Pet Portraits in the Park
to benefit PetFix Northeast Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Pet Portraits in the Park?
A: Every year, Thoughtful Images raises funds for a local animal charity by crafting photgraphic portraits of your best furry friends (and you if you choose!) in the gorgeous fall color and light. You get to help out animals in NE Ohio and create memories to keep your best furry friends with you forever.
Q: Who are you raising funds for?
Q: Where will Pet Portraits in the Park be held?
A: This year we will be changing things up and letting folks pick their own favorite location! We will have a list of suggested locations, but if you know of a place with fantastic local color, let us know!
Q: When is it?
A: During what is expected to be the best two weeks of fall color: October 14-19 and October 21-26. You get to pick the day within that range that works best for you.
Q: Do I need to pre-register?
A: Yes. Each session is about 30 minutes long, so we need to know who will be coming in order to plan properly and safely.
Q: How much does it cost for the session?
A: $69, and goes entirely to PetFix Northeast Ohio.
Q: What does the $69 include?
A: Your $69 session fee covers your session and all subsequent appointments. The fee goes to PetFix Northeast Ohio. Wall art, coffee table books, small prints for your desk or piano, and other ways of displaying your artwork will be available at special prices.
Q: My dog doesn’t know sit or stay. Is that a problem?
A: Not at all! And rest assured, we have a deep well of unique sounds and other tricks to grab their attention—even if it’s just for that split second capture.
Q: My dog can’t be off leash. Can I still do a session?
A: Yes! Absolutely! Believe it or not, 90% of the dogs we photograph are on leash. Leashes not only keep your best pal safe, they also help keep them in place. Thanks to the wizardry of Photoshop, leashes will be removed from most final images.
Q: What about harnesses or gentle leaders, can those be edited out?
A: Photoshop does have its limitations. Bulky harnesses hide so much of the dog’s chest that it’s very challenging to accurately paint in what’s missing in post-production. They can also leave odd shadows or pull on the dog’s skin, creating another challenge to digitally remove. If your dog normally wears one of these for walks, use the harness while you're going from one spot to another, but also bring a flat collar to use for the actual
portraits.
Q: Can I be in the images, too?
A: Of course! Documenting the wonderful connection between you and your dog is an important part of your images. While we can certainly capture a traditional portrait of you both smiling at the camera, the candid images of the moments you share are special too. If you’re especially camera shy, lovely, creative images that you only partially appear in (your hand resting gently on their head; your feet in your favorite shoes on either side of your doggo; Puppers peering over your shoulder; and more!) can also tell the story of your relationship.
Q: Do I have to make funny noises?
A: Nope - you’re off the hook. All the silly noises and funny behaviors come from the photographer. In fact, every noise and move you make will draw your dog’s attention to you and away from the camera. Although sometimes that can be a good thing too!
Q: Who can come to the session?
A: Everyone who lives in your household (furry or not) is welcome to participate in our session. In the interest of minimizing distractions, however, it's best to just bring those who will be participating or actively helping out.
Q: What if it’s raining?
A: You have a few options: 1. If it's just overcast with some drizzle, it may be possible to still get some lovely imagery.
2. If it's a steady downpour, we can reschedule.
3. If neither of the above is feasible for you, we can bring a canopy to put up, and while you, the pups, and the camera stay dry, we will still be able to photograph them in front of the fall color.
Q: So what happens after my session?
A: About three weeks after our your session, we’ll send you an email letting you know that your images are ready for viewing. We then bring the big reveal to you at your home. You watch the slideshow of your images (on your own big screen TV or on our separate monitor), and make your choices of which images go on which walls from the comfort of your own cozy sofa.
Q: Do I get a digital copy?
A: For each item you purchase, you will receive a free "paw-marked" digital image for use on social media. That includes each image in your Luxury Album or Charming Little Book!
Q: How do I get my final artwork?
A: It can take anywhere from about 2 weeks for archival desk prints to three+ months for the museum-quality canvas. After your View & Choose meeting, we will hand-deliver your order to you, ready to place on the walls or display on your coffee table, mantle, or desk. The little ‘pawmarked’ digis for social media of each of the images you’ve purchased for your wall, album, desk, or elsewhere will be emailed to you.