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2 • The Pet Gazette
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Dear Reader and fellow “Pet Person,” As always, thank you for picking up this copy of The Pet Gazette. In every issue we talk about our pets as being family members. In this issue we would like to introduce you to a group of people who take this idea to a whole other level. You may own a dog, cat, bird, fish, or horse, and you may call yourself a pet person, but I would like to direct your attention to all the businesses you will see in this Issue. They are all so passionate about pets that they started their own business focused exclusively on pets. It is really inspiring just to talk to them and learn from them. From the groomer who has rescued 13 of her own pets, to the licensed kennels who are now competing with home based businesses, to the trainers who help us through the tough times with our pets, the individuals who run these companies care so much about pets. They have invested everything to make sure your pets can access quality care, use quality products and receive quality services. As for me, I’ve been working for 20 years in marketing and media. I love it…I guess you could say like a family member. I love delivering a message to someone conveniently wrapped in something that puts a smile on their face (hopefully The Pet Gazette does that for you!) Interesting how life progresses. I started my own media company with my best friend Wade Davis in 2006. I bought a puppy with my girlfriend, Meredith (who eventually agreed to marry me), in 2011. We had two kids and moved to the burbs with that puppy, Jax, in 2013. And then came The Pet Gazette in 2016.
Catering to US pet owners and pet businesses. New features now available daily online at ThePetGazette.com and via The Pet Gazette App. Editors: Jason Klatsky, Rachel Law, Jeremy Sage Writers: Jennifer Galluzzo, Wendy Crawford, Korell Constable, Jessica Melman Sales Representatives: Wanda Law, Rachel Law Graphic Design: InMotion Media Digital Publication Founder: Jim Dempsey Publisher: Jason Klatsky PO Box 468, Armonk, NY. 10504 info@thepetgazette.com, 914-273-9721
We’re hiring pet enthusiasts!!!
Readers and advertisers love The Pet Gazette because, simply put, they love pets. We are looking to bring on team members with this shared passion to help continue our awesome company’s mission of giving back to the pet community. The roles that we’re looking for: experienced writers and distributors in Long Island, Westchester County & Fairfield County. We accept photos, opinions, short articles, stories, poems and drawings from the general public. We assume no responsibility for failure to publish a submission or for typographic errors published, or incorrect placement. The content of the magazine consists of copyrightable material and cannot be reproduced without the expressed permission of the publishers.
I was the Editor of the back “fun” Page of my high school newspaper. And, as I said, I always was a “pet person,” but I think taking on the responsibility of publishing The Pet Gazette takes that commitment to another level. Hence my appreciation that you picked up this magazine. If you don’t already frequent any of the advertisers you see in this Issue, please consider giving them a call. And maybe you can mention that you saw them in The Pet Gazette. After all, as the owner of a business focused exclusively on pets, I am taking it to a whole new level and I want to continue printing and distributing fun info about our furry friends. We greatly appreciate your support and your comments are always welcomed. I hope you are enjoying the new color format, the extra pages and our content. These pages are just the tip of the cat’s tail. You can enjoy more from The Pet Gazette on our website, on our social media pages and in our App. We would also love to send you a copy to your house. So please consider subscribing via the form below. And thank you again!
SUBSCRIPTION FORM
If you would like to have issues of The Pet Gazette mailed to your home, all we ask for is $28, a fun picture of your pet & the information below. You can also subscribe via our App.
Name Address Phone/Email
Specific location where you found us
©The Pet Gazette
If you would like your business to be a part of our distribution, send a request to: Jason Klatsky, jason@thepetgazette.com
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Required Mail to: Attn. Subscriptions PO Box 468, Armonk, NY. 10504
@thepetgazettemagazine • 3
Inside this Issue... Pg. 6-7
Pet Photographers Save Lives
Pg. 8-9
Immortalize Your Pet with
Pop Art Pictures Pg.10-11 How Do You Get the Perfect
Pet Pic? We Asked the Pros
Pg. 12-28 Featured Pet Photographers Pg. 29
Google, How Do I... (Part II)
Pg. 30
Dog in Parked Car = Danger!
Pg. 31
World Pet News
Pg. 31
In Memoriam
4 • The Pet Gazette
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@thepetgazettemagazine • 5
Pet Photographers Save Lives
Through HeARTs Speak more than 600 creative professionals provide pro-bono services to save and support animals
A
s we can all agree, birds have stunning variations in plumage and we are generally eager to watch and photograph them. But as all pet parents and rescue volunteers know, photographing a pet however, usually results in many fuzzy retakes thank goodness for digital cameras! As a rescue on a budget, professional photographers and staged backgrounds were beyond our budget. Our volunteers relied on our smartphone cameras and the best lighting we could find in each of our foster homes. Some photos sufficed... others left us thinking if only we had a professional volunteer photographer...
