From First Hello to Finished HeARTwork: What It’s Like to Work With Me

Introduction: The Question Most People Are Really Asking

Most people first reach out because they’ve seen a portrait they love.

But the question they’re quietly wondering is usually something else:

Will my dog cooperate long enough for good photos?

If you’ve ever wondered that yourself, you’re not alone.

Over the years, I’ve learned that creating beautiful portraits isn’t just about the final images — it’s about making the entire experience feel relaxed, joyful, and surprisingly easy.

So today, I thought I’d take you behind the scenes and walk you through what it’s really like to work together — from our first conversation to the moment your finished heARTwork arrives home.

Every session begins with a simple conversation.

Before I ever pick up a camera, I want to learn about:

the way they fit into your life and family

Understanding that personality helps me create portraits that feel authentic to your pet.

Most clients tell me afterward that this step alone made them feel more relaxed.

Next we plan the details of your session together.

whether you’d like to be in a few portraits too

If your dog is happiest hiking a trail, we’ll lean into that.

If they’re more of a couch-snuggler, we’ll create something that reflects that energy instead.

"My dog won’t behave long enough for photos…"

Almost every client says this at some point.

The good news? Dogs don’t have to be perfectly behaved to create beautiful portraits.

In fact, some of the best moments happen in between the “poses.”

When session day arrives, the atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried.

Most pets settle into the rhythm surprisingly quickly.

And it’s usually about this time that I hear the first:

That moment when I show one of the early images on the back of the camera and clients realize just how beautiful their dog looks.

From there, we keep building — capturing the personality, expressions, and little quirks that make your pet uniquely yours.

One of the things that makes my process unique is that we plan for the artwork from the very beginning.

Before your ordering appointment, I’ll ask you to send me a simple photograph of the wall(s) where you might like to display your portraits.

Don’t worry — it’s easier than it sounds.

Tape an 8-1/2 x 11 piece of paper to the wall

Take a straight-on photo that includes the surrounding furniture

This allows me to create a realistic preview of how your portraits could look in your home.

Many clients tell me this step makes it dramatically easier to imagine the final result.

Step 5: Your Design & Ordering Appointment

At your design appointment, we’ll review the best images from your session together.

Instead of sending an overwhelming gallery to sort through on your own, I guide you through the process step by step.

whether a storybook album or folio box might be the perfect way to enjoy them

My role here is to make the process simple and enjoyable — helping you create something meaningful without feeling overwhelmed by choices.

Finally, the day arrives when your finished artwork is ready.

Seeing a portrait go from a fleeting moment in time to a finished piece of artwork — something that will live in your home and tell your pet’s story — never gets old.

And it’s usually around this moment that I hear another phrase clients say often:

“This came out even better than I expected.”

Our pets fill our lives with joy in ways that are impossible to fully explain.

My goal is simply to help you preserve a small piece of that joy — in a way that feels beautiful, meaningful, and lasting.

If you’ve ever thought about creating artwork that celebrates the bond you share with your pet, I’d love to help guide you through the process.

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