls could talk !

Sandra Ferguson Photography

May 22, 2021
2 min

If walls could talk !

Many years ago, a very well meaning woman said something to me. When I showed her family photos and dog photos hanging on my walls... she said ~ "Well those are cute and all but should not be hanging in your living room" At first I thought ... how rude. But then I took my photos down and just put up artwork. My photos were confined to our bedroom, desk and in our offices. Did this lady know what she was talking about ? Many years later we were selling our home and the rea

Why do we hang photos in our homes?

Sandra Ferguson Photography

May 12, 2021
1 min

Why do we hang photos in our homes?

If walls could talk! Look at the items hanging on your walls. You may have a clock, candle holders, metal art and all that word art. What else hangs on your walls? You have photographs of special people, special moments and special places. We photograph and print the images that mean the *most* to us. We want to look at them and remember!!! We want to see them everyday!! We LOVE the people and places we have been. What about your pets? Do you have images hanging on yo

How to prepare your pet for a photo session.

Sandra Ferguson Photography

May 10, 2021
2 min

How to prepare your pet for a photo session.

So we have all our paperwork completed and the session is booked! Things you can do to prepare your pet for the session: Grooming - Okay... photos do not smell. So bath is not always necessary. But brushing that fur - getting mattes out, eye boogies, eye stains, dirt, grass...clean em' up a bit! Location of Session - Its a good idea to take your pet to the location of the session. It could be at a park they have never been at or they have never been around walkers

Rescue Photography

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Mar 30, 2021
2 min

Rescue Photography

Rescue photography can be a challenge and it can be very rewarding. Animals that are in foster homes are usually very easy to photograph. But I actually prefer the foster parent to not be in studio. Its just a personal preference. Multiple people, noises & distractions for them. So I just prefer foster parents to not be there. You do everything you can to get the shot. The dog above was just not having it. I finally decided to have the dog handler hold him to get his fa

Pet Friendly Businesses - Memphis Tennessee

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Mar 29, 2021
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

Copyright and Usage Rights

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Mar 23, 2021
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

Eye Stains / Eye Boogers

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Mar 16, 2021
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

Behind the scenes - not what you expect.

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Mar 10, 2021
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

YES I photoshop...sometimes a bunch

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Mar 9, 2021
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

Pet Parents/Dog Handler

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Mar 2, 2021
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

Things to NOT ask your Pet Photographer

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Feb 26, 2021
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

No magic included...

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Feb 24, 2021
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

Things to Ask Your Pet Photographer, #10

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Feb 20, 2021
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

Things to Ask Your Pet Photographer, #9

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Feb 17, 2021
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 !!!

You have the best job ~ Memphis Pet Photographer

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Feb 15, 2021
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

Things to Ask Your Pet Photographer, #8

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Feb 14, 2021
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

Editing

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Feb 13, 2021
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.

Things to Ask Your Pet Photographer, #7

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Feb 12, 2021
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

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