J.B. Shepard

08 Sep 2017

A friendly little black pug. He is a smiley pup and a great example of one of our favorite small breeds.

Small Breed Problems: We Are Dogs Too

Small dog breeds have been around for quite some time and we can’t really blame people for loving them so much. Small dogs come in a variety of different sizes and don’t have a specific weight category to classify them otherwise, but they are not that difficult to spot. Odds are if you’ve been on Instagram in recent years, you probably already like and follow famous smaller dogs. These dogs can weigh as little as 2 pounds and yes, that […]

23 Jul 2017

Paper Hats debuts in Baltimore

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Baltimore, Maryland, USA, July 23rd, 2017 Professional pet photographer and Puptrait Studio founder, J.B. Shepard’s surreal dog portrait series “Paper Hats: Whimsical Portraits of the Once Discarded” is coming to Baltimore. The opening reception for Paper Hats is scheduled for 7PM until 10PM Thursday, August 3rd at La Cakerie in Mount Vernon (1216 N Charles St, Baltimore, Maryland 21201). The show is hosted by Gallery 788 and scheduled to run until September 1st. Paper Hats features adopted and […]

Dog Art Shows & Events / Dog Photo & Pet Art Showcase / News & Announcements

13 Jul 2017

Studio Hours Temporarily Unavailable for Renovations & Repairs

Our studio space is temporarily closed for renovations and repairs. And, we are currently unavailable for studio sessions. We’re working to have things back up soon and expect to have the space ready for shooting by the end of August. In the interim, we are still available for in-home and on location dog portrait sessions across all of Maryland, Washington D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. To view available appointment dates and to book an in-home or on location portrait session […]

News & Announcements

01 May 2017

Flash Photography: is it safe to use flash when photographing my dog?

Written by J.B. Shepard, a professional pet photographer and founder of the Puptrait Studio. It is safe to use a flash when photographing a dog. The vast majority of dogs are not reactive at all to flash photography. They might be surprised by the sound or sudden brightness, but if introduced properly, dogs tend to ignore flashes. And, if they don’t ignore the flash completely, they treat it as a minor annoyance or a point of confusion. Which is why […]

Authors / Intermediate Dog Photo Tips / J.B. Shepard

28 Feb 2017

Will other dogs be at my studio session?

We only allow one dog in the studio at a time. It’s one of the main reasons why our studio hours are by appointment only. Why are your dog portrait sessions by appointment only? By maintaining a carefully planned schedule, we are able to ensure that every client receives at minimum of one hour padding before and after their session. Effectively minimizing the risk of distractions and surprise introductions between our furry guests. This approach to scheduling limits the number […]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

28 Feb 2017

How do I pick what dog photos I want to print?

After your dog’s photoshoot we will take a few days to go through the hundred or so of photos from your session and handpick the absolute best of the best (typically 8 – 12 images). Once we’ve carefully curated your pet portrait collection we will then use digital editing tools to improve these dozen or so high quality images – mainly to maximize image sharpness, clarity, color, tone and contrast – and ensure that they are ready for printing. Online […]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

27 Feb 2017

Do owners need to be present for their dog’s photoshoot?

We require that all dogs be accompanied by an adult (18+) human who is familiar to the pet and comfortable handling them. This person does not have to be an owner, but should be someone who the dog trusts. We actually do a fair number of “surprise sessions”, where a client brings a dog that they have been tasked with dog sitting, and later surprise the unwitting owner with prints. Many clients find these surprise pet portrait sessions are a […]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

27 Feb 2017

Do you supply props or costumes for pet portraits?

Due to health, parasite and disease transmission concerns we never reuse cloth or furry props between shoots. We strongly recommend being extremely cautious when considering working with any pet photographer who keeps a collection of reused props for clients to use. While sharing costumes might seem like a convenient cost saving measure, they should often be regarded as a red flag when evaluating dog photographers. Learn more about why and other helpful tidbits in our checklist of 30 must ask […]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

27 Feb 2017

Should I have received a confirmation email?

You should receive an email confirmation within minutes of scheduling a dog portrait session online at Puptrait.com. This email is important as it serves as a digital receipt any paid dog photo deposit amounts and includes a few helpful tips to help you make the most of your dog’s photoshoot. If you did not receive an email, please check your spam folder. If you do not see a confirmation email in your spam folder, please call us immediately to confirm […]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

27 Feb 2017

Do you guarantee or warranty the quality of your work?

Puptrait Studio pet photo prints are guaranteed to be 100% free of printing and manufacturing errors, such as streaks and tears. Please note that while we take great lengths to ensure consistency throughout the proofing process, we can not guarantee variations in tone, luminosity or saturation for the simple fact that we have zero control over how your computer’s monitor is calibrated. How do I return a damaged order? If you do receive flawed prints, return the item in its […]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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