I'm relatively new here and just wanted to share some images from a recent client session. You can see more from this two-part session on my blog .








Stephen
FidoJournalism
http://www.fidojournalism.com
http://www.facebook.com/fidojournalism

Hi Stephen
I've already commented on these on your blog. These sessions were so lovely. Wonderful, wonderful work.
Can't wait to see the book!

Bev

Really nice work! #3 reminds me of my Haley.

Welcome! Looking forward to you joining in on our discussions and more of your images.

Stephen,
I like the uniqueness of your images. The way you isolate your subjects with both your framing and your selective focus and narrow DOF. Having said that, let me ask you a marketing question: do you feel the uniqueness of your imaging style helps or hinders your ability to attract clients?

Jim

Very nice images. I'm very fond of #2. It's unique and I love the framing and the conversion. I like #3 and #6 -- but I probably would have cropped #6 a little differently. I typically take traditional portraits/headshots and I really like the uniqueness of your shots. I'll second Jim's question.

I really enjoy your images also, as both Julie and Jim have asked, I am wondering how well these sell. I know artists love to see them and they are fun to create, I have just had a hard time selling large wall portraits of extremely unique perspectives

That's an excellent question Jim, and one I'm not quite sure how to answer. I think the clients who choose me like that I shoot in a more documentary style and try to capture a slice of their pets' life at home. I really don't get people asking me for backdrops and outfits, so I think my clients do appreciate what I offer.

I guess what I don't know are how many people are NOT calling me because of my style, or choosing more traditional portraiture, but I can't help but think having a unique style helps in a growing industry.

My style does limit what I can do in terms of marketing. I've had stores/daycares/etc. ask if I'd do something in their store and while I'd love to, my style just doesn't really lend itself to studio portraits.

Julie, I sell more custom books than wall portraits. My "story-telling" approach lends itself more to an album. But I've had people order large canvases before.

Stephen,
there's nothing wrong with having a creative niche and selling to people who appreciate it. I would think, however, that it would be more difficult to find those folks. Or, to put it another way, I think you have to promote your style and be someplace where the right people can find you.

It's very similar to wedding photography: I can shoot any style but the folks I've been working with want a traditional wedding shot traditionally. They want formal formals. They want sunsets and waterfalls. I'd love to shoot in a more documentary style but so far, the couples that have hired me are very traditional.

Same with my pooch portraits. I've done some fun stuff at the dog park mostly for my own edification but nobody wants to buy those. They are too snapshotish for their purchasing tastes. When they hire me to do a portrait, they expect the backdrops and strobes.

Anyway, in a competitive marketplace, you have to be able to execute regardless of style. If then your style of shooting separates you from the rest of the pet portraitists, then that's a good thing. As long as there is a significant market segment that wants what you sell.

Jim