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Sometimes what looks like a dead end is really a detour straight to your purpose. That's exactly what happened to Emily Lim, a baker, and Catherine Li, a photographer, when Covid-19 derailed their plans.
"When Covid first began, we both figured it would blow over in weeks — a short break from school and work, and that would be it," says Li.
But those weeks stretched into months. Lim was permanently laid off from her baking job, while Li had just finished photography school. "We suddenly had all this free time, so we did what a lot of twenty-somethings did during the pandemic — baked sourdough, played Animal Crossing, and got ourselves a puppy named Cappuccino."
They started visiting a nearby park for a neighborhood dog meetup. Snapping photos of the dogs and watching the pure joy it brought their owners pointed them down an unexpected road: founding Kapture 9 Studios, a pet photography business. They're already off to a fantastic start — one of their dog portraits graces this very issue's cover.
"We wanted to help pet parents capture their pet's personality and give them a memory that lasts," says Lim. "We aim to make every client session unique and genuinely fun."
* To book a session, visit kapture9studios.com. They welcome every species of pet. Find them on Instagram and Facebook at @kapture9studios.
Kapture 9's Formula for Better Dog Photos
1. Drop down to your pet's level
We spend our days gazing down at our dogs, so try crouching low. You'll be amazed at how completely different your pet looks from their eyeline!
2. Pay your pet — and don't penny-pinch!
Pet parents are always stunned by how many treats we hand out during a shoot, but your pup is straight-up working! Don't expect one treat to buy ten commands and full cooperation. It matters to figure out how your pet likes to be compensated — some live for food, others for play. Learn your dog's preference and reward generously. You might just end up with a far more attentive model!
As long as you've got decent light, your smartphone can handle snapping some action shots of your pup! Adding motion makes for a far more interesting image. Photos are the perfect excuse to show off your dog's tricks — you can catch some hilarious faces during treat catches (toss some kibble and click away!), but letting your pup strut their stuff makes for adorable photos too.
Throw in some bows, bandanas, hats, or toys to layer in personality.
Don't feel boxed in by centering your pet or rigidly following the rule of thirds. Play with cropping — filling the whole frame or leaning into lots of background can create a far more compelling photograph!
Don't obsess over nailing the perfect shot! Take a mountain of photos and have fun with it — and make sure your dog is having fun, too. Modelling is exhausting. Sometimes they're eager to show off; other times, all you're getting is a sit.
Some of the most adorable photos surface in the moments between the shots you're aiming for, so snap in batches and sort through them later.
The more, the merrier! Inviting along a few friends can reveal a whole new side of your pup and score you shots you could never get solo.
Don't be shy — show off every single one of your dog's assets!
Originally featured in the award-winning Modern Dog magazine. Subscribe today!
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