“This collaboration has
We recently learned about no doubt helped our a collaboration organization increase our between professional photographers and rescue organizations called HeARTs Speak. This is exactly what we were looking for! Professional photographers who are passionate about animals and animal rescue, who were willing to volunteer their craft and time to rescues in exchange for a little PR. Since then, this partnership has proven to be an invaluable win-win for both parties. Not only do these photographers have the equipment and skills to capture the beauty of our adoptable birds, but we were amazed to realize how they were able to capture and showcase 6 • The Pet Gazette
reach and impact ”
each parrot’s individual personalities as well! In addition, both of our photographers had never photographed birds, so we were able to assist them with increasing their portfolio. This collaboration has no doubt helped our organization increase our reach and impact for the well being of the birds in our care. We first worked with Sarah Matula (http:// www.tpg. pet/sarah) who not only photographed our birds, but then further promoted them through exhibitions and merchandise. Sarah assisted our rescue by making various holiday related and other attentiongrabbing images to assist the rescue with year round promotion, competitions and general audience-engaging social media posts. Sarah became a true advocate of our rescue, as we became of her work. Julie McGuire (http://www. tpg.pet/julie) then assisted us with our adoptable parrot photos, and like Sarah, was able to capture thepetgazette.com
lovely, intimate photos of our adoptable parrots, their antics and our volunteers. Along the way, there have been many hilarious and unpredictable moments... A cockatoo hopped onto Sarah during a photo shoot to get a better look. A curious Senegal closely inspected the equipment. And every time we were sure we had a camera hog in the making, they would hop off the perch and run in the opposite direction! Everyone was of course tickled by the continuous greetings,
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reassurances of “I love you” and the “good byes” among other phrases - from the wonderful birds we devote our time to, along the way. We are incredibly grateful to these two photographers, their devotion to animal rescue and in their incomparable skill and passion for their craft. Article submitted by CT Parrot Rescue. For more info on HeARTs Speak, please visit their website at www.heartsspeak.org
@thepetgazettemagazine • 7
TPG
is Worth More Than a Thousand Words
A
aron Siskind, a great American photographer, once said, “Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”
As pet owners we cherish every memory our lovable pet helps us create. From the innocent messes they make to the unusual but adorable positions they cuddle in, we try to cherish them all. Our phone’s photo storage is a battle royal between our selfies, memes, friends/families and of course our pets. Unfortunately, as much as we try to remember and preserve everything about our pets, we can’t hold onto everything. Similar to our phone’s storage space, our memory is also limited, forcing us to make one of the most difficult decisions in modern times. We all face the recurring hardship of choosing which pictures are to be saved and those that have to be deleted forever. Instead of loading our phones with countless photos of brief memories, there is an alternative method to preserving that “feeling” Siskind spoke about. Created in the 1950s, “Pop Art” has taken the world by storm with its widespread appeal. It is defined as “art based on modern popular culture and the mass media, especially as a critical or ironic comment on traditional fine art values.” The art style 8 • The Pet Gazette
by Korell Constable
is unique, bold and timeless, as seen in the works of phenomenal artists like Andy Warhol (Campbell’s Soups Cans), Roy Lichtenstein (Crying Girl) and Keith Haring (Pop Shop III). Thanks to Pop Art being easily available, now every pet owner can transform their bundle of joy into an everlasting work of art that can evoke those sentimental feeling of love forever. Your background photo of your dog’s wonderful smile can now become the focal point of fine art in your living room. Instead of constantly flipping through multiple pictures to show friends your cat’s elegant poses, you can create an art gallery of them in the comfort of your own home. One company, Pop Your Pup, understands this common dilemma. Their “About Us” states, “We believe that art is the perfect way to highlight and amplify the beauty in this world, and there is nothing more beautiful than the unconditional bond between a pet and their owner.” Through the use of Pop Art, that “unconditional bond” can be made to last forever. The process of Pop Art is very simple. Just choose your product, upload your pets picture, select a background, and then checkout. In about 1-2 business days you can review your Pop Art picture online before it is printed for any necessary revisions. Pop Your Pup prides themselves on a customer’s complete satisfaction stating, “Unlimited revisions until you are 100% happy with your Pop Art. We don’t print or ship unless you approve.” Pop Your Pup allows all pet owners be artists, like Warhol or Haring, creating memorable pieces of art for a reasonable price. thepetgazette.com
While Pop Art might be the new trendy craze for some, it may not be an ideal form of art for everyone. Instead of using Pop Art, pet owners can choose to use a more classic approach to immortalizing their pets, such as using Portraits. Pet Portraits can be used in a variety of ways, such as a simple still painting or with the addition of various influences (such as a Star Wars theme, or Knights Cosplay). Even the material it’s created on can be varied (wood, paper, or even the entire wall). With Pet Portraits the possibilities are endless and it will truly leave a lasting impact on anyone who views it. Thanks to modern technology, sharing our love for a pet has become a simple task. To preserve that “unconditional bond” shared between pet and owner the artistic process should be a unique one, filled with both love and appreciation that can be radiated throughout the artwork forever. TPG
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@thepetgazettemagazine • 9
HowDo You Get the Perfect Pet Pic? We Asked the Pros
T
here are thousands of really good pet photographers out there. But there are only a select few that take pet photography and elevate it into a true art form. The Pet Gazette sought out some of the best pet photographers and videographers in the world and interviewed them about what it takes to reach genius level when capturing our four legged, finned, and feathered friends. The results are stunning.
So, What Does It Take To Be a Great Pet Photographer?
by Jennifer Galluzzo
while others constantly move. Some are curious while others are nervous,” he says. “Ultimately, my approach is to help tell a story of that pet. It’s nice to get a good portrait, but we want to see the animal in its’ world. This might be playing in the park, sleeping on the love seat, or being cuddled by its owner.” Additionally, Haynes offers this advice on photographing pets:
1
Be patient. It can sometimes take an animal a while to get used to you being around. Whether the animal is nervous around strangers or just wants to play with someone new, give him/her some time to get over the fact that you’re there. I often will just sit on the floor/ground and let a dog (for example) get used to me for awhile.
