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so why choose scruffy dog photography?
Because your dog deserves more than a few nice pictures.
As one of the industry’s leaders – and Canada’s first and longest-running full time pet photographer – Illona, the creator and photographer behind scruffy dog, brings two decades of experience photographing pets exclusively for private and commercial clients across Ontario and internationally.
Illona’s experience is trusted not only by thousands of clients over the years, but by other professional pet photographers — many of whom have travelled from around the world to learn from her in person.
That depth of experience matters. It means your session is not guesswork. It means your dog does not have to be perfectly trained, perfectly still, or perfectly predictable. It means you are working with someone who understands animals, light, timing, expression, patience, chaos, and the fleeting little moments that become unforgettable, genuine artwork you want to live with for years to come.
Clients choose Illona and scruffy dog because they want something different. They want to invest with confidence, knowing they are working with a photographer whose entire career has been devoted to dogs, cats, and the animals we love. And they want genuine, personality-filled artwork that stands apart – artwork that does justice to the best friend who changed their life.
so, only 4-leggers?
Yes! Absolutely.
Illona has only ever photographed four-legged models (along with a few very special three-legged ones, of course!) – dogs, cats, horses, and the animals we all love. That has always been the heart of scruffy dog, and she has never had any desire to photograph anything else. Not brides. Not family picnics. Not children. Not corporate headshots. Not babies or bellies. Not even your restaurant’s latest menu – though we’re more than happy to sample it!
That said, Illona is absolutely happy to include you in some images with your pet. But at scruffy dog your pet is always the star.
That’s the point.
it’s all about dogs
Photographing animals well takes its own particular skill set — patience, timing, instinct, experience, and the ability to work with real personalities in real environments.
Illona does not photograph weddings, newborns, family portraits, or events — and she would never pretend to be the right photographer for those things. But when it comes to dogs, cats, horses, and the animals who share our lives, this is exactly where scruffy dog belongs.
So if Rover needs his own session, you’ve come to the right place.
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Voted “Best Pet Photography,” multiple years, The Toronto Pet Daily
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experience with dogs
Illona’s experience with animals did not begin behind a camera.
Her first job was training horses, and she has spent her life living with, training, understanding, and rehabilitating animals — especially dogs. Long before scruffy dog became Canada’s first full-time pet photography studio, Illona was already deeply immersed in animal behaviour, body language, movement, motivation, and trust.
That matters.
A great pet photographer needs more than technical skill. They need patience, timing, instinct, and the ability to read an animal in real time — to know when to wait, when to encourage, when to back off, and when the magic is about to happen.
Illona brings that experience to every session, creating an environment where pets can be themselves and the images can reflect who they truly are.
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KW Record’s Readers’ Select Awards, multiple years, for favorite Photography Studio and Photographer
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bringing out the best in your dog
Photographing dogs well takes more than camera skill.
It takes patience, dog-savvy, and the ability to read each dog in real time — especially when that dog is shy, anxious, reactive, distracted, or not remotely interested in cooperating.
Illona works with dogs as they are, giving them the time and space they need to relax, trust, and show their true character. She has worked with dogs of all temperaments and has yet to turn one down.
get the most for your investment
scruffy dog is a full-service studio, which means Illona does not simply photograph your pet, hand over digital files, and leave you to figure out the rest.
Your investment includes two decades of pet-exclusive experience, expert image preparation, thoughtful guidance, and finished artwork created with care.
From your session through image selection, studio consult, and final delivery, Illona handles the details — turning your favourite images into custom, archival artwork for your walls, albums, coffee table, and print collections.
The goal is not just beautiful photographs. It is one-of-a-kind artwork that captures your pet’s spirit and becomes part of your home.
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The Cost of Custom Photography
For a revealing article on the cost of custom photography and what goes into your images when you hire a working professional photographer, along with the costs of running a professional photography business, please read this blog entry, written for potential photography clients and photographers alike: The True Cost of Custom Photography.
As always, if you have any questions, please drop me a line!
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