Meet Janet!
Photographing Pets and Their People
You love your pet...and guess what? So do I. That's why I am a pet photographer. Our memories of our beloved fur-family members begin to fade. But the artwork we create together will keep that fur-ever moment vivid in your mind. Together, we will create a unique pet photography experience so we can capture authentic images of your pet's expressions, behaviors, and features to preserve these memories now and "fur-ever" in archival photographic artwork. I will get the shot if your pet is a K9 hooligan, an Obedience Academy Honor Roll graduate, or an indoor diva kitty. Guaranteed. Or we can have another session!
Sadly, the beautiful GSD in this photograph was my retired military working dog, Ares. He passed away all too suddenly. Ares X218, was an Air Force K9 Veteran and a direct beneficiary of the United States War Dogs. This photograph was taken in August of 2021, and he passed in October 2021. There was no notice and no opportunity to bring him home for a Tribute Photo Session or even to let him pass in his own home. Ares was fine on a Monday, sick on Tuesday & Wednesday, and at our fantastic vets at the VCA Veterinary Hospital of Leon Springs on Thursday and Saturday. By Sunday night, he was at Mission Vet Specialty & Emergency and was gone on Monday. We had to say goodbye without a Tribute Session I always had hoped for as a pet photographer. I never expected the photo you see above would be Ares’s last photo with him. “We do not remember days; we remember moments,” Cesare Pavese.
Onto some pet joy! We are owned by a wonderful dog named Major, introduced in my Pet Parent Blog on April 24th, and two ragdoll cats named Boudreaux and Pixie Lou. During Christmas 2023, Odin, a German Shepherd born in May 2023, joined our pack. Be sure to read Major’s blog…it is super fun, and keep up with us in future blog posts.
Photo credit: My amazing husband, Rick, using my camera :-)
This image of Major earned “Top 10” in the “Embark - Unleashed Academy” Color Challenge and one of three BRONZE MEDALs in the 2023 International Pet Photographer of the Year Awards!
Just look at my shiny boy!
My experiences with my own pets have taught me key skills in building relationships and engagement between a pet and their owner. I do everything possible to make you and your pet comfortable so the photographs reflect their true personalities.
My style is documentary with limited intrusion, and only when your pet needs a little encouragement, or a piece of kibble just to keep them interested.
My photographs have been featured on the cover and within the book, "Warrior Pups: True Stories of America's K9 Heroes", written by Jeff Kamen and published by Lyons Press. And in the following magazines, February 2023, “Scene in S.A.” magazine and in the November 4, 2019 issue of “People Magazine”. In November 2021, Halo Publishing released my first photographic “dog travel guide, “The Tails of the Alamo City - A Dog’s Adventure Guide”. And I am working on my second book, The Tailks of the Hill Country, A DOgs’ Adventure Guide, to benefit United States War Dogs planned for 2024! My photographs were also featured in the Tucker Carlson interview with THE famous, multi-purpose K9 Bass and his handler, Retired Marine SSgt Alex Schnell. You can view that compelling interview and see my photographs at this link: https://www.foxnews.com/video/6319623400112
I also believe in giving back. Nearly all special event and Limited Edition session fees are donated to the 501 (C) Non-Profit charity: US War Dogs Association, Inc. I am sure you can see why if you could view the interview with SSgt Schnell (USMC, Retired). In 2021, I donated $8K from the sales of the Tails of the Alamo City - A Dog’s Adventure Guide to the US War Dogs. For more details on purchasing a book or participating in my next book to help this K9 charity, please check the BOOK PROJECT PAGE.
I am a United States Air Force veteran, and I've earned a Bachelor of Fine Art in Digital Photography with Honors from The Art Institute of San Antonio. In addition, I have completed extensive post-graduate work in pet photography through Real Shoots - Complete Course, Unleashed Education, and their advanced course, Embark. I also participated in The Hair of The Dog Academy to further develop my pet photography skills. The result of all this photographic training: my image, Mother of the Year” (see below) placed in the top 100 images in the International Pet Photographer of the Year, 2020 Awards and three Bronze Medal Awards in the 2023 International Pet Photographer of the Year Photography Competition .
Member:
Professional Photographers of America
Hearts Speak Global Community of Artists working for the Advocacy of All Shelter Animals
Professional Member of The Pet Photographers’ Club
Awards
Mother of the Year
My Woofs & Purrs…”Reviews” in Hooman Speak
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Janet, your photographs are always so stunning!! You are incredibly talented, and I know how hard you work too. I will always be grateful for these!!!
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— Kristen M., Houston, TX
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Janet anticipates the working dog’s next move, captures the image, and preserves their personality. So grateful to have these images of my girl with her 10 puppies and the cat, yes, the cat, that raised them all!
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— Bernie G.,Boerne, TX
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Had an amazing session! With 3 small kids and 3 dogs she managed to get perfect images. The print and canvas quality is gorgeous!! I can’t rave enough plus her customer service is on point. Thank you thank you thank you!
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- Lynsee & Ed B., San Antonio, Tx
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I’d seen Janet’s puppy and dog photos, and I wondered if she would be willing to photograph my cats. They are getting older and I wanted to be sure to get some great photographs before they were ill. Janet waited patiently for the cats to come out and walk around her gear. She took the time necessary until THEY were comfortable. Up high or down low, laying on the carpet and hard floors…Janet went where they were to get the photographs.
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— Donna B., Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
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Janet got the best pictures of our two boxers. They can be very shy, but they were not afraid of her at all. She did this cool thing where she gives them treats while holding her camera so they get used to everything before she starts! It was so much fun to watch her in action! Made these dog-parents proud!
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— Lisa & Kevin C.,Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
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OMG…What a riot it is to work with Janet as she photographs our dogs. Not only is she super patient with the K9s…she’s great with the humans too! I highly recommend her for ANY photography!
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— Lora & Brandon H., San Antonio, TX
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Janet's gift is grabbing their spark...their personality.
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— Dee F., AUstin, TX
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Bob & I love the photographs of our kitty Junie Bee! You really are amazing!
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— Laurie M., San Antonio, TX
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When it comes to dogs, Janet is amazing at capturing their spirit! The way she is able to connect and communicate with them is something I've never seen before. She is so professional and understanding. If you need pet portraits, or any portraits, she is your photographer!
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-Norma M., San Antonio, TX
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Janet's photos capture that indescribable bond between pets and their people.
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-Paula P., San Antonio Texas
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Every step of the process was explained in detail. She took her time, esp with my older female dog, who gets confused easily. The thing is, you can really tell when someone loves their job, and Janet LOVES her job!
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-Renee E., San Antonio, TX