Sure, we have a ton of photos on our phones of our pets and some are pretty good. But let’s face it – we could stand to delete a few. The true art of pet photography captures the soul of the animal. You need a keen eye and imagination. Some photographers and videographers prefer to find the spirit of the animal in their eyes, while others Select the right environment. I like choose to show it through their actions. areas that have good, natural light. Whatever their style, the outcomes are This makes it easier for your camera amazing. to get a good picture (even on a cell phone). If you’re shooting outside, Of course, a lot of making the best go for when the sun is low in the sky image depends on the dog or animal, (early or late) as opposed to mid-day according to Will Haynes. “Some dogs when the high sun will create shadows. are pretty calm and will just sit around If you’re inside, big open windows are
2
10 • The Pet Gazette
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great. I’m not a big fan of a basic flash, but will use studio lights for portraits, which works best if the animal can sit still.
3
Focus on the pet’s eyes. This is the area we definitely want in focus. This might require getting the pet’s attention. A squeaky toy, treat, or even the owner’s voice can sometimes draw attention to the camera. I don’t always go for a straight on posed look, but even making a noise while a pet is moving around can draw its face up for a great picture.
4
Get to the pet’s level. It’s not uncommon to see me laying on the ground or climbing under furniture. We want to see the pet in his/her world, which means getting level. Far too often, we shoot from above the pet, looking down, which can be useful, but isn’t always flattering.
5
Anticipate. Pets often run around playing or exploring. You can sometimes anticipate where it’s going and be prepared to snap that shot. Beth Gordon, a pet photographer with 24.8k followers on Instagram, takes a lot of pictures of her whippet, Kuiper, for his science & history themed account. She now has a “real” camera, but some of her favorites were taken on her phone, including one at the International Women’s Air and Space Museum and another at the Lincoln
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Memorial. You can see Beth’s photos at http://www.tpg.pet/beth Regardless of the type of camera, “If you’re trying to photograph your own pet, the single most important thing you can do is train for eye contact,” Gordon advises. “I carry treats just about everywhere I go with my dog, and constantly reward him for offering eye contact and attention.”
Does Professional Equipment Make a Difference? We know you want a different answer, but yes, it kind of does. That’s not to say you can’t capture beautiful images on your smart phone. How? In terms of getting a great picture with a phone, the basics of photography still apply. You have to pay attention to exposure (get good light, which most phones will do a decent job of figuring out on its own), composition (how the frame is setup), and focus. But the benefits of professional equipment are visible in the end product. So, whether you’re shooting with a fancy camera or snapping shots on your smart phone, have patience, work with the pet, try to get eye contact, be flexible, and most importantly, have fun!
@thepetgazettemagazine • 11
The Dogist www.thedogist.com thedogist (3.1M) thedogist (174K) thedogist (123K)
D
ogs are just awesome. But leave it to Elias Weiss Friedman, also known as @thedogist on Instagram, to elevate them to, well, street level. Armed with knee pads, a squeaky ball and a pocket full of treats, Friedman captures the essence of everything that is dog through the lens of his camera. Their expressions are priceless. You can almost tell what they are thinking through his beautiful photography. He describes his Instagram account, which makes more than 3.2 million people happy on a daily basis, as a “photo-documentary series about the beauty of dogs.� He travels the world taking pictures of dogs on city streets, bringing joy to the pets, their people, and everyone else that has discovered this magical feed. Best job ever? We think so.
12 • The Pet Gazette
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@thepetgazettemagazine • 13
Adam Goldberg www.agoldphoto.com agoldphotos (10.5K) agoldphoto (6.5K)
A
dam Goldberg started out as a social media specialist for Humane Society Broward County when they asked if he would take on the shelter photography program. At that time, he knew nothing about photography, let alone how to take photos of animals. He spent 8 months learning, watching tutorials and practicing, and actually found taking photos of animals more enjoyable than taking photos of people. From there, he started the Pit Bull Picture
craft breweries. Since July 2016, he has hosted over 150 events and raised over $70,000. His favorite photo shoots are when he gets to spend time with adoptable dogs and cats. “I get so much pleasure knowing that my All I want to photos do is take will photos increase their chances of finding a forever home,” Goldberg says. “Sometimes dogs don’t like being in the studio and can be timid or scared by the lights. After a few minutes, most dogs open up and their personality shines,” he explains. “One photo shoot that stands out is from one of my very first Pet Photo Shoot Fundraisers. A shy pit bull came in and it took twice as long as it normally does for her to relax anyone else may have given up, but with a calm demeanor and patience, I was able to get a good photo of her.”
