Dog Shoot at Coors Field / Milestone ImagingDog Shoot at Coors Field / Milestone Imaging

 

FAQ – About photographing your dog!

Hello and Welcome!  We are Tom and Lucy Miles from Milestone Imaging, and are professional photographers.  We have a soft spot for dogs and have incorporated that into our photography!  Please visit our dogs gallery for samples of our work.

Why we do what we do

In our opinion, dogs have it all; expression, beautiful soulful eyes, color, texture and shapes from their ears to their tails!

If you are one of the lucky humans who has given your heart to a dog, having your dog professionally photographed and transformed into a beautiful wall portrait will be cherished for years to come.   What a great conversation piece for all who enter your home.         

We try to make the process relaxed, fun and easy.  Please read through the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information:

What is the price of the session?

An individual session is $149.  It can be in studio or at an outdoor location.

Where is your studio?

We work out of our home studio in Thornton or outdoors.  Our home studio lets us take our time and lets your dog(s) relax in a home environment.  They can also check out the backyard and run around. 

How long will the session take?

A dog photo session usually takes from 30 minutes to an hour.  It just depends on the dog(s).

What outdoor locations are available?

We live in Thornton and are happy to drive within the Denver metro area.  If you have a certain location in mind that is further, please contact us to discuss.  Most sessions are at parks or in front of a certain landmarks (like the ones in the Denver Dogs Calendar).  We can also shoot in front of your home, in the backyard, etc.  We can make suggestions on good locations near you and are always open to your ideas.  Some locations such as Red Rocks or state parks require a permit and/or photography fee.  We would add this fee to your session fee.     

What if the weather is bad on the day of my outdoor shoot?

We don’t shoot in the rain, heavy snow or extreme cold or wind.  That’s just miserable for everyone (ok, maybe not for a Malamute).  Unfortunately rescheduling sessions due to weather is sometimes a reality.  We make sure that we have each other’s contact info and as the day approaches, watch the weather carefully.  If we do have to reschedule we try our best to accommodate your schedule.

Does my dog need to be off leash?

Absolutely not; safety is our top priority.  Most dogs are on leash and leashes are edited out in post processing, for purchased images.  We do not usually edit out collars so please have your dog in a collar that you like.  If you don’t want dog tags in your images, please remove them as well.  We also may replace your leash/clasp with ones that are easier to edit out.

For “in studio” shoots, we usually let the dog relax for a bit and look around the studio.  Many times after that, they do not need to be on leash.  If they do, that is fine, we would edit it out as for outdoor shoots.   

What if my dog is completely unruly?

Let’s face it, some dogs are more difficult to handle than others and new people and places can make it worse.  If you know that your dog will do poorly in a public place, let’s plan on something quieter with fewer distractions such as a yard, small park or in studio.  If your dog is aggressive towards strangers, we would prefer not to photograph your dog.  We also have the right to refuse or discontinue a shoot if the dog is very fearful or showing aggression.

What if my dog won’t sit still?

We have a lot of tricks up our sleeve.  We try treats, toys, various noises etc.  We can also try running shots if that works better.  We cannot guarantee 100% that we will get awesome images but with our experience the odds are pretty good.  If we both agree that the shoot did not result in usable images, we will refund your session fee.

Do I get the digital files?

Digital files are available for purchase after the shoot and are not included in the session fee.  The session fee is for our time photographing your dog(s), post processing of your images, and a private password protected viewing gallery on our website.

How many dogs can I bring?

Unless your dogs are super well behaved, it’s not realistic to shoot more than three in a one-hour period.  If you want something with more dogs, let’s plan for a longer shoot.  Additional charges may apply.

What if my dog is older or in poor health?

This is many times why a dog owner decides that they want a portrait session.  Let’s focus on how we can make your dog as comfortable as possible and find a location that works best.   

Can I add my kids or family?

Yes, family sessions with dogs are awesome!  Just keep in mind it realistically will be a family session or a dog session but there may not be time for individual dogs and then family.  Let’s plan for a longer session if that is what you want.  Additional charges may apply depending on the length of time involved.

How will I choose the pictures and products that I want to purchase? 

The proofs from your shoot will be uploaded to a gallery on our website for viewing.  From there you choose your favorites.  Leashes are not yet removed in your proofs.  That will happen only on images that you purchase.  Most clients come to our home showroom or our studio space for an ordering appointment.  This lets you see all the products and we can help with choosing images, sizes, products, etc.  There is no minimum purchase and we are happy to help in any way we can.

How much can I expect to invest?

Most clients invest anywhere from $200 to $500 in addition to the session fee.  It all depends what you want.  Small prints will be on the lower end, and wall art will be more.  We encourage you to review our post dog session pricing guide before the shoot so you can get a feel for our offerings.  Click here to download the pricing document.

Can I book my shoot on a weekend?

Yes, but remember that we do shoot a lot of weddings; some summer and fall weekends may be booked, but not always; please contact us for availability.  If you want fair weather and beautiful color in the spring, summer or fall, we suggest a late afternoon or early evening weekday shoot.  During times of the year when it stays light longer, we can shoot after normal working hours.

 

More questions or want to schedule an appointment?  We are happy to help!

Just email us at:  [email protected]  or [email protected] or contact us through our website.

 

We hope to hear from you soon and hug that pup!!

Tom and Lucy Miles