Props are pretty popular for pet portraits. OK, now say that quickly 5 times .

I've found that people really like the use of props and we often bring them to a shoot or use stuff in the house to "ground" the pet in the stuff people own/decorate with even if we use a backdrop.

I have stuff for all the major holidays and other cool stuff like antique boxes, baskets, chairs, stools, milk cans, scarves/throws, an antique beer keg, etc.

Can't wait to build my smaller version of the Budweiser Wagon for Sundance and use that to pose dogs like Dalmatians. That will be much fun.

Giving the animals something to interact with tends to make them a little more comfortable, too, and it takes their interest away from the camera/lights which can be good. Or, bad . You kinda have to see what works but in general, I love to use props and most of my non-show clients love them too.

Jim