“
of pets ”
Project because he was tired of pit bulls getting such a bad reputation. The goal of the project is to help people picture pit bulls in a different light. The photos show off their goofy and lovable side. A few national publications picked up the Pit Bull Picture Project and it’s been popular ever since. He also uses the same gray backdrop in all of his photos, which makes them very recognizable. Goldberg doesn’t let the grass grow under his feet for too long. With a passion for charity, he travels the country hosting Pet Photo Shoot Fundraisers for animal shelters and charities, most of which are at 14 • The Pet Gazette
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His secret? Capturing a pet’s true personality in his photos. He prefers to highlight their goofy side that their owners know and love. Also, have lots and lots of patience, don’t be afraid to make lots of noises and just have fun! Like most pet photographers, Adam loves being able to create something that makes someone else so happy. “People love their pets and I get to take their photos and memorialize them forever. It’s also rewarding knowing that I get to wake up every day and do what I love to do and am passionate about. Not everyone is that fortunate,” he continues. “I’ve also heard from many people that adopted a pet because of a photo I took. That makes me truly happy.” But then there’s the pesky side of being a pet photographer – managing the business. “All I want to do is take photos of pets, but I have to set aside time to run administrative tasks like billing, accounting, marketing etc. One day I’ll be able to
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hire someone to do that for me, but it’s all part of being an entrepreneur.” His 4-year-old Mini Schnauzer Mix, Rigby and Boston Chihuahua, Bee, and a rescue cat make it all worthwhile, as does his charity work with The Pit Bull Project and The Shelter Pet Cut Out Project.
@thepetgazettemagazine • 15
Chris Poole Cole and Mermalade
www.coleandmarmalade.com chrispoole20 (880K) coleandmarmalade (354K) ColeTheBlackCat (39.1K) CatManChrisPoole (1.6K)
W
hen Chris Poole, also known as Cat Man Chris, found out that black cats are the first to be euthanized and last to be adopted in shelters, he began making videos showing how loving and deserving black cats can be. His rescue Cole was the star. Then Marmalade came along, and fans fell in love with the duo. Later on, he and his wife, Jess, found out that Marmalade was FIV+ (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and had overcome cancer, so they began to spread awareness on the difficulties FIV+ cats have finding homes. Their work focuses on eliminating stigmas of both black cats and FIV+ cats.
16 • The Pet Gazette
FIV attacks a cats’ immune system, leaving the cat vulnerable to many infections. Approximately 1.5 to 3 percent of healthy cats in the US are infected. Although cats infected with FIV may appear normal for years, they eventually suffer from this immune deficiency, which allows normally harmless bacteria and viruses found in the everyday environment to potentially cause severe illnesses. The primary mode of transmission for FIV is through bite wounds. Casual contact does not appear to spread the virus, so a normal household environment poses little risk to other cats. For more information on FIV, visit http://www.tpg.pet/FIV Chris is never far from a camera, be it video or still. “My wife and I both work from home so we are blessed with being present all hours of the day to catch the boys being crazy, silly or just sleeping adorably,” he says. “Having a camera at all times is key!” Their first viral hit was “Cat Logic” in 2014, which has over 6 million views. The craziest catch for him was Marmalade starring in the “Cat Mind Blown” which is just about everywhere now. Capturing his little shocked face was pure timing. We won’t ruin the premise – scan the below QR code and watch for yourself ! “The most challenging thing for us is not having
“ HAVING A CAMERA AT ALL TIMES IS KEY”
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merchandise is sold on their website, https://shop.coleandmarmalade.com/ or through limited campaigns. A portion of all proceeds is used for what they call the “CaMFund”. Through this they are able to donate to shelters, rescue groups, and often times foster feral or stray cats themselves, including covering some extensive vet bills. They’re working on expanding their merchandise, so stay tuned.
“But the most rewarding
enough hours in the day to thing is seeing a rescued or abandoned cat finding help all the cats and their spread the awareness we’d like to,” says Poole. “It’s certainly a 24 hour/7 day a week lifestyle. You have to understand that not everything happens the way you want it to and accept that there are people that will never change their way of thinking; no matter who or what it hurts,” he explains. “But the most rewarding thing is seeing a rescued or abandoned cat finding their fur-ever home. The look on the new “cat servant” faces (what we call the adopting humans) makes it all worth it.”
fur-ever home.”
And if that wasn’t enough, they are currently working on opening their own Cat Café. “We want to do as much as possible to help cats in need and if we can take the strain off of local shelters and help get cats adopted, that’s what we want to do,” Chris says. “Our cat cafe will also be a great place to educate the community about cats in need and how they can help purrsonally!” Good luck, Cat Man Chris and Jess. We can’t wait to visit the Cat Café!
The Poole’s videos and imagery are a blend of humor and education, which makes them so endearing and relatable to people. “Every day we are blessed to get messages from fans saying that our videos or comments have helped them in some way; from recovering from illnesses, depression, anxiety or physical ailments to just cheering them up” says Poole. “It’s really overwhelming to think about, but we’re also so grateful to hear that we can help not only animals, but humans too.” Their charity work is extensive. All of their facebook.com/ThePetGazette
@thepetgazettemagazine • 17
Aaron Benitez www.aaronsanimals.com aaronanimals (2M) aaronanimals (750K) AaronsAnimals (500K) AaronsAnimals (4K)
His videos are anything but ordinary. With the humorous story lines and surreal action, many people ask him if the cats are real. But Prince Michael’s eyes and expressions shine through, and it’s really just the exquisite mastery of visual effects that make these films so intriguing.
