What to Expect From a Luxury Pet Portrait Session in Chicago

Chicago pet photography portrait of a professional woman holding her dog in studio

If your dog is family, you’ve probably had the thought: “I wish I could freeze this season forever.”
That’s exactly what a luxury pet portrait session is designed to do—turn the love you feel every day into fine-art artwork you can live with, not just images that stay on your phone.

At Candice C. Cusic Photography, I create private, boutique pet portrait experiences for busy Chicago pet parents who want something timeless, personal, and beautifully made—right here in West Town, Chicago (just 15 minutes west of downtown).

Here’s what to expect.


1) It Starts With a Complimentary Consultation

Luxury portraiture is personal—so we begin with a complimentary consultation.
This is where we talk about your pet’s personality, what you’re drawn to visually, and what kind of artwork you want to create for your home.

Sessions are by consultation only, because the goal is to make sure it’s the right fit and the experience feels effortless from the start.

Ready to begin? Contact us here:
https://cusicphoto.com/contact


2) A Calm, Guided Session (Designed Around Your Pet)

Most people worry their dog won’t “behave” for photos. The truth is, your pet doesn’t need to be perfect to be photographed beautifully.

My sessions are guided, supportive, and tailored to your pet’s comfort. We work patiently, we keep things light, and we capture real expression—not forced poses.


3) A Trainer Can Be Available On Set

If your dog is nervous, high-energy, reactive, or simply distracted in a new space, we can bring in support.

For many sessions, a professional trainer is available on set to help your pet feel calm and confident while we photograph them. That extra layer of care allows you to relax and enjoy the experience—while we capture natural moments that feel like your dog.


4) Your Session Takes Place in My West Town Studio

Your session takes place in my West Town, Chicago studio, designed specifically for pets and the people who love them.

A studio environment gives us complete control over lighting and flow—so we can create clean, striking portraits that feel timeless and elevated, without the stress of outdoor distractions.


5) We Create Artwork (Not Just Photos)

This experience is designed to produce finished artwork for your home—pieces that feel personal, emotional, and beautiful in your space.

If you’d like to learn what truly makes a portrait wall-worthy, read this next:
https://cusicphoto.com/what-makes-a-pet-portrait-worthy-of-wall-art/


6) You Return for a Reveal

After your session, you’ll come back for your artwork reveal, where you’ll see your portraits and choose the pieces you love most.

This is where everything comes together—and where clients often realize they didn’t just book a photo session…
they created something lasting.


Ready to Create Something Timeless?

If you’re ready to turn your pet’s personality into fine art, I’d love to invite you in for a complimentary studio consultation.

Contact Candice C. Cusic Photography here:
https://cusicphoto.com/contact

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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.
⠀
And sometimes a cat who wandered into your backyard knows exactly what makes you happy.
⠀
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."
⠀
— 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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