can i buy the digital files of the photos from my shoot?
In the same way that a film photographer does not sell their negatives, scruffy dog photography does not sell full, 300 dpi, digital files except for commercial purposes. However, SDP does offer your favorite images — non-printable — ready for your digital frames, your computer desktop, your TV … included with your SDP package or available for purchase. Purchase individually or your complete gallery! More information is provided on the extended pricing guide available upon booking.
Plus — with the purchase of one of the scruffy dog print/product packages — a non-printable, watermarked CD of your client gallery is always provided as reference for future ordering purposes, along with several larger sized images of your choice ready for your digital frame!
but why can’t i do my own printing?
When you hire SDP for a session, you are receiving not only years of experience but also the highest levels of quality available in the industry. Many of the SDP products have been developed by us, in conjunction with our main professional lab, strictly for SDP clients. These products have been designed and honed through years of experience, listening to clients’ desires, and never ever compromising on quality.
Clients do not have access to professional labs, and as such are not able to order the kind of quality that SDP delivers to every client. Each image going to print is carefully calibrated for the final product to be printed at the lab — whether that is a fine-art print, a canvas, or your Signature SDP album. Calibration is specific to each product, but more importantly, to each individual lab out there — whether professional or consumer. It is impossible to control the finished product when non-pro labs or even other pro labs are used since their calibration standards and profiles will be different. The end result are prints and products that are not only sub-standard to the SDP reputation, but also — because of varying calibrations and colour profiles across the industry — the printed images will not be correct in colour, contrast, saturation, white balance, etc. SDP is about high-quality … through every step of your experience, and our goal — always — is to provide you with images that touch your heart and products that will last a lifetime.
why are the costs of prints higher than my local department or grocery store?
This answer is twofold … (1) because the fine art prints you are receiving are printed on premium, archival photographic paper at a top lab to prevent fading and are professionally mounted to provide decades of enjoyment, and (2) because you’re not paying for just the print. Factored into the cost of every print is the photographer’s time in the ‘digital darkroom’. This is far more than cropping and resizing, editing and retouching … it’s more than digitally removing eye goobers or dandruff, erasing clutter or people from the background. For me, the art only begins in the camera. It continues throughout the digital process; every detail is important, and any photo that goes to print is carefully worked on and scrutinized from a creative and a professional perspective.
what about travel fees?
Currently the Standard and the Seasons Sessions include travel to the GTA, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, and anywhere within a 100 kms of K-W. If you are local to K-W, Guelph or Cambridge, or if you travel to scruffy dog‘s area and utilize our locations, you receive a $75 courtesy print credit with your shoot. Beyond 100 kms, a nominal travel fee of .40/km (return trip) applies.
Absolutely. Of course, we only promise to make Fi-fi look like a runway model, and the natural, lamb-liver treats are intended for her! The reason you don’t see more images of people with their pets in the scruffy dog portfolio is out of respect for clients’ privacy.
how far in advance do i need to book?
As a general rule of thumb, six months, however, for the prime seasons of spring and fall, it is much more than that. Currently we are booking almost a year in advance. However, when it comes to our Honor Sessions™ — sessions for aging pets or pets in failing health — we work hard at fitting these sessions in no matter what.
who is this “we” you keep talking about?
At this point in time scruffy dog is a one-woman show, created, built, and operated by illona since late 2007 … the ‘others’, of course, are the mcscruffies — Matea and Merrick goobernuts himself — whose respective job-descriptions include: studio greeter, client kisser and lap warmer, general picker-uppers, visitor alert systems, commercial models and lighting stand-ins, location scout assistants, and last but certainly not least, maintaining illona’s sanity through the busy schedule. For some aspects of this business, of course — where we are able — we do hire out, and are currently seeking an office manager for this vibrant and fun studio.
scruffy dog‘s bottom line
We are not satisfied until you are absolutely thrilled with your images and we will do whatever it takes to ensure that the memories we have captured of your dog are ones which you will cherish for a lifetime.
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your scruffy dog session
Each SDP session is organic and easy-going, in keeping with the more natural, casual style of my photography. Along with my equipment, I also bring wholesome treats and engaging toys for your dog or cat.
The Standard Session lasts 2 to 3 hours, with the first 10-15 minutes being the meet-and-greet. I want your pet to be comfortable with me, and then to be stress-free with the cameras. With some dogs this is a no-brainer. With others, a short conditioning-course of treats is required to warm them up to the sound of the camera’s shutter.
where will the session take place?
For the Starter Session, scruffy dog chooses the location in Waterloo Region. This is done based on the season, as well as the breed, size and colour of your dog since some locations are better suited to water dogs, big dogs, short dogs, black dogs, white dogs, etc. Some exceptions apply to the above.
For the Standard Session, the location is up to you. Your local park, favorite trail, your dog’s favorite swimming hole, stomping grounds, etc … wherever Rover is most familiar and happy, or whatever locale has particular meaning to you. A “moving” location is always preferred — a location that provides a variety of backdrops: field, river, trees, etc. — plus your backyard and home.
Since natural light is always the best, and some dogs can be shy of the camera — much less a bright flash — I prefer to shoot with available light. Obviously, outdoors is optimum for light, but indoor shots can be perfectly wonderful when curtains and blinds are opened. If indoors, please be prepared to de-clutter or move some furniture or objects that could prove distracting in the shot. Although a master at post-processing, it requires far less labour to eliminate such distractions at the scene rather than in post-process.
Because natural light is such a critical element to photography, weather and time of day can factor into the shoot as well as the location and even certain rooms in your home. I will work with you to find the best possible location and conditions for the session.
but my dog is a nutcase. she’s wild and unruly and doesn’t know sit-stay … or … my dog is shy … or … my dog bites … will you still come and photograph her?
Absolutely. I not only take photos of dogs, I know dogs. I’ve worked with fear-biters and shy dogs alike … with or without the camera. It may take some extra patience and a little more time, maybe a good walk beforehand, but we’ll get there. As for wild, unruly FiFi, of course, a little obedience certainly helps … but again, these aren’t formal “studio” portraits.
Absolutely! Seniors and cases of failing-health are always fit into the schedule. These are what we refer to as our Honor Sessions™. With an Honor Session™, you still choose a Starter or a Standard, but the “Honor” designation means that we will do whatever we can to fit you into the schedule and take whatever time is needed to capture images that honor your dog’s life and his/her bond with you. Because of my own loss — my first scruffy at too young of an age, with almost no photos of him — I give Honor Sessions™ priority over all others on the shooting schedule.
how do i book?
I can accept only a limited number of sessions per month so that I have time to devote to post-session work/retouching on the images and can ensure each client receives the best possible photos of their dog. Please email the studio via the contact page about availability to begin the booking process.
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If you have any other questions, feel free to drop us a line!
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