A
aron’s empire of animal videos started from humble roots. He left college to pursue a career as a visual effects artist, and was teaching people VFX on YouTube while living out of his car. Over two years, he saved money to pursue his dream. Slowly, it developed into filming a few videos with his cats, two British shorthairs that he adopted in NY before moving to LA, including the famous Prince Michael (who is a real cat, in case you are wondering). From there he switched over to filming full time and has since done hundreds of video shoots, including his favorite, which was with the lead actors in Jurassic World.
“
Laughing at our videos helps
with their
depression”
So what’s it like to film with cats all the time? “Working with cats is tough - especially outdoors,” says Aaron. “It’s so rewarding to hear the laughs we get when children watch the videos, though.” 18 • The Pet Gazette
“People write to me that laughing at our videos helps with their depression,” says Aaron about the benefits of the work he’s doing. “We also work with the Amanda Foundation to raise money for animals. We sell merch on our website as well.” What’s next for Aaron’s Animals? They’re launching a weekly live stream called Jazz Cats where viewers can interact online with cats/kittens every Thursday. So, stay tuned and get ready to laugh!
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The Getaway at Glen Highland Farm
where you & your dog can unwind • Escape the hectic pace of daily life • Free your mind as you walk the wooded trails and gorgeous meadows • Lay back on a hammock with that book you’ve been meaning to get to • Dip your feet in the cool current of the creek • Grill a feast over an open fire and close out the day around the campfire under a starry sky.
The best part is that your dog can be right there with you the whole time!
Get off the clock and
of f the leash
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The Getaway at Glen Highland Farm is located in upstate New York on 175 acres of magnificent countryside. Lodging options include RVs, Cottages, Cabins or Tents.
Book your Getaway today!
www.glenhighlandgetaway.com @thepetgazettemagazine • 19
Grace Chon www.gracechon.com thegracechon (47.8K) gracechonphotos (11.1K) thegracechon (3.1K)
A
ll it takes is one photo to go viral to become a famous internet star. Grace Chon was lucky enough to have had two whole series go viral. The first was called Zoey and Jasper, shot in 2014, which was a collection of photos of her rescue dog Zoey and baby son Jasper. The next series was called HAIRY and was shot in 2016. These were images of dogs before and after they were groomed. It was so popular that there is a book of these images coming out in 2018 with Countryman Press called “Puppy Styled.”
Chon doesn’t find her job too difficult, although working with shy and abused pets can be challenging because they can be so withdrawn and scared of new people and the camera. “It takes a lot of very calm energy and patience to help them feel confident and comfortable,” she says. “I strive to capture the soul of animals in my work, so the most rewarding thing is when people see my work and feel like they know the animal, even without having met them.” As does any true pet photographer, Grace draws inspiration from her own two dogs – Maeby, a 13-year-old Whippet/ Doberman mix from Mexico and Zoey, an 11-yearold Formosan Mountain dog from Taiwan.
Chon loves the emotional response her clients feel when they view her work – whether they laugh, say “awwww,” get teary or just feel I strive to like they know the animal staring back at capture the them. She feels that creating work that makes people feel something is her greatest joy as an artist.
“
soul of animals in my work ”
So, once you go viral, what happens? Everybody seems to want you. “My shoot with Chris Pratt was one of my favorites,” says Chon. “He was really nice, down to earth and funny!” But it’s not always so easy. “I once photographed a pair of pugs for Tori Spelling’s reality show, and on camera, sat in a pile of dog poop! Luckily that part didn’t make the cut.” 20 • The Pet Gazette
Her work reaches far and wide, and not just in her images. “I’ve had many people reach out to me over the years to share that they’ve been inspired to pursue their thepetgazette.com
own passion by photographing animals as their career,” says Grace. “They range from people who simply start by taking volunteer photos for their local shelter to those that have quit their full-time jobs to pursue photography. My favorite story is a man in Nigeria who reached out to tell me he was inspired to take photos of dogs to show his community what an important role they play in our daily lives.” If you are a fan, you can check out her books. The first, which came out in 2017, is called “Waggish: Dogs Smiling for Dog Reasons.” It’s an adorable collection of smiling dogs paired with funny captions that explain why they’re smiling. Her next book “Puppy Styled: Japanese Dog Grooming, Before & After,” is coming out in 2018.
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Josh Norem
The Furrtographer www.thefurrtographer.com TheFurrtographer (57K) furrtographer (5.5 K)
J
osh Norem, also known as the Furrtographer, started out shooting rescue cats and dogs, then eventually, to his surprise, people started to pay him. From there he made some connections, started marketing aggressively, and did a lot of free shooting.
probably the most important type of shoot for a pet photographer. What’s the most challenging thing about working with pets? “You have one shot to make the shoot work every time, and there’s not really a chance
Now, Josh is highly sought after for his sharp, atypical, and fun images, which can be seen in magazines, calendars, and more. He has had sessions with some of the most famous pets on the internet, including Boo the Pomeranian and Grumpy Cat, both of which left him star struck. The most memorable photo shoots for Josh are end of life sessions, as they are bittersweet, but in his eyes, facebook.com/ThePetGazette
@thepetgazettemagazine • 21
“You have one
shot to make the shoot work
every time”
Josh regularly gets emails from fans and has helped many along the way in their journey to adoption
to do it over, and sometimes conditions don’t always cooperate so it’s always somewhat of a crapshoot,” says Norem. “The most
rewarding is when you DO get that killer shot or series of photos that the client loves, and you didn’t expect it to happen,” he says. “The real ‘skill’ of a pet photographer is that in every shoot you don’t know exactly what kind of shot you’ll get, which is both fun and scary at the same time. When something unexpected happens, and you nail the shot, it’s extremely rewarding.”
