-Rohana Singh
Pet photography is an art where we aim to capture the soul of pets and the beauty of their goofy, crazy
world!
It comes as a surprise to many that pet photography is a profession and is gaining popularity. However,
this is not new for pet owners. Pet owners have always tried to capture the right moments with their
pets and have countless pictures of them stored on their phone or computer. But, quantity does not
always equal quality and they are left unsatisfied. This need to capture the perfect fun-filled moments
with their pets has resulted in the increase in pet photography services. In my opinion, it is better to
have a small collection of creatively captured pet photos that showcases the true personality of pets.
Another factor that has played an important part in the growth of this profession is the bond between
pets and their parents. Pets are no more being treated as guard animals or a status symbol, but are seen
as a part of the family. Rather, they are family! Pet parents understand that they deserve love, attention
and care just like humans. This is clearly evident on social media platforms where people not only have
their personal accounts but also pet accounts. Pet parents want to showcase their love for their fur
buddies in every possible way, be it celebrating birthdays, or just a picnic experience. Pets are constantly
ding something that is photo worthy- even when they are being naughty, and the need to capture these
priceless expressions has created a place for professional pet photography in people’s lives.
Creating art with photography:
To build these skill, one requires a great amount of creativity, the ability to visualize the next action or
reaction of the pet and to be ready. While the education in the filed of photography provides knowledge
about the technical skills required, the creative experimenting with different props, angles, and frames is
what brings reality into each picture! It is the constant trial and error, the ongoing effort for
improvement, and practice that is required to make a mark in this fast-growing field of service. Although
there are no specifically curated educational courses for upcoming pet photographers, one can attend
various workshops and events organized by established photographers. These events help to
understand the requirements of pet photography, to gain an insight onto the personalities of pets and
how to deal with them. There are creative workshops that inspire young minds to provoke their
imagination and create art with photography.
Some of the famous pet photographers in our country are:
-OneShutterMoment by Priyanka Paul
-Pawpaparazzi by Pratima Pingali
-Sniff stories by Saloni
Editor’s note:
Priyanka Paul, the founder of OneShutterMoment says while she was aware of the growing demand for
pet photographer, the decision to take it up as a profession was not pre-planned or even something she
thought she would be doing in the long run. “Photography was my passion and I have always felt that it
is more about pictures that narrate stories. Being a product and fashion photographer for a couple of
years, I have always felt the lack of emotion and inspiration. It was during this time that I found my
reason to start OneShutterMoment as a pet photography service.” The idea came from a simple, yet
beautiful incident that she witnessed on a normal sunny day. She recounts: “One day as I was taking my
regular evening walks, I happened to notice a woman at a distance who stepped down from her vehicle
with a large bucket. All the strays began to gather around her. Curious, I walked a little faster to
understand what she was trying to do. As I reached a little closer, I saw her fill food into bowls from the
bucket she carried. She gently placed one bowl for each dog and waited until they licked their bowls
clean. She then sat down, cuddled and played with them. As I stood there watching her, I was
overwhelmed by her actions, the joy she was spreading and the happy wagging tails. This was their
moment and they were living it to her fullest. Though I could not capture that special scene, it still
remains close to my heart. I knew then, that if I had to do something with my camera, it would be to
capture moments that spoke a thousand words, just like this scene I witnessed.” Ever since, she has
been capturing the beautiful moments of pets and cherishing every moment. Priyanka says every pet
has a personality of its own. Some are goofy, some are energetic and outgoing, while others might be
silent and loving. Despite their varying traits, all pets spread love and happiness. “The wet noses, their
fanning tails and drooly kisses are what I look forward to. It’s not about waking up to go to work,
OneShutterMoment is about waking up to new experiences every day,” she says.
Future:
Even with the minimum exposure given to pet photography as a profession it terms of educational
resources and the general lack of awareness among people, it is slowly gaining popularity among the
millennial pet parents who wants to celebrate their pets and create an unforgettable experience. The
increasing interest in pet photography can be partially credited to social media that is encouraging youth
and the experienced alike to foray into this field and establish themselves. By looking at increasing pet
adoptions and ownerships, it can be concluded that the future prospect of pet photography is bright.