There are pet snapshots and there are "Pet Portraits." This class will teach you the difference. It's about taking that extra step and moving beyond cute snapshots. Patience and a love of animals is crucial. This course will cover photographing animals in a variety of settings from the home, on location and in a studio setting. Emphasis will be placed on artistry and the use of light and the environment to create beautiful portraits. Whether you are interested in learning how to take memorable photos of your pets and/or make money as a pet photographer, this class will help you achieve your goal.

Course Information:

Pets enrich our lives and are valued members of the family. How many families do you know that have at least one pet? How many pets do you have in your family? Most people start out photographing their own animals. There is probably a look or expression your pet has that makes you smile. It might be a slight tilt of the head they exhibit when you say certain words, it might be a soulful look that melts your heart or it might even be a display of attitude that makes you chuckle. Capturing the personality and spirit of a pet with a touch of artistry should be the goal of every pet portrait you take. It's what separates a cute snapshot from a true portrait. This course will show you how to accomplish this. Much of the course will center around lighting, style and animal behavior. Working with animals can be challenging but it is also fun and extremely rewarding.

Jill Flynn's imagery has been used by greeting card companies, the pet care industry and veterinary hospitals. Her love for animals is reflected in her unique style and intimate portraits. In this course, Jill will share her knowledge and first hand experience and help you develop your own style. After 4 weeks you will have the groundwork that is needed to take your pet photography to the next level and be on the way to starting your own pet photography business if you so desire.

• Understanding animal behavior and providing a stress free environment
• Connecting and communicating with animals during a photo session
• Equipment - lens choice, backgrounds, lighting, props
• Settings - home, on location, studio
• Using aperture and shutter speed creatively
• Lighting - natural, diffused, strobes
• Lighting and mood
• Posing, perspectives and photo session tips and techniques
• Developing your own style
• The beauty of fur... yes that's right!
• Marketing your work
• Starting a pet photography business
• Post processing