So, do pet photographers have pets? You bet. Norem has a 13-year-old Pekingese/Corgi mix and fosters cats and kittens with eye issues. At one point, Josh had two blind cats, and regularly featured them on his social channels. This spurred about a dozen adoptions of these special cats, which means a lot to him. Josh regularly gets emails from fans and has helped many along the way in their journey to adoption. His main cause is Saving Grace Rescue as they help special needs kittens and cats, like his foster cat, who was born with eyelid agenesis. They rescue blind kittens, tripods, you name it. You can find them on Facebook here: https://www. facebook.com/ specialfeatureskittens/
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Ellen Zangla ellenzanglaphotography.com ellenzanglaphotography (1.6K) ellenzangla (602)
F
or over 40 years, Ellen Zangla has been involved with photography and happens to be infatuated with animals. So, becoming a pet photographer was as simple as combining two of the things she loves best in the world. To Zangla, every photo shoot is impactful in some way. “Some make me laugh. Some are with adorable puppies that I get to snuggle. Some dogs are really
“ You have to be
ready for the shot, quick and give breaks
in between photos ”
well trained, and they are a joy to photograph because I can try a lot of things, which is fun as an artist,” she says. “Watching the relationship between people and their beloved fur babies is absolutely heart-warming. I love creating images for people that they will treasure for a lifetime.” facebook.com/ThePetGazette
Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s always easy though. “I was photographing a client’s puppy in front of a small water feature. She got a little too close to the edge and slipped in. She was on a leash and her mom and I were right there, so there were no safety issues,” she explains. “But I captured the photo of her as she was going in, face under water, rear end, back legs and tail out. We all thought it was hilarious. She got out, shook off the water and continued exploring… further away from the water though!” Ellen’s tips for a great shot? “For dogs, cats or other animals, sitting or lying in a specific area while I take their photo is not nearly as much fun as doing something they’d rather be doing, like playing or exploring. You have to be ready for the shot, quick and give breaks in between photos,” she advises. “You also need to be willing to wait and try again or give up and move to a different shot if it’s not going to work out.”
Ellen’s own fur brood is deep. With two dogs, a Hound mix, Homer, who is 13; a German Shepherd/Siberian Husky mix, Lola, who is 1 ½, and two cats, Alfie and Griffin, which she photographed for adoption, brought home for a long weekend, and never brought back, there are four. As far as her charity work goes, she knows that every little bit counts. On National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, she posted on her Facebook page that she would donate $1 to Lonely Hearts Animal Rescue for everyone who posted a photo of their pet, the pet’s name and where he or she was adopted. About 150 photos were posted, so she donated $150 to LHAR.
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Last year, she raised a little over $10,000.
One of her clients saw this and was so impressed that he matched her donation. Then he applied to his company to match his donation, which they did, so the $150 turned into $450 for an amazing rescue group. Zangla also does a lot of fundraisers, mostly for animal rescue but also for Operation Smile in partnership with the charitable arm of her professional association, PPA Charities. Last year, she raised a little over $10,000. For five great tips from Ellen on taking better photos of pets, read her blog here: http://www.tpg.pet/ellen
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Mark Rogers markrogersphotography.com sf_dogphotog (11K) MarkRogersPhoto (2.5K)
San Francisco’s homeless. “It’s been a pet project of mine ever since and you simply can’t walk away from
M
ark Rogers became known for his work with rescue groups early on, and that will always be core to what he does. He made the choice to do something with his career where he could actually help someone or something else and not just be focused on money. Mark got involved with the “My Mutt” animal rescue program run by Pet Food Express – a California pet supply company. If you donate $250 or more to a rescue, they’ll send a photographer like Mark to take your pet’s picture for a poster that will hang in one of their stores. Pet Food Express pays for everything, so 100% of the donation goes to the rescue. The posters have the pet’s name plus the rescuer’s, so it really helps get the word out. Each store has dozens of them. Mark has shot about 1,000 of these over the last 10 years and it’s really been a game changer for him.
one of the clinics without being changed,” he says. “The bond between the animals and their people is as strong as you’ll ever see it and the effort given by the volunteer vets, vet techs and other folks who give their time is truly inspiring.”
“One of my
oddest jobs was photographing a tiny leopard gecko in front of
the Golden Gate Bridge ”
Rogers charity work does not stop there. He works with Veterinary Street Outreach Services (VET SOS), a program that offers free veterinary check-ups and treatments for the pets of facebook.com/ThePetGazette
@thepetgazettemagazine • 25
One of the early shoots he did for VET SOS reconnected a young homeless woman with her family. They hadn’t seen her in two or three years and recognized her from photos he’d taken of her and a puppy she’d brought to a clinic. He also was able to connect another one of his favorite groups, Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, with one of their ongoing major donors. Shooting with pets can get crazy, he says. “One of my oddest jobs was photographing a tiny leopard gecko in front of the Golden Gate Bridge,” he recalls. “The unpredictability and guaranteed spontaneity of working with animals is invigorating.”
