Quote:

Kim,
I was referring to "pet photography" as a form of business and not just a photographic subject.



As was I My question was posed with the OP's candid action shot of the Lab in mind. To me, it is a very marketable image but my impression after reading through the thread was that the image was somehow less worthy than a studio-type shot, and if the OP was serious about pet photography, he do better by focusing his efforts on portraiture and studio type work.

Quote:

I can take lovely sunrise and sunset photos but in order for me to sell them, I'd have to get a lot more technically competent as well as creative -- kinda like Roman who creates outstanding landscape and fine art images.




Agreed!!! But this is also where I lose you and perhaps where you're loosing me as well Keeping on topic and with the original candid action shot in mind, how is this style of photography any less technically or creatively complex than a studio type shot?

I will agree that they are entirely different styles of photography that call upon different skill sets from the photographer. I also agree that studio work requires more patience and creativity in getting the subject to cooperate, but I don't agree that the style of photography is more technically or artistically challenging, or has any more validity from a business perspective than other styles of pet photography.

Quote:

In the business of "pet photography" most people are willing to pay for formal or informal portraits. You might even be able to get someone to pay for candids of your dog running on the beach or in a dog park. But the portraits require more sophisticated posing and baiting techniques than simply capturing the moment.



The last sentence of the above paragraph seems to reduce candid style photography to nothing more than "snapshot" work that requires little in the way of technical, creative or artistic competence???

To clarify, I'm responding out of interest and because I think it's a good subject I'm not trying to stir the pot, just some interesting dialogue

Kim