How to choose the best pet photographer for you

Let me first start out by saying…
We may NOT be the right pet photography studio for you. And that’s completely okay!

It is more important to me that you have an amazing experience with a photographer that is the right fit for you than you shoot specifically with me.

Choosing the right family photographer can be confusing! There are many options out there and it can be confusing trying to pick. 

People often make the mistake of only shopping based on price. I know budgeting is important, but there are other key things most people don’t know that they should be considering when choosing the right photographer for them.

Balancing price and all these other factors is key to making sure you and your precious fur baby have the best experience possible. Here are my pointers for choosing the right fit for you and your pet!

1. Find a photographer who specializes in pet photography

Finding a photographer who specializes exclusively in pet photography is important. Not every photographer has the talent or experience needed to work with animals. As much as our pets are wonderful and intelligent, they don’t know what a camera is or why those lights sound angry!
These sorts of shoots require patience and special knowledge on how to best relate to an animal and ensure their comfort and safety is a top priority. 
My top priority is always to create an environment where you and your pet can relax and be captured in a stress-free, natural state. I’ve seen so many photographers who try to shoot it all and don’t understand that each genre is a specialty!
A good way to determine if someone specializes in a specific genre of photography is to hack their portfolio. If their work samples match what you’re looking for, then they’re likely the right fit!

2. Choose someone you and your pet are comfortable with
This is the most important thing you should consider when choosing a pet photographer!
Being comfortable and resonating with your photographer will make your session exciting and fun rather than stressful and nerve-racking. This is a special experience, it should be a good time!
If you are not comfortable or don’t feel like you relate with your photographer, it WILL show in your images. Stress shows up in your poses, facial expressions, and eyes. And unfortunately, no amount of photo editing can get rid of that.
The best thing to do is to meet with your photographer for an in-person consultation. I always ask my clients to bring their pet in for a free studio tour before we shoot so that on shoot day, their animal is already familiar with me and the space.  This always makes the experience tons easier the day of the shoot!

3. Find a photographer whose values align with yours
During your consultation, you will be able to get to know the photographer more and determine if your values align. For example, my values as a photographer are the following:

– Creating a custom experience fitted to your individual needs
– Ensuring my studio is a safe space where my clients can be their authentic selves
– Clear & professional communication
– Delivering the highest quality photography & products, no matter how long it takes

Now, you may be looking for something different and that’s okay! When looking for the right Family Photographer for your family, make sure you do find someone who has values and business principles that align with yours and what are looking for. 

We look forward to seeing you in the studio soon! 

Warmly, Candice

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    Chicago Pet Photographer

    This is pretty exciting.

**Bored Panda just featured The See Hear Love Project.**

The See Hear Love Project is the world’s only documentary storytelling project told from the animal’s perspective. 

Through animal communication, shelter and rescue animals share their own stories, and we create fine-art portraits and documentary films to help them be seen, heard, and adopted.

I’m incredibly grateful to the rescues who trusted us with their animals and their stories:

@onetailatatime
@sayvanimalorg 
@reddoorshelter 
@hinsdalehumanesociety 
@chicagolandpigrescue 

**Read the Bored Panda feature:**
https://www.boredpanda.com/see-hear-love-animal-project.../

**Watch The See Hear Love Project:**
https://youtube.com/shorts/18yGgXeEX-0?si=xp8lSbNR8OkKkSX8

https://www.boredpanda.com/see-hear-love-animal-project.../ See less
    The See Hear Love Project™ is the world’s only documentary project told from the animal’s perspective—combining animal communication, portrait photography and film to help animals be seen, heard and loved.
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George wandered into Owen’s backyard one winter.
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And stayed. ❤️
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During George’s animal communication session, I asked him about his life with Owen.
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Then George told me something wonderfully specific:
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“Cookies in bed make Owen happy.”
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Owen’s reaction says everything. 😂
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These are some of my favorite moments in animal communication. Sometimes what an animal shares is profound. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking.
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And sometimes a cat who wandered into your backyard knows exactly what makes you happy.
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
⠀
The See Hear Love Project™
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#SeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #CatCommunication #RescueCat #AnimalStories #PetStories #AnimalCommunicator #ChicagoPets
    The See Hear Love Project™ wouldn't exist without the incredible rescue organizations that trusted me with the stories of the animals in their care.

Thank you for believing in an idea that was a little different, for opening your doors, and for introducing me to some truly unforgettable animals.

I'm so excited to share the latest sizzle reel for The See Hear Love Project™.

Every featured animal received a documentary film, fine-art portraiture, and an animal communication session designed to help people connect with the individual behind the adoption profile.

My hope has always been simple: to tell stories that help more animals find forever homes.

Thank you to every rescue, foster, volunteer, adopter, and supporter who has been part of this journey. This is only the beginning.
    Avalanche wasn't interested in being the center of attention.
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He just wanted to be close.
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Please visit my page to see Avalanche's full story.
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"I don't want
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to be alone."
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— Avalanche
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
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#TheSeeHearLoveProject #SeenHeardLoved #RescueRabbit @reddoorshelter
    Dama arrived at the studio in a wheelchair.
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That was the first thing I noticed.
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It was also the least interesting thing about her.
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What I remember is her determination.
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Her curiosity.
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Her joy.
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Please visit my page to see Dama's full story.
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"Maybe I'm not a misfit.
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I just have more to love."
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— Dama
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
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#TheSeeHearLoveProject #SeenHeardLoved #RescueDog
    I created The See Hear Love Project to help animals like Blanca.
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Painfully shy. Dumped on a road before the rain came. Nervous around strangers. Ears down. Tail tucked.
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For those new to the project, these are not carefree, well-adjusted animals. Many have experienced neglect, abandonment, fear, or loss.
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Sometimes we only get one photograph when they truly relax.
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Thankfully, we only need one.
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Please visit my page to see Blanca's full story.
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Special thanks to @sayvanimalorg for bringing Blanca to The See Hear Love Project.
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"All I want
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is to feel loved and safe."
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— Blanca
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
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#TheSeeHearLoveProject #SeenHeardLoved #RescueDog
    One of the best things about photographing Ramona is watching everyone react to a pig in the building.

People stopped.

They smiled.

They took selfies.

One gentleman asked if I could wait so he could FaceTime his girlfriend because she loves pigs.

The hardest thing about photographing a pig is that pigs don't stop moving.

Ever.

This portrait worked because Ramona kept walking in circles, allowing us to see her body and face at the same time.

Not shown: Ramona chewed up the paper backdrop on set. Her pig squeal echoed through the studio—loud, proud, and impossible to ignore, just like Ramona herself.

"Thank you

for saving my life."

— Ramona

The See Hear Love Project combines professional photography and animal communication. Each portrait is paired with one of the most powerful messages the animal shared during their communication session.

Seen. Heard. Loved.

@chicagolandpigrescue

#TheSeeHearLoveProject #RescuePig #SeenHeardLoved
    Some dogs don’t just fit into a family — they become part of its heartbeat.
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Eddie was pure joy to photograph with his two favorite people. The connection between them was effortless, loving, and completely real.
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These are the moments worth remembering.

    Our location

    Located in downtown Chicago.

    1821 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60622

    By appointment only

    info@cusicphoto.com

     

    Available for travel internationally, for pets & family photography, and education for photographers. Send us a note for details or reach us by phone at 312-248-2939.

     

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