How to Select the Perfect Professional Photographer
- Shannon Edney
- Oct 22, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 30, 2025
What to consider before investing in portraits that matter
Choosing a professional photographer can feel overwhelming. With so many options available, it’s easy to focus on surface details—but the right photographer offers far more than just a camera and a price point.
Before you book, here are a few thoughtful considerations to help you choose someone who will truly honor your story.
Start With Style
Every photographer has a unique artistic voice.
Some favor bold, high-contrast imagery. Others lean toward soft, natural light and storytelling. Some focus on posed perfection, while others prioritize connection and authenticity.
Spend time reviewing full galleries—not just highlight images—to understand how a photographer works across an entire session. Ask yourself:
Do these images make me feel something?
Can I imagine my dog or horse captured this way?
Does this style align with how I want to remember them?
Your photographer’s style should resonate with you emotionally—not just visually.
Look Beyond the Portfolio
Beautiful images matter—but so does the experience behind them.
Take time to explore a photographer’s website, read client testimonials, and browse their social media presence. These spaces reveal how they communicate, guide clients, and approach their work.
Pay attention to:
How they talk about animals and relationships
Whether clients mention feeling comfortable, supported, and understood
Consistency in quality and tone across their work
A photographer who values experience, patience, and connection will reflect that in every part of their business.
Consider Experience and Expertise
Professional photography is about far more than knowing how to use a camera.
Experience shows in how a photographer:
Works with animals of all temperaments and ages
Adapts to changing light and environments
Guides clients calmly and confidently
Creates images that are technically strong and emotionally compelling
Especially when photographing dogs and horses, experience matters. You’re trusting someone with an irreplaceable subject—and moments that can’t be recreated.
Understand the Investment
Pricing can vary widely, and it’s important to understand what you’re investing in.
Ask questions like:
What is included in the experience?
How many final images will I receive?
Is artwork available, and how is it designed?
What level of guidance and planning is provided?
Remember: portraits that celebrate a bond and preserve a legacy are not a one-time expense—they’re an investment in memories that last far beyond the session itself.
Connection Matters
Perhaps the most overlooked factor is comfort.
You should feel at ease with your photographer—heard, respected, and confident in their guidance. A calm, positive experience creates space for genuine moments to unfold, especially when animals are involved.
If a photographer makes you feel rushed, uncertain, or stressed before the session even begins, that energy will carry into the experience.
Trust your instincts.
Choose With Intention
Photographs become more meaningful with time.
When selecting a photographer, think beyond the session day. Choose someone whose work, values, and approach align with how you want to remember this chapter of your life.
The right photographer doesn’t just take pictures—they help preserve a story you’ll be grateful to have for years to come.
If you’d like to learn more about my approach to dog and horse portrait experiences, I’d love to connect. Thoughtful conversations are always the first step.
Explore More
If you’re in the early stages of planning a portrait experience, these resources may help guide your next steps:
A behind-the-scenes look at how a thoughtfully guided session unfolds—from planning through finished artwork.
A behind-the-scenes look at how a thoughtfully guided session unfolds—from planning through finished artwork.
Explore how portraits are transformed into heirloom pieces designed to be lived with and enjoyed every day.
New here? This is the best place to begin if you’re considering a portrait experience for your dog.
Learn what makes equine portrait sessions unique and how to prepare for a meaningful experience with your horse.
See how connection, light, and landscape come together in finished portraits.
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