“
His two pets, a 12-year old Corgi/Terrier mix named Bizzy and a white/orange domestic shorthair cat named Jimmy Chew, are his inspiration. “I seem to have a knack for getting to core of Don’t shoot out in animals’ personalities direct sun unless with my images. I it’s first thing in the routinely hear from morning or toward clients that when they look at my photographs they see their pets as they truly are,” he says.
Pug of War
PAWS (Pets are Wonderful Support) and Friends of San Francisco Animal Care and Control are two others close to his heart. His first book, called Thanks for Picking up My Poop: Everyday Gratitude from Dogs, has been very successful. Mark also has a book on dog training coming out in 2018. His best advice for photographing pets? “Take your shot at pet level. That will make it about them and not you. Also, don’t shoot out in direct sun unless it’s first thing in the morning or toward the end of the day when the light angle is nice and low,” he advises. So, get out there and enjoy photographing your pets! With patience, you’re sure to get at least one that you’ll love.
the end of the day”
The list of charities he supports is long. VET SOS is a favorite, as is Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. 26 • The Pet Gazette
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Jim Dratfield’s Petography® www.petography.com JimDratfieldsPetography (1K)
N
ot all famous pet photographers have a massive online following. Some just do it because they love it, and they are incredible at what they do. Take Jim Dratfield’s Petography. Jim has been featured on ABC’s 20/20 and The View and was profiled in Town & Country and Oprah’s O. Magazine. His clientele includes Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron, Laura Dern, Billy Joel and Elton John. Not too shabby! So how does he do it? “The most challenging thing about being an animal photographer is patience.
Animals are very honest in the response to a camera and if eyes are the window to the soul well then an animal invites you to capture that essence,” Jim says. “But the most rewarding thing about being an animal photographer is capturing the
“But the most
rewarding thing about being an animal photographer is capturing the relationship
between human and animal. ”
relationship between human and animal. That bond is very profound and very strong.”
Jim tries to tell a story with his images and believes that is what people appreciate most about his work. His favorite photograph that he’s taken is called “The Soulful One.” “It is a simple portrait of a flat coated retriever, however the look in the eyes of the dog tell the story and I find it very touching,” he says.
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@thepetgazettemagazine • 27
As a pet photographer, you have to have a love of animals. Jim has a nine-year-old black lab named Sawyer, a four-year-old wired-haired pointing Griffon named Maeve, and a black rescue cat named Nico. He also contributes to many different animal charities. Over the years, Jim has had twelve books published by major publishers, such as Random House and Rizzoli.
Photo shoots are rarely dull, especially when you travel all around the US for them. He once did an outdoor photo session for Henry Kissinger. He arrived shirtless, and his pants kept falling down. “I had him making barking sounds to his dog Amelia. It was quite the sight,” laughs Dratfield.
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His best tip on photographing pets? “The key to the shoot is patience, patience, patience. Animals will give you so very much, but you have to work on their terms and in their time.” TPG
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the country. So check your local guides for the most highly recommended ones.
PART II How Do I... by wendy crawford
Coffee – morning, noon, and night. Starbucks’ “Puppuccino” might be the record holder for the ‘make-your-dog-dance-with-glee’ award. And it’s free. Dunkin’ Donuts picked up on the trend and now while
I
f you’re like me, you probably find yourself segmenting your friends into at least some of the following categories: 1) Those with kids around the same age as mine and whose parents I like. 2) Friends from work and business networks. 3) Long time best buddies. 4) Those who have pets – in particular, dogs that my gang plays with and likes.
A few weeks ago I decided it was time – at last – to find a way to combine some of my interests and friends. And, of course, our dogs. I figured this would expand all our horizons, plus introduce us to new people, activities and experiences … and be FUN. To be honest, I was surprised at just how many sources there were. And almost all of them had listings for activities and events that were appealing. Interesting not only to me, but to my very diverse group of pals, and presumably, to our dogs. I say ‘presumably’ because, as of this writing, I haven’t heard a woof or arf to the contrary. Pull up Google and enter your area, “activities” and “dog friendly” in the search bar. Or go straight to any of the links listed here. Some of the most popular and user-friendly sites are Meetup.com and Smacktive.com (which is very similar to Meetup but an app specifically for Google Android and Apple iOS devices). Eventbrite.com is another terrific source for finding local events along with a multitude of concerts, etc. After all, ‘Event” is part of their name. Citysocializer.com is a global network – a huge bonus for those traveling, and then there’s Meetin.org. Admittedly Meetin’s site looks pretty old-fashioned (like 20 years worth) but it is crammed full of current info and events. Don’t be put off by looks alone; Meetin is completely managed, hosted and run by volunteers.
you’re having an iced coffee your pup gets a small scoop of vanilla ice-cream on the house. In both cases, dogs are only permitted outside due to health laws so be sure to practice the stay command and tie up your dog’s leash while you run in to order. While the majority of the drive-thru chain restaurants that have complimentary dog treats for your pooch as part of your meal are on the west coast - the trend is moving eastward. The one exception is Le Pain Quotidien. LPQ began in Brussels and now has locations worldwide with patios that are dog-friendly.
