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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!!

One Dog At A Time

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Mar 5
2 min

One Dog At A Time

I created this series- Giving Back, One Dog At A Time, to get rescued and homeless dogs noticed. I want to take one dog and highlight them. Share them. Make them stand out. I have many ideas and different things to try. But, our rescue groups and shelters will need to reach out to me. I have personally reached out to several groups in our 901 area. 2 Groups - 2 different rescue groups took me up on it. Sadly, only two! This series is just beginning. I have so many idea

Worst Session Ever !!

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Dec 18, 2022
4 min

Worst Session Ever !!

I am often bragging about the fastest session ever. It had nothing to do with me and everything to do with the dog! Jager a Doberman held the title for several years. As of 2022, a black lab named Larey gained first place. It really took 20 mins for his session. But, back up a little bit. What is the WORST session ever? Some of you think your sessions are bad!!!???!!! Some of you leave thinking, I can't believe my dog did that. Some of you think, that was the worse phot

Christmas in July

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Jul 25, 2022
1 min

Christmas in July

It is here!! Christmas in July. Now is the time to book your Pets Christmas Session to be held in November. I have very limited spots. I sell out every year! So we have to book early. The discounts will be gone after these spots are booked. Booked Now by going to my website - click the link below. https://www.sandrafergusonphotography.com/christmas-in-july #sandrafergusonphotography #memphispetphotographer #memphisdogphotographer #memphisphotographer #memphisdogphotogr

Planning your Pets Birthday Party!

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Jun 8, 2022
3 min

Planning your Pets Birthday Party!

I read this quote recently, " The amazing thing about having a dog is even though neither of you speak the same language, you develop this deep connection that you will never share with a human" (author unknown) How true is that quote? I know with my own dogs we have a relationship that others would not understand. Each one is special in their own way. This chocolate (gray, white) Goldendoodle (Ziggy) has had my whole heart his whole life. He turned twelve (12) years old in

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Dec 7, 2021
3 min

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Look all around you. Listen to everyone talking. Its in the air. Christmas! I wander what our pets think. Once a year they see us haul in a real or a fake tree. Put decorations on it. And all the shiny balls we tell them, don't touch. We start wearing all these ugly sweaters. Jingle bells are everywhere. They watch us. They know its the most wonderful time of the year because we are happy and excited. They know when we are stressed and rush. They will stick by you so c

GIANT MODEL CALL !!!!

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Jul 6, 2021
2 min

GIANT MODEL CALL !!!!

Model Call – Please read before responding!! We are working on a project {{ on location }} in the Memphis Area. (location & time will be disclosed later) We need the following models: (pictured Nigel - Wolfhound Mix) ***Giant Schnauzer – adult, full grown, purebred ** very important to get this breed!** **Great Pyrenees - adult, full grown, purebred **Great Dane – adult, full grown, preference to Mantle Great Dane **Irish Wolfhound – adult, full grown, purebred **Afghan Hound

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

Behind the Scenes

Sandra Ferguson Photography

Mar 5, 2021
2 min

Behind the Scenes

Ever wonder what other photo sessions look like? Look at this one !! Oh goodness ... I can tell you each one is unique!! It depends on the location, the weather, if squirrels show up..... many many many things !!! But also .... they all get the same shots. (I am laughing) There are always shots of the parent struggling with leashes, getting wrapped up, dogs looking at people or they see a leaf blow by, humans get tired, dogs get thirsty and the WIND kicks up !!! On this pa

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

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 !!!

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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