As seen in USA Today, iHeartDogs.com and countless other news outlets from around the world, Paper Hats is the signature eco-friendly portrait concept that put our studio on the map.

Each piece is handmade by our studio founder and master pet photographer, J.B. Shepard, from upcycled post consumer paper products – including old newspapers, cardboard boxes, paper plates, junk mail and an assortment of other reclaimed materials.

Once assembled, Paper Hats are never dyed or painted. Instead, the distinct coloration and patterning decorating our Paper Hat costumes are composed entirely from carefully sorted and painstakingly arranged scraps of colorful newsprint. This spontaneous construction process ensures that every costume is a truly unique art piece.

A rotating stock of ready-made Paper Hats is maintained at our studio intended to fit most common breed sizes and shapes. Please note that while there is no additional charge for our private pet portrait clients to use a ready-made Paper Hat during their studio session, custom designed and personally fitted costumes can be made to order for a nominal fee.

Our Baltimore studio location isn't just dog friendly, it is used exclusively for the purpose of photographing dogs. Dogs of all sizes, breeds, ages, mobility levels, temperaments, and training levels are welcome at the Puptrait Studio.

We allot up to 2 hours per studio session and a minimum of 1 hour padding between clients. This policy is intended to prevent any surprise introductions between our canine guests and ensure a stress-free shooting environment -- allowing pups (and their caretakers) to work with us unrushed and at their own pace.

To help ensure that we maintain a safe, calm and distraction free environment for all of our guests, we never allow cats, birds, ferrets, lizards, goats or other pets / livestock animals in the studio that may leave behind lingering scents that some of our guests might find strange or excitable.

We love working with service animals and we're happy to say that our building, parking, and restroom facilities are all wheelchair accessible.

Looking for something a bit more fantastic?

Composite pet portraits move beyond the narrow confines of the lens, resulting in imagery that would otherwise be impossible to capture in camera.

Blending masterful studio lighting, practical props, clever costume designs and sophisticated forced perspective staging techniques with advanced digital editing tools, these creative pet portrait concepts are limited only by our imagination.

Every composite portrait commission is a unique client collaboration. From requests for subtle whimsical flourishes to more inspired and comprehensive surreal compositions based on simple thematic prompts, clients are free to lend as little or as much guidance as they would like throughout the production process.

Looking for a pet portrait style that is a bit more natural or scenic?

We regularly photograph dog portraits in homes and on locations across all of Maryland, Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia - including along the Baltimore Inner Harbor and in front of the Patterson Park Pagoda, the National Aquarium, Washington Monument, the Bromo Seltzer Tower, and countless other iconic landmarks located throughout the Mid Atlantic.

Is your pet older, struggle with mobility, or otherwise not up for a trip to our studio? No worries. As long as you have enough room to setup, we are happy to bring backdrops, stands and studio style lights to you.

Both on location and in home sessions are sitting fee free for those private pet portrait clients that meet or exceed their minimum print commitment.

Sitting fees and minimum print commitments for environmental portrait sessions vary by location and generally increase with distance traveled from our studio located in Baltimore, Maryland.

Please visit our pricing page to view a full list of fees and minimums listed by region and county.