For our next pet photography Q & A we have New York city-based photographer Brooke Jacobs. Brooke has been photographing pets for years and shares her experience with us today, along with a special giveaway at the end.
How long have you been photographing pets and how did you get started?
After graduating with a degree in photography from Bard College, and moving to NYC, I continued to do my documentary photography while working in the industry. After several years I knew I was uninterested in the typical commercial end of photography and knowing I couldn’t make a living off my documentary work, I started thinking outside the box. Many of my photographs at the time, all done on the streets of NY, included animals and their relationship to the scene at hand. I started focusing specifically on pet portraits in 2003, after having my first dog portraits published in an address book and box set of cards. The joy of seeing my work published and the privilege of capturing images I know will be cherished for years to come sealed the deal for me.
What kind of pet photography do you do? Do you have a specialty?
While I would say I do any kind of pet photography, I do specialize in traditional portraiture, capturing the pets emotional and expressive sensibilities. There are two sides to my work. Half of my work (less so during the winter season) is done in the pets natural environment, park or home and the other half is studio, where I focus on creative ideas and traditional portraiture work.
Do you do anything special to prepare for a photo shoot with a cat?
Yes! Cats are particular and it is important that the cat wants to participate. I tend to work in areas the cat is comfortable with (favorite chair/couch) and create a calm and quiet area. I like to set up my equipment first then relax on the floor and learn a little about the cat. If the cat likes treats and play, they are ready and willing to follow my lead and go where the fun is. Occasionally there is a cat that doesn’t care for either and I have to win them over with love, patience and lots of petting.
What was the most challenging cat photo shoot you have done? Any funny stories?
Being a cat person, I love working with cats because they are a challenge and I get a kick out of their quirky ways. One thing pet photographers have in common is not only their love for animals but an excitement for a challenge. You NEVER know what is going to happen and that is the fun and uniqueness of every shoot. That said, most of my cat shoots have gone well. I had one kitten that was very shy and cowered down and looked miserable. I turned him around so he wasn’t facing me or the ‘action’ and got one shot of him peaking back before he jumped off the set, hid and was left alone. That shot is one of my all time favorite images. [little tuxedo guy on the blue background below]
I’ve only had one case where the cat hissed the whole time, and boy did I get a great shot of that. I had a friend bring her new kitten Princess over for a studio shoot — I tend to only work with kittens in studio since most cats don’t like to be taken out of their element. She was a little older than I was told (or they knew) and wasn’t happy about this new experience at all. As she jetted off the set, I was sure I saw something extra under her tail and asked them how they knew their Princess was a Princess and not a Prince? They said they had gone to the vet and they knew she was a she. As they left, I mumbled under my breath good-bye Prince (pause) ess. Found out a week later that Princess was a Prince after all.
Do you have any tips for readers about how to take great photos of their cats?
I have several tips. If your cat needs grooming, groom him/her before the shoot. If grooming is an ordeal for the cat do it a day or two ahead of the shoot so there is no drama the day of the shoot. The shoot should be a fun time to bond with your cat and be a positive experience filled with love, treats, toys and patience.
I have lighting equipment that doesn’t flash right in front of a cats face. If you are using a point and shoot, turn the flash off and choose an area that gets good natural light. That area should also be clutter free.
Cats don’t like being forced to do things so make sure you keep it fun and interesting for the cat (and yourself) with treats and toys and laughter. If your not having fun, your cat isn’t having fun!
Enter to Win Brooke Jacobs Kitty Post-its!
Brook sells some of her kitten images on cute little post-it note pads through her Etsy shop and she’s offering some for a giveaway! Two lucky readers will each receive a pair of kitten post-its. To enter, please leave a comment on this post. The winners will be chosen in a random drawing on April 4. One entry per person. This giveaway is open to readers everywhere.
March 30th, 2010 at 9:26 am
Great photos! Love the strenth of the black-and-white ones!
March 30th, 2010 at 9:36 am
These are totally adorable!
March 30th, 2010 at 10:16 am
kittens and post-its – two of my very favorite things!
