They say a photo is worth one thousand words, and for those dedicated pet lovers, having photos of their furry friends is probably worth one million.
It is for that reason that Hannah Carl decided to become a pet photographer. “Through my career working in animal shelters that I realized the impact that a good photo can have on an animal. I picked up a camera and started teaching myself how to take photos of adoptable pets with it. My heart would soar every time someone would tell me they came to meet an adoptable pet because of a photo they saw on the shelter’s website. Then, about a year ago I decided to branch out and start my own business so that I could photograph pets that already had homes as well.”
Carl says being behind the camera and making not only the people, but the pets smile, makes it all worthwhile. “It’s always hilarious and unexpected for me to encounter a pet who is so confident in front of the camera and just knows exactly what I want them to do and how to work their angles.” However, it isn’t always so easy to get the pets to cooperate with her. “A lot of pets can be shy in front of the camera, and it’s very typical for me to spend a decent amount of time at the beginning of a session getting a pet acclimated and comfortable with having their photo taken.”
Getting those candid moments on camera is one of Carl’s favorite things, using props and getting those must-have shots. “Recently I made dog-friendly ice cream and pupsicles, and asked the dog owners to hold them in front of their pets while I snapped photos. It was awesome for dogs who would normally be fearful but because they end up so focused on their treat, they don’t even notice the flash going off. It was a huge hit.”
For Carl, the photos need to display characteristics of being Authentic, Playful, and Vibrant. If she can make those three things happen with each snap of her camera, she believes those to be the most successful photos she can offer. “My photos always tend to be very vibrant and fun because I feel like it best represents the spirit of pets in general.”
If you are interested in checking out Hannah’s photography skills and work, you can find her on Instragram at @pawsitivelyhannah
“It’s always hilarious and unexpected for me to encounter a pet who is so confident in front of the camera and just knows exactly what I want them to do and how to work their angles.”