ericadanger.com

THE PROCESS

1. Booking - Book your session by setting up a date and time and paying your deposit! You'll receive a quick guide to preparing for your pet's shoot, and I'll send you an email reminder the day before the session.

2. The Session - This is where the magic happens...And where your pet has a ton of fun! The remaining balance of your session is due at this time.

3. Receiving your photos - The best part! You'll receive a folder of your pet's professionally-edited digital photos - Yay! For local shoots in the San Francisco Bay Area, you will receive your photos within 2-4 weeks of your pet's session. (For shoots in other cities or countries, the wait time may be a bit longer depending on travel dates.)

IN-HOME PHOTO SESSIONS

Photo session details, cost, and what’s included can vary quite a lot from photographer to photographer! Here’s what to expect when you work with me:
• Photo sessions take place in your home, or the location of your choice, for the comfort of you and your pet
• $350 for one pet or many
• 1-2 hours, depending on your pet’s modeling experience and temperament, including a 15 minute warm-up period.  (Additional pets sometimes add a bit of extra time)
• 30-40 digital images, professionally edited to gallery standards
• Prints and other custom items also available for order
• Offered year-round in the San Francisco Bay Area, frequently in Los Angeles, as well as when I’m traveling to your area

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

→ Why should I hire a professional to photograph my pet?
We all love showing off photos of our furry family members, right? Practically everyone with a phone and a cat or dog has...well, a phone full of photos of them! The photos we take with our phones are fun, but nothing compares to high-end, professional portraits. 

Clients hire a pro to photograph their pets for the same reasons you'd hire a professional for family portraits, your wedding, or other special moments: Because they know the investment is worth it! A professional has the artistic vision to thoughtfully and intentionally compose each shot, the trained expertise to guide their models, and state-of-the-art equipment and editing software to ensure the highest quality images possible. 

All of that said, professional pet portraits aren't for everyone, but if you're ready to learn more, keep reading!

→ The big question: What's the secret? How the heck do you get animals to cooperate? 
The trick is understanding animal body language and psychology, and finding out what works best for each individual pet! These are skills I've honed through training in both cat and dog behavior as well as years of handling and photographing thousands of animals in their homes and in shelter environments.

For all animals, I use a combination of trust-building and play, and if necessary, a variety of herbs and treats. For dogs, the best results come from pups who are trained to sit and stay.

No matter what, I'm a firm believer that every animal is a star, just waiting to be discovered!

→ Are there any additional fees? What methods of payment are accepted?
In-home photo sessions are $350, for one pet or many!

A $50 deposit is required to hold an appointment, which is applied to the cost of your session. This deposit is payable via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), and you're welcome to pay the balance of your session with a credit card, Paypal, Venmo, Google Wallet, or good ol' cash.

Travel is always included for sessions scheduled within 20 miles of Oakland, California, or when I'm exclusively booking remotely. (During a trip to Los Angeles or a trip to New York, for example!) For other locations, the travel fee begins at $25, but if you refer a friend to book a session in the same area, I can lower or even waive any travel fees!

Your deposit is due at the time of booking, with the balance of your session and any applicable travel fees due on the day of your pet's shoot. You’re also welcome to pay in full at the time of booking!

→ How do I prepare for my pet's photo session?
Since every pet and every home are different, this can vary! After booking, you'll receive a quick guide to preparing for your pet’s in-home photo session, but generally there's not too much to do, don't worry.

→ Should I plan for our session to take place at my house or somewhere else? 
In order to get the very best photos possible, it's necessary to ensure your pet feels (and looks!) as comfortable and relaxed as possible - Since cats and other small animals are usually most comfortable in familiar surroundings, shooting in your home is typically best. Backyards or patio gardens also can work great if your pet is used to spending time in these areas! Dogs are typically a lot more flexible! You know your dog best, and you’ll want to consider how your dog behaves in each environment and how the background of your images will look.

→ What if my house isn't super fancy, pretty, or doesn't get much light? 
I love photographing pets in all different types of settings! Fortunately it's pretty easy to find a few photogenic spaces in your home to bring out your pet's beauty and individuality, and I always come prepared with a few extras to really make them stand out. With a little help preparing your home, I can make just about any house or apartment work great!

And although natural light is a plus, I can get gorgeous photos of your pet in any lighting, so don't stress. :) 

→ Do you photograph pets other than cats and dogs? Can I be in the photos?
Yes and yes! My specialty is cats, but my photography career began with humans! I love photographing people and animals of all types, so I'm happy to capture the personality of your rabbit, rat, lizard, or any other pet. If you're interested in a session that includes both you AND your pet, please let me know what you have in mind, and we can discuss the details!

→ What if I want more than digital photos?
Of course you do! Beautiful portraits of beloved pets look fantastic in any animal lover's home! There are a number of options for basic prints, high-end gallery prints, and other items, all of which make great keepsakes and gifts. When you receive your digital photos, I'll also send you a link to my Custom Print Shop, where you can place an order at any time!

→ Something came up - Can we reschedule? What is your cancellation policy?
If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, I'm happy to accommodate your needs! You can reschedule or cancel through my booking calendar, or get in touch with me directly through the contact button below.  (Please get in touch to make changes as soon as possible, as your deposit and travel fee are forfeited for appointments canceled with less than 72 hours notice!)

→ Do you have plans to come to my city anytime soon? 
I'm based in Oakland, California, but I travel to Los Angeles and elsewhere frequently. If you are located outside of the San Francisco Bay Area, you can check out my upcoming travel dates by clicking HERE. Feel free to get in touch about other areas, even if they're not listed! (If there is a lot of interest in a certain city or region, maybe it's time to plan a trip!)

→ What if I have other questions?
If there's anything I've left out or you have questions specific to your pet or home, I'd love to hear from you. Please click the button below to fill out the contact form!

→ Alright, my pet is ready for her close-up! How soon can we set up a photo session?
Booking is super quick and easy! Visit ericadanger.com/booking and the scheduler will walk you through the steps! If you have any questions leading up to your appointment, feel free to get in touch at any time. I can’t wait to meet your pet!