I absolutely love the second image. It is so wonderful. I still do not how you make that Pink work. Funny how any color can work with the right image. What a wonderful gift you give them.

I often wonder when I offer to give free images that they may not value them or think there is some motive for my volunteering. I will find some to help. Thanks for the inspiration.

When I contact a new group, I give them a really big spiel on how a nice, professional portrait goes a long way to show the dog in the best light rather than a sad-looking dog with a distracting background, people hands, feet, etc.

Then I include a link to samples on my site as well as several other rescues that have my photos up.

I think it is just getting the right person on the right day. It is a lot of work for the shelter to do these photos when I come. They have multiple volunteers handling the dogs.

They may have had a bad experience with a photographer and really who knows?

Julie you are to be commended for your work with these pups, and also for the quick turnaround. To give them back shots like these in 24 hours is impressive. No, I don't care for the pink spill, but I understand why it is acceptable in this case. Pink is eye-catching which is the point of the photos. It also serves to make the Pit look a little less menacing. And, heck, you can't change out backgrounds between 73 shoots in a few hours. So you've broken the rule very nicely. And if you help get some of them adopted then you have a few dozen new potential customers. Nice work.

Hey Julie,

I love the pink background. Now, it is shifting from image to image...is that intentional? Also, what are you using for the backdrop? Is it muslin, or are you using something else?

James

It is photo paper. Adds a little expense, but so much easier to deal with than cloth. Not to mention I don't have to wash anything

The colors are different because I processed a lot of these differently. They are all the same WB and exposure. I had to remove leads from all of them(some of them are done very messy and if I were to print them, I would clean that up)

How do you feel about Vinyl for this type of thing?

I figure photographically, it will offer the same benefits as paper, but is more durable and easier to just wipe off. I'm sure I've talked about it before, but I'm trying to justify the expense.

Vinyl will be heavier and a little more unwieldy, but definitely tougher and reusable. I don't have to take lightstands with me to use paper. I just tape it on the wall. I would think colored vinyl might have too much reflection, but, I don't think I have seen vinyl except for white!

Hey Julie,

How much of your business is on location now that you have your studio?

James

The only stuff I have done on location in the last three years is outdoor stuff and I would say that from April-Oct it is mostly outdoor location stuff. Through the rainy muddy months it is mostly studio work

I had my garage set up as a studio for a year. I reallllly hate hauling stuff around.