From easy walking/socializing exercise trails; to 5k and 10k charity run, bike, walk, or amble marathons; from nature parks or city walking tours with stops for wine and beer at dog friendly Hop on the Internet and start establishments; to outdoor art and music festivals – you’ll find them all with a simple search. Most of the sites allow you to post and share investigating the many things to do with your dog and your pals. info with your pals to make getting organized a snap. You’ll find yourself with so many choices that you wont know what to Almost every city and town now hosts at least a few dog friendly restaurants and cafes. The Dog Bar theme has grown rapidly across choose first. TPG facebook.com/ThePetGazette
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Dog in Parked Car
by Dr. Jessica Melman
D
og fur is great protection against the cold, but it can be a problem in hot weather. This is because, unlike humans, dogs eliminate heat by panting. When panting isn’t enough, their body temperature rises. This can be fatal if not corrected quickly. Any hot environment can cause heat stroke, but the most common cause is careless actions such as leaving a dog in a car on a hot day. And it doesn’t have to be that warm outside for a car to become dangerously hot inside…
=
“What if the car window is down?” DANGER! Rolling down the windows has been shown to have little effect on the temperature inside a car. On a warm day, the temperature in a car can exceed 120° in a matter of minutes—even with the windows partially open. “I just needed to run into the grocery store for milk.”
DANGER!
When it’s 80 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the temperature inside your car can heat up to 99 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 minutes. “But the car was running and the air conditioning was on..” DANGER! Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car for any period of time. And heat stress isn’t the only danger your pet faces when left alone in a car. Many pets are stolen each year from unattended cars. “What are the signs of heat stroke?” Signs include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting or a deep red or purple tongue. “What should I do if my dog is overheated?” If your pet is overheated, immediately bring them to a cooler place, offer cold water and sprinkle (don’t immerse) them in cold water as it can be dangerous to bring their body temperature down too fast. Cold wet towels work too. And get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible for the appropriate treatment. Stay Cool ! TPG 30 • The Pet Gazette
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In Memoriam My Frankie, Rest in Peace
My heart is SO Heavy right now. Yesterday I had to put my puppy Frankie down to rest. Frankie was with me and my brother for 16 years. While 16 years is a long time to be blessed, I really thought she would be around at least another 5 years... She took ill so suddenly, I know she tried to stay alive as long as she could for me and my brother, but watching her labor for her every last breath, we had no choice but to let her go to heaven. As my friend Alyssa reminded me, all dogs go to heaven. While the anticipation of being in that room to take her from the transition of life to whatever is next was overwhelming, I thank my friend Daisy for convincing me to be in the room to hold her as she left this world. Frankie was always there for us, so that’s the least we could do. Frankie came into our lives in 2002. It was a glamorous, jet setting and wild time in my life. I was always out, never home... I mention this because, just hanging with my pup, sleeping in my arm pit, and watching a movie with my brother, had this otherwise hyperactive bachelor, well, a home body for the first time. Then things changed. My brother, Jon, was diagnosed with brain cancer. At the time I was dating a girl who had this dog that made Jon smile. Well, when we split up, that dog was not around for Jon to mend through a long and rough recovery so we went out looking for a little soul that could bring him joy, snuggles, a thunder buddy and company during this insidious period. Frankie was the right medicine to heal Jon, and she went on to go through his cancer bouts, my thyroid cancer, and when we lost our Dad. Frankie always thought it was Christmas when we walked through the door, like we had steak in our pockets, or mutton, to you Seinfeld fans. We trained Frankie to be a trick dog. Frankie also instinctively knew if we were sick or when we needed a laugh, like the time she stole my Dad’s teeth and made us chase her. Jon took Frankie to Children’s hospitals. I remember going to one center where she brought a huge smile to this one little glum and introverted angel. This little girl carried Frankie around facebook.com/ThePetGazette
in her arms and had her give High-5’s to the other kids she had been so isolated from. For a few brief moments, Frankie helped put a smile on this little lady which could light up the tree at Rockefeller Center! Frankie was very much part of my family. A special soul and the starring role in our lives. Thanks for letting me take a few minutes of your time, to be able to share and have closure. It will take a while for me, as the silence in the house is defying, and I hopefully will stop pouring a bowl of kibble instinctually, as I did this morning, or expect the leap to my lap when I open my door. Thanks to my friends who gets it and can commiserate with me, to those who keep checking in on me and those who made an effort to bring me a needed smile… a few hours of distraction on a very bad day for me. RIP Frankie. You were so much more than a pet, as my brother best said, “the glue that is our Bond and an end of a period...” Besos, Lance Have you lost a pet and want to celebrate their life with a posting in The Pet Gazette? Share their story at: http://www.tpg.pet/inmemoriam
World Pet News Doodoowatch: a crowdsourced solution to our cities’ dog mess minefield ? It is the impossible task shared by cities, towns and villages around the world – indeed, anywhere where man coexists with his best friend. What to do about dog poo? Founder Amanda Carlin, says the “Doodoowatch” map succeeded in clearing the village of dog mess within a week of its being set up. She says she has since been been swamped with inquiries from nearly 100 groups and authorities in Britain hoping to replicate their success. Three volunteers log the community reports of uncollected droppings on the map, hosted by Google Maps, as well as when they are cleared up, whereupon the red icon turns green. “What we have now is this massive green sea, and it’s wonderful,” says Carlin. “We have a clean village, and we are all happier for it.”
Tracks For local events please visit www.tpg.pet/local or Scan the QR code using your iPhone camera or by downloading and using The Pet Gazette App. @thepetgazettemagazine • 31
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