March 30th, 2010 at 10:26 am
love ‘em!!
March 30th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Adorable!
March 30th, 2010 at 10:50 am
Lovely work! Thank you for the catrature tips!:-)
March 30th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Awwwh, too cute!:)
March 30th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Those are adorable. And would make my post-it “to dos” so much more attractive to look at!
March 30th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Kitty Post-its!
March 30th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
how cute are these?! I’d love to have a few nice photos of my Rita and Blacky.
March 30th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Thanks for inspiring me to take better photos of my two cats!
March 30th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
The post-its would be too cute to write on!
March 30th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Wow – these pictures are amazing. From experience, I do know that it is extremely hard to take good pictures of cats
March 30th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
I also like the black cat with the blue background. The expression is adorable!
March 30th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
I love the pictures and wish there were more professional photographers that were open to shooting pictures of cats in their home environments.
March 30th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Kitties and post-its. I love it.
March 30th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Cute!
March 30th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
cute!!!
March 30th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
I love how she is able to capture the true beauty of the cat!
March 30th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Those are really neat pictures.
March 30th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
i really like the post-its. they would definitely make menial tasks like grocery shopping a lot cuter!
March 31st, 2010 at 1:09 am
Very sweet post-its. I also appreciate the tips on photography.
March 31st, 2010 at 4:04 am
Lovely!
March 31st, 2010 at 5:30 am
As a cat lover, would certainly enjoy using them, bring it on, Thanks for the offer.
March 31st, 2010 at 8:10 am
Beautifully photography, beautiful cats! My hubby is a photographer too and I know how much patience each of these shots represents. Love your stuff!
March 31st, 2010 at 1:09 pm
My human likes to take pictures of me and everyone says I’m photogenic. I wrote a BOOK!
March 31st, 2010 at 3:40 pm
I agree with Tapp above, as a cat lover, I’d really love to have these post it notes. I use post its a lot and to have kitty ones would be just too great! Thanks for the chance to win these!!
March 31st, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Such great photos! Wish I could have her photograph my babies.
March 31st, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Lovely photos!
March 31st, 2010 at 8:24 pm
great photos! the 3 with the patterned backgrounds were really eye-catching!
March 31st, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Amazing photos. The kitties are very lucky to be featured!
March 31st, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Beautiful. Would love to win these!
April 1st, 2010 at 12:45 am
I love the photos, so personable. You can see the essence of the cat! Great post-its! Cats and cute notes- fab idea!
April 1st, 2010 at 12:48 am
The black and white photos are stunning. Love the post-its!
April 1st, 2010 at 12:50 am
The ones with patterned backgrounds are superb!
April 1st, 2010 at 1:55 am
Boy, she’s a great photographer! I’m kinda jealous; I was interested in photography in my teens, but it didn’t work out for me. I’d love to win this; I really hope I do.
April 1st, 2010 at 5:17 am
That kitten sleeping in the bowl is SO cute!!
April 1st, 2010 at 8:13 am
fabulous photos! I love the sticky notes too!!
April 1st, 2010 at 8:32 am
Cute, cute… Totally cute! Just like the photographer! x
April 1st, 2010 at 8:37 am
I just love all of her pictures!
April 1st, 2010 at 5:38 pm
The photography is beautiful! Love taking pictures of my kitty, Hemi. Wish I had the same talent!!
April 1st, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Thanks for the great tips! I’m always snapping pics and my furbabies are my most snapped subjects.
April 1st, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Great photos, I love the tuxedo kitty looking back!
April 2nd, 2010 at 5:25 am
Really cute. I’m a big post-it user and would love using these.
April 2nd, 2010 at 9:26 am
Yes! Kitty Post-Its.
April 2nd, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Cute, cute, cute!!!!!!!
April 2nd, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Great tips & beautiful pics! And a wonderful giveaway to boot! Thank you so much!
April 2nd, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Love it!
April 2nd, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Lovely! Using these would improve any note.
April 3rd, 2010 at 10:00 am
You couldn’t find better subject matter than Kittens n” Cats. Cats are cats and they do as they please and kittens are amusing and a great tease.